Do you often run out before your paycheck date?
According to a survey, over 70% of US citizens have admitted to running out of money before their paycheck, causing them a cash flow block. How do we manage such situations? The simple answer is Instant Cash Advance Apps like MoneyLion.
Instant Cash Advance apps act as a savior in times of financial crisis for people. Such apps are gaining unprecedented popularity, especially in the US & UK. The high is signifying the user’s appetite for payday or loan apps. To further support the argument, according to a study, over 167 million US citizens are struggling with financial uncertainties.
Currently, there are dozens of instant cash apps like MoneyLion & Possible Finance in the market. Most of them are quite running well and doing good business. If you are also interested in entering the market or building a cash advance app like MoneyLion, then here is the full guide. You can also hire mobile app developers, like Konstant, to better understand the market.
Table of Contents
Instant cash advance apps let users borrow money until their next payday, depending on their needs. The platforms are ideal for getting quick cash to pay payments on time and without missing deadlines. Users who utilize these instant cash apps never run out of money before their next pay period. One benefit of such apps is that they offer fast cash that you may repay with interest, without requiring you to have a high credit score or anything else.
Example –
Let’s look at one example. If your billing amount is approaching its due date but you haven’t received your paycheck yet, you can withdraw a small amount from apps similar to MoneyLion and repay it when it’s time.
Cash advance applications only charge interest on the amount borrowed; there are no other fees associated with them. Some might charge a monthly subscription cost, which is also referred to as a membership fee. Certain apps function similarly to internet lenders, while others are more akin to mobile banks. In addition to loans, they provide overdraft protection and other features.
You must therefore research the market and choose the app that best suits your needs. While every payday loan app is unique, they all generally adhere to the same pattern.
To help the lender determine your eligibility, you must first complete a brief application. You will typically only be asked for the most basic personal information, along with your work status and bank account information. The majority of apps demand that you link your bank account to their website. They will be able to electronically withdraw money on the due date from your bank account and make direct deposits in this manner.
The app evaluates your creditworthiness after you submit a form to see if you qualify for the requested amount. You will then receive a loan decision. Your data will be reviewed in approximately five minutes on average, so you can expect a prompt response by email or push notification.
Should your application be approved, you will be required to review and sign a credit agreement. The lender will deposit money directly into your bank account after you sign. You can receive the funds in a few hours, usually no later than the following business day, because the entire process is quick.
Repayment is handled automatically. When the due date arrives, the lender will deduct the loan principal plus fees from your balance as soon as you grant the app access to your bank account. Thus, all you have to do is make sure the balance is sufficient to pay back your loan.
Interesting Statistics – Over 30% of cash advance users said they’ll not recommend the service to a friend or family
MoneyLion is one of the best apps for cash advances that provide up to $250 instant early payout for free.
The platform is better suitable for you when you find yourself in an unusual work environment. If you need money before your next paycheck arrives, the MoneyLion app can be of assistance to you.
Of course, there are requirements that need to be fulfilled in order for you to qualify for the $250 cash award. You would have to reimburse the sum after your next deposit when the deadline arrives.
You need to fill in the following requirements to take cash advance from MoneyLion app –
| App | Country | Downloads | Rating (Andoid, iOS) | Platform | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigit | USA | 5M+ | 4.7 | 4.8 | Android | iOS |
| Empower Finance | USA | 10L+ | 4.7 | 4.8 | Android | iOS |
| Chime | USA | 10M+ | 4.7 | 4.8 | Android | iOS |
| Earnin | USA | 5M+ | 4.6 | 4.7 | Android | iOS |
| Cleo | UK | 1M+ | 4.0 | 4.7 | Android | iOS |
| Dave | USA | 10M+ | 4.3 | 4.8 | Android | iOS |
| Possible Finance | USA | 1M+ | 3.9 | 4.8 | Android | iOS |
| Klover | USA | 1M+ | 4.4 | 4.7 | Android | iOS |
| Ingo Money | Georgia | 1M+ | 4.2 | 4.0 | Android | iOS |
| Branch | USA | 1M+ | 4.4 | 4.7 | Android | iOS |
| Affirm | USA | 5M+ | 4.8 | 4.9 | Android | iOS |
| Avant | USA | 500K+ | 4.8 | 4.3 | Android | iOS |
| AfterPay | USA | 5M+ | 3.8 | 4.9 | Android | iOS |
| PayActiv | USA | 500K+ | 4.4 | 4.8 | Android | iOS |
| Axos | USA | 100K+ | 4.1 | 4.7 | Android | iOS |
As implied by its name, Brigit is a top Moneylion alternative app that helps you “bridge” the time between paychecks. In addition to monitoring your banking activities, apps like Brigit guards against overdrafts.
You will receive a notification from Brigit and have the option to have Brigit advance you up to $250 to stop the overdraft if it detects an expense that will cause your account to go into default.
A payback date that Brigit calculates depending on your account activity will be included in the notification. To build an app like Brigit, you need to hire a top mobile app development company in India. Such outsourcing agencies are affordable and provide good quality solution.
Pros
Cons
Apps like Empower allows you to receive cash advance and repay it with your next anticipated direct payment, just like other cash advance apps for instant money. Additionally, Empower’s rules let it deduct partial sums from your account until the full advance is completed, even though it does not charge interest or late fees.
To be eligible for cash advances, you must provide Empower with documentation of your consistent income and grant them access to your bank account. Alternatively, you might be eligible for free, immediate funding more rapidly if you open an Empower account. Apps like Empower have an impressive UI/UX and require a top notch reach native app development company, like Konstant.
Pros
Cons
Chime is one of the top instant cash apps similar to MoneyLion and is a more recent type of banking service that pits a bank against a financial technology business. This indicates that Apps like Chime offers many advantages that a bank does not, and it does not have the same expensive overhead as traditional banking.
Additionally, Chime doesn’t provide users with payday loans or on-demand cash advances, in contrast to applications that lend you money.
It does, however, offer free up to $200 overdraft protection when used in conjunction with Chime’s debit card. If a charge results in an overdraft and you are eligible for Chime’s SpotMe program, Chime will pay the remaining amount (up to the maximum advance) and deduct it from your subsequent deposit.
Pros
Cons
Another well-liked MoneyLion Alternative apps like Earnin, which charges low fees. Balance Shield Cash Outs and Alerts were first offered by Earnin. Customers who activate Balance Shield Alerts will receive push notifications when their bank balance drops below a specified amount, up to $400. They can also activate Balance Shield Cash Outs, which will automatically cash out up to $100 of their earnings if their bank balance drops below $100.
Earnin provides a unique method of accessing your earnings before payday by allowing you to take out a percentage of your pre-paid balance. You receive the money within the next business day, so you don’t have to wait for your next paycheck. Note that if you are interested in developing an app like Earnin, you can contact an android app development company in India that has the relevant experience.
Pros
Cons
The idea behind Cleo is to be a “sassy” substitute. Apps like Cleo will even ridicule your consumption patterns. Making it appear as though you’re speaking with a friend rather than an algorithm is the goal.
In addition to not collecting interest or checking credit ratings, Cleo charges a $5.99 monthly membership fee.
Apart from providing minor cash advances up to $100, Apps like Cleo also provides accounts for credit building and assistance with budgeting. It can even tell you what actions to take to improve your credit score.
Pros
Cons
Dave is an app for financial services that gained popularity after being funded by billionaire businessman and “Shark Tank” star Mark Cuban. Instant Cash Apps like Dave’s main responsibility is to assist customers in avoiding overdraft costs. It describes itself as “Human-Banking.”
By adding Dave to your bank account, you can prevent overdraft fees. When this happens, the Dave app will notify you. For an optional tip, you can get up to a $100 advance, which you must repay by your next paycheck. Dave has a robust backend & frontend and you need to hire mobile app developers to build similar instant cash apps like Dave.
Pros
Cons
Apps like Possible Finance provides up to $500 in short-term installment loans. States have different rates, but generally speaking, you’ll pay $15 to $20 for every $100 borrowed. This translates to an annual percentage rate of approximately 91% or 122%.
Each loan has a fixed two-month term. Until the loan is repaid, borrowers must make four installments spread out over eight weeks. If you make on-time loan payments, Apps like Possible Finance will disclose those repayments to all three credit agencies, which will help you, establish credit. Payday loan apps like Possible Finance hire a iOS app development company in India and get their app built at reasonable costs.
Pros
Cons
Apps like Klover provides up to $200 in cash advances. Klover raises the maximum amount that consumers can borrow by using a point system. Customers start earning points as soon as they sign up, and those points grow as they regularly use the app.
There is a $2.49 monthly membership cost for Instant cash apps like Klover, and you may have to wait up to three business days to receive the money in order to avoid paying fees on your cash advance. Depending on how much money you need to transfer, you’ll have to pay an express fee if you need cash more soon. The least expensive transfers can run you $1.99, and the most expensive can cost up to $14.98.
Pros
Cons
Users may accomplish a lot with the instant money service Ingo Money. Everything may be done simply, including cashing corporate checks and more. Apps like Ingo Money also incredibly simple to transfer the funds to any bank or digital account.
Users must first register for an account on the application, after which they can link their PayPal, bank, and other accounts. Following completion and acceptance of the profile, you can upload a photo of the cheque that will be paid after approval.
Pros
Cons
Another instant cash app like Branch enables users to obtain immediate cash for any type of financial emergency by paying a nominal service fee, which ranges from $2.99 to $4.99 depending on the amount requested. If you would want to waive the service fees, you will get the precise amount you have requested within three business days. However, similar to Earnin, this payday advance software is not suitable for remote workers because, before lending the requested amount of money, it requests information about your banking history, the last two months’ worth of records, a debit card for the same account, your working hours, and more.
Pros
Cons
Apps like Affirm functions similarly to a mobile application called Buy Now Pay Later, enabling consumers to make purchases without making direct payments. “Pay in 4 instant loans” are available to users, who can pay back the loans over the course of two months in four installments. It is not advisable to use apps like Affirm in a number of situations, such as when you wish to establish your credit, are unsure of your ability to repay the loan, or have a tendency to make impulsive purchases.
Pros
Cons
Last but not least, Avant is a cash advance app that enables borrowers with credit scores as low as 550 to obtain a $35,000 immediate loan with a one to five-year repayment period. Despite how great it sounds, the Avant app costs up to 4.75% in origination fees, which are assessed prior to disbursing the loan money. Furthermore, apps like Avant do not permit you to include a co-signer or co-borrower, which reduces your chances of being approved for a loan.
If you also want to get an instant cash app like Avant, consider to hire mobile app Development Company in India.
Pros
Cons
Another Buy Now Pay Later fintech smartphone app that is used by a variety of people to make online or in-store purchases is AfterPay. One of the great things about AfterPay is that, as long as you remember to pay your bills on time, there are no finance or interest penalties. However, apps like AfterPay are not ideal choice if you are attempting to establish good credit or are under the age of 18. Be careful not to develop a dependency on the software that could increase your unneeded debt.
Pros
Cons
Users can access their earned money even before their payday using the Payactiv application. Depending on their circumstances, users of this service can also receive financial counseling. Through apps like PayActiv, users may also pay their bills.
Users of the apps like PayActiv can now attach their debit card to the app. It is now simpler to swiftly access the app and stay away from fraudulent conduct with this debit card. While direct deposit is free of charge, users utilizing Payactiv may be required to pay a $1 fee. Android app Development Company in India, like Konstant, can build such apps at good price and offer intuitive solutions.
Pros
Cons
Axos Bank Direct Deposit Express is another next generation instant cash app. Opening a checking account should always be the first step for anyone. After the account is opened, users can use Direct Deposit Express to get their money two days early and use it in any way they like.
There are no fees associated with using Axos, and there are no minimum balance restrictions. The Axos account’s overdraft further enhances the user experience. It can be thought of as a digital bank that replaces traditional banking with contemporary features. To build such complex & innovative instant cash apps like Axos, you need to hire a good react native development company and can also refer to mobile app development trends in case of any doubt.
Pros
Cons
DailyPay is a top cash advance app like Moneylion that facilitates early earned wages and on-demand pay. The app provides real time access to earned wages and integrates easily with an organization’s management and payroll system. The UI/UX of the app is easy to understand & navigate and employees can receive the funds in their accounts in a few steps.
Dailypay app’s partnership with employer has increased the employee job satisfaction and retention number. Users can receive wages to their bank account or prepaid cards.
Pros
Cons
One of the top cash advance apps like Speedy Cash, offers several financial services including lines of credit, speedy cash payday loans, installment loans, title loans, check cashing, etc. The app’s payment structure is fast and offers advance wages in an hour.
Apart from this, customers can also manage their already existing loans and access other financial information on the app. Some of the top features include loan management, account management, loan application, etc.
Pros
Cons
Advance America is among the best cash advance apps like Moneylion and offers earned wages & credit to the people. The app has high interest rate but the access to funds with low credit score people is also easy. The app offers title loads, installment loans, and payday loans to people.
Started in 1997, Advance America Cash Advance app now has offers services in over 1200 locations. Not to skip, the app is highly rated on several online platforms, including 61000 on Trustpilot and 100,000 on Google, with 4.8/5 average star rating.
Pros
Cons
Founded in 2004, CashNet USA offers cash advance & earned wages solutions to the people in need. The company offers best in the industry rates and have varied, flexible repayment methods available, making it a reliable cash borrowing partner.
The platform’s major services include (but not limited to) lines of credit, installment loans, and payday loans. Apps like CashNetUSA is currently serving in 29 states and is planning to expand its horizon gradually to other locations also.
Pros
Cons
Apps like Varo is a digital consumer bank that offers several features to its customers including automatic saving account, no limit of minimum balance, online digital banking, and no monthly charge. The bank also provides cash advance upto $250 to its users without any charge. The repayment cycle is 30 days and there is no credit check to get payment.
However, if you need the cash advance instantly, Varo might charge you an express fee that starts as low as $4 for $50 advance. The platform is safe to use and has insanely high rating on Play Store & App Store both. Apart from this, the deposits in the Varo app are FDIC-insured upto $250,000.
Pros
Cons
Users need to consider three major factors before opting for a MoneyLion App Alternative –
First, determine how much you actually need. Then decide which app best suits your needs.
The processing time takes one to three days on average for most instant cash apps similar to MoneyLion. However, some provide quick delivery, i.e. within 1 day also.
Some best cash advance apps provide variable payment dates, such as Brigit. However, most platforms focus on your upcoming paycheck date.
Due to their quickness and ease of use, payday loan apps like MoneyLion are well-known and in use. Only need to join up to access them. Additionally, the majority of apps offer fast delivery so you may get your money right away. Ideal for times when you require quick cash!
Furthermore, the majority of the apps on this list have no interest and don’t require a credit check. Additionally, their fees are usually lower.
Note – An average cash advance user takes 3.5 advances in one month
The cost for instant cash apps similar to MoneyLion can be estimated after understanding the whole idea & concept. However, to give you a good rough estimate, the mobile app development cost is –
A simple app with basic functionality and features lies between $10,000 and $20,000
A medium app has all the basic functionality, features, and customized design. It ranges between $20,000 and $30,000
A complex app has customized features, design, and functionality and shall cost over $50,000+. Make sure to hire mobile app developers with past experience if you want complex apps for instant money.
Note – 40% of cash advance users are men while the remaining 60% are women
| Cash Advance App Size | App Development Cost |
| Simple app development cost | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Intermediate app development cost | $20,000 – $30,000 |
| Complex app development cost | $30,000+ |
So, this was all about payday apps like MoneyLion and the list of 15 best cash advance apps like MoneyLion. You can refer to the list whenever you are in need of urgent money or can bookmark the article for future use. If you have an idea in mind related to payday loan apps similar to MoneyLion with better or improved functionality, then consult with a good mobile app development company in India, like Konstant. We have the relevant past experience and all the required resources to develop finance apps. Furthermore, you can check the top fintech app ideas here to take some reference for your idea. Make sure to do your homework well without making any significant decisions to avoid time and money loss.
You need to register on cash advance apps like MoneyLion and submit your documents to be eligible for borrowing money. The maximum amount you can borrow from MoneyLion is $250 and you can access it 2 days before the payday.
Cash Advance apps offer advance payout to people before their actual payday. Users need to register on the platform and fill in all the required details such as bank details, income, and more. Once approved, you are eligible for advances. Such apps charge commissions and fees on each transaction.
The android app development cost to build a cash advance app like MoneyLion varies and depends upon several factors. On average, it takes $20,000 to $50,000 for a simple app like MoneyLion. The cost can go as high as $80,000+ in the case of complex apps.
The exact time required to develop instant cash apps similar to MoneyLion can be determined after understanding the exact requirements. However, to give you a rough estimate, it takes about 3 to 6 months to build best fintech apps. It includes the planning, design, development, testing, as well as deployment phase.
Top iPhone app development companies, like Konstant Infosolutions, can build robust, intuitive mobile applications. They carry the expertise and the experience to handle such projects and have all the required resources to fill the client’s needs.
Cash advance apps like Moneylion make a major part of their revenue through interest on money lent. However, the app has other sources of income such as commissions, transaction charges, and subscriptions.
Manish Jain is the co-founder and Managing Director at Konstant Infosolutions. He is responsible for the overall operations of the company and has played a major role in bringing Konstant up from its humble beginnings and, with his immense energy and drive, transforming it into a globally trusted name in IT solutions.
Or send us an email at: [email protected]
