* This article does not provide financial advice. Please seek help from a financial advisor if you need financial assistance.
(Ad) The lenders reviewed here are only for people with bad credit. That is why they can be more expensive than personal loans but are cheaper than traditional payday loans. We recommend improving your credit and getting a cheaper loan.
Traditional payday cash advance loans typically offer up to $500 instant cash for those with bad credit. But they are very expensive, and their APR average is 400%. Don’t get them. We have better options for you. Our lenders offer instant cash advance loans of up to $40,000 for people with bad credit. Their APRs are up to 35.99%, like traditional personal loans. The approval is instant and we believe the terms are great. For those with very bad credit, they offer cheaper than traditional payday cash advance alternatives that require no credit check. You can borrow them as emergency instant cash. Register now with all the companies below and see what offer they have for you, quickly, in minutes. It’s free and has no obligation. Here they are.
Best 5 Instant Cash Advance Loans for Bad Credit
- MoneyMutual - Up to $5,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.9/5.0 - Best Overall
- VivaLoan - Up to $15,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.8/5.0 - Best Cash Advance for Bad Credit
- FundsJoy - Up to $5,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.7/5.0 - Best Instant Cash Advance No Credit Check
- NextDayPersonalLoans - Up to $40,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.6/5.0 - Best Personal Loan Alternative for Bad Credit
- MarketLoans - Up to $40,000 / Min Credit Score: 0 / 5 Minute Approval / Rating: 4.5/5.0 - Best for Instant Approval
Whether it’s an unexpected $4,500 medical bill or a much smaller amount to cover paycheck gaps, our recommended best instant cash advance loans for bad credit lenders are up to the task. Keep reading to learn more about these types of bad credit loans, including our preferred lending networks, how cash advance apps work, and their advantages over traditional cash advance loan companies.
- Rating: 4.9/5.0
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- APR: Up to 35.99%
- Min. Credit Score: 0
- Approval: 5 minutes
Are you looking for emergency instant cash for bad credit? Borrow from MoneyMutual and you won’t make a mistake. MoneyMutual offers one of the best instant cash advance loans for bad credit. Many of their payday alternatives are no credit check. And are cheaper than traditional payday loans. Apply now and get an offer quickly, in minutes.
With more than 2 million customers served to date, MoneyMutual is arguably the most popular lending network on our list. 155+ direct lenders can be found there. They offer loans from $200 to $5,000 at favorable sub-35.99% APRs, deposited to your bank account in as little as 24 hours.
Another benefit of using MoneyMutual (as opposed to going straight to a direct lender) is its easy and intuitive online application, taking no more than five minutes to complete. Simply provide contact and deposit instructions and get matched with at least three direct lenders offering competitive rates and terms.
How to Apply: Applying for a MoneyMutual loan takes less than five minutes. On the homepage, click the bright orange "Get Started" button and follow all on-screen prompts, providing your state, phone number, source of income, home address, and other personal details before submitting your loan request. Once your loan request is submitted, expect to be matched with several direct lenders.
Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or older
- Government-issued photo ID
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Minimum $800 a monthly income
- Not a resident of Connecticut or New York
- Completed application through the MoneyMutual portal
Highlights:
- Loans from $200 to $5,000
- Competitive APRs up to 35.99%
- Excellent source of instant cash advance loans for bad credit
- Easy 5-minute online application
- More than 2MM customers to date
- Free service to use
- Emergency instant cash
Fees:
- No origination fees
- No prepayment penalties
- Late and insufficient funds fees depend on the lender
Pros:
- Loans up to $5,000
- APRs up to 35.99%
- Instant cash
- Quick and easy application
- No credit check loans for people with bad credit
- Emergency loans
- No minimum required credit score
- Member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)
- Extensive network of 200+ participating direct lenders
Cons:
- Interest rates, terms, and fees vary by lender
- Minimum $800 monthly income required
- No guarantee of loan offer approval
Terms: MoneyMutual is an online lending network connecting borrowers of all credit types with several loan products and services, including but not limited to bad credit installment loans and instant cash advance loans. It issues loans from $200 to $5,000 with Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) up to 35.99% (some exceptions apply). As MoneyMutual is not a direct lender, all fees (origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and rollover/extensions) are determined by each participating lender on the platform. There is no guarantee your direct lender will issue your desired loan amount, as each adheres to its own underwriting criteria. To get an idea of the types of interest charges (APRs) and fees to expect, consider the following: A 19% APR, $3,700 loan with a 1-year repayment term and no additional finance charges will result in a total payment of $4,091.75 ($391.75 in interest charges) with estimated monthly payments of $340.98.
- Rating: 4.8/5.0
- Amount: Up to $15,000 A
- PR: Up to 35.99%
- Min. Credit Score: 0
- Approval: 5 minutes
Are you looking to finance a large-scale bathroom renovation with the best cash advance? What about addressing unexpected expenses like a $7,000 hospital bill? If you are on the hook for these expenses, VivaLoan could be your next source of instant cash.
The direct lenders on the VivaLoan platform extend loans from $100 to $15,000, most with APRs up to 35.99% and repayment terms up to 60 months, offering greater monthly budgeting flexibility. Many of its lenders also report on-time payments to one or more major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian), giving bad credit borrowers a head start on improving 35% of their FICO score.
Another benefit to using VivaLoan is its quick and easy online application, which takes no more than five minutes to complete. Along with 256-bit bank-level encryption and the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA) seal, VivaLoan offers a responsible way to apply for a legit instant cash advance loan for bad credit.
How to Apply: Getting started with VivaLoan may be one of the easiest things you do today. On the homepage, click on the orange "Get Started" button and complete a quick two-page form, starting with the first page: Introduction & Income and the second page: Contact & Deposit. Be mindful that loan requests of up to $15,000 may not be granted, as they are contingent on the direct lender and any applicable state laws. Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or older
- Government-issued photo ID
- Valid bank account
- All credit types accepted
- Not a New York, West Virginia, or District of Columbia resident
Highlights:
- Loans from $100 to $15,000
- APRs up to 35.99%
- Easy 5-minute online application
- Excellent source of instant cash advance loans for bad credit
- Lower APRs than traditional payday loans
- Emergency instant cash
Fees:
- No origination or prepayment penalties
- Late, extension/rollover, and insufficient funds fees vary by direct lender
Pros:
- Borrow loans up to $15,000
- APRs up to 35.99%
- Multiple loan options (e.g., cash advance and installment loans)
- Repayment terms of up to 60 months
- No credit check lenders
- Bad credit is OK
- 256-bit SSL encryption technology
- Alternative repayment options and loan expansions are available
- Funds are directly deposited to your bank account as early as the next business day
Cons:
- Not available in all 50 states
- Not all lenders approved loans up to $15,000
- Mainly a source of unsecured loans
- Varying underwriting criteria used by direct lenders
- Not available to New York, West Virginia, or District of Columbia residents
- Lower maximum borrowing limit ($15,000) than competitors
Terms: VivaLoan is an online lending network connecting borrowers of all credit types with several loan products and services, including but not limited to bad credit installment loans and instant cash advance loans. It issues loans from $100 to $15,000 with Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) up to 35.99% (some exceptions apply). As VivaLoan is not a direct lender, all fees (origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and rollover/extensions) are determined by each participating lender on the platform. There is no guarantee your direct lender will issue your desired loan amount, as each adheres to its own underwriting criteria. To get an idea of the types of interest charges (APRs) and fees to expect, consider the following: A 21% APR, $27,000 loan with a 2-year repayment term and no additional finance charges will result in a total payment of $33,297.90 ($6,297.90 in interest charges) with estimated monthly payments of $1,387.41.
- Rating: 4.7/5.0
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- APR: Up to 35.99%
- Min. Credit Score: 0
- Approval: 5 minutes
Is your electricity at risk of being shut off? Do you have a bank account balance reaching close to $0? What about an emergency $2,000 cell phone bill thanks to an accidental long-distance call? If you are cash-strapped and looking to cover any of these emergency expenses, then FundsJoy is an excellent place to start.
Participating lenders on the FundsJoy platform are ready to extend fast bad credit loans up to $5,000 at favorable sub-35.99% APRs and repayment terms as long as 60 months, offering greater flexibility than traditional payday, auto title, and pawn shop loans. Additionally, cash advance loan requests can be submitted on the website matching your credit profile.
Along with an easy application taking no more than five minutes to complete, we highly recommend FundsJoy for its favorable lending terms and commitment to lending best practices.
How to Apply: FundsJoy offers a straightforward way to submit a loan request for a best cash advance loan. On the homepage, navigate to the upper right and click the purple "Get Started" button to begin the application process. Be sure to answer all questions honestly and accurately to maximize your chances of being approved for a loan. Same-day approval will allow funds to be disbursed to your bank account as early as the next business day. Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or older
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Minimum monthly income of $800 a month
- Completed application through the FundsJoy website
Highlights:
- Loans up to $5,000
- APRs up to 35.99%
- Excellent source of legit cash advance loans
- Available in almost all 50 states
- Instant money
Fees:
- No prepayment penalties
- Origination fees of up to 5%
- Late and insufficient funds fees vary by lender
Pros:
- Loans up to $5,000
- Competitive APRs up to 35.99%
- Bad credit loans
- Emergency cash
- Flexible repayment terms
- Same day approval and next business day funding
- Excellent source of online best cash advance loans
Cons:
- Not a direct lender
- Higher than-average APRs
- Lower maximum borrowing limit than competitors
- Some lenders are more transparent than others
- No forbearance or hardship options are available
- Mainly a source of unsecured loans, not secured, co-borrower or cosigner loans
Terms: FundsJoy is an online lending network connecting borrowers of all credit types with several loan products and services, including but not limited to bad credit installment loans and instant cash advance loans. It issues loans up to $5,000 with Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) up to 35.99% (some exceptions apply). As FundsJoy is not a direct lender, all fees (origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and rollover/extensions) are determined by each participating lender on the platform. There is no guarantee your direct lender will issue your desired loan amount, as each adheres to its own underwriting criteria. To get an idea of the types of interest charges (APRs) and fees to expect, consider the following: A 23% APR, $4,300 loan with a 2-year repayment term and no additional finance charges will result in a total payment of $5,404.93 ($1,104.93 in interest charges) with estimated monthly payments of $225.21.
- Rating: 4.6/5.0
- Amount: $100 — $40,000
- APR: 5.99% to 35.99%
- Min. Credit Score: 0
- Approval: 5 minutes
Kansas City-based NextDayPersonalLoan offers an expansive online marketplace full of lending partners willing to extend best cash advance loans of up to $40,000 to bad credit borrowers.
We like NextDayPersonalLoan for its versatility, offering loans from as little as $100 upwards to $40,000 with favorable 35.99% APRs. It is also very user-friendly, with a quick loan request form taking no more than five minutes to complete. After loan approval, you are presented with several direct lenders matching your credit profile. All are legit and adhere to best lending practices.
If you are looking to cover an unexpected expense or looking to cover gaps between paychecks, then NextDayPersonalLoan is a worthwhile choice.
How to Apply: NextDayPersonalLoan is very easy to borrow money from. On the homepage, click “Start Now” to begin the application. Answer all questions truthfully and accurately, including all contact and deposit information. Upon submission, you will be presented with several loan offers, not all of which may be your desired loan amount. Take all of the time you need to research each one before signing a loan agreement. Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or older
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Minimum monthly income of $800 a month
- Not a resident of Connecticut, New Hampshire, Washington, or Vermont
- Completed application through the NextDayPersonalLoan website
Highlights:
- Loans from $100 to $40,000
- APRs up to 35.99%
- Member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)
- Secure 256-bit bank-level encryption
- Viable alternative to ‘cash advance near me’
- Excellent source of instant cash advance loans for bad credit/best cash advance loans
Fees:
- No prepayment penalties or origination fees
- Late and insufficient funds fees vary by lender
Pros:
- Borrow loans up to $40,000
- Competitive APRs up to 35.99%
- Personal loans for bad credit
- No credit check payday alternatives
- No origination or prepayment penalties
- Emergency cash
- Better fee structure than local cash advance places
- Clearly visible and well-written disclaimers on the website
- Member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)
- Available in almost all 50 states
Cons:
- Not a direct best cash advance lender
- Connecticut, New Hampshire, Washington, and Vermont residents cannot apply
- No dedicated customer support line
- Tribal lenders on the platform are not subject to state usury laws
- Information may be shared with third parties advertising their loan products and services
Terms: NextDayPersonalLoan is an online lending network connecting borrowers of all credit types with several loan products and services, including but not limited to bad credit installment loans and instant cash advance loans. It issues loans from $100 to $40,000 with Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) up to 35.99% (some exceptions apply). As NextDayPersonalLoan is not a direct lender, all fees (origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and rollover/extensions) are determined by each participating lender on the platform. There is no guarantee your direct lender will issue your desired loan amount, as each adheres to its own underwriting criteria. To get an idea of the types of interest charges (APRs) and fees to expect, consider the following: A 25% APR, $33,500 loan with a 5-year repayment term and no additional finance charges will result in a total payment of $58,996.16 ($25,496.16 in interest charges) with estimated monthly payments of $983.27.
- Rating: 4.6/5.0
- Amount: $100 — $40,000
- APR: Up to 35.99%
- Min. Credit Score: 0
- Approval: 5 minutes
Advertising "a fast and easy way to find a loan" on its website, MarketLoans is a reputable intermediary connecting bad credit borrowers with an extensive network of participating direct lenders offering anywhere from $100 to $40,000.
Expect much more favorable terms than traditional payday, auto title, and pawn shop loans, starting with generous borrowing limits, sub-35.99% APRs, and flexible repayment terms of up to 60 months. Plus, its secure online application uses 256-bit encryption with blazing-fast processing times good for same-day approval and disbursement of funds to your bank account as early as the next business day.
One of the best things about MarketLoans is that there are no up-front costs for completing a loan request form. Once you reach the direct lender qualification stage, there is no minimum required credit score or hard inquiry. Overall, we like MarketLoans as one of the leading providers of instant cash advance loans for bad credit.
How to Apply: Getting started with MarketLoans takes two minutes. On the homepage, click the bright green "Start Now" button and follow the on-screen instructions, entering your desired loan amount, contact information, and all depositing details before approval and loan matching with several direct lenders. Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or older
- Government-issued photo ID
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Minimum monthly income of $800 a month
- Not a Connecticut, New Hampshire, Washington, and Vermont resident
- Completed application through the MarketLoans website
Highlights:
- Loans up to $40,000
- Strong APRs up to 35.99%
- Flexible repayment terms
- 256-bit encrypted online application
- Available in almost all 50 states
- Strong alternative to ‘cash advance near me’
- Excellent source of instant cash advance loans for bad credit/best cash advance loans
- Emergency instant cash
Fees:
- No origination or prepayment penalties
- Late and insufficient funds fees apply
Pros:
- Excellent borrowing limits (up to $40,000)
- Sub 35.99% APRs
- Personal loans for bad credit
- Same day approval
- Flexible repayment terms
- 256-bit encrypted online form
- Lower fees than local cash advance places
- A top source of cash advance for bad credit
Cons:
- Not a best cash advance direct lender
- Higher than average interest rates
- Tribal lenders on the platform are not subject to usury cap laws
- No cosigner or co-borrowing options are available
- No forbearance/hardship programs or dedicated helpline
- Not available to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Washington, and Vermont residents
Terms: MarketLoans is an online lending network connecting borrowers of all credit types with several loan products and services, including but not limited to bad credit installment loans and instant cash advance loans. It issues loans up to $40,000 with Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) up to 35.99% (some exceptions apply). As MarketLoans is not a direct lender, all fees (origination, prepayment, late, insufficient funds, and rollover/extensions) are determined by each participating lender on the platform. There is no guarantee your direct lender will issue your desired loan amount, as each adheres to its own underwriting criteria. To get an idea of the types of interest charges (APRs) and fees to expect, consider the following: A 28% APR, $34,300 loan with a 3-year repayment term and no additional finance charges will result in a total payment of $51,075.76 ($16,775.76 in interest charges) with estimated monthly payments of $1,418.77.
What Are Instant Cash Advance Loans for Bad Credit?
Cash advance loans for bad credit offer instant money for emergencies by direct lenders from legit funding sources like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy. Borrowing amounts are anywhere from $100 to upwards of $40,000 with sub-35.99% APRs and repayment terms as long as 60 months.
These best cash advance loans for bad credit offer a welcome change versus traditional payday loans, which generally only offer up to $500 with predatory 400% APRs (up to $30 for every $100 borrowed) on shorter two- to four-week repayment terms. However, some exceptions apply, with loan amounts reaching $1,000 or more, depending on the lender and your income qualifications.
We highly recommend legit cash advance loans for bad credit from well-known sources like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy over predatory payday loans from local cash advance places. The difference is a world apart regarding interest rates, repayment terms, and other loan details, which we cover in more depth below.
Cash advance loans for bad credit offer instant money for emergencies by direct lenders from legit funding sources like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy. Borrowing amounts are anywhere from $100 to upwards of $40,000 with sub-35.99% APRs and repayment terms as long as 60 months.
These best cash advance loans for bad credit offer a welcome change versus traditional payday loans, which generally only offer up to $500 with predatory 400% APRs (up to $30 for every $100 borrowed) on shorter two- to four-week repayment terms. However, some exceptions apply, with loan amounts reaching $1,000 or more, depending on the lender and your income qualifications.
We highly recommend legit cash advance loans for bad credit from well-known sources like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy over predatory payday loans from local cash advance places. The difference is a world apart regarding interest rates, repayment terms, and other loan details, which we cover in more depth below.
How Do Instant Cash Advances Loans Work?
Instant cash advance loans are short-term loans with repayment terms anywhere from two to four weeks. They are offered to borrowers with limited credit history to cover paycheck gaps or emergency expenses like a past due $200 utility bill or a $3,200 hospital bill.
Our lenders listed here offer up to $40,000 with APR capped at 35.99%. Do you see the difference between traditional payday cash advances and our lenders? And also, our lenders offer instant cash for emergencies to people with bad credit.
One of the benefits of cash advance loans for bad credit is their loose eligibility criteria versus traditional loans. With most instant cash advance loans, no minimum credit scores are required. Instead, direct lenders rely on more flexible eligibility requirements based on age and proof of income (usually $800 or more monthly). These requirements apply to traditional predatory cash advance opportunities (e.g., payday, auto title, and pawnshop loans) or online cash advances from reputable lending networks like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy.
Applying for online cash advance loans is very easy to understand. With all online marketplaces, you must submit a loan application, providing your contact and depositing details, including name, home address, income, and desired loan amount.
Once a loan request is submitted, you can expect same-day approval with the funds landing in your bank account as early as the next business day. Unlike traditional payday loan companies, online cash advance lenders do not require you to issue post-dated checks or even authorized electronic access to your bank account. This is an excellent benefit, as it minimizes the risk of consecutive overdrafts and insufficient funds fees.
Before considering an online cash advance loan, we highly recommend that you review all fees and terms, including repayment terms. If you choose a short repayment term on a high-dollar loan, you may have difficulty paying it back in time, resulting in additional finance charges. Be sure to pick the cash advance loan that is the right fit for your financial situation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Instant Cash Advance Loans for Bad Credit
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of an online cash advance for bad credit:
Advantages
Quick Source of Funding. Using reputable online marketplaces like MoneyMutual and NextDayPersonalLoan allows bad credit borrowers to submit loan applications and have instant cash dispersed to their bank account as early as the next business day. It's a welcome change versus traditional loans, which can take days or weeks to approve.
When funding emergency expenses like unpaid medical or past due utility bills, online cash advance loans for bad credit are an excellent source of quick cash.
Flexible Repayment Terms. Unlike the two- to four-week repayment terms offered by local cash advance places (e.g., payday, auto title, and pawn shop loans), expect flexible repayment terms with the best online cash advance loans for bad credit. You can repay the loan in full with the next paycheck or go for an installment plan with fixed equal monthly payments over a longer period of up to 72 months (depending on the direct lender).
No Collateral is Needed. Forget about putting up a vehicle, mobile home, or precious family heirloom as collateral. Almost all cash advance loans for bad credit from reputable lending networks are unsecured.
Disadvantages
Higher-than-Average Interest Rates. Unfortunately, even the best online cash advance for bad credit comes with higher-than-average APRs of up to 35.99%. Unfortunately, it's the cost of doing business lending to bad credit borrowers with a higher risk of loan default.
In the case of traditional cash advance loans from payday, auto title, and pawn shop sources, interest rates are even higher at 300% and 400% APRs. Assuming a payday loan of $300 with a two-week repayment term and a $45 finance charge translates to a 391% APR.
Not All Lenders Are Equally Transparent. With reputable lending networks like MoneyMutual and NextDayPersonalLoan, not all cash advances for bad credit lenders are equally transparent. Expect some direct lenders to have disclaimers with minimal information on loan terms, states of operations, representative loan examples, and other fine print that informs borrowers of expected interest rates and finance charges.
Fortunately, loan request forms will match you with at least three direct lenders for a better-educated lending decision.
Limited Financial Education and Support. Except for MoneyMutual, cash advances for bad credit providers generally do not offer forbearance/hardship options nor a dedicated support line, as all loan processes originate with direct lenders, not intermediaries.
No Reported On-Time Payments to Credit Bureaus. Unlike traditional loans from banks and credit unions, not all direct lenders from lending networks report on-time payments to the three major reporting credit bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. With payment history accounting for 35% of your FICO score, the failure to report positive lending behaviors is a tremendous loss.
Limited Borrowing Amounts. Although lending networks like NextDayPersonalLoan and MarketLoans advertise maximum borrowing limits of up to $40,000, most bad credit borrowers will not qualify for that amount. So instead, expect a loan offer in the max $10,000 range, representing the risk online cash advance lenders are looking to take.
How to Get The Best Instant Cash Advance Loans for Bad Credit
Here are our recommendations for finding the best instant cash advance loans for bad credit:
Understand All Costs. Before submitting a loan request form, understand all costs of instant cash advance loans. Understand that interest rates and easy cash advance fees vary wildly between lenders. However, you should expect APRs of at most 35.99%, with full repayment required within anywhere from a week to several months.
Learn Your Credit Score. To understand the APR types you should be eligible for, we encourage you to visit annualcreditreport.com and pull credit reports from each of the three major reporting credit bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Although reputable online marketplaces do not require a minimum credit score, engaging with suitable direct lenders matching your credit profile is essential.
For perspective, here are the types of personal loan APRs you may expect with each credit score range(source: Bankrate )
Credit score — Average loan interest rate
- 720–850 — 10.73%-12.50%
- 690–719 — 13.50%-15.50%
- 630–689 — 17.80%-19.90%
- 300–629 — 28.50%-32.00%
Scout Repayment Terms. We strongly encourage looking for direct lenders willing to offer flexible repayment terms anywhere from two to four weeks upwards of 60 months ahead. The more extensive the repayment term range, the more flexibility you have with your monthly payments. However, you should expect to pay more in total interest charges over a longer repayment term.
Watch the Disclaimers. Even with hundreds of reputable direct lenders operating within these lending networks, not all are equally transparent. Some do better at communication than others, advising on interest rates, finance charges, information sharing policies, and other fine print consumers should read to make a more informed borrowing decision.
Shop Around. It is highly recommended to submit two loan request forms. First, you should be matched with at least six different loan offers by six other quick cash advance direct lenders offering competitive rates and terms. Then, apply a magnifying glass beyond the numbers and visit each direct lender's website, checking for concise language on all loan terms and conditions. Do not forget to review our list of cash advance apps as well.
Here are our recommendations for finding the best instant cash advance loans for bad credit:
Understand All Costs. Before submitting a loan request form, understand all costs of instant cash advance loans. Understand that interest rates and easy cash advance fees vary wildly between lenders. However, you should expect APRs of at most 35.99%, with full repayment required within anywhere from a week to several months.
Learn Your Credit Score. To understand the APR types you should be eligible for, we encourage you to visit annualcreditreport.com and pull credit reports from each of the three major reporting credit bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Although reputable online marketplaces do not require a minimum credit score, engaging with suitable direct lenders matching your credit profile is essential.
For perspective, here are the types of personal loan APRs you may expect with each credit score range(source: Bankrate )
Credit score — Average loan interest rate
- 720–850 — 10.73%-12.50%
- 690–719 — 13.50%-15.50%
- 630–689 — 17.80%-19.90%
- 300–629 — 28.50%-32.00%
Scout Repayment Terms. We strongly encourage looking for direct lenders willing to offer flexible repayment terms anywhere from two to four weeks upwards of 60 months ahead. The more extensive the repayment term range, the more flexibility you have with your monthly payments. However, you should expect to pay more in total interest charges over a longer repayment term.
Watch the Disclaimers. Even with hundreds of reputable direct lenders operating within these lending networks, not all are equally transparent. Some do better at communication than others, advising on interest rates, finance charges, information sharing policies, and other fine print consumers should read to make a more informed borrowing decision.
Shop Around. It is highly recommended to submit two loan request forms. First, you should be matched with at least six different loan offers by six other quick cash advance direct lenders offering competitive rates and terms. Then, apply a magnifying glass beyond the numbers and visit each direct lender's website, checking for concise language on all loan terms and conditions. Do not forget to review our list of cash advance apps as well.
Are Instant Cash Advance Loans No Credit Check?
Yes, the best online cash advance loans do not run credit checks. Most direct lenders have reputable online marketplaces that do not require a minimum credit score.
Instead, eligibility is determined in other ways, such as proof of age (18 years or older) and proof of income using pay stubs or electronic timesheets. You also need a valid bank account that can receive disbursed funds.
Although online cash advance loan companies are popular for not requiring credit scores, we recommend comparing rates and terms from at least three direct lenders. It is also essential to carefully review your loan agreement to sign off on any interest rates, fees, and repayment details, as not all loan agreements are identical.
A Word On Traditional No Credit Check Instant Cash Advance Loans
According to the Economic Well-Being of US Households report, roughly four out of every 10 Americans do not have $400 saved to cover an emergency (not including funds from outside sources like a cash advance credit card). This statistic means booming business for predatory payday, auto title, and pawn shop lenders offering instant cash advance loans.
Usually due on the borrower's next payday (anywhere from two to four weeks), traditional instant cash advance loans are more trouble than they're worth, thanks to skyrocketing interest rates, ultra-short repayment terms, and predatory lending practices.
Expect APRs to start at 400%, translating to roughly $30 for every $100 borrowed. For example, a $500 payday loan with a 400% APR equals $2,000 in total principal and interest charges repaid over 12 months, a far cry from the sub-35.99% APRs offered by legit reputable lending networks like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy. Free instant payday advance apps like Earnin and Brigit offer much better terms as well.
Short repayment terms on traditional cash advance loans may also add to your debt cycle. If a bad credit borrower cannot repay a loan in full by the due date, they can expect to pay extension/renewal charges of up to $60.
Lastly, traditional payday advance loan companies are known to engage in predatory marketing and collections practices, including threats of legal action, midnight phone calls/emails, unauthorized withdrawals, and even misrepresenting the terms of a loan by using excessive marketing jargon, such as "secure guaranteed rates today!" Do not forget unauthorized withdrawals or the possibility of two or more consecutive overdraft cash advance fees, adding even more to the bottom line.
With high APRs, short repayment terms, and predatory marketing/collections practices with traditional payday advance loan companies, avoid these cash advance online same day opportunities at all costs.
What Are Recommended No Credit Check Cash Advance Alternatives?
Suppose online cash advance loans from a reputable online marketplace like FundsJoy and MoneyMutual are not in the cards. In that case, many alternative lending options exist to handle all those pesky emergency expenses.
Here are our top recommendations:
Cash Advance Apps. Are you looking to cover the gap between paychecks? If so, 0% interest instant cash advance apps like Earnin, Brigit, and Dave are all excellent options.
All three cash advance no credit check apps allow users to access wages before payday (up to $100 per day or $750 per pay period) using a downloaded smartphone app and linked bank account. All three cash advance no credit check apps offer unique underwriting criteria to determine the cash amount advanced. For example, Earnin applies a mathematical formula that uses one's working hours and earnings to advance a percentage of unpaid wages. In turn, Brigit uses a proprietary scoring model from 40 to 100, establishing users' eligibility on incoming cash flow, account transactions, and other variables with no minimum required credit score.
Trouble deciding between several free instant cash advance apps like Earnin, Brigit, and Dave? Go with Earnin for the highest borrowing limit (up to $750 per pay period), Brigit for its robust credit monitoring tools, and Dave for its "Side Hustle" Discovery feature. Either way, you can't go wrong with any of these cash advance no credit check apps, thanks to hundreds of thousands of positive App Store and Google Play reviews combined.
Payday Alternative Loans (PALs). An often overlooked source of short-term loans, payday alternative loans offered by credit unions typically range from $200 to $2,000 with max 17.99% APRs and repayment terms between one and 12 months. To qualify for these loans, borrowers must be credit union members, along with meeting additional eligibility requirements such as minimum monthly income and/or credit score. Consider these some of the best cash advance for bad credit opportunities out there.
The benefits of payday alternative loans include lower interest rates, no prepayment penalties, flexible repayment terms, widespread availability, and even educational resources on becoming a more informed borrower.
Credit Card Cash Advances. Cash advance credit card opportunities allow borrowers to withdraw cash using their credit card at eligible banks and ATMs. Consider them a short-term loan against your available credit limit, up to a percentage.
For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited cash advance credit card offers cash advances with a variable 29.49% APR in exchange for modest fees of 5% of each transaction amount or $10 (whichever is greater). This does not include perks like 1.5% cash back options and points redeemable for purchases. Other reputable cash advance credit cards include Discover It Cash Back, Citi Double Cash, and U.S. Bank Visa Platinum, all with fixed or variable cash advance APRs below 30%.
Our only knock on cash advance credit cards is the fee structure, with applicable cash advance fees, interest charges, and ATM fees. However, if you are looking to avoid a cash advance no credit check loan and go for credit card cash advances, it should be fine as long as you repay the advance by the end of the week, preferably.
Instant Cash Advance Loans from App Lenders
Over the past several years, 0% cash advance online same-day apps like Earnin, Brigit, and Dave have dominated the scene, thanks to their promise of quick access to cash for cash-strapped borrowers looking to cover gaps between paychecks. Consider them one of the better cash advance no credit check alternatives we've come across.
Here are our favorite list of cash advance/payday advance apps:
Earnin. Earnin allows you to borrow up to $100 per day or $750 per pay period, offering the highest borrowing limits of any payday advance app. Benefits to using Earnin include Lightning Fast processing for same-day funding, no payday advance fee, 0% interest, and no minimum required credit score. It even offers overdraft protection using its Balance Shield feature, which is not offered by traditional payday, auto title, and pawnshop lenders.
Brigit. Like Earnin, Brigit offers online cash advance, only at a lower borrowing limit (up to $250). Although it has a lower borrowing limit, it makes up for it with additional tools, such as credit-building tools and identity theft protection for a monthly membership fee of $9.99.
Dave. Dave offers online cash advance loans of up to $500. One of its biggest benefits over competitors Earnin and Brigit is that you can get a paycheck up to two days in advance with no overdraft, late, or minimum balance fees. In addition, it offers its debit card program with up to 15% cash back on select purchases. We highly recommend Dave for these additional features, not as a standalone paycheck advance provider.
Albert. Albert is a good and easy cash advance app with no credit check, offering up to $250 with no minimum or overdraft cash advance fees. Unlike Earnin, Brigit, and Dave, Albert focuses on investing, allowing users to start building a portfolio with as little as $1. It also hosts robust budgeting tools that allow users to track their bills with ongoing savings opportunities. Claiming it has helped members save and invest over $1 billion, we highly recommend Albert for its seamless transactions and its easy-to-use interface.
All in all, we highly recommend these cash advance apps with no direct deposit required to cover all of those pesky emergency expenses. You only need a regular job and an active checking account that collects regular employer deposits.
Credit Unions for Bad Credit
One way bad credit borrowers can take out an online cash advance loan/cash advance no credit check loan is through credit unions. Offering payday alternative loans, credit unions allow you to borrow up to $2,000 at a fixed 18% APR, repayable up to 12 months. As a result, they can be a viable option with lower interest rates and fees than traditional payday loan companies.
Highly recommended credit unions offering payday alternative loans include Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed), First Tech Federal Credit Union, Alliance Federal Credit Union, and Navy Federal Credit Union.
Arguably, the most attractive offer from a credit union belongs to Alliant Credit Union, which offers qualified borrowers 10.49% APRs on loans with 12- to 24-month repayment terms versus 12.49% APRs on loans with 48- to 60-month repayment terms. This represents exceptional value, arguably the most generous type of loan value-wise compared to 0% interest instant cash advance apps.
You must be a credit union member to take advantage of easy cash advance loans for bad credit from credit unions. Other eligibility criteria may include being a member of a particular organization and depositing a minimum of $5 in a checking or savings account.
Repeated on-time payments can even rebuild your credit with reported activity to the credit bureaus. In addition, unlike lending networks, most credit unions offer debt protection programs that allow you to explore forbearance or hardship options if you have difficulty repaying the loan.
Credit Cards Cash Advances
Like the best online cash advance loans for bad credit, credit card cash advances are short-term loans that allow you to use your credit card to withdraw cash.
Benefits to using credit card cash advances include quick access to cash, no required collateral, reward points/cash back opportunities, and lower interest rates than traditional payday loans.
One important thing to note with credit card cash advances is that cash advance APRs are generally higher than purchase APRs, usually capped at 30%. Still, they offer much better terms than local cash advance places.
For example, the Discover It Cash Back Credit Card offers a 29.49% variable cash advance APR and a charge of 5% of the cash advance amount or $10 (whichever is greater). Additionally, interest accrues from day one with no grace period, so we highly encourage repaying credit card cash advances within three or four days. It's an excellent deal for anyone looking for a cash advance for bad credit or a cash advance with no credit check.
Instant Cash Advance Loans to Avoid
Unfortunately, there is no shortage of predatory easy cash advance online same-day opportunities bad credit borrowers often turn to without recognizing the risks of exorbitantly high interest rates, even when they are confident they can repay a loan in full by their next paycheck.
Here are three traditional easy cash advance loans to avoid:
Auto Title Loans. Like payday loans, auto title loans are secured loans that require using your vehicle as collateral. With this setup, lenders loan a percentage of your vehicle's value. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) , the median auto title loan amount is $350, and the median fee is $15 for every $100 borrowed.
Payday Loans. Office marketed as a quick way to get cash, payday loans from cash advance stores are among some of the most predatory types of unsecured loans. They are known for outrageous 400% APRs, which translates to up to $30 in finance charges for every $100 borrowed. On top of high fees and penalties (including the possibility of multiple overdrafts thanks to authorizing electronic withdrawals), payday loans are known for pitting borrowers into a vicious debt cycle that can take months or years to climb.
If you need one more reason not to apply for payday loans, it's the fact that four out of every five payday loans are extended within 30 days, which means additional fees.
Pawn Shop Loans. Pawn shop loans from cash advance stores offer the same APRs and fee structures as auto title loans. The only difference is that pawn shop loans have a lower average borrowing maximum ($150), and vehicles are not used as collateral. With anywhere from 25% to 60% of your item's resale value offered, avoid pawn shop loans at all costs.
Tips to Avoid Getting Instant Cash Advance Loans for Bad Credit
As with all lending opportunities, it is important to tread carefully when dealing with instant and fast cash advance loans for bad credit.
Here are our top warning signs to look out for:
Limited Disclaimers. Direct lenders with poorly worded disclaimers on their websites should be avoided. Instead, look for language explicitly stating their status as a direct lender or intermediary, along with information on how your information is collected/sold, cash transfer times, states where lenders do not operate, and various advertiser disclosures.
Keep in mind that although reputable lending networks like MoneyMutual and FundsJoy connect bad credit borrowers with legit direct lenders, not all are equally transparent. This doesn't necessarily mean hidden fees but limited communication overall.
Questionable Marketing Tactics. Since traditional payday loans target vulnerable populations, aggressive advertising and misleading marketing is expected. For example, it's common for payday loan companies to use celebrities to endorse their products or to employ deceptive marketing, where a low interest rate is advertised without disclosing outrageous fees and penalties to follow.
Remember that quick cash advance companies use aggressive debt collection tactics. The worst offenders are known to threaten legal action or make late-night phone calls demanding you repay the debt. Fortunately, this is not a problem with our recommended lending networks and list of cash advance apps.
No Bank Fee Protections. Not only do traditional fast cash advance loans have higher interest rates and fees, but they’re also a magnet for bank overdraft fees. Remember, traditional payday loan lenders are authorized to make electronic withdrawals, so they commonly rack two or more consecutive withdrawals, leading to overdraft fees if your account balance is close to zero. Although not technically a loan fee, overdraft and insufficient funds fees are just as bad.
For optimal insufficient fund fees and overdraft protection, we highly recommend using 0% interest cash advance apps like Dave, which have built-in overdraft protections and alerts.
How Did We Pick These Lenders
In compiling this guide, we carefully researched and evaluated more than 25 different quick cash advance companies, including but not limited to direct online lenders and lending networks. From the initial 25, we narrowed our options to the top five based on four main criteria: APRs, repayment terms, ease of use, and transparency.
APRs. Although lending platforms that offer fast cash advance loans for bad credit generally have top APRs at 35.99%, that’s a decent rate for people with limited to no credit history. Remember that many regulations and laws restrict the interest rates lenders can impose on borrowers, with each state adhering to usury laws. In almost all cases, 35.99% APR represents the maximum threshold.
Repayment Terms. Unlike traditional payday loans with two- to four-week repayment terms, the best instant cash advance loans for bad credit offer flexible repayment terms of up to 60 months. This allows for greater flexibility with monthly budgeting, although the risk of paying more interest does exist over time. That's why we appreciate the flexibility, as borrowers can repay fast cash advance loans over anywhere from a month to upwards of 60 months using these platforms.
Ease of Use. We are big fans of applications that take at most five minutes to complete. One of the big reasons for this is usability, with clearly articulated forms, precise instructions, and progress bars that let you know what stage of the loan request process you are in. For one of the best examples, please refer to MoneyMutual.
Transparency. We appreciate lending networks offering excellent clarity with clearly visible disclaimers on their websites. These disclaimers contain vital Information such as states of operation, representative loan examples, and information on how your data is shared with third parties who may advertise their loan products and services. When sites are fully transparent with how your information is used and with all associated fees and interest charges, bad credit borrowers are on the fast track to better understanding all loan terms.
Kudos to any online lending network that is a member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA), a fintech trade organization that ensures all lending networks adhere to best practices around fraud prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fast cash advance app works instantly?
Many free instant cash advance apps on the market work instantly. Three of the best that come to mind are Earnin, Brigit, and Dave, each offering same-day funding in exchange for a small expediting fee. For example, Earnin offers a Lightning Speed feature, which costs up to $3.99 depending on the amount you borrow.
How can I borrow $100 instantly?
It is relatively easy to borrow $100 instantly. You have the option of specific lending networks with minimum borrowing amounts starting at $100, as well as 0% interest cash advance apps like Earnin and Brigit that offer short-term loans of up to $100 per day or $750 per pay period, repaid with your next paycheck.
What are the easiest loans to get approved for? The easiest loans to get approved for are payday, auto title, and pawnshop loans. However, these kinds of loans are very predatory, charging 300% and 400% APRs with outrageous renewal fees and the ever-looming threat of excessive overdraft and insufficient funds fees from withdrawals. As we said, we highly recommend legit instant cash advance loans from reputable online marketplaces like MoneyMutual and ZippyLoan, which have earned millions of satisfied customers to date.
How much of a loan can someone with no credit get? Reputable online marketplaces market maximum borrowing limits of anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 up to $40,000. However, it is essential to note that most direct lenders are only willing to extend up to $10,000, citing the increased risk of lending to people with limited to no credit. All in all, it's a much better deal than any lender appearing after a “cash advance near me” or “fast cash advance” Google search.
Sources:
Conclusion
Fortunately, the number of reputable lending networks out there offering favorable sub-35.99% APR, longer repayment terms, and excellent transparency is too large to count, with five of our top recommended options front and center. With this guide, repeated “cash advance near me” searches on Google will be a thing of the past. Whether you have a 300 or 450 credit score, all of these quick cash advance no credit check opportunities offer a more reliable way for you to address all of those pesky emergency expenses.
*This article is provided by an advertiser and not necessarily written by a financial advisor. Investors should do their own research on products and services and contact a financial advisor before opening accounts or moving money. Individual results will vary. Foreign companies and investment opportunities may not provide the same safeguards as U.S. companies. Before engaging with a company, research the laws and the regulations around that service, and make certain the company is in compliance. For comprehensive guidance on U.S. investments and financial regulations, visit the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Investor.gov.
Hearst Newspapers Ad Product oversees sponsor content, native advertising, and paid content on this site, providing oversight and review to ensure quality, helpfulness, and relevance for our readers.
Articles that include this byline were written by a paying advertiser. The newsroom did not write this content and the opinions and ideas expressed therein do not necessarily reflect those of the newsroom.
Sponsor is responsible for the content and owns the copyright to their article.
To discuss publishing native advertising on Hearst Newspapers, contact sales.