Branch is an employer-sponsored cash advance app that allows employees to borrow up to 50% against their earned wages — before payday. Branch never charges any finance fees or interest on what you borrow, and if you open a Branch debit card, you can get instant transfers to the card for free.
But if your employer doesn’t partner with Branch, don’t worry. These other cash advance apps work similarly to Branch and let you borrow up to $250, $500 or even $1,000 against your next paycheck. As long as you get regular direct deposits, you’ll likely qualify.
- Branch’s big wins: You can advance up to 50% of earned wages with no interest, no membership fees and no tipping, plus same-day transfers to a Branch debit card.
- The catches: You can only access wages you’ve already earned, you’ll need two months of employer direct deposits, and availability depends on whether your employer partners with Branch.
- What rivals do differently: Many offer potentially higher max advance amounts — commonly $250 to $1,000 between paychecks — without requiring an employer partnership.
Our 7 top picks for apps like Branch
- Alternative for budgeting features: Cleo
- Alternative for accessing wages: EarnIn
- Alternative for building a portfolio: Albert
- Alternative for payment flexibility: Brigit
- Alternative for low monthly fees: Dave
- Alternative for gig workers: Cash App Borrow
- Alternative for building credit: Possible Finance
Alternative for budgeting features
Cleo
If you’re looking for a way to track your spending better to save more every month, Cleo could fit the bill. This AI-powered app packs more budgeting features than Branch, offering a plethora of budgeting and saving features and humorous “roasting” reminders to let you know when you’ve gone off track.
Cleo’s paid version also offers cash advances on its app with no minimum income requirement – making it ideal for gig workers and freelancers. As long as you have regular income coming into your bank account, you could qualify for cash advances starting at $20 to $70 and potentially increasing to $250 over time.
| Loan Amount | $20 – $250 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | 3 to 4 days or instant for a fee. |
| Costs | $5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances |
| Loan Amount | $20 – $250 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | 3 to 4 days or instant for a fee. |
| Costs | $5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances |
Read review
Alternative for accessing wages
EarnIn
EarnIn offers a quick way to get an advance on your next paycheck without completing an application or paying fees. You can connect your bank accounts to the app and get access to up to $750 of what you’re expected to earn each pay period.
To qualify for EarnIn Cash Outs, you need to be employed, have regular direct deposits, and earn a minimum of $320 each pay period. You can transfer $150 a day to a linked bank account or more than $150 per day to an EarnIn card. Regular transfers are available in one to three business days or in minutes for a fee with Lightning Speed.
| Loan Amount | Up to $750 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | 1 to 2 business days or within 30 minutes for a fee |
| Costs | Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $2.99 per transfer |
- Not available in: Connecticut
| Loan Amount | Up to $750 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | 1 to 2 business days or within 30 minutes for a fee |
| Costs | Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $2.99 per transfer |
Read review
Alternative for building a portfolio
Albert
Albert is a financial services app that lets you borrow up to $1,000 against your next paycheck and doesn’t require your employer’s participation. But it’s more than just a cash advance tool. Albert also features an automated savings account, plus investment portfolio building and financial advice through its Genius service.
The Genius service costs to $12.49 a month when billed yearly, or Optional $14.99 monthly subscription to access budgeting and basic savings a month when billed monthly, and you must sign up for a 30-day trial when you start using Albert. However, some users report difficulty canceling Genius, making this app best for users who want Genius as part of their cash advance app service.
| Loan Amount | $25 – $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | Instant |
| Costs | Optional $14.99 monthly subscription to access budgeting and basic savings |
| Loan Amount | $25 – $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | Instant |
| Costs | Optional $14.99 monthly subscription to access budgeting and basic savings |
Read review
Alternative for payment flexibility
Brigit
Brigit is a cash advance app and budgeting tool that offers $50 to $250 per pay cycle. Like Branch, Brigit never charges finance fees or interest, but it does charge a $8.99 to $14.99 monthly membership fee monthly subscription fee if you want to access cash advances.
However, this monthly fee includes free overdraft protection, a credit builder program, $1 million in identity theft protection and the ability to extend your payment due date. As long as you’ve had two consecutive on-time payments, you can request an extension through the app.
| Loan Amount | $50 – $250 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | 1 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee. |
| Costs | Brigit Plus: $8.99/month; Brigit Premium: $14.99/month |
| Loan Amount | $50 – $250 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | 1 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee. |
| Costs | Brigit Plus: $8.99/month; Brigit Premium: $14.99/month |
Read review
Alternative for low monthly fees
Dave ExtraCash
While Dave charges a monthly subscription fee, it’s just Up to $5 a month, which is much lower than some competitors, like Brigit. It offers up to $500 per pay cycle, and if you open a Dave Spending Account, you could get your paycheck up to two days early.
Dave also packs other features to help you save for future goals and expenses and even locate side jobs for extra cash. But if you need an instant transfer, expect to pay between $3 and $25, depending on the amount and the type of account you transfer it to.
| Loan Amount | Up to $500 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | Free instant transfers to Dave Checking, up to 3 business days for free, or within an hour for a fee |
| Costs | Undisclosed |
| Loan Amount | Up to $500 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | Free instant transfers to Dave Checking, up to 3 business days for free, or within an hour for a fee |
| Costs | Undisclosed |
Read review
Alternative for gig workers
Cash App
If you’re a gig worker who gets paid in cash, you may not qualify for many cash advance apps since they require proof of regular direct deposits. That’s where Borrow could come in handy. Borrow is a pilot feature of Cash App that lets you borrow up to $200, apparently, even if you don’t have a regular job — but it’s only available to select users right now.
Cash App states that its selection criteria is based on your credit score, which state you’re in, if you have an activated Cash Card and if you use Cash App. To increase your chances of being selected, start uploading money to Cash App and sending payments. But unlike other cash advance apps, Borrow charges a 5% finance fee on its advances.
| Loan Amount | $20 – $200 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | Same day |
| Costs | 5% flat fee |
| Loan Amount | $20 – $200 |
|---|---|
| Turnaround time | Same day |
| Costs | 5% flat fee |
Read review
Alternative for building credit
Possible Finance Mobile Installment Loans
Possible Finance is a short-term lender, not a cash advance app. But unlike normal installment loans, you can borrow up to $500 through its app, and your repayments are reported to two of the three major credit bureaus — Experian and TransUnion — which can help build your credit.
But compared to cash apps, it’s a much more expensive option. It charges a fee based on the amount borrowed, which can vary from $10 to $25 per $100 borrowed. On the plus side, you can pay over four installments and get access to the Possible Card with on-time payments. The card features a credit limit of $400 to $800 and no interest or late fees.
| Loan Amount | $50 – $500 |
|---|---|
| APR | 150% to 460% |
| Turnaround time | As fast as 1 business day |
- Available in: Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington
| Loan Amount | $50 – $500 |
|---|---|
| APR | 150% to 460% |
| Turnaround time | As fast as 1 business day |
Read review
How does Branch compare?
Branch is a convenient way to access up to 50% of the wages you’ve already earned. And if you open a Branch debit card, you can get instant transfers to the card for free. Like other cash advance apps, Branch doesn’t charge finance fees or interests on what you borrow. But unless you have a Branch Card, you won’t get your money the same day without paying a fee.
With Branch:
- Standard transfers to your bank account are free and take 3 to 5 business days.
- Instant transfers to a Branch Card are free.
- Instant transfers to a non-Branch Card card cost $2.99.
If your employer doesn’t partner with Branch, there are many other cash advance apps to choose from. Many have no or low monthly fees, overdraft protection, credit-building programs, budgeting tools and other features you may find useful. Like Branch, most of these apps offer standard advances for no or low monthly fees, although instant transfers cost extra.
Pros
- Cash advances up to 50% of wages earned
- Same-day transfers with a Branch debit card
- No interest, membership fees, or tipping required
- Features to help manage your finances and work schedule
Cons
- Access only the money you’ve already earned
- Must have two months of direct deposits from an employer
- App features depend on your employer
