ACE Cash Express is a short-term lender that offers same-day loans both online and in-store at 850 locations nationwide. It offers payday, installment and title loans, as well as cash advances, which typically range from $100 to $2,500 — depending on the state. The exception is Texas, where it offers $1,500 title loans.
But its rates run high, with APRs exceeding 660%, making ACE Cash Express loans best for emergencies only. Because the rates charged are so steep, repeatedly using short-term installment loans from lenders like ACE Cash Express can lead to a cycle of debt that can be hard to break.
But there are alternatives, particularly cash advance apps, which offer paycheck advances from $20 to $250 per pay period in most cases without interest or fees on what you borrow. These alternatives offer speedy funding, low fees and a cheaper way to access cash for emergencies.
ACE Cash Express alternatives
Alternative for credit building
Cleo
Cleo can save you money over ACE Cash Express, with no interest charged on its cash advances. Members can request a cash advance through customer support for free, starting with $20 to $70 advances at first and eventually qualifying for up to $250. Advances are easier to request through the app if you pay the $5.99 monthly subscription fee, which also comes with personal financial management tools.
If you’re willing to pay $14.99 per month, you can access credit builder tools, which include a secured credit card, early access to your paycheck and up to $500 in emergency cash advance if you set up direct deposits. And Cleo reports to all three credit bureaus, which can help you build credit if you keep up on your payments.
| 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 is a cash advance app that lets you borrow up to $750 of your earned wages before payday with its Cash Out feature. This borrowing limit is significantly higher than most cash advance apps, and unlike payday loans, there’s no interest or financing fees to use Cash Outs.
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.
| 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 investment assistance
Albert
Albert is a banking app that offers a suite of financial services, including free cash advances up to $1,000. But what makes Albert stand out from the field is its Genius service, which can help you design an investment portfolio suited to your goals — just by answering a few questions.
The Genius service costs Optional $14.99 monthly subscription to access budgeting and basic savings to $16 a month, and it automatically enrolls you in a free 30-day trial when you sign up. However, some users report having difficulty canceling their subscription, making it best for users who want the Genius service as part of their cash advance app experience.
| 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 flexible payments
Brigit
Brigit is a no-credit-check cash advance app that can help you cover emergency expenses between paydays — and unlike ACE Cash Express, never charges interest or fees on what you borrow. Brigit offers cash advances up to $250 per pay period and lets you extend your due date, as long as you’ve made two consecutive on-time payments.
To get advances, you need to sign up for Brigit’s paid subscription, which costs $8.99 to $14.99 monthly membership fee a month. This fee includes Brigit’s credit builder program and up to $1 million in identity theft protection. Brigit can also auto-advance money to your bank account if you’re at risk of an overdraft.
| 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 higher loan amounts
OppLoans Installment Loans
OppLoans is a highly rated online lender that offers loans up to $5,000 — which is higher than ACE Cash Express’ typical loan amount of $100 to $2,500, depending on the state and type of loan. OppLoan’s APR is 195% — significantly lower than ACE’s rates, which could help you save money.
But unlike ACE Cash Express, there are no storefront locations, so you won’t have access to services like check cashing and prepaid debit cards. That said, it’s one of the most transparent lenders in terms of costs, and it reports your activity to the three major credit bureaus to help boost your credit score.
| Loan Amount | $500 – $5,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 160% to 195% |
| Turnaround time | As soon as the same business day |
| Online application | Yes |
- Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia
| Loan Amount | $500 – $5,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 160% to 195% |
| Turnaround time | As soon as the same business day |
| Online application | Yes |
Read review
Alternative for gig workers
Cash App
Cash App Borrow is a pilot feature that hasn’t been rolled out to all users yet. But it may become available to you, depending on your app usage. If eligible, you could borrow up to $200 for emergency expenses. But unlike cash advance apps, there’s a 5% finance charge to use the service.
While Cash App doesn’t disclose eligibility requirements, users have reported getting access to Cash App Borrow after loading funds to Cash App and sending out payments. Some users have also reported getting access without having a job. This could make it ideal for people who get paid in cash or don’t receive direct deposits — as having direct deposits is a requirement for most cash advance apps.
| 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 quick installment loans
Possible Finance Mobile Installment Loans
Possible Finance is an online lender that offers short-term installment loans up to $500. Like ACE and cash advance apps, there’s no credit check required, making it good for bad credit. But you’ll pay a high rate — up to 460% APR — on what you borrow. But you may get up to eight weeks to repay your loan — longer than with a cash advance app.
As part of its service, Possible Finance reports your payments to two of the three major credit bureaus, which could help build your score — ACE doesn’t do this. However, taking out too many loans in a short period could actually hurt your score. Due to its high cost, Possible Finance is best for emergencies where you need a longer time to repay your loan.
| 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 ACE Cash Express compare?
Because it’s available both online and in-store, caters to bad credit borrowers and doesn’t require a credit check, ACE Cash Express can be a fast and convenient way to get cash in hand same-day for emergencies.
But it’s pricey compared to cash advance apps, which don’t charge interest or fees on the advances themselves. Even when you factor in membership fees, cash advance apps are less expensive than a traditional payday loan for frequent borrowers.
If you have bad credit or don’t want to get verified with a cash advance app, an installment loan from ACE Cash Express may be worth the higher cost. But for ongoing borrowing, a cash advance app is a more economical choice that can help you stay within your budget.
Pros
- 72-hour return period
- 850 store locations
- Same-day funding available
Cons
- Loan options vary by state
- Not upfront about costs
- Mixed customer reviews
