Albert is great, but it's not the only option. We tested the top cash advance apps to help you find the best Albert alternative for your situation. No credit checks, no hidden fees, honest comparisons.
Last updated: February 2026
| App | Max Advance | Monthly Fee | Speed | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert | $500 | $14.99/mo | Instant (fee) | All-in-one financial app | Get Albert |
| Cleo | $250 | $5.99/mo | Instant available | Budgeting + sass | Get $60 Bonus |
| Dave | $500 | $1/mo | 1-3 days free | Lowest monthly cost | Get Dave |
| Earnin | $750/pay | Free (tips) | Instant available | No mandatory fees | Get $50 Bonus |
| Brigit | $250 | $9.99/mo | Express available | Automatic advances | Learn More |
| Bright Money | $250 | Varies | 1-2 days | Credit building + advances | Get $25 Bonus |
| Atlas | $1,000 bonus | $0 | Instant approval | 5x approval rate + $50 if denied | Learn More |
| MoneyLion | $500 | Free tier | Instant available | Investing + credit builder | Get $55 Bonus |
| Chime | $500 | Free | Instant | Free overdraft protection | Get Chime |
| Varo | $250 | Free | Instant available | No-fee mobile banking | Get Varo |
The app everyone's comparing to
Albert combines cash advances with budgeting, savings, and investing tools. Their "Genius" feature gives you access to human financial advisors. Cash advances require a $14.99/month subscription but come with no interest or late fees.
The AI assistant with attitude
Cleo is an AI-powered financial assistant that roasts your spending habits while helping you save money. Their cash advance feature (called "Cleo Plus") gives you up to $250 with a $5.99/month subscription. The app is known for its sassy personality and surprisingly helpful budgeting insights.
The OG cash advance app
Dave was one of the first apps to offer cash advances, and they've grown into a full banking platform. Their "ExtraCash" feature gives you up to $500 with no interest. The $1/month membership is the cheapest in the industry. They also offer side gig opportunities to help you earn extra money.
Access money you've already earned
Earnin lets you access money you've already earned before payday. Cash out up to $150/day, with a max of $1,000 per pay period. Unlike other apps, there's no mandatory fee—just optional tips. They verify your work hours through GPS, timesheets, or your work email. Plus, get paid up to 2 days early with their Early Pay feature. Use referral code DERRICKLEROY.SAVE.1 to get a $50 total bonus ($25 for Cash Out + $25 for Early Pay).
Cash advances + credit building
Bright Money combines cash advances with credit building tools. Their AI analyzes your finances and creates a personalized plan to pay down debt and build credit. The $25 referral bonus is a nice perk for new users.
Get $50 even if you're denied
Atlas is a rewards credit card designed for people who usually get rejected. With **5x higher approval odds** than traditional cards, you get 0% APR and up to $1,000 signup bonus. The game-changer? **You get $50 even if you're NOT approved**—zero risk, guaranteed payout. Perfect for the paycheck-to-paycheck crowd who's tired of getting denied. Use referral code hous357 when you apply.
Banking, investing, and advances in one
MoneyLion offers Instacash advances up to $500 with no interest. They're more than just cash advances—you get a full banking experience with investing, credit builder loans, and rewards. The free tier is genuinely useful. Use referral code $StableDerrickleroy56 to get up to $55 bonus when you join.
Free overdraft with SpotMe
Chime's SpotMe feature lets you overdraft up to $500 with zero fees—ever. It's technically not a cash advance, but it works the same way. You need to receive direct deposits of $200+/month to qualify. Plus, you get paid up to 2 days early.
Fee-free mobile banking with cash advances
Varo Advance lets you access up to $250 with no interest or fees. As a fully licensed bank, Varo offers FDIC insurance, high-yield savings (up to 5% APY), and no monthly fees. The app is clean, modern, and genuinely fee-free—no hidden costs for overdrafts, transfers, or card usage.
Chime is the best truly free option. Their SpotMe feature gives you up to $500 in overdraft protection with zero fees. Earnin is also free (tips are optional), but most users feel pressure to tip. If you're okay with a $1/month fee, Dave is extremely affordable.
Earnin offers up to $750 per pay period, which is the highest single advance. MoneyLion, Dave, Chime, and Albert all max out at $500. Keep in mind that everyone starts with lower limits that increase over time based on your account history.
No. Cash advance apps like Albert, Dave, and Earnin don't check your credit or report to credit bureaus. They won't help or hurt your score. If you want to build credit while getting advances, look at Bright Money or MoneyLion's credit builder features.
Most charge monthly subscriptions ($1-$15/month), fees for instant transfers, or accept optional tips. They're not payday lenders—there's no interest on the advance itself. The business model is subscription-based, not interest-based.
Yes, but be careful. Using multiple apps can help in emergencies, but it's easy to get into a cycle of borrowing. Each app has its own repayment schedule, so make sure you can handle all the paybacks without overdrafting.
Unlike payday loans, most cash advance apps won't charge late fees or send you to collections immediately. They'll typically retry the payment on your next payday. However, repeated non-payment can get you banned from the app and reduce your limits.
Looking for something specific? Check out our other comparison guides:
Pick the app that fits your situation. No wrong answers—just different features.
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