
Nowadays, the need to get a loan from the Internet is becoming increasingly popular.
This is possible thanks to Cash Advance apps (or call them loan apps) that streamline the process for getting a loan—you'll typically just need to sign up for an account and meet the requirements.
Talking of the requirements, one of the most common among these loan apps is to set up direct deposit—which guarantees your source of income and covers you for the loan.
If you're looking for a loan app that does not require direct deposit, you've come to the right place.
In this article, we'll be seeing whether cash advance apps with no direct deposit required exist, together with convenient options that you'll certainly find their eligibility requirements appealing.
Do Cash Advance Apps No Direct Deposit Required Exist?
Cash advance apps have become increasingly popular nowadays as they appear to be more convenient and cost-effective than most traditional loans.
Since these fintech apps operate mainly online, they require some trust from users before being able to give them cash advances.
This trust goes with an eligibility criterion to which all consumers looking to get a cash advance must comply.
Following that, the most important eligibility requirement of most cash advance apps in the market is at least one or two direct deposits made, or you link a bank account that receives direct deposits (for example, Albert).
Direct deposits give these fintech apps the guarantee or assurance that you'll be repaying your cash advance automatically or on a regular schedule through every direct deposit made either by your employer through a paycheck or by another party.
However, to answer the primary question, yes—cash advance apps that don't require direct deposits do exist—it just depends on how you consider them.
Cash Advance Apps That Don't Require Direct Deposit
While it's very difficult to believe, there are definitely cash advance apps out there that won't require you to show proof of income through direct deposit—it just depends on how you see them, as I earlier mentioned.
That said, here's a list of cash advance apps that won't require direct deposit or income proof.
1. Gerald
Gerald is a new player in the fintech sector, and not everyone has ever heard about it.
Well, Gerald boasts itself as a BNPL and cash advance provider, and there's a reason for that. When you sign up for Gerald, you'll need to make a BNPL transaction to qualify for their cash advance feature—that's the catch.
After you're done with the requirement to get a cash advance, there's nothing more required from you, not even direct deposit or income proof. Gerald will handle everything and offer you the best you can borrow.
If you ask me, I think they evaluate you on that BNPL transaction—so you'd better make it count and make sure the purchase amount is something you can definitely repay.
2. Zirtue
Zitue is one cash advance app not like others, and has to do with people you know and trust, such as your friends or relatives.
That said, Zirtue focuses on a peer-to-peer lending system, called a relationship-based loan, where it lets you and your family or a trusted friend agree on the terms that work for you both and make this work.
This way, there's no direct deposit required or income verification as you both set the terms that work for you.
3. FlexWage
If you have an employer and want to receive your paycheck before your payday, then FlexWage is for you.
FlexWage partners directly with your employer to offer you early access to your hard-earned wages before your payday. Your wages are consolidated daily in your FlexWage account, depending on how you work, and any amount accrued is automatically deducted from your next paycheck. That's how your wages are made available before the next payday.
It is somewhat an income proof, but definitely not a direct deposit requirement, and should work best for those who receive paychecks through other means other than direct deposits.
Dave: A Cash Advance App With No Direct Deposit Required?
During my research through Dave's ExtraCash FAQs, I found out that Dave might appear to be one to some extent through its ExtraCash advance feature.
Dave's ExtraCash advances offer the largest advance amount in the industry. You also have instant access to these funds as long as you have a Dave Spending account. No direct deposit is required to qualify for an ExtraCash advance.
So simply put, Dave is the only app you'll find as a cash advance app; no direct deposit is required to get a cash advance readily available in your Dave account. But don't get this the wrong way, because it will still require direct deposit.
Cash Advance Apps With Convenient Direct Deposit Requirements
As earlier mentioned, the reputable cash advance apps out there do require a direct deposit to be made at least once or two times or on a regular schedule to your linked bank account.
Of course, most of you might find this inconvenient, especially if you're a member of one of the unbanked households in the US.
While a bank account isn't really a necessity as in the past years, it, however, remains important for qualifying for most financial services, such as cash advances.
You'll typically need to link a bank account that receives regular direct deposits to these cash advance apps if you're looking to get a cash advance from them.
While most of them might be thorough in requirements, a couple of them are more convenient for getting a cash advance than traditional banks. There are no monthly fees, no late fees, or inactivity fees.
With that said, below are the best cash advance apps with convenient direct deposit requirements.
1. Albert (Albert Instant)
Albert is a financial app that uses powerful technology to automate your finances. It offers features that let you have full control over your income, expenses, saving, budgeting, and investing through the app.
Albert has appeared to be one of the best cash advance apps in the market as it offers a cash advance of up to $250 through the "Albert Instant" feature of the app.
The Albert Instant cash advance feature comes with zero interest. This means, there are no monthly fees, no late, or inactivity fees.
Unlike most cash advance apps that will require you to have a membership with them, Albert does offer cash advances to anyone who qualifies for this regardless of whether you're a subscribed member or not.
Albert Instant cash advances are usually delivered within 2-3 days for members on a free plan. However, if you need the funds to arrive instantly, you'll need to pay a $6 fee or have a paid membership with them (Albert Genius).
However, you'll need to meet Albert's requirements for the cash advance, which include:
- Your income is directly deposited into your connected bank account.
- Your connected bank account has been open for at least 2 months and has a balance greater than $0 (no negative balance).
- You've received consistent income in the past 2 months from the same employer.
- Your recent paycheck was received on time and has funds still available 24 hours after your payday.
2. MoneyLion (Instacash)
MoneyLion is another big player among cash advance apps.
MoneyLion lets you get a cash advance of up to $500 anytime through the "Instacash" feature of the app.
Just like Albert, there are no fees associated with MoneyLion's Instacash cash advance feature — no monthly fees and no interest.
When you link your checking account to MoneyLion, you automatically qualify for 0% APR cash advances.
Besides not being associated with any interest, MoneyLion's Instacash does not require a credit check — making it an appealing option for those with bad credit or no credit history.
Getting Started with MoneyLion's Instacash is very easy and straightforward.
All you'll need to do is:
- Download the MoneyLion app.
- Tap the "Instacash" feature on the home screen.
- Tap "Request."
- Select the amount you want between $10 or more (depending on your account).
- Choose how you'll like the funds to be deposited in your account (free standard delivery or with Turbo delivery for a little fee)
- Get your cash advance.
While you'll initially be eligible for $10 through Instacash, you'll qualify for even more when they detect a recurring or direct deposit on your linked external bank account.
You can use MoneyLion's Credit Builder Plus to unlock up to $700 and switch your direct deposits into RoarMoney to unlock up to $1,000.
Any kind of income or recurring deposits, including government benefits, can help you qualify for Instacash. The higher and more consistent your deposits, the higher the Instacash you can unlock.
The amount you receive through Instacash is automatically deducted from your account on the due date as determined by your pay or other recurring deposit cycle (usually in about two weeks) — with no interest.
3. Dave (ExtraCash)
Dave is a digital banking service that mainly focuses on cash advances.
Dave comes with a unique cash advance feature in the industry — ExtraCash, which probably offers the largest advance amount in the industry.
There are no fees associated with Dave's ExtraCash advance — it is interest-free.
Just like MoneyLion's Instacash, there's no credit check required to qualify for Dave's ExtraCash. However, you'll need a Dave Spending account to qualify for Dave's ExtraCash advance.
One more thing I love about Dave's ExtraCash is that there is no waiting period or lengthy application process, and no direct deposit into a Dave account is required. This probably qualifies Dave to some extent as a cash advance app with no direct deposit required.
Once you're approved, you'll need to choose how much advance you need, up to your approved amount, then choose how you'll want it to be transferred. You can transfer your cash advance to your Dave Spending account (instantly) or a debit card (within an hour) at a little cost. You'll also have to option to freely transfer your cash advance to another spending account, which typically takes 1-3 business days.
The eligibility requirements for Dave's ExtraCash advance include:
- At least three recurring bank account deposits.
- Monthly deposits amounting to at least $1,000.
- A minimum history of 60 days with your bank account.
- Passing identity verification and fraud detection.
- A Social Security number.
- Being at least 18.
4. Brigit (Instant Cash)
Brigit is another popular financial app that offers consumers budgeting tools, automated alerts, interest-free cash advances, and a centralized view of their money.
Yes, you got that right — "free cash advances".
Brigit offers free cash advances through the "Instant Cash" feature of the app — there are no interest or late fees. You can qualify for up to $250 in cash advance through Brigit's Instant Cash.
Getting Brigit's Instant Cash Advance is very easy.
To do so:
- Download the Brigit app and link your checking account. You'll need to make sure that your bank account:
Is the primary account you use daily.
Has been active for at least 60 days.
Has a balance above $0.
Has at least three recurring deposits from the same source, like direct deposits from your employer. - Request an advance & set a repayment date.
Once you've been approved for Instant Cash, you can request an advance up to your approved amount directly in the app. You can also choose your repayment date, which is typically set as your next payday. - Get your cash immediately (at a little fee) or within 2-3 days freely.
5. Earnin (Cash Out)
EarnIn is probably one of the big players in the financial industry that most workers have found convenient.
EarnIn is typically a financial app that allows consumers or workers to access their paychecks or earned wages before they're deposited into their bank account on the next payday.
EarnIn's Cash Out feature lets you get a cash advance of up to $100 per day or up to $500 per pay period from the EarnIn app.
There are no fees nor credit checks required for EarnIn's cash advance.
Cash Advance Apps No Credit Check: No Direct Deposit
Many cash advance apps don't require a credit check. However, as earlier mentioned, do all require direct deposits. However, Dave can somehow be a pick here, but it doesn't mean direct deposit isn't a requirement for qualifying for Dave's ExtraCash.
The best cash advance apps no credit check no direct deposit include:
- Dave.
- MoneyLion.
- Brigit.
- EarnIn.
$50 Instant Loan App No Direct Deposit
There are many $50 instant loan apps out there including MoneyLion, Dave, Brigit, and EarnIn. However, they all do require direct deposit to offer you the cash advance.
Is Cash Advance Without Direct Deposit Possible?
No, a cash advance without direct deposit isn't possible. If you find any option on the web, I'll recommend checking whether it is a trusted fintech company before engaging with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cash advance app that doesn't require direct deposit?
No, there's no cash advance app that does not require direct deposit.
What app can I borrow money from without a bank account?
There are many apps that let you borrow money without having a bank account, some of which include; Dave, MoneyLion, SoLo Fund, and Klover.
What app lets you get paid in advance?
MoneyLion, Brigit, Chime, EarnIn, and Dave are all apps that let you get paid in advance.
Final Thoughts
We now live in a digital era, and if you're getting used to the events, you can agree with me that financial apps offer a lot of banking convenience over traditional banks.
Cash advance apps, for example, are lifesavers — they allow us to access our paycheck before our next payday to cover our emergent situations.
While most cash advance apps require direct deposits, there are a few options that don't have this requirement or whose direct deposit requirements for cash advances are appealing, which have been mentioned in this guide.
Before engaging with any cash advance app, I recommend going through their services on your own to decide whether it's the right choice for you. In most cases, you'll find out that getting a cash advance from a traditional bank or your credit card is more convenient and cost-effective than these financial apps.