Apps Like Albert (2024)

Albert is best known for their instant overdraft coverage. But is it the best app there is? Read on to find a better fit.

Emergencies are unpredictable. And sometimes, they come with a hefty price tag.

So when faced with an urgent crisis, it's good to have an app that's got your back.

And although Albert is a good app that can spot you $250, sometimes that's not the amount you need.

These 12 cash advance apps can give you more options.

12 Best Apps like Albert

Albert is not for everyone. Sometimes, it's due to the maximum overdraft coverage available. Other times, it's because of the subscription fee needed to access most features. Whatever the reason, here are other apps to check out.

Before going for overdraft protection, remember that these spots are not permanent fixes. These apps are a quick solution to your urgent situations. So make sure to be responsible with your transactions and only use them for truly unexpected expenses.

EarnIn

credit earnin

Loan amount: Up to $100/day; Up to $750/pay period
Processing time: 1-2 banking days; 1-30 mins. with Lightning Speed transfer
Repayment date: Automatic deduction on or after your payday

You can get access of up to $750 of your salary with EarnIn Cash Out. This is one of the highest amounts in all cash advance apps, and there's no interest.

You can access up to $100 per day, for up to $750 per pay period. In comparison, Albert only covers your overdrafts for up to $250.

EarnIn is a good choice for employed users. Since they base the maximum amount you can access on your pay, you can make sure to pay back what you owe without burying yourself in deep debt.

Does EarnIn have a monthly fee?
EarnIn Cash Out does not have a monthly fee. But you can tip them for their service.

EarnIn Requirements:
Before you can use Cash Out, EarnIn has to ensure you are employed. Here's what they need:^[1]

• A regular pay schedule
  
• A permanent work location or an employer-provided email address
  
• Valid U.S. cell phone number
  
• A linked Checking account
  
• Paychecks from a Verified Employer

Other EarnIn Services:
EarnIn also offers Balance Shield, which can automatically transfer $100 of your earnings when your balance falls below your selected threshold amount (0-$500).^[2]

Dave

CREDIT DAVE

Advance amount: $25 to $500
Processing time: 1-3 days for ACH transfers; you can pay for express delivery and get your advance within seconds to your Dave Spending account and within an hour to external accounts.
Repayment date: On your next payday or the nearest Friday

For a $1 monthly fee,^[3] you can try out Dave ExtraCash. It's a handy app for small to large advance needs. Included in the monthly fee are various services such as access to account monitoring, notification services, and maintaining a connection to your external bank account.

Might not be able to pay on your due date? No worries! Dave doesn't charge late fees. It also doesn't charge an ATM fee to access your money at over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMS.

Dave's maximum advance amount is twice the amount of what Albert's overdraft spotting can offer. But Albert's protection lets you cover small unexpected expenses instantly.

Dave ExtraCash Eligibility Contributing Factors:
Here's what you'll need to get higher advance:^[4]

• 3 or more recurring deposits
  
• Total deposit of $1,000 or more per month
  
• An external account with a 60-day history

Brigit

CREDIT hellobrigit

Loan amount: Up to $250
Processing time: 1-3 business days; within 20 mins. for a fee
Repayment date: Flexible repayment date

Instant Cash is Brigit's cash advance feature that can get you up to $250. There are no credit checks and no interest.

And compared to Albert that sets an automatic repayment schedule, Brigit gives you a say on when you pay. You can even pay early or get an extension. This can help you be more in control of your budget or cash flow.

Unfortunately, it comes with a price. Subscription starts at $9.99/mo. It's quite expensive, but it does unlock many features.

Brigit Requirements:
Here's what you need to access the cash advance feature:^[5]

• A checking account that's been active for at least 60 days
  
• More than $0 in your balance
  
• 3 recurring deposits on your account from the same source

Other Brigit Services:
You can get auto-advances with Brigit that automatically covers you when you're at risk for an overdraft. Their Earn & Save feature also shows you several opportunities to increase your income.

What else do you get with a Brigit Plus subscription?
For $9.99, you can enjoy identity theft protection, credit protect and secure, and credit builder. ^[6]

Cleo

Loan amount: Up to $250; first advance is from $20 to $100
Processing time: 4 business days; $3.99 to $9.99 express fee^[7]
Repayment date: On your payday; 14-day extension^[8][9]

Cleo Salary Advance can get you up to $250 of your salary with no credit check or interest charged. It offers the same spot amount as Albert.

On the plus side, Cleo provides an extension if you can't pay your dues on your payday. In contrast, Albert will suspend you from accessing additional overdrafts if you're overdue by 10 days.^[10]

You also won't need to worry about your debt getting out of hand. Cleo is known for their attitude in helping you save money. They have sassy notifications that can make you think twice before making a purchase.

You can pay your debt any day ahead of your repayment date with Cleo. This can help you budget your money more easily.

Other Cleo Services:
If you opt for Cleo Plus ($5.99/mo), you can earn rewards, use their personal financial management services, and receive overdraft protection.

Cleo Personal Financial Management Services will give you information and insight into your spending. This overview can help you save and see where your money is going.

And if you're concerned about your credit, you can also subscribe to Cleo Credit Builder ($14.99/mo). You'll get credit score coaching and unlock your credit builder card. You can also earn cashback rewards and cash advances, and receive VIP Support.^[11]

Is Cleo Credit Builder good for students?
Cleo Credit Builder is a good option if you're a student. The roast mode can help you improve your credit. Students and recent graduates might also receive a 33% discount on subscriptions if offered.

Spending a lot on overdraft fees? You can go for this next option.

Chime SpotMe

credit chime

Loan amount: Spot $20 to $200
Processing time: Immediately
Repayment date: On your next deposit or payday

Chime SpotMe can spot you up to $200 for free without the credit check, minimum balance, or monthly fees. If you frequently get overdraft fees from your bank, it can be a big help.

Chime works a little differently. You have to open a Chime account and use their debit card (whereas with Albert Instant, you need to open an Albert Cash account and a Genius account, and you need to connect your current bank account to your Albert account).

You can use your debit card right away, which makes it great for emergencies. You can also use it for ATM withdrawals to get cash fast.

Chime Requirements:
Here's what you need to set up Chime SpotMe:^[12]

• An activated Chime Visa Debit Card
  
• Deposit account that is connected to Chime
  
• Qualifying deposit of $200 or above 34 days before requesting an overdraft spotting
  
• You should be at least 18 years old or older

Other Chime Services:
With a Chime Checking Account, you can get access to your pay 2 days before payday. It has no overdraft with zero monthly fees.

Is Chime legit?
Yes, Chime is legit. It has a 4.8/5 rating on the App Store from 747.1K thousand reviews. Their banking services are from Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A., which are members of FDIC. ^[13]

Need a cash advance with faster processing time? This next app won't disappoint.

Empower

Loan amount: Up to $250
Processing time: 1 business day; instantly for a fee
Repayment date: Next payday

Empower Cash Advance has one of the quickest cash advances in the market. Sometimes, it only takes a minute to get your money. And there are no credit checks needed.

You can choose this app if you need money right away. Although, like Brigit, Empower charges a fee of $8/mo.^[14]

Other Empower Services:
Empower Card is a debit card feature with no overdraft fees. Its perks include free instant delivery of your cash advance and up to 10% cashback deals.^[15]

MoneyLion

Loan amount: Up to $500
Processing time: 2-5 business days; within minutes through Turbo delivery (for a fee)
Repayment date: On your next payday

MoneyLion offers cash advances for free through Instacash. There are also no interest and credit checks needed. If you need short-term loans to solve your money problems, it's got you covered.

With numerous features, you can explore more financial tools and services that can improve your money management skills. It could greatly benefit those who want to get out of a debt cycle.

It also offers twice the maximum spot amount from Albert. It's a good option if you need more cash for emergencies.

MoneyLion Requirements:
If MoneyLion Instacash sounds good to you, then you'll need:^[16]

• An account that has been active for two or more months
  
• History of recurring income deposits in the account
  
• Positive balance on the account

Other MoneyLion Services:
You can get Financial Heartbeat which is a free feature that tracks your spending, insurance, savings, and credit health. It can help you make better financial decisions.

On the other hand, Managed Investing is a handy investing feature for beginners. MoneyLion will assess what investments fit you. If you want to take the leap, they will manage your portfolio.

There are also Crypto Auto-Invest and Credit Builder Plus ($19.99) features that can take your finances to a higher level.^[17]

Looking for other financial tools? Maybe this next app can help you out.

Klover

Loan amount: Up to $200
Processing time: 1-3 days; 24 hrs. for a fee ($1.49 to $20.78)^[18]
Repayment date: On your next payday

Klover Balance Advance Service gives you access to up to $200 even if your payday is 2 weeks away. There are also no interest or credit checks needed on your account.

You can even get your money quickly. But if you need the cash instantly, delivery fees can be expensive.

Klover Requirements:
To borrow from Klover, these are their qualifications:^[19]

• A checking account that has received at least 3 direct deposits and has been consistent for 60 days
  
• Checking account must be in good standing for 90 days or more
  
• Must have no gaps in pay
  
• Paid on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule

Other Klover Services:
Klover+ features Personal Financial Management Services. This subscription feature, worth $4.99 per month,^[20] also gives you access to Klover Cash Out Program and Budget Tools.

But what if you don't need all this? If the apps so far seem excessive, FloatMe might be what you're looking for.

FloatMe

Loan amount: Up to $100
Processing time: 1-3 business days; 8 hrs. for a fee^[21]
Repayment date: Set your own repayment date^[22]

For $3.99 per month, FloatMe can lend you up to $100 to get you through your next payday. This app is a good choice for those who want to borrow a lower loan amount.

There are no interest and credit checks. And they provide spending insights that you can use to improve your spending habits. It's an excellent app for those who want to borrow less and save better.

You can get your money in 1-3 business days for free through ACH transfers. But you can pay $3 to $7 if you need it in 8 hours. The money will be delivered to your debit card.

FloatMe Requirements:
To be eligible for a Float, you must:^[23]

• Have a FloatMe User Account
  
• Have a recurring income and at least 2 consecutive bank deposits from an eligible source
  
• Have a Valid debit card

Other FloatMe Services:
You can get a Personal Financial Management Service (PFMS) which can help you keep your finances in check and make better spending habits.

This next app comes with a monthly membership fee. But you can get instant advances without express fees.

B9

Loan amount: Up to $100 for a B9 Basic Plan; Up to $500 for a B9 Premium Plan^[24]
Processing time: 1-5 business days; instantly for a fee
Repayment date: On your next deposit or paycheck

B9 is a cash advance app where you can advance your money instantly and 15 days before payday. This comes with no interest and no credit checks. But it does come with a cost.

B9 Basic Plan is priced at $9.99/mo. You can take up to $100 of your salary instantly. And with their B9 Visa Debit card, you can enjoy up to 5% cashback and zero fee transfers.

Taking the cake for the highest cash advance, however, is the B9 Premium Plan. For $19.99/mo, you can get $500 of your pay in advance and instantly. You can also get the benefits of a credit report, credit bureau score, and credit score simulator.

The money in your B9 account is safe and FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Company) insured through B9's partner bank, Evolve Bank & Trust. ^[25]

B9 Basic Plan Requirements:
All you need to get a cash advance from B9 are:^[26]

• A B9 account in good standing
  
• Direct payroll deposits to your B9 account from your employer
  
• Account balance equal to or greater than $0
  
• All previous cash advances paid

How can I get the maximum pay cash advance?
With B9 Premium, you will be eligible for an advance of up to $500 from your paycheck depending on your B9 account history, frequency of your direct payroll deposit, and other factors determined by B9. ^[27]

If you're worried about not being able to get a cash advance because of bad credit, this next app is for you.

Possible

Loan amount: Up to $500; Up to $250 (in California)
Processing time: About an hour for debit card transfers; 1-2 business days for ACH transactions (5 days maximum)
Repayment date: 4 equal payments within 2 months (8 weeks)^[28]

Possible Loan is an online payday loan app where you can borrow up to $500 (even with bad credit). They can also process your loan in minutes. But what makes Possible stand out from the list is their repayment method.

You can pay in 4 equal installments for up to 2 months. And it comes with a 29-day grace period. There are also no late fees or interest charged.

You get 2 more wins compared to Albert. You can get twice the maximum spot amount and more leeway in terms of repayment. If that sounds enticing, you can get on with the requirements.

Possible Requirements:
To get a Possible loan, you need:^[29]

• Valid state-issued ID or driver's license
  
• Social Security number
  
• A checking or savings account with 3 months transaction history, income deposits of $750 per month or more, and positive account balance

Who can avail a Possible Loan?
Possible can only accept new loan applications from Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington State.

This next app is a little tricky with its fees. But you can get a loan amount for free.

Varo

Loan amount: Up to $500
Processing time: Instantly
Repayment date: Custom repayment from 15 to 30 days

With Varo Advance, you can take a cash advance of up to $500 without interest. But compared to other apps on the list, Varo charges a fee for cash advances. Among all the apps on the list, it's on the pricier side.

Here's how much it can cost you:

There are pros and cons when comparing this to Albert. Although you can get the same amount ($250), the fee means you're really only getting $230. But while Albert only deals with overdraft spotting, you don't have to wait long for your cash advance with Varo.

Varo Requirements:
Here's what you need to use Varo:^[30]

• Varo Bank account that is active and in a positive standing
  
• At least $800 in qualifying direct deposits to your Varo Bank Account

Other Varo Services:
Varo Bank Account provides a trustworthy banking service with no monthly maintenance and overdraft fees.

Now that you've seen your other options, here's a refresher on what Albert is and what you can get with it.

What Is Albert?

Albert is a financial app that allows you to access up to $250 in overdraft coverage if you meet certain requirements.

But what makes it stand out from banks and lenders is that they don't charge interest, and there are no credit checks.

Yep, you read that right. Albert doesn't need to check your credit score before you can access instant overdraft. That's one less requirement you need to worry about.

When should you use Albert?

You can use Albert for your overdraft protection. You can get your transactions covered instantly for up to $250. Use it for your debit card purchases like groceries or for a quick oil change for your car.

On the flip side, Albert may not be for you if you have trouble controlling your spending. Because Albert is convenient, it's easy to get trapped in a debt cycle.

But it can be an option if you're a bit strapped for cash and you can repay what you owe.

Why are Apps Like Albert better than Payday Loans?

Apps on this list were designed to give you access to money with just a tap on your screen. You can use it for emergencies. Compared to Payday Loans, these are more convenient.

On top of that, most apps on this list don't require a credit check, have no interest, and charge lower fees. They also have requirements that are easier to meet than those asked by banks and lenders.

How to pay cash advances faster and break the loan-and-repayment cycle?

Repaying a huge loan from cash advance apps could be challenging. Part of your salary is already going to be used for repayment. And the bills just keep on coming.

It can be hard to ensure you still have money to spend. Here are some tips to help you break the loan-and-repayment cycle:

1. Remember your due dates
   Plot your due dates on your calendar. This can help you adjust your budget while still paying off your loan.
2. Use budgeting and spending tools
   Budgeting and spending tools can help you monitor your spending and learn how to budget correctly. It can kick-start your journey to understanding your spending habits.
3. Earn extra income
   You can pay your loans faster by getting a side hustle. Or go for apps that can help you make some extra cash.
4. Have an emergency fund
   Emergency funds can help you get by when urgent situations arise. Find out how much you need in one to help avoid bank loans and payday lenders.

How we came up with the list

Albert is a financial app known for its instant overdraft coverage. So when making this list, we searched for apps that give fast access to cash when needed and with less hassle.

We looked into their features and the amounts you can get covered with or borrow. We also took note of the repayment dates, so you'll have options on when you want to repay.

Bottom Line

We get it. Albert is a useful and trusted app. But there are plenty of apps like it in the market. With a few of them on this list, you can potentially see a better fit for your needs.

The extra services may even help you get your finances in better shape. But whether you need a small or large amount of cash, there's an option you can choose.

References