EarnIn Cash Advance App Review 2024: Best-of-Breed Cash Advance App

Cash advance apps can help people who need money fast for unexpected expenses—such as a medical bill or car repair.

Earnin is a free, cash-advance app that provides customers access to their earnings to date before payday. Users can receive up to $100 per day and $750 per pay period in their bank account and pay no mandatory fees or interest. Still, the app requires stricter scrutiny than others: Customers qualify by verifying employment and having a steady paycheck directly deposited in a U.S. bank account.

TIME’s Take

Since Earnin users can get an advance on their paycheck at no cost, it is a cheaper way to raise funds than using credit cards, payday loans, title loans, or other high-interest debt options. EarnIn stands out among peers as a lower-cost option with a higher limit per pay period.

However, regular use of cash advances can be habit-forming and detrimental to long-term financial goals. Use cash advance apps sparingly.

Who EarnIn is best for

Earnin is best for people who live paycheck-to-paycheck and sometimes need access to cash before getting paid. It may also attract people who want to avoid credit cards and prefer cash advance apps to stay out of revolving debt. Anyone who does not have emergency savings may find cash advance apps like EarnIn to be better than more expensive or predatory-lender options such as payday or title loans. But cash advance apps should not be a long-term substitute for a sustainable emergency fund.

How the EarnIn app works

New users create an account with Earnin, then connect their bank account and debit card. EarnIn verifies the user’s identity and employment income. Your hourly rate after taxes must be at least $4—so some service industry or gig workers who rely on tips may not qualify. Social Security or other types of government income don’t count either.

Once the account is established, connected, and verified, users are eligible to request cash advances. EarnIn will electronically deposit the funds into the connected bank account.

Earnin tracks your physical location, employer email address, or timecard to make sure you’re working. The app calculates how much cash you can take out based on your regular payment amount and the days you’ve worked. Once you’re paid, the available earnings reset.

Standard cash advances take one to two business days and are free. Lightning Speed transfers are complete in minutes but cost $3.99 per advance. First-time Lightning Speed use is free.

Earnin automatically debits the repayment amount for the advance and any tips or fees when the next payday arrives. The app does ask for an optional tip with repayment.

Requirements to get a cash advance with EarnIn

• An Earnin account.
• A connected bank account.
• Verified employment with a steady direct deposit pay schedule (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
• Must make at least $320 per pay period.
• A fixed work location or employer-provided email address.
• U.S. resident and at least 18 years old.
• A valid U.S. cellphone number.

How to get a cash advance with EarnIn step-by-step

Step 1: Open an EarnIn account

New customers can start from a desktop or mobile device. Earnin is available at the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Step 2: Connect a bank account with a direct deposit paycheck

Earnin establishes a secure bank account connection via Plaid.

Step 3: Verify employment and direct deposit

Earninuses your bank account and employment information to estimate how much you’ve earned (and how much cash you can take out) to date. EarnIn will not contact your employer directly.

Users can verify earnings through EarnIn three different ways:

• Provide a work-provided email address.
• Use their “GPS earnings” system, where they track you while working at a stationary physical location.
• Upload weekly timesheets.

Step 4: Request funds

After verifying employment and direct deposit schedules, users can get cash advances up to $100 per day for earned but unpaid funds. When requested, Earnin transfers the funds electronically to the user's bank account within one to two business days—or within minutes for a fee.

Step 5: Repay funds

When the customer receives their regular paycheck, Earnin automatically takes the borrowed amount back from the bank account, plus any fees or tips.

EarnIn app details

Eligibility

Customers must be U.S. residents, 18 years or older, with a verified bank account and a consistent payday. They must earn at least $320 per pay period.

Deposits and withdrawals

Earnin deposits funds into the user's bank account upon request and automatically initiates withdrawals when the user receives their next employer paycheck.

Interest and fees

Earnin charges no interest or fees for standard fund delivery, usually one to two business days. There is also a Lightning Speed delivery option that costs a $3.99 flat fee, regardless of the advance amount. Tipping per transaction is optional but encouraged.

Funding time

Standard funding time is one to two business days. Lightning Speed funding time is within minutes.

Customer reviews

Earnin has earned a 4.0-star rating out of 5 at TrustPilot with 95 reviews. The Better Business Bureau rates EarnIn as an “A+” BBB-accredited company. Yet customers give EarnIn a 2.56-star rating with 270 reviews, complaining of issues with the app and bad customer service. EarnIn actively addresses and resolves complaints on both review platforms.

Pros and cons

Benefits of EarnIn

Receive funds you’ve already earned

Most employer policies require work to be completed, but payment doesn’t arrive until two or more weeks later. Earnin estimates how much you’ve made each day and will give you funds based on your work to date.

Automatic repayment

Because repayment is automatic, users can access their earnings without worrying about remembering to pay that debt. This may help prevent some customers from going into debt.

Seamless integration with bank account

Earnin establishes a secure connection to customers’ bank accounts via Plaid. This allows for paycheck verification and seamless transfers between EarnIn and the bank account.

What can be improved by EarnIn

Higher daily cash advance amounts

Earnin’s $750 per-pay-period upper limit is higher than many peers, but its $100-per-day limit may not be sufficient for some customers.

Reduce fees for faster deposits

Competing apps often use a tiered pricing structure for express delivery. Earnin's flat fee model is easier for customers to understand. However, lowering the flat fee would provide better value to customers, especially for smaller transfers.

Ease employment verification standards

Earnin has stricter verification standards than competitors. For example, some users are required to upload weekly timesheets for employment verification, while others must agree to the app tracking their location data. Some customers may find these requirements overbearing or an intrusion of privacy.

How the EarnIn app stacks up

Who EarnIn isn’t right for

While financial emergencies occur, cash advance apps like Earnin can become habit forming, and most users are better off digging into an emergency fund. If you’re already struggling with debt or other financial trouble, you may find temporary relief from cash advance apps. But be careful: Over the long term, cash advances can add to your woes.

Bottom line

Earnin compares well to other best cash advance apps for its high advance limit and reasonable fees. It's better than other apps, including Empower, that require a subscription fee, or other high-interest, short-term borrowing options, such as credit cards, or title loans. Because cash advances are the primary service offered by EarnIn, customers won't face constant upselling of other financial products.

Customers face greater income-verification scrutiny than other apps to qualify for the more favorable cash advance terms. Despite the positive features, users should utilize cash advance apps infrequently to avoid habit-forming reliance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can you get a cash advance with EarnIn?

Yes. Eligible users can access $100 per day, or up to $750 per pay period.

What are the requirements to use EarnIn?

Customers must be U.S. residents 18 years or older with a U.S. bank account and steady direct paycheck deposit of at least $320 per pay period. Social Security or other government direct deposits won’t qualify you to use this app.

What are the cons of using EarnIn?

EarnIn limits cash advances to $100 per day, which might not meet the needs of some users. Customers must earn more than $320 per pay period, and EarnIn uses strict employment verification methods compared to other cash advance apps. Cash advances can also be detrimental to your long-term financial health.

What app can I borrow $100 from?

EarnIn is a cash advance app that allows users to borrow $100 per day—but it’s not the only one. Competitors, including MoneyLion and Empower, offer the similar cash advance capabilities at varying costs.