6 Cash Advance Apps That Will Loan You Money Without a Job

Use these apps to get a little financial boost between gigs

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: August 12, 2025 Fact Checked

If you do gig or freelance work or are unemployed, you may wonder if any apps will loan you money despite not having regular direct deposits. While many cash advance apps have employment and direct deposit eligibility requirements, some may still offer you a loan even if you work inconsistent hours, don't have a job, or get deposits from a pension or government program.

1

MoneyLion

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You can work up to a higher advance limit with MoneyLion. MoneyLion can offer advances up to $500 with its InstaCash feature, but if you don't have regular income (i.e., you're a gig worker or unemployed), you can still qualify for Trial InstaCash (which has a limit of $25). If you continue using Trial InstaCash and you repay your advances on time, you can eventually unlock the standard InstaCash experience.^{[1]
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- There is no monthly membership fee to use MoneyLion's InstaCash feature.
- Cash advance eligibility is determined by many factors, including deposits into your account. If you don't get regular deposits (such as paychecks or government assistance deposits), you may not be eligible for the full cash advance limit. However, you may still be eligible for Trial InstaCash.
- You can send your advance to your RoarMoney account for free in 1 to 2 business days, or an external account for free in 2 to 5 business days. If desired, you can pay a fee of $0.49 to $8.99 to deliver your funds within minutes to your RoarMoney or external account.
- MoneyLion also offers credit cards, personal loans, loan refinancing, RoarMoney (a mobile banking account), a Credit Builder account, savings accounts, and investing services.
- MoneyLion is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

2

Empower

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Empower transfers your cash advances quickly. Once you sign up for Empower and connect your bank account, Empower will determine how much they can offer you for a Cash Advance. Cash Advances range from $10 to $250 depending on factors like recurring deposits, so you may still qualify for a lower amount if you get paid infrequently. Funds are typically delivered in one day (unless you opt for instant delivery, which takes less than an hour). If you can't repay your loan on the repayment date, you can reschedule it as long as you do so before 12 p.m. Pacific time the day before your repayment date.
- Empower has a 14-day free trial for new members and is $8 per month after that.
- Cash advance eligibility is determined by many factors, including deposits into your account. If you don't get regular deposits (such as paychecks or government assistance deposits), you may not be eligible for the full cash advance limit.
- Funds are usually deposited to your account in one day, or you can pay a fast-funding fee of $1 to $8 to get your advance within an hour.
- Empower also offers a debit card, budgeting tools, and a line of credit.
- Empower is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

3

SoLo

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SoLo is a peer-to-peer lending community. All the lenders on SoLo are other members, backed by SoLo's lending marketplace, so your employment status isn't factored into whether or not you can get a loan. You can request up to $575 on SoLo, and your request will remain in SoLo's Marketplace for three days or until it's funded (whichever comes first). You can choose your repayment date, but you must manually repay it. If you miss your repayment date, you'll be charged a 10% late fee, and SoLo will attempt to contact you regarding the payment.
- There is no membership fee to use SoLo, but you can tip your lender (a fellow SoLo member) up to 12% of the total advance amount as a way to say thank you.
- As SoLo isn't a traditional cash advance lender, your deposits and bank account history don't affect if your borrow request is accepted and paid out by another SoLo member.
- You can transfer your funds to an external bank account for free via ACH. You can also transfer your funds instantly for a 1.75% fee.
- You can both be a lender and a borrower on SoLo, and SoLo also offers mobile banking services.
- SoLo is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

4

Cleo

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Cleo doesn't have a minimum direct deposit requirement. Cleo doesn't ask for your employment information, nor does it have a minimum direct deposit requirement, which makes it an ideal choice for gig workers or freelancers who get paid consistently. You can get up to $250 with Cleo, though you'll start with a smaller amount ($20 to $70) and work your way to a higher limit with successful repayments.
- Cleo has multiple tiers of monthly subscriptions, including a free tier.
- While Cleo doesn't use the same eligibility requirements as other cash advance apps, they do have an AI algorithm that analyzes your information to determine your eligibility. The results of that algorithm may influence how much money you're allowed to borrow.
- Your advance will be sent to your account within 3 to 4 business days for free, or you can pay a $3.99 to $9.99 fee to get your funds the same day.
- Cleo also has a credit score feature, savings tools, and cashback offers.
- Cleo is available on the Google Play Store.

5

Brigit

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Brigit can advance you up to $250 as often as you want. Brigit doesn't specify that you need employment to get an advance, just that you need regular bank account activity. So, gig workers or unemployed people may still qualify for an advance. After signing up for Brigit, selecting a subscription plan, and connecting your checking account, you can request an Instant Cash advance of up to $250. Once you've been approved for your advance, you can request another right away without waiting for your repayment date—just remember that you'll have to repay all of your advances in full when your repayment date rolls around.
- Brigit has a monthly subscription fee of $9.99 for the Plus plan and $14.99 for the Premium plan, both of which have access to Instant Cash.
- Cash advance eligibility is determined by many factors, including deposits into your account. You may not be eligible for the full cash advance limit if you don't get regular deposits (such as paychecks or government assistance deposits).
- Funds will arrive in your account in 1 to 3 business days, or you can pay a fee of $0.99 to $3.99 to have it sent in 20 minutes or less (the fee is waived with the Premium plan).
- Brigit also offers a Credit Builder account and a free Finance Helper.
- Brigit is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.