When money’s tight, it’s good to know your borrowing options. We’ve outlined the eight best cash advance apps to borrow $300 instantly to get you through until your next payday. All these cash apps work similarly and are essentially paycheck advances that are automatically paid back when your next paycheck is deposited. However, they all have slightly different eligibility requirements, advance limits, and associated fees. So, if you need $300 today and aren’t sure where to turn, read on to learn about your choices.
The Best $300 Cash Advance Apps To Borrow Money Instantly
1. EarnIn
EarnIn is a highly-rated cash advance app, but is it the right one for a $300 loan? That depends on a few factors. The good thing about EarnIn’s Cash Out feature is it lets you borrow up to $750, but you can only request up to $150 per day so would have to make two separate requests if you needed $300. Also, not everyone will be eligible for the maximum amount, particularly first-time users since it usually takes at least two pay periods to see your available amount increase.
To qualify you’ll need to link your bank account to the app and show proof of a consistent paycheck that’s at least $320 every pay period as well as having a fixed work location or an employer-provided email address. EarnIn also doesn't allow you to count income from disability or SSI payments like some other apps. Transfers are free and are typically made within one or two days, but you can expedite this and get your money within minutes for a fee of $3.99 for amounts under $100 and $5.99 for amounts over $100.
Get started with EarnIn or checkout our EarnIn review to learn more.
2. Current
The Paycheck Advance program from Current allows eligible users to get up to $500, but this is dependent on a few factors and actual advances range from $50 to $500. Your advance limit will change based on fluctuations in your bank account, and you can always check by logging into your Current account. Note that this service is not available in Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, or the District of Columbia.
To get started you’ll need to link your Current account to an external bank account that shows at least $500 in payroll deposits. Once you’re set up in the app, it will review your payroll deposits, how often they’re made, and your transaction history. You can then transfer your money for free and get it within three days, or pay a fee to have it expedited and receive it within one hour.
Get started with Current or read our Current review to learn more.
3. Dave
Dave is another great choice if you’re looking for a $300 cash advance. With ExtraCash you could be eligible for a $500 cash advance, although this amount fluctuates and the average advance amount for users is $170. All users are required to show at least three recurring deposits, and your limit is based on your 60-day account history.
All requested advances are deposited into your external bank account within three days or instantly for a fee. The rush fees are either 3% or 5% of your advance amount depending on whether you have a Dave checking account, so for a $300 advance you’d pay $9 to $15 to get your money right away. However, there is a monthly fee that all Dave users must pay, but it’s only $1. Dave also has a popular Side Hustle feature that connects you to gig work to earn a few extra bucks and has budgeting tools that can help get your finances back on track.
Get started with Dave or read our post Is Dave legit? for full details.
4. Brigit
Although the Brigit app only lets you get up to $250 for each advance, we’re still including it in our recommendations because it comes with other great features that can improve your financial standing. This includes budget and account tracking, credit monitoring, and an auto advance service that automatically transfers money into your account if it predicts you’ll overdraft. It also has fast deposit times, and if you make your request before 10:00 am EST during the week, you’ll get your money before midnight that same day. However, you can pay an express fee and get your money within 20 minutes. There’s also a mandatory $8.99/month membership fee, or you can bump up to a premium membership for $14.99/month and get free express transfers on all your advances.
Not everyone will qualify for the whole $250 advance because each user is evaluated on their bank account activity including regular earnings, average balances, and spending habits. To sign up you’ll need to link an external bank account that shows at least 60 days of activity, has at least three recurring auto deposits from an employer or other deposit source, and it must show a positive balance.
Try out Brigit today or read our Brigit review for the full scoop.
5. Chime MyPay
Chime offers advances of $50 to $500 through MyPay, but it’s only available in 32 states so double check your location before signing up. The company states that most first-time users start by qualifying for a $50 to $100 advance, but this can increase the longer you’re a member. The only catch is you have to set up a Chime checking account and have your paychecks or government benefits directly deposited here. You’ll need to show at least two recurring deposits of at least $200 in the previous 36 days to become eligible, or one deposit of at least $200 and a valid work email address.
With a Chime account, you’ll also get access to the secured Chime Credit Builder Visa, fee-free overdraft protection, and you can use over 50,000 ATMs across the country with no fees. There’s no limit to how often you can use MyPay, but your approved advance amount will change depending on your earnings and spending habits. There are no fees to sign up and deposits are made for free within 24 hours or instantly for a $2 fee.
Get started with Chime or learn more about Chime MyPay.
6. Empower
The Empower app does a lot more than just offer cash advances (although its award-winning platform is one of the best $300 cash advance apps out there). Essentially, Empower is a comprehensive money management tool that provides budgeting help, investment, and retirement tracking, and help paying down debt. However, to get all this, you will have to pay an $8/month membership fee.
Like other apps, your approved advance amount depends on linking your primary bank account to the app and letting it analyze your spending habits, earnings, and bill pay history. Regular advances are made for free and are typically deposited within two to three days, but you can request an instant advance for a fee that arrives within 15 minutes. The fee is based on the amount of the advance, with advances of $300 or more subject to a 3% fee.
7. MoneyLion
MoneyLion offers cash advances of up to $500, so if you need to get $300 today this may be the app for you. After signing up, you’ll need to link a valid bank account that’s been active for the last 60 days and shows at least three regular income deposits that can be from an employer, government benefits, or a pension. However, even though the upper approval limit is $500, you can only request up to $100 per advance so you wouldn’t be able to get all $300 at once.
Through the app’s Instacash feature, you can transfer your money immediately for a fee of $.49 to $8.99, or get it deposited for free within one to five business days. To know how much you qualify for at any given time, all you have to do is log in to the MoneyLion app and go to your InstaCash dashboard. You can also increase the amount you can get by opening a RoarMoney account and having your direct deposits go there.
Check out our full MoneyLion review.
8. Super.com
With Super Pay, you can get cash advances of up to $250 which gets you well on your way to that $300. Super Pay works a little differently than some of the other apps. First of all, you’ll have to link a valid bank account or a valid debit card where your transaction history will be analyzed to see if you can open a Super Account (and you must have a Super Account to get your advances).
Your linked account needs to have been active for at least 90 days and show a history of recurring deposits and everyday purchases. When you request an advance, the money goes into your Super Pay account where you can access it by using your Super Card or by going to an ATM and withdrawing cash. Most advances are deposited within three days, but you can pay a small fee to have it deposited immediately.
Get started with Super Pay or read our Super Pay review to learn more.
What Are Some Other Options To Borrow $300 Instantly?
If you don’t want to bother with an app and need to get $300 now, look into these options:
- Personal loans: Getting a personal loan isn’t the fastest solution and interest rates are typically over 10%, so this should be factored into your overall costs. That said, if you’re using the money to pay off credit card debt that has a rate that’s double this, you could end up saving some money.
- Asking friends and family: Not everyone can take advantage of this, but it may work if you’re wondering how to borrow $300 quickly. Friends and family usually won’t charge any interest, but you should only ask if you know you’ll pay it back quickly.
- Credit card: Credit cards are an easy way to cover expenses until payday, but beware of high interest rates. Ideally, you should pay off your balance completely to avoid paying more and always pay at least the minimum.
- Buy now pay later (BNPL) solutions: BNPL solutions are becoming more common and offer decent short-term financial solutions, but they only allow you to make purchases, not get cash.
- Pawn stuff for cash or sell stuff you don’t need: Another option is pawning, but only do this when you’re certain you can pay back the amount with your next paycheck, or else you may lose your valuables. Or, if you’re ready to purge, you can always sell your stuff to make some quick cash.
- Start a new side hustle: Getting a new job may not be the fastest way to score $300, but nowadays there are a ton of options for side hustles. Look to popular apps like Dave or Fiverr for ideas.
Final Thoughts
At some point in life, everyone feels the pinch of mounting bills and expenses and may need to borrow a few hundred bucks to make ends meet. Luckily, you have a lot of choices that are easy to use and won’t end up costing you a lot (or anything) in extra fees. Just be sure to research your options thoroughly before signing up for any of these apps.
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