Cash flow can quickly become a problem when you’re between jobs or working in the gig economy. Plenty of cash advance apps sound promising on paper, but many won’t advance your money without seeing regular direct deposits to your bank account from employer. If you’re between work or freelancing, we’re fans of Cleo, Dave and Vola – cash advance apps with no direct deposit required.
Cash advance apps often look great on paper, but many come with strict eligibility requirements that make it hard for people to access funds without regular direct deposits. When money lending apps look for income from a regular employer, you can end up missing out whether you’re driving for Uber, freelancing online, or have any other form of inconsistent income. Fortunately, a number of cash advance apps allow you to request funds without regular direct deposits. These apps use other ways to confirm your eligibility and cater to a broad demographic of people who may not have traditional employment.
To give you a fair shot, we’ve rounded up the top apps that don’t ask for a direct deposit, proof of recurring income from an employer, or a credit check.
| IMPORTANT HEADS UP: Cash advance apps aren’t in the business of “hoping” you’ll repay your advance. While the apps on this list don’t turn you away without direct deposits, you’ll typically qualify for higher borrowing limits if you can show a regular, recurring pattern of deposits. |
#1 – Cleo: Borrow up to $250 with no timesheets or pay slips
Cleo is one of the most inclusive cash advance apps and is 100% freelancer-friendly. You can borrow up to $250 without employer verification, pay slips or W-2s. The app only requires your name and address to verify you are human. Cleo currently has more than 5 million users and includes plenty of helpful features outside of cash advances across budgeting, saving and credit-building products.
HOW TO BORROW MONEY
After downloading the Cleo app for free, connect your main bank account (the one you normally get paid into), but don’t stress if you’re not receiving a regular paycheck right now. Cleo uses AI to analyze your linked account history and determine your eligibility even if you’re unemployed and have no direct deposits.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU BORROW?
Cleo’s cash advance limits start smaller, with most new users qualifying for the minimum of $20. Your eligibility is determined by many factors (including your earned income), so if you land a traditional job, you’ll likely increase your cash advance limit, which can climb up to $250.
Need a Fast $20? >>> Explore Cleo Now 👈
#2 – Dave: Request up to $500 with no direct deposit
Dave ExtraCash™ offers up to $500 in advances with no direct deposit required. One of the most popular cash advance apps (and the OG), over 6 million users have taken out almost 100 million advances to cover gas, rent, groceries – you name it. There’s no proof of employment needed (you won’t even be asked about your employment status) and with a low $1 per month subscription fee, it’s easy and cheap for eligible users to borrow money in minutes.
HOW TO BORROW MONEY
Download the Dave app and link your main bank account (choose the one where you’d get paid if you were employed or had regular income). Dave will analyze your account using Plaid – as secure fintech software – to determine how much you can borrow and comfortably repay based on your account history and spending patterns. You’ll need to open a Dave ExtraCash account which only takes 5 minutes and costs $1 per month (about as close to free as possible). Once your ExtraCash account is set up, you can see how much you qualify for.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU BORROW?
Dave offers up to $500 (and advertises funds as being available within 5 minutes) though you won’t be eligible to borrow the full amount right away. Most Dave customers are eligible to borrow around $170 which is still a solid amount for a new user! You can increase your limit as you build a history of on-time repayments.
Need $500 Fast? >>> Check out Dave 👈
#3 – Vola: Borrow money without regular pay or a steady job
Vola offers interest-free cash advances up to $300 with no hidden fees. Vola requires a connected bank account you use regularly, but you won’t need direct deposits to apply for an advance. The app also comes with easy-to-use spending insights and smart alerts to help you avoid overdraft or NSF fees.
HOW TO BORROW MONEY
Similar to Dave and Cleo, Vola will analyze your linked bank account using Plaid. Instead of regular direct deposits, Vola will check to see if you have connected a bank that:
- Is more than 3 months old
- Has activity on most days of the week
- Has an average balance of over $150
Like the other apps on this list, Vola prefers to see regular income but you may be eligible for an advance even if you’re out of work and receiving Government benefits.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU BORROW?
Most new users can borrow between $30 and $50. Vola analyzes your income expenses, and average balance to assign a ‘Vola Score’ between 0 and 100. The higher your score, the higher your potential borrowing limit.
The quickest way for you to improve your Vola score is to:
- Use the Vola app
- Keep your bank account active
- Read content on managing your personal finances
- Improve the average balance in your linked bank account
Ready for extra cash? >>> Check out Vola 👈
Pros and cons of using cash advance apps without direct deposits
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Borrow cash fast | ❌Smaller initial advance limits |
| ✅ Typically no interest | ❌ Not everyone is eligible |
| ✅ Accessible eligibility criteria | ❌ May require fees for instant funds |
| ✅ No credit checks | |
| ✅ Options for the unemployed |
Over 70 million Americans work in the gig economy. If you’re making money with gig work or currently unemployed, the apps on this list can help you borrow money without deposits from a single employer.
It’s worth saying again that you’ll typically qualify for higher limits by showing a pattern of recurring direct deposits.
Fortunately, even without regular income, Cleo, Dave and Vola can help you make ends meet by verifying your identity, linking a checking account, carrying an average minimum balance and showing frequent banking activity.