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How To Borrow $500 Instantly [2026]: Safe, Low-Cost Ways To Bridge the Gap

Learn the fastest, safest, and most affordable ways to borrow $500 with no credit check or turning to high-cost payday loans.

Woman on smartphone
Danielle Letenyei
By Danielle Letenyei
Lauren Graves
Edited by Lauren Graves
Updated Jan. 2, 2026
Fact check checkmark icon Fact checked

When you're strapped for cash and need to borrow $500 quickly, you may be tempted to consider getting a payday loan to help get by until your next paycheck arrives. However, there are better options that won't cost you exorbitantly high interest rates, potentially worsening your financial situation.

One of the best ways to borrow $500 fast is with cash advance apps. These services, which essentially let you borrow from your future paycheck, can be faster, safer, and far more affordable than high-risk alternatives such as payday loans. Let's look at some of the most affordable choices for $500 cash advances that you can access instantly, plus other ways to borrow.

Featured apps to borrow $500

4.5
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Early Paycheck Access — Up to $150/Day
Get up to $750 per pay period with no credit check, interest, or late fees.
Create an account
4.6
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Access up to $750 with Current App once you qualify.1
Get paycheck advances with no credit check, subscription, or late fees. Optional instance advances available for a fee.2
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Can you get a $500 cash advance with no credit check?

If you're strapped for cash to the tune of $500 but worried you might have limited options for financing due to poor credit, you should know that there are still ways to get the money you need without resorting to higher-risk, higher-cost options (such as payday loans or "buy now, pay later"). In fact, there are ways to borrow money with and without a credit check.

Several paycheck advance apps provide $500 paycheck advances with no credit check required, which is one of the top options we recommend for instant funding from time to time. Other safe alternatives include several types of loans and lines of credit, which also allow you to borrow more if you need to. Because they have minimal requirements and there are so many reputable options, we'll focus on paycheck advance apps we recommend.

Cash advances vs. paycheck advances
Apps that provide paycheck advances, sometimes referred to as "cash advance apps," do not offer traditional cash advances. A cash advance is a different type of service offered by credit cards, in which you withdraw cash against your credit line, often with fees and high interest rates that kick in immediately. Even though you might sometimes see paycheck advance apps called cash advance apps, these don't provide true cash advances.

Apps we recommend for $500 advances

Chime®

Best for Quick access to cash

Chime3 is a financial technology (fintech) company that offers great banking products, including low-fee checking and competitive high-yield savings accounts. The company stands out for catering to people with spotty banking and/or credit histories, so it could be a good choice regardless of your finances. The platform also offers paycheck advances of up to $500 through its MyPay service.45

With Chime MyPay, you may qualify for an advance of $20 to $500 with no interest and no credit check required.6 There are no monthly fees, but you will have to pay a $2 fee to borrow money instantly. Otherwise, most transfers should land in your account within 24 hours. To access MyPay, you have to open a Chime Checking account and set up direct deposit. The next time you get paid, the amount of your cash advance will be deducted from your paycheck.

Visit Chime | Read our full Chime review

Cash App

Best for Flexible repayment options

Cash App is another financial services platform that lets you borrow up to $500 cash quickly if you need it (and qualify).7 Cash App Borrow provides more repayment flexibility than some paycheck advances that set automatic due dates. If you borrow money, Cash App lets you set up a repayment plan that fits your needs and budget.

With Cash App Borrow, the money lands in your bank account instantly. Rather than an interest rate, there is a flat fee for the service calculated as a percentage of the amount you borrow. To be eligible for Cash App Borrow, you must have direct deposits of $300 or more into your Cash App account each month or link your Cash App account with an external account that receives $500 or more in monthly deposits. You can also take out multiple loans, as long as you don't have a past-due balance on other Cash App Borrow loans.

Read our full Cash App review

Dave

Best for Great mobile app

Dave is a financial services app that got its start helping people in a pinch.8 Its popular ExtraCash feature enables you to borrow up to $500 without interest, late fees, or a credit check. The app then proposes a settlement date for repayment, which you need to agree to, that's usually around your next payday or the nearest Friday.

To access ExtraCash, you have to sign up for a Dave membership, which costs $5 per month. While having a Dave Checking account isn't required to borrow money, you can access ExtraCash instantly if you do. The funds can also be transferred to an external debit card for a 1.5% fee.

ExtraCash advances range from $25 to $500. You have to apply for the ExtraCash advance, and not all Dave members are eligible. The company acknowledges that few members actually qualify to borrow up to $500 at once. If you repay funds via electronic transfer, you may also be charged an overdraft fee of $5 or 5%, whichever is greater. If these terms don't appeal to you, there are many apps like Dave that also offer funds with low fees and no interest.

EarnIn

Best for paycheck advances over $500

Living paycheck to paycheck is a struggle. EarnIn9 offers significant potential paycheck advances to help you pay your bills while you wait for your next payday. With EarnIn's Cash Out feature, you can borrow up to $150 per day or a maximum of $1,000 per pay period. No interest is charged, and no credit check is required. Transfers to your bank usually take one to three days, but if you need the money right away, you can pay a $3.99 transfer fee for Lightning Speed.10

On average, EarnIn users can access about $85 per day, but you may be eligible for more or less. EarnIn also offers strong overdraft protection, called Balance Shield, that automatically transfers $100 per day (up to $1,000 per month) from your future earnings into your bank account when your balance falls below a certain threshold.

Visit EarnIn | Read our full EarnIn review

Current

Best for People with consistent incomes

With Current's11 Paycheck Advance, you can get an advance of up to $750 without a credit check or interest.1 You don't need a Current Spend Account to borrow money, but you do need consistent recurring payroll deposits of at least $200 in an external account or a Current account. So, freelancers with inconsistent paychecks are unlikely to qualify. Current determines how much you're eligible to borrow using a number of factors, including your payroll deposit history, spending habits, and transaction history. This is standard fare for many paycheck advance apps.

Paycheck advances are typically transferred within three business days, but you can pay a fee that varies by the amount of your advance if you need funds instantly.2 There is no limit on the number of advances you take. You can repay an advance early, or it can be automatically deducted from your next paycheck.

Visit Current | Read our full Current review

Other ways to borrow $500 quickly

Small-dollar loans from banks

Some banks offer small-dollar loans that can help you borrow $500 when you're short on cash. These loans usually have relatively low interest rates and fees, and they're available in amounts of up to $2,500. However, if you have poor credit or a limited banking history, you may have difficulty getting approved for a bank loan.

It's also worth noting that banks may charge application fees or require you to be a customer. And the process of applying and getting approved can take a while, which may be an issue if you need funds for an emergency expense. When you borrow money from a bank, you should be extra diligent about making your loan payments on time. Banks report payment activity to credit bureaus, and late payments could hurt your credit score and ability to borrow in the future.

Payday alternative loans (PALs) from credit unions

Payday alternative loans from credit unions can be a safe, affordable way to borrow $500, especially when compared to payday loans. Credit unions usually offer competitively low interest rates and fewer fees than traditional banks, making it easier to pay off a loan without falling into debt. PALs are available in amounts up to $2,000 with APRs up to 28% and terms between one and six months. PALs are specifically designed for borrowers with bad credit, and many credit unions also offer credit coaching.

Still, approval isn't guaranteed. Plus, you often have to be a credit union member with active accounts to access payday alternative loans, and some credit unions have eligibility rules.

Personal loans

Many banks, credit unions, and fintech companies offer personal loans, with borrowing minimums as low as $500 or $1,000. Some lenders, however, require you to borrow much more. For example, SoFi's minimum is $5,000. A handful of companies let you borrow as little as $500, such as Members 1st Federal Credit Union and Credit Human. These loans have fixed interest rates and repayment terms that tend to range from two to seven years, so you could have much longer to pay the money back than with a cash advance app or PAL.

Personal loans often require a credit check for approval, and your credit helps to determine your rate. The average APR for a personal loan is around 11% to 12%, but you generally pay more if you have bad credit. You may have to pay loan origination fees, late payment fees, and sometimes prepayment fees for personal loans.

Personal lines of credit

A personal line of credit lets you borrow up to a set limit and withdraw what you need, when you need it. You pay interest only on the amount you borrow.

Some lenders, like Regions Bank, Credit Human, and Golden1 Credit Union, offer lines of credit as low as $500. The drawbacks of lines of credit are similar to those of personal loans. They can have significant interest rates and may also have fees, but they could be a better alternative than a fixed-rate, lump-sum personal loan if you're not sure how much you need to borrow.

Why you shouldn't take out a payday loan to borrow money

Traditional payday loans are something you should try to avoid at all costs. While they may seem like a quick fix to helping you pay your bills, they often come with sky-high interest rates and limited repayment windows.

Some payday loans may charge fees equivalent to APRs of 400% or more, which is astronomical compared to loan and credit card rates. If you can't repay a payday loan by your next paycheck, the lender may roll the balance into a new loan, which can mean additional fees. It could also put you on a hamster wheel of debt that may be impossible to get off.

FAQs

How can I get $500 fast?

One of the fastest ways to get $500 is with a paycheck advance app. There are several fintech companies, like Chime, EarnIn, and Dave, that offer paycheck advances with no interest, limited fees, and no credit checks. 

You should avoid the payday loans that charge extremely high interest rates and fees at all costs.

Can I borrow $500 with bad credit?

Yes, it is possible to borrow $500 even with bad credit. Apps like Chime, Dave, and EarnIn don't require a credit check for paycheck advances. This is beneficial if you have bad credit, as it helps you avoid hard inquiries that could cause further damage or jeopardize your ability to borrow money.

Bottom line

When you need $500 fast, whether it's for an emergency, to buy something you really need, or just to cover your grocery bill until payday, paycheck advance apps can be the safest, most affordable option available. Several fintech companies, like Chime, EarnIn, Dave, Cash App, and Current, offer cash or paycheck advances to help you bridge the gap without high interest, long approval timelines, or credit checks. Often, you can borrow $500 instantly for a small fee.

Small-dollar bank loans, credit union PALs, personal loans, and lines of credit can also be good options to borrow money, but they can have higher fees and longer approval times. The key is to choose an option with the lowest costs, fees you can comfortably manage, and repayment terms you can afford, so you can cover your expenses now without creating long-term financial stress.

EarnIn
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4.5
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No fees for standard speed transfers
Can work for any employer as long as you have a consistent schedule
There’s no hard or soft credit check + service won’t impact your credit score
You can access up to $750 between paydays