EarnIn App Review

EarnIn lets you access up to $750 of your earned wages per pay period before payday, without any mandatory fees or interest charges. It's designed to help you avoid the high costs associated with traditional payday loans by giving you access to money you've already earned.

To use EarnIn, you'll need a steady paycheck of at least $320 per pay period, a consistent pay schedule, and a bank account that receives your direct deposits. The app connects to your bank account and verifies your earnings, allowing you to draw from your paycheck ahead of time. When your payday arrives, EarnIn automatically deducts the amount you borrowed.

Standard transfers take 1–2 business days and are free, but if you need your money faster, the Lightning Speed option can get you your funds in as little as 1–30 minutes for a fee ranging from $2.99 to $5.99, depending on the amount transferred. While EarnIn doesn't charge fees or interest, it does ask if you'd like to leave an optional tip, but tipping is entirely up to you and doesn't affect your ability to use the service.

In addition to cash advances, EarnIn offers features like Balance Shield, which helps prevent overdrafts by sending alerts and offering automatic cash outs when your bank balance gets low. The app also provides free credit monitoring and financial planning tools to help you stay on top of your finances.

EarnIn might work well for you if:

• Need early cash: You want to access up to $150 per day of your earned wages before payday
• No fees: You prefer advances with no mandatory fees, interest charges, or credit checks
• Prevent overdrafts: You want to avoid overdraft fees using the Balance Shield feature
• Stable income: You have a consistent pay schedule with direct deposit into a checking account
• Credit monitoring: You'd like to monitor your credit score for free within the app

When EarnIn might not be a good fit:

• Irregular income: If you don't have a consistent pay schedule or receive irregular income
• No direct deposit: If you don't receive your income via direct deposit into a checking account
• Ineligible income: If your income comes from SSI, disability pay, unemployment wages, or veterans benefits
• No checking account: If you don't have a checking account with an approved U.S. bank

To qualify for EarnIn, you need to meet the following criteria:

1. Employment and Pay Schedule: Be employed with a consistent pay schedule (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly) and receive your income via direct deposit.
2. Minimum Earnings: Earn at least $320 every pay period.
3. Checking Account: Have a checking account (not a prepaid or savings account) with an approved U.S. bank that receives your direct deposits.
4. Proof of Employment: Have either a fixed work location or an employer-provided email address to verify your employment.
5. Age and Residency: Be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States, including U.S. territories.
6. Income Source: Not receive income from SSI, disability pay, unemployment wages, or veterans benefits.

EarnIn will determine your eligibility based on these criteria, and there are no credit checks required. If you meet the requirements, you can access up to $150 per day and up to $750 per pay period from your earned wages before payday.

You will typically receive your cash advance in your bank account within 1–2 business days with the free standard transfer.

If you need your money faster, you can use the Lightning Speed option to get it within minutes. This will cost between $2.99 and $5.99 per transfer, depending on the amount:

• $2.99 or $3.99 for advances up to $100
• $5.99 for advances over $100

EarnIn automatically withdraws the amount you borrowed when your paycheck is deposited into your linked bank account. Here's what to keep in mind:

1. Automatic repayment: The amount you owe, including any tips and Lightning Speed fees, is deducted from your paycheck before the rest of your funds are transferred to your bank account.
2. Insufficient paycheck: If your paycheck doesn't fully cover what you owe, EarnIn may debit the remaining balance from your linked bank account as authorized.
3. No mandatory fees: While there are no mandatory fees or interest, make sure you have enough funds to avoid potential overdraft fees from your bank.

Apart from getting early access to your earnings, EarnIn has several other features that can help you manage your finances more effectively.

Early Pay

With Early Pay, you can receive your paycheck up to two days ahead of your regular payday. This means your direct deposit hits your bank account sooner, helping you cover expenses promptly. If you need access even faster, you can opt for expedited transfers starting at $2.99.

Balance Shield

Balance Shield is designed to help you avoid overdraft fees. When your bank balance gets low, up to $100 can be automatically transferred from your earnings to prevent overdrafts. You can also set up custom low-balance alerts to keep an eye on your finances.

Tip Yourself

Tip Yourself makes saving money effortless. Every time you get paid, you can set aside some funds into a no-cost, FDIC-insured account. It's an easy way to work towards your financial goals without even thinking about it.

Credit Monitoring

EarnIn lets you monitor your credit score directly within the app. You'll get access to your VantageScore 3.0® credit score provided by Experian®. Keeping an eye on your credit can help you stay ahead of surprises and potential fraud, and this feature is free.

Financial Calculators

The app also offers financial calculators to help you plan for the future. These tools are designed to assist with financial decisions, giving you insights to navigate your financial journey effectively.