EarnIn App Review

EarnIn's cash advance app allows you to access up to $750 of your earned wages per pay period before payday, with no mandatory fees or interest charges. If you're employed with a consistent pay schedule and receive at least $320 per pay period via direct deposit into a U.S. checking account, you can withdraw up to $150 per day from the money you've already earned. There's no credit check involved, and while the app gives you the option to tip, it's entirely voluntary.

Standard transfers are free and take 1-3 business days to reach your bank account. If you need your money sooner, the Lightning Speed feature lets you receive funds in minutes for a small fee starting at $2.99. EarnIn also offers features like Balance Shield, which can automatically transfer up to $100 to your account to help prevent overdraft fees, and Tip Yourself, a no-cost savings account to help you set aside money effortlessly.

To be eligible, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid U.S. cell phone number, and not receive income from sources like SSI, disability pay, or unemployment wages. EarnIn provides a flexible way to access your earned wages without the high fees or interest associated with traditional payday loans.

EarnIn might work well for you if:

• Access pay early: You need to tap into your earned wages before payday to cover expenses
• Avoid overdrafts: You want to prevent overdraft fees with automatic cash infusions from Balance Shield
• No mandatory fees: You prefer not to pay interest or mandatory fees for accessing your money
• Build savings: You're looking to effortlessly save money using the Tip Yourself feature
• Credit awareness: You want free access to monitor your credit score within the app

When EarnIn might not be a good fit:

• Instant fees: If you frequently need instant transfers, the expedited transfer fees can add up
• Eligibility limits: If you don't have a fixed work location or employer-provided email, you might not qualify
• Income source: If your income comes from SSI, disability, or unemployment benefits, EarnIn isn't compatible
• Automatic repayment: If automatic deductions on payday could strain your budget

Some of the Earnin cash advance requirements include:

1. Age and Residence: Be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S., including U.S. territories.
2. U.S. Cell Phone: Have a valid U.S. cell phone number.
3. Checking Account: Have a checking account with a U.S. bank (no prepaid or savings accounts).
4. Income: Earn at least $320 per pay period from employment.
5. Consistent Pay Schedule: Receive regular paychecks via direct deposit (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
6. Work Verification: Have a fixed work location or an employer-provided email address.
7. Income Source: Not receive income from sources like SSI, disability pay, unemployment wages, or veterans benefits.
8. No Credit Checks: No credit checks are required to use EarnIn.

EarnIn will determine your eligibility and the maximum amount you can cash out based on these criteria. The maximum cash advance amount is $750 per pay period.

Standard cash outs show up in your bank account in 1–3 business days and don’t cost anything.

Need money right away? Choose the Lightning Speed option and the cash usually arrives in 2–30 minutes. The first Lightning Speed transfer is free; after that you’ll pay roughly $2.99–$5.99 per transfer (some transfers can cost up to $6.99, depending on the amount and other factors).

EarnIn will automatically withdraw the amount you borrowed when your next paycheck is deposited into your linked bank account. Keep in mind that:

1. Change repayment date: You can reschedule your repayment date once every 60 days by requesting the change at least two business days before it's due.
2. Insufficient funds: If your account doesn't have enough money on the repayment date, EarnIn will attempt to withdraw the funds again after a few days and may send you a reminder. Be aware that your bank might charge overdraft or non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees.
3. Borrowing limit: Not repaying on time could affect your borrowing limit or result in your account being put on hold until the balance is paid off.

Beyond access to your earned wages before payday, EarnIn offers several other features that might help you manage your finances more effectively.

Balance Shield

Balance Shield is designed to protect you from overdraft fees. You can set up personalized alerts to notify you when your bank balance drops below a certain amount. Even better, you can opt to automatically transfer up to $100 from your available Cash Out to your bank account when your balance is low.

Tip Yourself

If you're looking to build up your savings effortlessly, Tip Yourself might be your new best friend. It allows you to set up a free, FDIC-insured savings account within the app. You can choose to automatically or manually transfer small amounts into this account, helping you reach your financial goals over time.

Credit Monitoring

EarnIn also provides free access to your VantageScore 3.0 credit score through Experian. Keeping an eye on your credit score can help you stay informed about your credit health and spot any potential issues early on.

Health Aid

Medical bills can be overwhelming, but EarnIn's Health Aid feature aims to help. They can assist in managing and potentially reducing unexpected medical expenses by working with your healthcare providers to negotiate and lower your bills on your behalf.