Cash Advance Apps

Cash Advance Apps APR Calculator

What's the Real Cost?

Many cash advance apps advertise "fee-free" advances but generate revenue through monthly subscriptions, express fees, and "optional" tips. This calculator shows the effective Annual Percentage Rate (APR) when all these costs are factored in.

For comparison, traditional payday loans typically have APRs around 391%. Some cash advance apps actually cost more!

%

Tip amount: $0.00

Advance Amount
$100.00
Total Fees
$0.00
0%
Payday Loan (~391%)
High Risk (1000%+)

APR

App Comparison

"Typical Advance" reflects actual amounts users report receiving, not advertised maximums
AppTypical AdvanceMonthly FeeExpress FeeTypical TipTotal FeesAPRLoad
Gerald$41.35$0.00$0.00$2.89$2.89182.50%
Beem$28.73$0.99$1.75$2.01$4.75431.15%
Empower$70.89$8.00$3.15$4.96$16.11592.57%
Albert$80.52$0.00$7.34$5.64$12.98420.26%
Chime SpotMe$135.37$0.00$0.00$9.48$9.48182.50%
Grid Money$52.38$10.00$2.09$3.67$15.76784.41%
Dave$157.96$5.00$9.80$11.06$25.86426.78%
Brigit$59.31$8.99$1.74$4.15$14.88654.30%
EarnIn$130.53$0.00$3.14$9.14$12.28245.28%
MoneyLion$149.93$0.00$3.23$10.50$13.73238.74%
Klover$53.90$0.00$4.82$3.77$8.60415.79%
FloatMe$33.89$4.99$2.80$2.37$10.16781.78%
Cleo$81.60$5.99$4.89$5.71$16.60530.21%
Vola Finance$54.16$1.99$0.00$3.79$5.78278.29%

How It Works

Default Values

Default values are based on user-reported data and typical settings for each app.

APR Calculation

APR = ((Total Fees ÷ Advance Amount) × (365 ÷ Days)) × 100

Express fee Calculation

EF = (usage coefficient) x average(low express fee, high express fee)

Usage coefficient is based on how many users pay for the express fee, and equals 70%

Tip value Calculation

Tip value = Tip Percentage (Slider)* Advance Amount

Important Note

  • Monthly subscription fees are included in full