EarnIn is a legit cash advance app. Founded in 2013 by Ram Palaniappan, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. They claim that millions of customers are using their services. While EarnIn is a legitimate company, it's important to be aware that in November 2024, the Attorney General of the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against them, alleging deceptive marketing practices related to high-interest loans and hidden fees. They were accused of operating without the required lending license and misleading consumers about the true costs of their loans. Additionally, in August 2024, a class action lawsuit was filed over their tipping and fee model potentially violating lending laws, and they faced a cybersecurity incident in 2024 that may have affected customer information.
Hundreds of EarnIn reviews from April and May 2025 that we analyzed suggest users can rely on the app. Here’s what they have to say about it:
Reaching EarnIn's advertised $750 maximum advance might not be as straightforward as it seems. Here's what users are saying:
While some folks appreciate EarnIn for being helpful in a pinch and seeing their limits grow, others are frustrated by decreasing limits and withdrawal restrictions. If you're aiming for that $750 maximum, be prepared for a journey—it might take time and consistent use to get there, and even then, daily caps could limit how much you can access at once.
Even though EarnIn is a legit company, we found 9 reviews published recently describing the service as scammy (for context, this is out of hundreds we analyzed). About 6 explicitly call the service a “scam”, “frauds”, or “crooks” while others report unauthorized withdrawals or technical issues that make them feel similarly deceived.
Some users express concerns about overdraft charges, unexpected account issues, or difficulties with customer service. A few mention problems with bank connectivity or being targeted for experiments without consent.
The overarching theme is that people feel tricked or financially harmed, often pointing to unauthorized charges, account problems, and an inability to get help from customer service.