Cash Advance Apps

Is Empower app legit?

Last Updated: Aug 03, 2025

Empower cash advances come from Empower Finance, Inc., a fintech headquartered at 9169 W State St #499, Garden City, ID 83714 (they also list a San Francisco address). The service is delivered through the Empower app on iOS and Android; Empower isn’t a bank, so funds move through nbkc bank, Member FDIC, which provides the FDIC coverage for any deposits.

Advances top out at $400 (the average offer in Feb 2025 was $96 for first-time users and $167 for returning users), arrive with no interest, late fees or credit checks, and Empower promises to reimburse any overdraft fee it triggers when collecting repayment. Support is available 24/7 by email (help@empower.me) and by phone at +1 747-221-9389 on weekdays. We didn’t find any official regulatory complaints listed against the company, so, based on the available information, Empower cash advance appears to be a legitimate option.

How reliable is Empower?

Many Empower reviews from July 2025 suggest users can rely on the app. Here's what they have to say about it:

  • Life saver: Numerous users describe Empower as a "life saver" that helps them out in times of need, providing quick cash advances.
  • There when needed: Many appreciate that Empower is "always there when I need it," offering assistance when funds are low.
  • Fast and reliable: Users mention the app is "fast and reliable," helping them get funds instantly when they're in a bind.
  • App issues: A few users report experiencing glitches and login problems, making the app "extremely unreliable" at times. Despite some reports of app issues, most users find Empower to be a helpful and dependable resource when finances get tight.

How much can I get from Empower?

Empower advertises advances up to $400, but real-world amounts swing all over the map:

  • Up to $400: $400 is the stated ceiling, and a few reviewers even hit the max on day one.
  • Climb With Use: several users jumped from $25 to $75, $200 or even $250 after a couple of on-time repayments.
  • Tiny Starts: plenty of first-timers only qualified for $10–$50, and one person needed $100 but was offered $40.
  • Shaky Limits: limits can shrink without warning—drops from $100 to $10 or being stuck at $50 show up in multiple reviews.
App reviews talking about Loan Amounts:
"...borrowed and repayed $25 the 1st time & now it has let me borrow $250..."
"I was able to get an advance of $200 instantly..."
"...advance came really quick wish it was a lil more money for the first time..."

What users say?

Positive
1%
Negative
99%
Many users complain about the difficulty in canceling their subscriptions with Empower. They report being charged fees even after attempting to close their accounts multiple times. Some users express frustration over the lack of customer support, with communication limited to email and responses being slow or unhelpful. The sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with users feeling trapped by a service they no longer wish to use and describing the app as a scam due to unauthorized charges.
App reviews talking about Subscription Cancellation:
"...Extremely difficult to cancel account..."
"...account was canceled but still being charged. 8.99 3x..."
"...you have to unsub many times, they will keep trying to charge the monthly fee..."

Scam reports

Even though Empower is a legitimate company, we found over 10 recent reviews calling it a scam (out of hundreds we analyzed). About eight users explicitly label the app as a "scam" or "fraud," with some accusing it of unauthorized charges or stealing money.

Several users report unexpected fees, like monthly charges they didn't consent to, and difficulties accessing their accounts or funds. A few are worried about potential identity theft, describing Empower as a "phishing app" that collects personal information without providing any service.

Overall, the main complaints involve unauthorized charges, trouble logging in or retrieving money, and concerns over personal data misuse, leaving some users feeling deceived or financially harmed.

App reviews talking about Scam:
"...HUGE SCAM RUN AWAY FROM THEM..."
"...DO NOT!!! I REPEAT DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS APP. IT IS A SCAM..."
"...Never even heard of this B.S. company until I found a random charge on my bank account..."