Cash Advance Apps

Is Gerald app legit?

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Gerald is a legit cash advance app. The company, Gerald Technologies, Inc., is headquartered in New York and claims to be backed by Y Combinator. While Gerald is not a bank, it offers services like instant cash advances up to $80 without interest, fees, or credit checks. As of May 2025, there are no official complaints reported about Gerald.

How reliable is Gerald?

Dozens of Gerald reviews from April and May 2025 suggest that users find the app reliable. Here's what they have to say:

  • Helpful in a pinch: Many users appreciate that Gerald provides quick access to cash when they need it most, describing it as handy and flexible.
  • Excellent customer service: Multiple reviewers commend the app's customer support, mentioning agents like Mark, Jubelle, and Ed for their prompt and helpful assistance.
  • Technical issues: A few users report encountering bugs or issues with the app's functionality, expressing frustration over reliability.
  • Product purchase requirement: A couple of reviewers are dissatisfied that the app requires purchasing products to get an advance, finding it inconvenient.

Overall, most users find Gerald to be a dependable option for cash advances, valuing both the convenience and support provided.

How much can I get from Gerald?

Users report that getting Gerald's advertised maximum cash advance of $100 is rare. Here's what we found:

  • Low advance amounts: Many users mention being approved for small advances—some as low as $35, $50, or even $3.
  • Mandatory spending: A frequent complaint is the requirement to spend a significant portion of the advance in Gerald's in-app store (the 'Cornerstore' or 'Cranberry'), often on items they don't need.
  • Minimal cash received: After obligatory purchases and shipping fees, some users end up with as little as $13 transferred to their bank account.

While a few users appreciate the option to order essentials with their advance, the consensus is that these spending requirements make it tough to access the full cash amount. If you're hoping for a straightforward $100 cash advance, be prepared for some strings attached.

App reviews talking about Loan Amounts:
"...GOOD LUCK getting an advance, Gerald will give you $50-$60 to start off BUT you have to spend half or more than half of that in order to unlock the cash advance..."
"...I was approved for a $50 advance, they only allowed me to transfer $19 of it to my checking account, and the rest, I had to use in their Cornerstore..."
"...I got approved for 58$ then all of a sudden I had to spend 38 of the 58 on cornerstone or cranberry..."

What users say?

Positive
2%
Negative
98%
Many users express frustration with Gerald's cash advance app, citing misleading advertising. The app promises cash advances but requires users to spend a significant portion of the advance on overpriced items from their in-app store before accessing any funds. This practice leaves users with only a fraction of the promised advance, which they find deceptive and unhelpful, especially when in need of immediate cash. The sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with users feeling misled and scammed by the app's business model.
App reviews talking about Advertising Accuracy:
"...they approve you for an amount but make you spend most of it on their app in a credit store..."
"...you have to spend over half of your advance in 'the cornerstore'..."
"...you get a cash advance to only use at some stupid store that sells really bizarre things..."

Scam reports

Even though Gerald is a legit company, we found 60+ reviews published recently describing the service as scammy (for context, this is out of hundreds we analyzed). About 45 users explicitly call the service a “scam”, “fraud”, or “rip-off”, while many others describe being forced to make unwanted purchases before accessing their cash advance.

Several users expressed concerns about unauthorized charges and difficulties canceling orders or getting refunds. Some also mentioned not receiving the promised cash advances even after making required purchases, and a few worried about potential data misuse.

The overarching theme is that people feel tricked or financially harmed, often pointing to hidden fees, unwanted purchases, and an inability to reach customer service.

App reviews talking about Scam:
"...they make you spend half of it on their app in a credit store..."
"I was approved for 55 dollars but after being forced to purchase from their store my advance was only $18.11..."
"...they want you to buy stuff from their store where everything is overpriced in order to get a cash advance..."