Dave loan is one of the 7 best $100 loan instant apps, but what exactly makes Dave’s loan so popular, and is it the right choice for you?

In this review, we’ll dive into what the Dave loan app does, how it works, its pros and cons, the real costs, and whether it’s a good fit for your short-term financial needs. Whether you’re facing an unexpected bill or just need a little cushion until payday, let’s find out if Dave loan can be your next financial sidekick.

What Is the Dave Loan App?

Dave is a cash advance and banking app designed to help users avoid overdraft fees and cover short-term expenses with advances of up to 500 dollars. It also comes with some banking features like a Dave Spending Account, early paycheck access, and basic budgeting tools.

But one of  its key features is  ExtraCash feature, which lets you borrow money before your payday without interest or a credit check.

Dave Features and Benefits Explained

The Dave loan app is one of the best cash advance apps by offering a mix of financial tools, perks, and user-friendly services. One of its most notable features is the ability to access cash advances of up to $500, though most users won’t qualify for the full amount right away. Once approved, funds can be deposited instantly into your Dave Spending account or transferred to an external bank account in as little as 1 to 3 business days, depending on the delivery option you choose. Instant transfers do come with a fee, while standard transfers are free but take longer.

In addition to cash advances, Dave also offers banking perks through its FDIC-insured partner banks, with which users can open a Dave Spending Account, which functions as a checking account and offers several competitive features. These include earning up to 4.00% APY on your balance, and it can be significantly higher than many traditional banks, as well as early direct deposit access, allowing users to get their paycheck up to 2 days early.

Dave also offers fee-free ATM withdrawals at over 40,000 ATMs nationwide, helping users avoid costly withdrawal fees. It goes a step further in supporting users financially with its built-in “Side Hustle” board, which connects people to gig jobs and flexible work opportunities. This is especially helpful for those looking to boost their income in between paychecks.

When it comes to customer service, Dave offers multiple support channels in which users can reach support through in-app live chat, email, or 7-day phone support, giving customers direct access to help when they needed it most.

See Also: 7 Best $100 Instant Loan Apps in the U.S. (2025)

How Does Dave ExtraCash Work?

Here’s a step-by-step look at how to get a cash advance with Dave:

1. Download the app. It’s free to install.
2. Pay the membership fee: There’s a 1 dollar monthly fee to access features.
3. Link your bank: You must connect an external bank account.
4. Open two accounts: You’ll be required to open a Dave Spending Account and an ExtraCash Account.
5. Get approved: Dave reviews your income and spending to approve an advance, which can be up to 500 dollars.
6. Receive funds: Standard delivery takes up to 3 business days, or you can pay an express fee (between 3 and 25 dollars) to receive the money within an hour.
7. Repayment: Automatically withdrawn on your next payday. If payday isn’t clear, Dave sets repayment for the following Friday.
8. Need more time? You can request a 30-day extension, but it must be approved.

Note: You can only have one advance out at a time, and the advance amount may vary based on your financial behavior.

What Is the Dave Spending Account?

To use ExtraCash, you’ll need a Dave Spending Account. It’s a no-minimum balance checking account with no ATM or overdraft fees. Features include:

• Up to 2-day early paychecks
• Up to 4 percent interest (requires a minimum balance)
• A Dave debit card with cashback rewards
• Access to goal-based savings accounts

However, the budgeting tool is basic and mostly shows what’s left after bills. Don’t expect full budgeting features.

See Also: Cash Wave Loan App (Review, Alternative, is it legit?)

Dave Fees, Costs, and Eligibility:

When borrowing money from Dave, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re paying for and what you need to qualify. Dave isn’t a payday loan, and it doesn’t charge interest, but that doesn’t mean it’s free.

Dave Fees

Dave’s cash advances come with two required fees:

1. Overdraft Fee: Each time you borrow, Dave charges the greater of $5 or 5% of the loan amount. For example, if you borrow $100, you’ll owe a $5 fee. If you borrow $300, the fee jumps to $15.
2. Membership Fee: Dave charges a monthly membership fee of up to $5. This fee gives you access to ExtraCash, budgeting tools, and the ability to request future advances.
3. Express Transfer Fee (Optional): If you want your money right away and transfer it to an external debit card, Dave charges a 1.5% express fee. However, transferring money to your Dave account is usually instant and free.
4. Tipping (Optional): Dave gives you the option to leave a tip after each advance. While tipping is not required, the app strongly encourages it—so many users feel pressured to give extra.

There are no late fees or overdraft charges from Dave, but frequent use of express transfers can make borrowing expensive.

See Also: OppLoans Reviews 2025

Dave Loan Eligibility And Requirements

Dave loan is open to most working adults in the U.S., but there are a few important conditions you must meet:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Location: You must be a U.S. resident.
• Bank Account: You must have a U.S. checking account and a Social Security number.
• Income: You need a steady income. Specifically, Dave looks for at least three recurring paycheck deposits totaling $1,000 or more per month.
• Dave Account: You must open both a Dave checking account and an ExtraCash (overdraft protection) account to qualify for advances.
• Positive Balance: Keeping a positive balance in your account helps improve your chances of approval and increases your borrowing limit over time.

New users often start with small limits, like $25 to $100 and as they build a history of timely repayments and consistent deposits, there may qualify for the full $500 limit.

Good news: Dave does not check your credit score, and approval is based entirely on your bank account activity and cash flow, not your credit history.

Click here to download Dave Loan App.

Dave Loans Reviews

The Dave loan app gets high ratings on app stores, with an average rating of around 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store, and it also holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Many users say Dave has helped them in tough situations, especially when unexpected bills pop up before payday. The borrower says they love how fast and easy it is to get money and how the app helps them avoid overdrafts or late fees from other sources.

Some users also complained about unexpected fees, like the automatic overdraft and membership charges, and others say they felt pressured to leave tips after each advance even though tipping is supposed to be optional.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against Dave, accusing the company of misleading customers by not clearly disclosing some of these costs. According to NerdWallet, there were over 280 complaints filed with the BBB in a single year.

• Positive: Quick access to cash, helpful in emergencies, easy to use
• Negative: hidden fees, tipping pressure, and past legal issues

Is Dave Legit?

Yes dave is legit, it uses advanced encryption to protect your data and also partnered with Evolve Bank and Trust, all your deposits are FDIC insured up to 250,000 dollars.

Also, there are no credit checks, reducing your exposure to sensitive data risks.

See Also: Enable Loans: Login, How To Apply, Review, Is It Legit or Scam?

What Happens If You Can’t Pay Dave Loan Back?

If you miss repayment:

• Dave automatically withdraws whatever amount is available in your bank account.
• It will continue making partial withdrawals daily until the balance is cleared.
• If unpaid for 120 days, your debt may go to a collections agency (TrueAccord).

While there are no late fees, you may still end up short on cash for bills or other expenses if repayment isn’t planned carefully.

Pros and Cons of the Dave Loans

Pros

• Up to 500 dollars cash advance available
• No credit checks or interest
• Very low monthly cost
• Instant transfers available
• Budgeting alerts and tools
• Early paycheck access and FDIC protection

Cons

• Express fees can be costly.
• Budgeting tools are very basic.
• Must open a Dave Spending Account
• Only one advance at a time
• Advance amounts vary and aren’t guaranteed.

Loan apps like Dave

If you’re looking for something cheaper, simpler, or faster, there are several loan apps like Dave. Each one has a different way of doing things, so the best choice depends on your situation.

1. Earnin

Earnin lets you cash out up to $750 per pay period without charging interest or mandatory fees.

• You connect your bank and verify your work hours.
• You can get money in minutes if you pay a small express fee (usually $2.99–$5.99).
• Earnin asks for optional tips, but they’re not required.

Why people love it: You only pay what you choose, and there are no monthly subscriptions, and you don’t need to open a new bank account.

2. Brigit

Brigit gives up to $250 in advances. It also includes tools for budgeting, credit monitoring, and financial coaching.

• It charges a monthly membership ($8.99–$14.99), but no tipping.
• You can extend your repayment if needed.
• Funds arrive in 1–3 days or instantly with a small express fee.

Why people love it: Brigit avoids surprise charges, offers financial tools, and is transparent about costs.

3. MoneyLion InstaCash

MoneyLion lets you borrow up to $500, or even $1,000 if you use their RoarMoney account.

• No interest, no required monthly fees
• Instant transfers available with a Turbo fee ($0.49–$8.99)
• Offers 24/7 customer support

Why people love it: Flexible borrowing, big limits, and solid customer service make this a top choice for repeat users.

4. Chime MyPay

Already have a Chime account? You can use Chime MyPay to get up to $500 from your next paycheck.

• No monthly fees or interest
• Fast delivery with an optional $2 instant fee
• No tipping allowed

Why people love it: It’s simple, low-cost, and tied directly to your Chime account.

Loan App	Max Advance	Monthly Fee	Instant Transfer Fee	Tipping	New Bank Required
Dave	$500	Up to $5	1.5% of advance	Optional	Yes
Earnin	$750	$0	$2.99–$5.99	Optional	No
Brigit	$250	$8.99–$14.99	$0.99–$3.99	No	No
MoneyLion	$1,000	$0	$0.49–$8.99	Optional	No
Chime	$500	$0	$2 flat	No	Yes

Final Thoughts

If you need a small cash boost between paychecks and want to avoid expensive overdraft fees, Dave is a best options to consider, it’s offer affordable, easy to use loan features with no credit score.

However, the fees for express transfers can add up if you’re not careful.

Dave’s loan is great for emergencies but not a long-term financial solution; you should use it as a backup plan, not a budget strategy.

See Also: 7 Best $100 Instant Loan Apps in the U.S. (2025)

FAQs About the Dave App

1. Does Dave charge interest on cash advances?

No. Dave does not charge interest, but instead, it charges a flat monthly fee of 1 to 5 dollars and optional express fees (up to 25 dollars) if you want instant cash. Tips are optional, but Dave pre-sets them to 15 percent, so you can change that manually.

2. How fast can I get money from Dave?

In Dave, standard delivery takes up to 3 business days, but you can pay an express fee to get the money within an hour. Express fees range from 3 to 25 dollars, depending on the amount.

3. Can I use Dave without opening a checking account?

No. To use Dave’s ExtraCash feature, you must open both a Dave Spending Account and an ExtraCash account, even if you plan to transfer funds to an external bank later.

4. What happens if I can’t repay my advance?

Dave will keep withdrawing partial amounts from your bank until the full balance is repaid. If it’s unpaid for 120 days, your debt goes to collections (TrueAccord). This could affect your financial health long-term.

5. Is Dave better than other cash advance apps?

It depends. Dave offers higher advance limits than many apps (up to 500 dollars), but it also requires opening a new bank account. If you prefer using your existing bank or want no fees at all, apps like Earnin or MoneyLion might be better.

6. Does Dave check your credit?

Dave doesn’t run a credit check, loan approval is based on your income history, recurring deposits, and spending patterns.

7. Can I change my repayment date?

You can request a 30-day extension, but it’s not guaranteed. If approved, repayment will be delayed without penalty. Otherwise, repayment happens automatically on your next payday.

8. Is the Dave app legit?

Yes. Dave is a legitimate company, partnered with Evolve Bank and Trust, and offers FDIC-insured accounts. It has millions of users and is one of the most popular cash advance apps on the market.

See Also: Cash Wave Loan App (Review, Alternative, is it legit?)

What’s Your Experience With Dave?

Have you used Dave before? Did it help you in a tough spot, or did the fees catch you off guard? Let us know in the comments. We love hearing from real users.

Enjoyed this review? Share it with a friend who needs a smarter way to handle their next financial emergency, and don’t forget to check out our other blog posts on budgeting, saving, and building real financial freedom.