Dave gives you $500 for $1/month. EarnIn is 100% free but capped at $150/day. Here's the full breakdown.
| Feature | Dave | EarnIn |
|---|---|---|
| Max Advance | $500 ★ | $150/day |
| Monthly Cost | $1/month | FREE ★ |
| Per-Period Limit | $500 | $1,000 ★ |
| Interest Charged | 0% ★ | 0% ★ |
| Credit Check | None ★ | None ★ |
| Gig Workers OK | Yes ★ | No |
| Instant Transfer | Yes (fee) ★ | Yes (fee) |
| Free Transfer Speed | 1–3 days | 1–3 days |
| Direct Deposit Required | No ★ | No (but needs employer) |
| Works with Cash App | Yes ★ | Yes ★ |
| Side Hustle Jobs | Yes ★ | No |
| App Rating | 4.7 ★ | 4.6 |
| Late Fees | None ★ | None ★ |
★ = winner in this category
Dave charges a flat $1/month for unlimited advances. On a $200 advance, that's effectively a 0.5% cost — far cheaper than any credit card cash advance or payday loan. There are no hidden fees, no late fees, and no interest. The only optional cost is the instant transfer fee (~$3–$5) if you need money in minutes instead of days.
EarnIn is completely free — no subscription, no mandatory fees. Instant transfers (Lightning Speed) cost $1.99–$4.99 per transfer. Standard transfers are free but take 1–3 business days. EarnIn also offers optional tipping (which you can set to $0). The $0 tip still gets you the full service.
Bottom line: If you use advances frequently, EarnIn's free model saves you $12/year vs Dave. If you need a larger advance, Dave's $1/month is still exceptional value.
Dave's ExtraCash advances up to $500 — the highest single-advance limit of any major cash advance app at the $1/month price point. New users typically start at $100–$200 and grow over time.
EarnIn limits you to $150/day and $1,000 per pay period. The per-period cap is actually generous — across two weeks, you could theoretically access $1,000 — but you can't get more than $150 in a single advance. This works well for small daily shortfalls but not large one-time needs.
EarnIn requires you to be a traditional hourly or salaried employee with a consistent paycheck schedule. It won't work for Uber drivers, DoorDash couriers, freelancers, or self-employed workers.
Dave analyzes your bank deposit history over the past 60 days and approves advances based on any consistent income — including gig deposits. It's one of the very few cash advance apps that genuinely serves the gig economy.
Both apps charge 0% interest and no late fees. Dave is the clear pick for gig workers and anyone needing over $150. EarnIn wins for employees who want zero fees.