Editor’s Note: Overdraft Apps provides detailed product reviews and recommendations based upon extensive research and our own hands-on testing. We may earn a referral fee when you sign up for or purchase products mentioned in this article.
Need $1,000 for an emergency expense?
Plenty of instant loan apps can put small amounts in your pocket, but that’s cold comfort when there’s a significant bill or cost to cover. 56% of Americans couldn’t cover a $1,000 emergency expense with savings, so if you’ve struggled to build savings, you’re not alone.
Instead of applying for a larger loan that will lock you into a long-term repayment schedule or hit you with confusing (and expensive) pricing, it’s best to find a loan app that can give you $1k with terms that work for YOU.
Check out our recommended instant loan apps to borrow $1,000 even if you’ve got low (or no) credit.
Need something a little smaller?
- Our Top Picks to Borrow $500
- Our Top Picks to Borrow $200
- Our Top Picks to Borrow $100
- And…Our Top Picks to Borrow $50
Compare personal loan offers from top lenders in minutes
Looking for a loan of $1,000 (or more)?
Personal loans are booming in popularity as the quick and proven way to pay off credit card bills, cover household costs, or take care of emergency expenses.
In many cases, you can borrow money even if you’ve got bad credit. And with payback periods ranging from one to three years, plus rates that can be lower than what you’ll pay on a high-interest credit card, there are flexible options to suit your budget.
We’ve made it easy to see what loan terms you may qualify for instantly through our partnership with Fiona. It takes just minutes to get loan quotes from leading personal loan providers like Lending Club, PenFed, Prosper, Upgrade, Upstart, SoFi, and more!
Comparing personal loans can *literally* save you thousands of dollars in interest and fees. Plus, there’s no impact on your credit score. Whether you need a little cash or a lot, use our quick and easy comparison calculator to find the lowest rates from a pool of top lenders.
Using our comparison tool is 100% free with zero obligation
“I need to borrow $1,000 today and probably more”: Get a quick loan
Best For: Accessing large sums of cash even if you’ve got poor credit or for those without a regular paycheck
The right $1,000 personal loan is flexible, won’t cost you an arm and a leg, and provides a little breathing room when money is tight.
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don’t need to provide any collateral (like a car title) to secure funds, though this means you may face more eligibility requirements or higher interest loans. On the flip side, since you get all of your funds in one lump sum, the right instant loan (meaning a payback period and rates that work for you) can be a priceless quick fix.
Instant loans typically also come with lower interest rates than many credit cards. As of July 2022, the average personal loan APR was 10.28% vs. 16.80% for credit cards. With credit card debt at roughly $925 billion, a lot of money is going towards higher interest rates than necessary.
So, what does the best quick loan look like?
✔ The right loan amount for you (whether you need to borrow $1,000 or a little more)
✔ The right repayment terms that don’t lock you into a long-term cycle of repayments
✔ Flexible credit score requirements that don’t punish you for your credit history
✔ APRs that meet your financial situation and won’t put you under more stress
Don’t stress if your credit has taken a bump. Many of today’s most popular apps are built for consumers with poor credit, so you’re not left out in the cold based on your score.
We Recommend: PockBox
Pockbox makes it easy to borrow $1k by comparing up to 50 top lenders. Instead of going through the approval process one by one, simply enter some basic information, and PockBox will show you your options for borrowing a grand. You can find loans for up to $2,500, so there’s a little wiggle room if $1k isn’t enough.
Comparing lenders won’t impact your credit score, and there’s zero obligation to choose a loan. You can compare options from your smartphone and decide if you want to go ahead with the lending process, so there’s no commitment.
A savings fund of $1,000 can be the difference between struggling and getting by, which makes PockBox a handy way to pull back from the financial edge. PockBox specializes in loans for borrowers with poor credit. And since funds can be in your chosen bank account within one business day, you can quickly meet the rising cost of living or cover unexpected expenses.
Quickly Compare Loan Offers Up to $2,500 >>> Browse Pockbox For Free
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Borrow up to $2,500 | ✘ No credit check loans can carry high rates |
| ✔ 100% free to compare options | |
| ✔ Compare up to 50 lenders | |
| ✔ Perfect for low credit borrowers |
“I need to borrow $1,000, but my credit score is poor”: Get a flexible credit builder loan
Best For: Upfront cash plus extra in savings and for people with little or no credit history.
Need an instant loan but feel trapped with a bad credit score? You’re not alone.
Roughly 48 million Americans have a bad credit score (equivalent to a FICO score between 300 to 579), which can make borrowing money expensive – or impossible. Credit builder loans help you kill two birds with one stone by a). Lending you money even when your credit score is low, and b). Helping improve a low credit score so you can access more lending options at better rates in the future.
Most credit builder loans place your funds in a locked savings account. You get all of your money when you pay off all installments (plus any interest and fees). Other credit builder loans are a little more flexible and give you a portion of your funds upfront, with the remaining loan locked until it’s repaid in full.
Loan payments are reported to at least one major credit bureau (sometimes all three). Your reported payments help improve a flagging credit score as long as you make payments on time.
We Recommend: MoneyLion Credit Builder Plus
Why is MoneyLion one of our favorite cash advance apps?
- Super speed - You could have up to $500 in your bank account in under 10 minutes!
- No, No, No! - No credit check, no interest, no tips, no late fees
- 🏗️ 💳 💵 - Get the only credit builder loan that gives you up to $1,000 right away, with no hard credit check2
MoneyLion Credit Builder Plus provides loans up to $1,000, so you can cover the $1k you need – but there’s a catch. Most of your funds are put aside in a locked savings account, with a portion of your funds available immediately. This can be several hundred bucks and is more than the limit on most leading money-borrowing apps.
The mix of cash upfront and savings down the line can help you borrow one thousand dollars with a safety net. You get a little influx of cash to cover emergency expenses. Plus, the peace of mind of knowing there’s a savings lump sum waiting for you.
MoneyLion’s app is user-friendly and easy to use, and you can check your eligibility in a few minutes. If you qualify, your loan repayments fall over 12 months, so you won’t be paying installments until you’re old and gray. You can also sync up payments with your paycheck and automate the process. When you get paid, your repayments are made. It’s a simple feature but quickly clears one thing from your to-do list.
Get funds upfront and build credit and savings >>> Check out MoneyLion Credit Builder Plus
Need a little extra cash?
Your Credit Builder Plus Loan gives you access to MoneyLion’s popular Instacash feature. Starting at an instant $25, you can increase your cash advance limit to $300. You can use Instacash cash advances as often as you like until you hit your eligible amount. As a 0% APR advance, it’s pretty clear why 3.3 million people already use the MoneyLion app – and you may be eligible to qualify too.
Get cash advances up to $250 with no interest >>> Check out MoneyLion
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ No credit check | ✘ Majority of loan funds in reserve account |
| ✔ Competitive APR on loan (5.99%-29.99%) | ✘ Relatively small loan amount |
| ✔ Receive cash upfront | ✘ Larger monthly payments than credit builder loans like Credit Strong |
| ✔ Access up to $300 in cash advances |
Get an instant $1,000 spending limit with Perpay
Trying to figure how out how can you afford that popular new phone, gaming console or handbag? Perpay might be the answer you’ve been searching for.
Perpay is a rapidly growing online retailer that offers all of the popular electronics, home furnishings, fashion and more. Perpay is focused on making these items more affordable for shoppers with bad credit – many new customers qualify for a $1,000 spending limit instantly. Imagine being able to snag that Apple AirPods or the latest PlayStation 5, or perhaps treat yourself to a Mark Jacobs tote bag. With Perpay, these popular brands and more are right at your fingertips.
The beauty of Perpay isn’t just in its generous spending limit. It’s also in how it lets you manage your finances. Instead of paying everything upfront, you can spread out your payments over time. And here’s the best part: there’s absolutely no interest.
But wait, there’s more! While you’re enjoying your purchases and paying them off bit by bit, Perpay can quietly helping you build or rebuild your credit. With consistent on-time payments, you’re not just buying what you love; you’re paving the way for a brighter financial future.
Get an instant $1,000 spending limit >>> Start shopping at Perpay
Beem offers $1,000 cash advances, but it’s not smooth sailing
The Beem app (recently rebranded from Line Financial) offers a way for folks to borrow money when they’re in a pinch. What sets Beem apart is that they let people borrow up to $1,000, which is more than many other apps out there.
And the best part? They don’t just look at your credit score. Instead, after you download the app, Beem checks out your bank account (using a safe tool called Plaid) to see things like how often you get paid and if you’re good with your money. Based on this, they decide how much you can borrow through Overdraft, their cash advance product. Many people who use Beem get their money because of regular paychecks, not just a good credit score. Once you borrow, Beem keeps an eye on your bank balance and takes the money back when they see you have enough, making sure you don’t miss a payment.
But here’s the thing: when we tried it out, it was a bit confusing. We weren’t approved for a cash advance, and instead they gave us something called a “Cheat Sheet” to help us get more money from them. But it didn’t make much sense and even had some wrong info on it. Also, they have a monthly fee, and you need to pay it before you see if you qualify to borrow money. They say their fees are low, but it’s hard to figure out how much you’ll really end up paying.
Now, Beem did reach out to tell us they’re trying to fix these problems. They said, “We have over 100,000+ users who are successfully using Everdraft, and we would love to make this available to more individuals in need.” So, maybe they’ll get better. But for now, if you’re thinking about using Beem, it’s a good idea to be careful and ask lots of questions.
Securing a $1,000 Loan with the Lenme App
If you’re exploring ways to borrow $1,000 conveniently, the Lenme app offers an accessible solution. Though Lenme provides loans up to $5,000, many users opt for smaller amounts like $1,000. Starting with the app, you register an account, then connect your bank. Instead of heavily relying on credit scores, Lenme evaluates your recent banking transactions to gauge your borrowing potential. After setting up, you can make a loan request, which is then open for potential lenders to view for 30 days. Lenders propose interest rates based on your financial profile, allowing you to pick an offer that aligns with your needs.
The costs associated with Lenme are transparent. Interest rates can vary, but before committing, you’ll have the chance to review and select the offer you find most suitable. Additionally, a 1% origination fee is applied to whatever amount you borrow. So, for a $1,000 loan, you’ll see a $10 fee, and you’d actually receive $990.
Though Lenme’s user-friendly and peer-to-peer model is appealing for quick loans, it’s essential to be aware of potential hitches. Some users report slight delays in receiving funds, and occasional app hiccups. Timely repayment is crucial because any defaults will be reported, potentially impacting your credit score negatively. Furthermore, if you run into challenges, their customer service might not always meet your expectations in terms of response speed or clarity.
Read our Lenme app review.
What option will you use for $1,000 loan?
Higher costs of living can make it tough to build savings. Whether it’s the cost of running your household or a surprise bill that came at the worst time, borrowing a grand might be a huge help.
The loan options in this article can give you the money you need for an emergency payment on flexible terms that work for you. Since many banks and credit unions won’t consider you if you have bad credit, tools like PockBox and instant loans like MoneyLion Plus provide options that aren’t so limiting.
Remember, the best personal loans offer fast funding, affordable rates, and repayment terms that work for your budget. Quick is good. But quick and flexible is better. The right thousand-dollar loan will depend on your credit score, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. Now that you’ve got options, you can go and compare $1000 instant loans confidently.
BEFORE YOU GO…
Check out our most popular articles:
- Solo Funds Review: Bypass the banks to borrow up $575
- How to Shop Online with Your Checking Account (Simple Online Hack)
- 9 Best Money Borrowing Apps of The Year (We Crown a Champion)
- Cleo App: $100 Cash Advances from a Sassy AI You Have to See to Believe
WAIT! Why borrow quick cash when you can earn it?!
Cash advance apps can be a great tool for getting a little extra cash when you need it, but you’ll need to repay it – plus fees – wihtin a week or two. Did you know there’s an easy way to earn extra cash that’s yours to keep?
KashKick is a wildly popular service that lets you earn money for playing games, completing surveys, signing up for trial offers and more. (You’ll even earn cash for just completing your profile!) You can earn cash today and withdraw your earnings through PayPal once you’ve reached $10. You can earn over $100/month with KashKick – and you don’t need to spend a dime or take out your credit card to do it.
There are dozens of high-paying offers available on KashKick, and if you’re into playing new games on your phone, you can earn some serious cash for doing what you love. Though offers change regularly, there are currently1 more than three dozen offers available where you can earn cash – sometimes over $100 – just by downloading and playing popular games like Coin Master, Monoply Go, Bingo Blitz, and more. These games are all free to download, and no in-app purchases are required to earn with KashKick.
Get paid to play on your phone >>> Check out KashKick
- As of February 13, 2024. Offers may change and may not be available to all users. Eligibity requirements apply. See KashKick's Terms of Service for full details.
- When you apply for CreditBuilder Plus, MoneyLion will perform a soft credit pull to review certain financial information. This soft inquiry has no impact to your credit score and may or may not be recorded in your credit reports depending on the bureau. This is unlike a hard credit pull which affects your credit score and can appear on your credit report for two (2) years. Credit score improvement is not guaranteed. A soft credit pull will be conducted that has no impact to your credit score.
