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Cash App Borrow is a great feature that lets you instantly borrow $20 – $500 with just a few taps in the popular money app. But there’s one big problem – very few (if any) people have access to it. We’ll debunk the rumors and unveil some (confirmed) alternatives that can quickly lend you up to $200 when you need it.
Get that $200 you need TODAY >>> Compare loan offers in minutes with PockBox
You need to borrow $200.
And you need it ASAP.
Could be a $200 loan. $200 advance on your wages. Or a $200 overdraft through your debit card.
You don’t need to overdraft your account and get slugged with a thirty-something dollar fee, fall into the cycle of high-interest debt, or search for change under the couch.
And since you’ve already got the Cash App on your phone (or have been thinking of downloading it), it’s natural to wonder if you can you borrow $200 from Cash App.
Here’s the quick answer…
Can you borrow $200 from Cash App?
Cash App allows you to send and receive money from your phone – similar to Venmo or PayPal.
The app’s name has become a catch-all for sending money (“hey, can you Cash App me”) the same way someone might tell you to “Google something”. Offering small loans from $20 to $200, the Cash App Borrow feature might be right for you.
Why do we say “might”?
Three reasons…
- ONE: Not every Cash App user is eligible. Your ability to borrow comes down to your credit history and score, where you live, how often you use Cash App and whether you have an active Cash Card. Cash App is only available for users in the United States, and even then, it is offered in less than 20 states.
- TWO: Very few people have access to Cash App’s loan feature. Though you’ll find a bunch of articles about it online, Cash App Borrow was only released as a limited number of users. The latest financial reports by Block (the company that runs Cash App) reveal that less than 4% of users have tried Cash App Borrow.
- THREE: Don’t call them, they’ll call you. Cash App will notify you if you’re eligible for Borrow, but there’s no where that you can apply and customer service can’t help you gain access.
Cash App is still handy for sending and receiving money to share the cost of dinner or return a friend’s IOU (as well as some nifty banking and Bitcoin features). But if you’re looking for $200 loan from Cash App, well, you’re out of luck.
While you can’t borrow from Cash App, there are plenty of cash advance app alternatives available to lend you $200 (or even more) in just minutes, and with no credit check.
Why is Cleo one of our favorite cash advance apps?
- Super speed - Get up to $250 in your bank account today!2
- No, No, No! - No credit check, no interest, no tips, no late fees
- 😂 😂 🤣 - Hilarious, smart money advice you might finally listen to
Borrow $200 with these Cash App alternatives
The Cash App is out – at least for borrowing $200.
So we’ll show you a few quick, easy and proven ways to get a $200 loan instantly using the best cash advance apps that we’ve downloaded and tested ourselves (and how to avoid overdraft fees entirely).
As a bonus, some of these money-borrowing strategies have low or no fees, so you won’t need to worry about the $100+ a day in overdraft fees millions of Americans are faced with.
We’ll also show you how to borrow $200 with no credit check, so if you’re ready to put a couple of crisp Benjamins in your pocket, read on to learn how to borrow $200 from a cash app.
How much does a $200 cash advance cost?
We researched 14 popular cash advance apps that can loan you at least $200, and we found out that the cost of borrowing can vary widely based on which app you use, how quickly you need your money, and how much you choose to tip.
On average, borrowing $200 from a cash advance app will cost you $28.14, with costs ranging from $12 (Varo) to a whopping $52 (Super.com), so it certainly pays to shop around! Instead of interest, most cash advance apps charge up to three different fees when you repay your loan:
- Monthly subscription fee: Some apps might require you to pay a monthly fee to get cash advances or increase your cash advance limit. Some apps may include some extra features when you subscribe. For example you’ll also get access to cash-back offers when you subscribe to Cleo Plus.
- Express fee: Almost every app offers an express option to send your money to your bank account in minutes, but this service comes at a cost. You may have the option of using a debit card issued by the cash advance app to access your money with lower or no fees, but it may take three to five business days to receive your funds without the express fee.
- Optional tip: Some apps may suggest that you leave a tip to support their service, but leaving a tip is always optional, and it won’t impact your ability to get a cash advance or reduce your cash advance limit. For example, apps like Dave suggest a 15% tip, which can add significant cost to your cash advance.
However, it’s important to remember that the cheapest option may not always be the best option for you.
Although Varo Money offers the lowest cost for borrowing $200, with just $10 in fees, you cannot take out an advance until your Varo account is at least 30 days old and you’ve activated your Varo debit card. Also, you’ll need to have received at least $1,000 in direct deposits within the last 31 days to qualify for an advance.
Grid Money also cost just $10 for a $200 advance. However, your Grid Money advance limit will usually start at just $50 and increase by $10 after each advance that you repay, so you may not be able to access $200 until your 15th advance!
Consider your situation carefully and shop around for a cash advance app that meets your needs and budget. Even if an app charges low fees, make sure that you fully understand all the terms and costs associated with borrowing before taking out a $200 instant loan.
Read more: How to get a cash advance with no fees
SITUATION ONE: “I need to borrow $200 and probably more”
Best For: Accessing larger amounts of cash or for those without a regular paycheck
We’re guessing, if you need a quick two hundred dollars, you could do with a little extra savings for a rainy day, right?
If two hundred dollars would make a difference, but a few thousand would help even more, a short-term loan can give you the money you need. And, with a range of innovative lending options available, there’s no need to throw on a suit and head down to your local bank manager to plead your case.
Instant loan apps allow you to compare lenders from home and are perfect for people with low or bad credit. In fact, many of the instant loan apps available are designed for those with credit problems, so you’re not punished with high APR loans based on the circumstances of your life.
With the right app, you can be approved in minutes, borrow $200 with bad credit, and top up your checking account with extra funds without stressing over overdraft fees.
We Recommend: PockBox
Pockbox is perfect when the $200 you want to borrow is just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you have a service on your car, your rent is due and you’ll be a little short, or you need extra cash to handle an emergency, PockBox can provide up to $2,500.
All you need to do is fill out a few forms with a little information about yourself and you’ll be able to compare lenders via PockBox in 5 minutes to borrow $200 with bad credit (and a lot more).
There’s no obligation to select a lender, and no harm in browsing, so you can choose the lender that meets your needs and financial situation without pressure and put a quick $200 in your pocket.
In most cases, funds borrowed via PockBox are yours within 1 business day. With the ability to put $200 (and up to $2,500) in your bank account quickly, you can skip overdraft fees which can easily spiral into $100 and more every single day.
Get that $200 you need TODAY >>> Explore PockBox (get up to $2,500 fast)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Access up to $2,500 fast | ✘ Must have regular income to qualify |
| ✔ Get approved for a $50 loan in minutes | ✘ Funds take 1 business day |
| ✔ No fees or charges to apply |
SITUATION TWO: “I need to borrow $200 before payday”
Best For: Getting quick cash without paying annoying app fees
When you work from paycheck to paycheck, sticking to a budget can be next to impossible.
Emergencies pop up. Bills land in your inbox. And a night out with your friends is impossible to resist. Whatever the occasion, sometimes it would be nice to access the wages you’ve earned even when payday is still around the corner.
That’s where you can use a cashapp to borrow $200.
Though each app works differently, the goal is to provide you with a bit of extra money without stinging you with more fees than you can count. With many of these apps there is no credit check and a few will even let you qualify for a qualify for a cash advance with no direct deposit. Others may only be with a paid subscription (don’t worry, we’ve found a free option).
What these apps do share is that they are a cheaper alternative to payday loans, and with low fees (or no fees), you can remain flexible with your short-term borrowing options without the stress that comes with overdrafts. With a cash advance app on your phone, you can put money in your bank account in a few, simple taps!
We Recommend: MoneyLion
There are plenty of cash advance apps that look great on paper. But when using an app means being hit with monthly fees and account fees and cash advance fees… it’s easy to get frustrated. MoneyLion avoids this problem entirely with no monthly fees, no interest on cash advances, and no credit checks.
You’ll need a recurring deposit from an employer or benefits program to qualify for MoneyLion Instacash. Once MoneyLion verifies your account, you can access and cash out $50 to $250 right away (though working your way up to the maximum cash-out limit can take up to 8 weeks). MoneyLion will automatically handle the repayment of your Instacash advances, so you don’t need to set reminders to balance out your funds. Just borrow, spend, and MoneyLion will balance out your debt on the due date of your next direct deposit!
And if you’re worried about hidden fees or charges, MoneyLion has none. At all. Using the service is free, though tips are optional. You can cover expenses with a $200 cash advance without unnecessary fees and account charges.
Get Up to $250 Fast >>> Explore MoneyLion (it’s free to use with no mandatory fees ever)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Get up to $250 with no interest | ✘ “Voluntary” tips can encourage you to overpay |
| ✔ No monthly fees! | ✘ Requires access to financial information |
| ✔ No direct deposit | |
| ✔ No credit check |
SITUATION THREE: “I need to borrow $200 fast”
Best For: Handy banking features with no fees and multiple ways to quickly get extra cash
You need to borrow $200 now but you don’t have time to ask friends and family for help. Worse still, if you can’t muster up a few hundred bucks then you’ll risk dishonor fees on your bills or penalty payments that can put even more financial stress on you.
If this describes you, you can use neobanks (a type of digital bank operating exclusively online) to borrow $200 without hassle.
Although the offerings of modern neobanks may be limited compared to a traditional bank, they typically provide digital and mobile-first services including payments, transfers, money lending and more. So if you’d rather skip the frustration of paying a thirty-something dollar overdraft fee (who wouldn’t?!) and grab a $200 loan from the convenience of your smartphone, an instant loan app is ideal.
We Recommend: Albert
Albert is our top pick for a $200 cash advance because it comes with a range of tools to help you track your spending, saving and budgeting – as well as a borrowing limit of $250 so you can top up your checking account with a little wiggle room for a rainy day3.
Plus, Albert can help you borrow 200 dollars instantly with no credit checks, so you’re not punished for having poor credit.
At the same time, odds are you’ve tried an app or two to help you manage your money already. As valuable as instant loan apps can be, you’re ultimately left in charge of figuring out your options – which isn’t always easy!
Albert helps remedy this with ‘Albert Geniuses’ available to answer your financial questions via the app or text message.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Borrow up to $250 with no interest | ✘ Funds take 2-3 days to reach your bank account |
| ✔ No credit check | ✘ Direct deposit required for no fee instant advances |
| ✔ No fees or interest |
SITUATION FOUR: “I need to know that I get a $200 overdraft”
Best For: You hate fees. You love knowing that your debit card won’t be declined.
Which is worse – the embarrassment (or panic) of having your debit card declined when you go to pay for something, or looking at your bank statement and seeing line after line of fees that your bank has sucked out of your account? Or what about the pain of both? No cash available when you really need it AND paying a ton of fees for the ‘privilege’ of being a customer of your bank?
That describes the experience you may have with most traditional banks. But there’s good news – a rapidly growing set of ‘neobanks’ offers all of the features you want in a full-service bank account directly from an app. You’ll pay few or no fees and can access some extra cash when you need it just by using your debit card, with no overdraft fees either!
We Recommend: Chime SpotMe
With Chime, you can do almost everything you’d do with a traditional bank, right from your phone. From getting your paycheck early to effortlessly saving money, Chime makes banking – and borrowing up to $200 – a breeze.
SpotMe is Chime’s answer to the dreaded overdraft fee. You can overdraft your Chime account up to $200 on debit card purchases without any fees – instantly. This means if you’re a little short before payday, Chime’s got your back.
To activate SpotMe, you need to receive at least $500 in direct deposits to your Chime Spending account over the past month. Once you qualify, Chime SpotMe kicks in automatically – no need for extra steps. Just use your Chime debit card for purchases like you normally do and SpotMe will kick in the amount you need to complete the purchase (up to your overdraft limit.) You can use your overdrafts for everyday debit card purchases, but it won’t cover ATM withdrawals, ACH transfers, or Pay Friends transfers. Keep in mind, it’s not a loan, and you may not have access to the full $200 overdraft limit immediately, as it depends on your account activity and history.
Repayment is simple. When your next deposit hits, Chime will automatically apply it towards your negative balance. You can keep track of your SpotMe overdraft limit and how much you’ve used through the Chime app. If you want to pay back before your next deposit, you can transfer money into your Spending Account at any time.
Why have 14 million people ditched their high-fee bank for Chime?
Chime is the most popular banking app in America, with over 13 million customers! It offers a whole lot of great features in addition to SpotMe, that can save you serious time and money:
- Your bank in your hands: With Chime’s mobile app, you can do everything from depositing checks to transferring money, all while lounging on your couch. No more waiting in lines or juggling your schedule to get to the bank before it closes.
- Slash what you pay in fees: No monthly fees, no foreign transaction costs, no transfer fees. With Chime, your money stays your money.
- Payday comes early: Setup your direct deposit with Chime and you can get your paycheck up to two days early.6 Of course there are no fees for this service, either!
- Savings Without the Sweat: Chime’s automatic savings feature rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and throw the difference into your Chime savings account. You’re literally saving money while you spend. And you’ll earn some too! Chime’s high yield savings account currently pays interest at a 2.00% APY.7
- Get cash around the corner: Chime gives you free access to over 60,000 ATMs nationwide. That’s cash without the cost, and another way Chime is putting money back in your pocket.8
Get up to $200 in no-fee overdrafts >>> Sign up with Chime in less than 2 minutes
Final thoughts and what to do next…
Recent studies show roughly ⅔ of the American population are living paycheck to paycheck. So, if you’re in need of an emergency $200 loan, you’re not alone.
Thankfully, the growth of cash advance apps and neobanks means you can borrow $200 instantly without being stuck on the carousel of overdrafts (and the sky-high fees that come with them).
Choosing the right app for you will come down to more than accessing the $200 bucks you need. The right app for you might be one that offers transparency with fees, provides your money quickly, or offers complementary services to better manage your finances. (And if you can get by with a bit less, you may find it cheaper and easier to borrow $25, $50, $100, $300, or $500.)
Consider the money lending apps we downloaded and tested and you’ll have the money you need – and the support you need – to stay on top of your finances.
So, which option are you going to use to borrow $200 today?
BEFORE YOU GO…
Check out our most popular articles:
- Free Instant Cash Advance Apps (We Found The Best of The Best)
- How to Get $25 in A Couple of Clicks (Cash Through Your Smartphone)
- These Banks Let You Overdraft Right Away (Zero Delay. Fast Money)
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.
- Eligibility requirements apply. Not all users will qualify. Advance amounts range from $20 to $250. Instant transfers subject to express fees. Visit meetcleo.com/terms for more information.
- Download the Albert app to see if you qualify. Repay the advance with your next paycheck. Fees may apply. Advance amounts based on qualification and may vary. Albert is not a bank. Banking services provided by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC.
- Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month and Visa debit card activation. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See terms and conditions.
- Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
- Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
- The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of November 17, 2022. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. There’s no fee for Chime Savings Accounts. Cash Withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.
- Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
