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The main difference between Dave and Albert is the cash advance limit available (up to $500 vs. up to $250) and the monthly fee. Dave charges $1/month to access the cash advance feature while you’ll need to sign up to Albert’s $14.99/month subscription. Both apps avoid interest and late fees and come with a range of budgeting and financial health tools.
Get to Know the Dave app
Dave is a personal finance app and pioneer in the cash advance market. The Dave app is best known for its ExtraCash™ feature that lets eligible users borrow up to $500 nearly instantly with zero interest and no credit check.2
Dave is free to download and fast and easy to set up. While most apps only dole out small amounts to new customers, the average amount for Dave ExtraCash™ advances is $160 (as of January 2024).
| 🤓 Overdraft Apps Tip: Dave has no credit check. Instead, Dave connects with your bank account via Plaid and analyzes your bank account history and activity to determine if you’re qualified for an advance and what your cash advance limit will be. You can qualify for an advance with bad credit or even if you don’t have a credit score. |
Need $500? Check out Dave for yourself 👈
| Dave | |
|---|---|
| Loan Amounts | Up to $500 |
| Minimum Credit Score | None |
| Cost | $1/month subscription fee.3% (Dave Spending Account) or 5% (external bank account) express fee.Optional tips. |
Get to Know the Albert app
The Albert app can automate your savings, manage your budget, set up a custom investment portfolio, and help with your finances.
With plenty of tools in one, Albert is best known for Albert Instant, which provides a fee-free instant overdraft for up to $250.3
You can access your Albert advance within minutes if you set up an Albert Cash Account which gives you a physical Albert Cash debit card. Your card can be used to pay for everyday debit card purchases, ATM cash withdrawals or electronic fund transfers.
There’s no express fee to have your money sent to your Albert Cash Account, but if you’d prefer to have it instantly transferred to your external bank account then a $4.99 express fee applies.
Get up to $250 with no credit check >>> Check out Albert 👈
| Albert | |
|---|---|
| Loan Amounts | Up to $250 |
| Minimum Credit Score | None |
| Cost | $14.99/month subscription.$4.99 express fee (external bank account).Optional tips. |
What Makes Dave and Albert Similar?
Both cash advance apps can potentially loan you money when you’re between paychecks so you don’t have to overdraft your account (and pay sneaky, sky-high overdraft fees).
Neither Dave or Albert require a credit check to access cash advances. Instead, both apps use factors like:
- Your account history
- Your transaction history
- Your direct deposits
Eligibility isn’t guaranteed (even with a paid subscription), but you can increase your chances of securing an advance with a positive bank account balance and a history of regular, repeating deposits.
Dave and Albert advances are interest-free and early repayment is allowed on both apps, with no prepayment penalties to worry about.
Here are a few more ways the two cash advance apps compare:
- Both products enable you to get your direct deposit paycheck up to two days early
- Neither product performs credit checks
- Both apps offer optional tipping (and not tipping won’t affect your cash advance limit)
- Express fees apply if you want your money almost instantly
- Both apps also offer a range of budgeting and financial health tools to manage your finances
Dave vs. Albert: What are the Differences?
Choosing the right cash advance app can be tricky. Let’s break down the key differences between Dave and Albert to help you decide:
Cash Advance Size:
- Dave: Offers the higher can advance limit of up to $500 with the “ExtraCash” feature. Dave’s maximum amount is twice what Albert can offer.
- Albert: Provides ‘Albert Instant’ advances up to $250, but you can request up to 3 advances per pay period with a good repayment history.
Fees:
- Dave: No interest or late fees, but relies on optional tips (from $1 and up). A monthly subscription of $1 is required to access Dave’s cash advance feature.
- Albert: No cash advance fees of any kind, including interest or late fees. Tips are optional. You’ll need an Albert Genius account to request advances which is $12.49/month billed yearly or $14.99/month billed monthly.
Eligibility:
- Dave: Requires regular deposits and responsible spending habits for approval and to increase your cash advance limit.
- Albert: Similar requirements, but also considers your account balance and linked bank’s reputation.
Free Trial:
- Dave: No free trial available. Dave’s $1/month membership renews monthly, on the same date you started your membership.
- Albert: Offers a 30-day free trial to the ‘Genius’ subscription which lets you try Albert’s suite of tools before you commit. (Be careful – there are quite a few online complaints about challenges to cancel your Albert subscription.)
Pros and Cons
| Dave Pros | Dave Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ No credit check | ✗ Requires bank account access |
| ✓ No interest | ✗ Mandatory $1 per month fee |
| ✓ Receive cash in under five minutes | ✗ Potentially high fees for same-day cash |
| ✓ Access up to $500 in cash advances |
Learn More >>> Read our full Dave app review
| Albert Pros | Albert Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Borrow up to $250 | ✗ Requires bank account access |
| ✓ No credit check | ✗ Mandatory $14.99 per month fee |
| ✓ No fees or interest | ✗ Potentially high fees for same-day cash |
Learn More >>> Read our full Albert app review
Which Cash Advance App is Better?
Determining the “better” cash advance app will come down to your specific needs and preferences. We downloaded both apps and tried to request cash as a new user and here’s what we found:
Dave
Suitable for:
- Larger needs: Offers advances up to $500 compared to Albert’s $250.
- Faster access: Provides instant transfers for a fee (optional).
- Lower fees: Just a $1 monthly membership fee to access advances, and you can get up to $100 sent to your Dave Spending Account in under five minutes for just a $3 fee – the lowest express fee of any advance app we’ve reviewed!
Not suitable for:
- Frequent small advances: Limited to one per pay period.
Albert
Suitable for:
- Smaller, frequent advances: Allows multiple advances per pay period.
- More features: Get help with investing, budgeting and saving.
- Real-time advice: Speak with real financial experts (“Albert Geniuses”) in-app.
Not suitable for:
- Larger financial gaps: Advance limit capped at $250.
Whichever app you choose, responsible borrowing is crucial. Only use these apps for short-term emergencies and ensure you can repay on your next payday.
To avoid getting stuck in a cycle of borrowing, consider alternative solutions like building an emergency savings fund for long-term financial stability.
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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.
- ExtraCash™ is a DDA account with overdraft utility that is subject to eligibility requirements. Taking an ExtraCash™ advance will make your account balance negative. Express delivery fees apply to instant transfers. See the Extra Cash Account Agreement for more details.
- Albert is not a bank. Banking services provided by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Instant overdraft eligibility requirements, limits, and other terms apply. Limits start at $10 and may be increased up to $250 by Albert. A qualifying Genius subscription is required to access Instant overdrafts. Transfer, ATM, and other applicable fees may apply. See app for details.
