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You need $40. And it can’t wait.
Forget thousands and thousands of dollars. When you’ve got a date on the horizon, or need a little extra cash to get you through until payday, or just want the comfort of having a few extra bucks in your pocket, it helps to know which apps can hook you up.
It could be a quick $40 loan. Or a $40 cash advance on your wages. Or swiping your debit card with confidence knowing your next $40 purchase will be approved.
That’s why every option to borrow $40 comes from cash advance apps we’ve downloaded and tested ourselves – AND none of them will incur overdraft fees, so your bank can’t sink their claws into your account and sting you with extra fees.
As a bonus, we’ve picked these apps because they have low or no fees (and no hidden charges buried deep in their terms and conditions), so you can stress less about paying upwards of $100 PER DAY in overdraft fees and get the $40 you need now.
6 in 1 Americans wouldn’t have the funds to cover a $500 unplanned expense. If you’re also worried about how you’d get emergency cash instantly with a low (or negative) bank balance, we’ve found some apps that you’ll want keep handy on your phone.
Can you really borrow $40 instantly?
What we’ll cover:
- Option #1: Get a quick loan
- Option #2: Cash advance on your paycheck
- Option #3: Use an instant loan app
- Final thoughts and what to do next…
“I need $40 now but a lot more would be helpful”: Get a quick loan regardless of your credit
Best For: Accessing larger amounts of cash or for those without a regular paycheck
A fast $40 would be great… but it won’t help you if you’ve got more expenses on the horizon. From your car to your rent, life is full of bills that need to be paid.
If a cash advance for 40 dollars won’t help you in the long run, consider a short-term loan that can top up your checking account with a few extra grand so you can stop stressing about how you’ll pay your next bill.
Long gone are the days of heading to your local bank and convincing a bank manager you deserve their money. Apps now let you compare multiple lenders from home. With many options designed for Americans with thin or no credit, it’s easy to find out if you’ve been approved in minutes.
We Recommend: PockBox
Pockbox compares lenders able to give you up to $2,500.
After filling out a few simple forms with some basic information about yourself, PockBox will present your with loan offers from multiple lenders, including several who cater to consumers with bad credit. You can browse your options without committing to a thing so you’re in control of who you choose and when.
For everyday Americans who need to borrow a quick $40 but would benefit from a bit more of a cash cushion, this is an ideal choice.
Funds from your chosen lender are often available within one business day which means you can act quickly to avoid any late fees, dishonor charges or pending overdrafts that will send your account into the negative.
>>> 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 to reach your account |
| ✔ No fees or charges to apply |
Get a quick $40 from an instant loan app
Best For: Accessing your paycheck before payday
Wish you could access a few extra bucks from your wages before payday?
That’s the logic behind the wave of instant loan apps that help you get from one payday to the next by accessing the wages you’ve earned. Whether it’s mid-week and your car battery just died or it’s your friend’s birthday and you want a little extra money to buy drinks, you can get the money you need without unnecessary fees or interest.
These wage advance apps help you get paid early for the time you’ve already worked. Since you’re accessing funds that are already yours, you don’t need to worry about the interest that comes with many loans. The majority of these apps make money through voluntary tips and small monthly fees, so you’re not falling deeper into a cycle of debt.
And since pay advance apps deduct the amount you borrowed from your next paycheck, you can go on living your life without having to check in on your account and make sure you cleared the negative balance.
Need a little extra? Find out how to borrow $100 instantly
We Recommend: Cleo
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
Download the Cleo app and you can instantly request a no-interest cash advance for $20 – $70 (once you pay it back, your limit can increase to $100).
There are no credit checks or proof of employment required, so it’s a great option for gig workers who may have trouble qualifying for a cash advance with other apps. Cleo will send funds directly to your linked bank account (so there’s no need to change your direct deposit or submit timesheets like apps like Earnin require).
Funds typically take 3 – 4 business days to land in your bank account. However, if you need to get your cash almost instantly, you can simply pay a $3.99 express fee to get your money inside 24 hours (often in under 30 minutes).
Cleo does a lot more than lend you a quick $20 – $100, too. Using artificial intelligence, Cleo helps you manage your finances from your smartphone by tracking your spending, helping you save automatically, and even earning cash-back rewards. She’s also a hilarious wise ass – like seriously funny.
Or, in her own words, she’s an “app that doesn’t suck”.
Get Started in 2 Minutes (And Borrow $40 Instantly) >>> Check Out Cleo’s Sass
“I need $40 but my bank account is empty”: Get a fast forty dollars from an instant loan app
Best For: Handy banking features with no fees and multiple ways to quickly get extra cash
You need to borrow $40 instantly.
What you don’t need is to waste time filling out endless forms, sheets and paperwork only to be rejected for the loan you need. Instead of waiting days for an answer (especially if that answer is “no”), wouldn’t it be nice to borrow $40 instantly?
Instant loan apps can give you the money you need without frustrating delays – often with low or no fees!
These instant loan apps are designed to give you the money you need quickly (can be $40 or more) so you can meet urgent financial expenses and bills without overdrawing your account and the stress that comes with overdraft fees.
If you’re experiencing a cash shortfall, instant loan apps can put forty bucks in your pocket. And since they often come with a suite of features typically offered by traditional banks, you can start to improve your financial health and literacy from your smartphone.
We Recommend: Albert
We recommend Albert as the best cash advance app for $40. The app comes with plenty of tools to help your spending, saving and budgeting (odds are you’ve wished for a little help in at least one of those areas).
Best of all, you can borrow up to $2503. Enjoy the forty-dollar cash advance you need with plenty extra in case you need a *little* more. With zero credit checks and no interest or fees on the money you borrow, Albert is ideal for those with thin credit scores. Albert also makes our list of free instant cash advance apps!
We also love Albert because it solves a major problem faced by millions of Americans – financial uncertainty. There’s only so much an FAQ section or chatbot can do when you have a question to ask. That’s where Albert Geniuses can help. These real experts can help answer your questions 7 days a week via the app or text message.
Instead of scrolling through terms and conditions trying to find an answer to your question, get in touch with an Albert Genius and get the help you need from a real person.
Get up to $250 in minutes from Albert
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Borrow up to $250 | ✘ Funds take 2 – 3 days to reach your account* |
| ✔ No credit check | ✘ Requires access to financial information |
| ✔ No interest, no tips, no late fees |
Final thoughts and what to do next…
If you’ve ever wondered “What apps let you borrow $40 instantly?”, now you know.
The Bank of Mom and Dad might be your first choice, but getting $40 from the options listed in this article means fast cash with a host of features to help you improve your financial position and stay on top of your money.
Pay advance apps and instant loan apps make it easy to fill your checking account – often within minutes and with NO interest or fees, to help you avoid getting caught in the costly payday loan trap. (And there are even totally legit strategies to get a free cash advance with no fees!)
Whatever you choose, always consider borrowing limits, how quickly funds land in your account, and any interest or fees that come with your money.
Remember, the best $40 instant loan apps have three things in common:
- They’re easy to download and sign up for
- They’re easy to use and access money
- They give you your forty bucks fast
Consider the apps in this list and get started now to get your money sooner.
So, which option are you going to use to put a quick $40 in your pocket?
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.
- Subject to eligibility. Amounts range from $20-$250, and $20-$100 for first time users. Amounts subject to change. Same day transfers subject to express fees.
- 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.
