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Dave offers cash advances up to $500 for customers who open a Dave ExtraCash overdraft deposit account and a Dave checking account. This money is repaid on your next payday (or nearest Friday). You’ll be charged multiple fees for this service.
In this review, I cover how the Dave app works, what it costs, who qualifies and how it compares to similar cash advance apps.
⚠️ Before you borrow
Cash advance apps can seem like a quick and easy way to get money. But since most apps charge fees, you’ll likely end up owing more than you originally borrowed. This can trap you in a cycle of repeat borrowing that’s hard to break.
At a glance: Dave app cash advance
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Amounts available |
$25 to $500 |
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Free delivery |
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Express delivery timing and fees |
Within 1 hour to an external debit card: 1.5% of transfer amount |
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Mandatory fees |
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Eligibility requirements |
Likely must maintain a positive bank account balance with recurring deposits |
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Repayment |
Automatically withdrawn from your bank account on your next payday (or nearest Friday) after you receive the advance |
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State availability |
Available nationwide |
Dave works by giving you a cash advance — ranging from $25 to $500 — that’s repaid from your next paycheck. This feature is known as Dave ExtraCash.
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To be eligible, you’ll need to download the Dave mobile app, link your bank account and open both an ExtraCash overdraft deposit account and a Dave checking account.
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When you request an advance, Dave overdrafts your ExtraCash deposit account for that amount and charges a mandatory overdraft service fee.
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Funds are deposited instantly in your Dave checking account. If you prefer to send the money to an external bank account, expect to wait up to three business days or pay a fee for express delivery.
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On your next payday, Dave automatically withdraws what you owe (the advance amount, plus the service fee) from your Dave checking account.
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If there aren’t enough funds, Dave will try your linked debit card and external bank account, in that order. Dave continues withdrawing what’s available in your account (if there’s at least $5), until the advance is repaid.
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Once your advance is repaid, you’re eligible to take another. Some users can request up to two advances at a time.
ExtraCash users pay at least two fees:
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Membership fee: Up to $5 per month.
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Service (overdraft) fee: $5 or 5% of the advance amount, whichever is greater.
Additional costs for using Dave depend on how you choose to receive the funds.
Since Dave requires you to open a Dave checking account — and instant funding to that account is free — you can likely avoid express fees altogether. But if you choose to have the funds sent to an external debit card, you’ll pay 1.5% of the transfer amount.
🤔 What does that really cost?
Dave is a legitimate financial services company. Here’s what we know:
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Dave is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
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The Dave app is rated 4.6 stars on Google Play (594,000 reviews) and 4.8 stars on the App Store (810,000 reviews).
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In November 2024, the Federal Trade Commission sued Dave for misleading consumers about advance amounts, as well as charging undisclosed fees and tips without customers’ consent . The FTC eventually referred the case to the Department of Justice.
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In December 2024, the Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against Dave and CEO Jason Wilk seeking civil penalties related to those same practices .
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In a statement, Dave said, “We believe the amended complaint is a continued example of government overreach and includes numerous allegations that are based on various inaccuracies.” Dave has since introduced a new fee structure, which eliminated tipping .
While the Dave app receives high marks from some users, Dave’s legal issues are worth taking seriously. Few of Dave’s competitors have faced similar action from the federal government.
Dave’s basic eligibility requirements include the following:
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Must be 18 years or older.
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Must have a U.S. physical address or military address.
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Must have a valid Social Security number or Tax Identification number.
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Must open a Dave ExtraCash overdraft deposit account and a Dave checking account.
Each time you request an advance, Dave says it reviews any prior history you have with the company and the recent activity in your connected bank account. Otherwise, Dave doesn’t disclose many qualification requirements. There’s no credit check when signing up for Dave.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Paying back your ExtraCash advances in full and on time (meaning by the first assigned due date), and showing recurring direct deposits from your employer, will likely increase your chances of getting approved.
Pros and cons of using Dave
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Offers larger advances than some apps: Dave has larger cash advances than some of its competitors, which may offer $400 or less. However, few customers qualify for the $500 maximum, Dave says. It’s likely the higher your paycheck, and the lower your monthly expenses, the greater chance you’ll be approved for the maximum amount.
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Quick access to funds: Dave can instantly deliver a cash advance in your Dave checking account for free. Other apps take a few business days and charge a fast-funding fee if you need the money sooner. Dave only charges a fast-funding fee if you want the money sent to a linked debit card, which requires paying 1.5% of the advance amount.
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Multiple mandatory fees: Dave’s fee structure is rare among cash advance apps. While some cash advance apps may charge one mandatory fee, like a subscription fee, no other competitors charge two automatic fees.
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Must open two Dave accounts: Dave requires customers to have a Dave deposit account and a Dave checking account to get an advance. Dave’s process is more complicated than other apps, which simply let you link your existing external bank account to receive and repay the advance amount.
Dave vs. EarnIn vs. Chime
Compare Dave to other apps like EarnIn and Chime, which come with fewer fees, but take longer to fund.
EarnIn offers a much higher advance (up to $1,000) with no mandatory fees for standard delivery. EarnIn asks for an optional tip, which you should avoid, since it increases the cost of borrowing.
Chime offers a similar advance (up to $500), but only charges a fee for express delivery. As long as you can wait 24 hours for funding, you’ll receive an advance on your paycheck for free.
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Dave |
EarnIn |
Chime |
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Max advance |
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Mandatory fees |
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Free delivery |
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Express delivery |
Alternatives to using Dave
Given Dave’s mandatory fees, consider these cheaper alternatives first if you need cash.
Explore other ways to make money: Instead of borrowing money, consider a temporary gig to cover small gaps in your budget. You can make money at home or online by selling things you don’t need, taking surveys and testing websites, among other options.
Download a BNPL app: If you need cash to purchase an essential item, like a laptop or mattress, “buy now, pay later” apps like Affirm and Klarna may be a good option. These apps split your purchase into smaller installments, usually with no interest and no fees if you pay on time, and you don’t need good credit to qualify.
Take out a friend or family loan: Friends and family are often an untapped resource for small loans. Though it may be difficult to ask for help, you can make it easier by drawing up a contract that clearly lists when you’ll repay the loan and if you’ll pay interest.
Consider a pawnshop loan: A pawnshop loan lets you borrow money by using a valuable item, like jewelry or electronics, as collateral. You leave the item with the pawnshop and receive a loan based on the item’s value. If you repay the loan, including fees, by the due date, you get your item back. If you don’t repay, the shop keeps the item.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dave build your credit?
Dave’s ExtraCash feature doesn’t build your credit score, which is similar to other cash advance apps. Most apps don’t report payments to the credit bureaus, so you won’t be dinged for late payments, but you also can’t build credit by using them.
What fees does Dave charge?
Dave charges two mandatory fees: a membership fee (up to $5 per month) and a service fee on every advance (5% of the advance amount, with a $5 minimum). Express delivery is free if you send the funds to your Dave checking account. If you send the funds to an external debit card, you’ll pay 1.5% of the transfer amount.
How do I get the most money from Dave?
Dave determines your advance limit based on your direct deposit history and your overall spending patterns from your connected bank account. It refreshes your eligibility each day at midnight. To increase your Dave limit over time, repay advances on time and keep a positive balance in your bank account (the bigger, the better).
How fast does Dave send money?
If you’re sending the funds to your Dave checking account, you’ll receive them instantly. Transfers to an external bank account take up to three business days.
What happens if you can’t pay Dave back?
Dave doesn’t charge late fees or interest. Instead, Dave takes partial payments from your connected accounts until you’re caught up. You can also contact Dave’s member success team (via the chat function in the mobile app) to discuss help with payment.
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