Looking for loans like Possible Finance? There are several apps and bank options that offer small-dollar advances, installment loans, or earned wage access, with different fees, limits, and repayment terms.
Do you remember Apple’s famous “There’s an app for that” slogan from its 2009 iPhone ad campaign? Way back then, it still wasn’t common knowledge that your cellphone could solve most of life’s problems.
Welcome to 2026, where the opposite is true. Too often, we turn to well-known apps for a solution when there are other options. One great example is seeking loans like those offered by Possible Finance. There’s not just “an app for that.” There are several apps and other financial products to choose from. Here are some of the most popular options.
Key Takeaways
- Possible Finance is a money-borrowing app that offers up to $500 and requires repayment within eight weeks.
- Consumers look for Possible Finance alternatives to bridge the gap between the app’s features and their money needs.
- Popular other loan options include Cleo, DailyPay, Bank of America, and others listed in our table below.
What Is Possible Finance?
One of the most popular money-borrowing apps available in the App Store and on Google Play is Possible Finance. It’s been downloaded over a million times on Google Play, where it currently has a 4.4-star rating.
Here are some of its main features:
- You can borrow up to $500 through the app in most states, though it maxes out at $250 in California.
- The loan is typically due within eight weeks, and you pay it back in four equal installments.
- The flat fee depends on your state. One example is a $17.65 fee for a $100 loan in California.
- Your loan funds may take up to 5 days to be available in your account.
- Borrowing requirements include needing a valid checking account and a regular income.
- Availability varies by state.
- It may be possible to improve your credit by making your payments on time, as Possible Finance reports to Experian and TransUnion.
The app is described as “easy peasy” to use and has a customer base of over three million. One customer described a positive experience, saying that they used it a few times to get out of a tight cash crunch. They were initially approved for $75, but after paying it off in full, their available credit increased to $100. They also described the customer service as “super fast” and professional.
That said, the app is not an excellent fit for everyone. Another user described a horror story of being unable to repay their loan on time and of a confusing experience with customer support. There are also reports of glitches during the application process. For these reasons and others, many people are seeking other solutions.
The Possible Finance flat fee compares to that of a payday loan. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “[Payday] lenders usually charge from $10 to $30 for every $100 borrowed.”
Why You Might Want an Alternative App to Possible Finance
Here are the most common reasons people look for other apps like Possible Finance:
- Living outside the several states where the service is available
- Needing more than the maximum loan amount available in your state
- Not having bank account activity or a deposit history that meets the eligibility requirements
- Needing more time to repay than eight weeks
- Wanting to avoid a high-APR, small-dollar loan
- Preferring a monthly repayment schedule
Then, there’s the scenario where you’ve already used Possible Finance and want to try a new way to request an emergency loan. Even if you can’t put your finger on the exact reason, it’s completely normal to want to explore places like Possible Finance.
Understanding Different Types of Alternatives
While Possible Finance is a state-regulated installment loan, its alternatives may have different regulatory, cost, and risk profiles.
For instance, Cleo is primarily a cash advance subscription model, and it is not considered a loan in many jurisdictions. DailyPay, Payactiv, Branch, and ONE@Work are earned-wage access (EWA) payroll tools, not credit at all. Comparable products from Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and U.S. Bank are bank-issued installment loans governed by banking regulations.
While each of these financial tools may result in the same small dollar borrowed amount, the way they work under the hood can be fundamentally different.
Examples of Other Apps and Programs
Here are several apps and programs that offer a similar product to Possible Finance, except with key differences.
| Company | Product | How Much You Can Get | How Fast You Can Get It | How You Pay It Back | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleo | Cash advance inside a budgeting app | Usually $20–$250 (first-time users often $20–$100) | Same-day is possible (with an express fee) | Repaid through the app (details vary by user) | Same-day transfers can cost $3.99–$14.99, depending on the amount; Cleo also settled an FTC case over marketing and cancellation practices. |
| Current | EWA through participating employers | Up to $750 | Free option funds within three business days, or “Instant Access” for a fee | Typically auto-collected from your next payroll deposit | Instant Access fee varies; Eligibility depends on payroll deposits and account history. |
| B9 | Banking app with an “advance” feature | Up to $1,000 per pay period (plan-dependent) | Varies; you’ll generally need qualifying direct deposits first | Any deposit into your B9 account can auto-apply toward repayment (and you can also repay manually) | You generally need $300+ in deposits to qualify, and some plans carry a monthly fee. |
| DailyPay | EWA through participating employers | “A portion” of earned pay (limits depend on your employer) | Standard transfer is free (one to three business days); instant is often a flat fee (e.g., $3.49) | Comes out of your paycheck (through the employer flow) | Fees can vary by employer. |
| Payactiv | EWA through participating employers | Often up to 50% of earned wages; some employers set guardrails | Can be free or near-instant depending on route (card vs. transfer options) | Typically deducted from paycheck on payday (employer-connected) | Pricing depends on how you receive funds (examples: $0, $2.49, $3.49, depending on setup and transfer path). |
| Branch | EWA through participating employers | Access up to 50% of earned wages | Fast access once your workplace supports it | Payroll-linked (your employer and Branch determine the flow) | “No fees to get an advance to your Branch account,” but it’s only through participating workplaces. |
| ONE@Work | EWA through participating employers | Up to 50% of wages you’ve earned (but haven’t been paid yet) | Can be “in seconds”; instant may be free or may have a small fee depending on employer setup | Payroll-linked (you’re accessing already-earned wages) | It’s free as a benefit, but availability and instant-delivery pricing may depend on employer configuration. |
| Bank of America | Small-dollar bank loan | Up to $500 (in $100 increments) | Deposited to your BoA account (timing depends on BoA) | 3 equal monthly payments (about 90 days) | $5 flat fee (no interest/finance charges), but you generally must be a BoA checking customer for at least 1 year. |
| U.S. Bank | Small-dollar bank loan | $100–$1,000 | Funds available after approval (bank timing) | 3 monthly payments | Current pricing example: $6 per $100 borrowed (about 35.6% APR). You typically need to be a U.S. Bank checking customer. |
| Wells Fargo | Small-dollar bank loan, offered inside the WF app to eligible customers | $250 or $500 | Often available quickly once accepted in-app | 4 equal monthly installments | Flat fee $12 (for $250) or $20 (for $500). |
Which Option Is Right for You?
If you want to build credit → bank or credit-reporting loan
If you’re employed with payroll → EWA
If you need flexibility → installment loan app
If speed matters → cash advance (with fee warning)
If you need more flexibility or have a lower credit score, you may want to explore bad credit loans, which often offer higher amounts and longer repayment terms.
How to Avoid Loan App Scams
One more option that is sometimes overlooked is a credit union payday alternative loan. These can have a maximum APR of 28% in some cases, which may be comparable to your credit card’s APR. However, be sure to follow the advice of MyCreditUnion.org when searching for this product online: “Read the fine print because sometimes the lender isn’t a credit union, and its loan terms aren’t beneficial to you.”
No matter which option you choose, we recommend avoiding paying the loan upfront. As the FTC said, “No one legitimate will ever ask you to pay for a promise.” In any case, we hope that you find a solution that meets your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Cash Advance App and Earned Wage Access?
With a cash advance app, you borrow the money from your expected income. On the other hand, earned wage access typically lets workers access pay that they have already earned.
Do Alternatives to Possible Finance Charge Interest?
Many alternatives to Possible Finance charge fees rather than interest. For instance, some financial products offered by banks charge a flat fee, while some apps charge a fee for instant transfers. Others use subscription fees. We recommend calculating the total borrowing fees, regardless of which option you choose.
How Fast Can Money Arrive in an Account with Apps Like These?
The time it takes to receive funding varies depending on lender policies, the borrower’s bank account, and other factors. Some of the apps listed above may offer instant delivery, but watch out for an extra fee. While employer-based options can be fast once set up, the first time can take longer.
Do These Alternatives Work Without Direct Deposit?
You may not receive the lowest rates or the highest loan amounts if you do not set up direct deposit. Approval may also be more difficult.
Will Using an Alternative to Possible Finance Help Build Credit?
The solutions mentioned in this article do not always help build credit. That’s because many of these products do not report payments to credit bureaus. However, some do. If one of your goals is to increase your credit score to hopefully make it easier to borrow in the future, then be sure to check to see if the financial institution reports payments to one or more credit bureaus.
Do these apps run a Hard Credit Check?
Generally, cash advance and earned wage access products do not run a hard credit check, relying instead on income and account activity to determine creditworthiness. However, that’s not true in all cases, and banks and credit unions may use a hard credit check. Read the application disclosure before applying to be sure.
Why Is the Maximum Approval Amount So Low on Many Apps?
Apps typically start new users with a lower loan amount to control risk. As you establish a reliable repayment history, you may see your limit increase.
Are There Any Other Small Loan Options?
If borrowing from a financial institution feels like the wrong choice for your situation, consider asking a friend or family member for money.