Cash Advance Review
Cash Advance® is a loan marketplace that connects borrowers with lenders offering loans from $200 to $10,000.
The company has been in business since 1997 and is one of the longest-running online lending platforms in the U.S.
Applying for a loan on CashAdvance.com only triggers a soft credit check, making it accessible for people who need a short-term loan online regardless of credit history.
How We Rate CashAdvance.com
At Financer, all lenders go through a thorough research and review process. Here's how we rate CashAdvance.com:
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
Affordability | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Application process | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Loan terms | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Transparency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Here's what we'll cover in this review:
Want to skip the details? Jump to our final verdict here.
CashAdvance.com Overview
Founded in 1997, Cash Advance® is an online loan marketplace that connects borrowers with lenders offering loans from $200 to $10,000. It works with a network of lenders across 32 U.S. states.
Borrowers have up to 12 months to repay, and the approval process is fast.
CashAdvance.com is a member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA) and follows its code of conduct for transparency and best practices.
CashAdvance.com is owned and operated by Hawk, LLC, which is in turn owned by the Ute Indian Tribe. Some lenders in the network are tribal lenders, meaning their rates may exceed state-licensed lender rates.
Read more: Compare tribal loans
Here's a quick summary of Cash Advance®:
| Overview | Features |
|---|---|
Loan type: | Short-term loans |
Loan amount: | $200 - $10,000 |
Loan term: | 7 days to 12 months |
APR: | 15% - 2,120% |
Min. credit score: | None |
Platform fees: | None |
Payout time: | One business day |
Weekend payout: | No |
States available: | 32 states (not available in 18 states + D.C.) |
Requirements: | 18+ years old, U.S. citizen, valid checking account, employed 3+ months, valid phone and email |
Cash Advance® is committed to providing loan options regardless of credit score. This is one of the main advantages of using Cash Advance®.
Want to find out more about the full range of offerings? Read our Cash Advance® review below or view Cash Advance® reviews from customers.
Who Is CashAdvance.com For?
Cash Advance® is aimed at borrowers who are looking for fast short-term loans online without requiring a good credit score.
By comparing multiple lenders, Cash Advance® can give you personalized loan offers from leading U.S. lenders and there are no application fees.
If you're looking for the best loan rates and you have an excellent credit score, you may want to consider other lenders that can offer you competitive rates.
Eligibility Requirements
Here are the loan requirements when applying for a Cash Advance® loan:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have an active bank account that accepts direct deposits
- Be employed for at least three months
- Have a valid contact number and an active email address.
- No minimum credit score is required
- You must meet your Lenders' specific minimum income requirements
Who It's For
Cash Advance® is for you if you:
- Have a low credit score or bad credit history
- Need funds fast
- Want to get multiple loan offers
- Don't have collateral
- Want to complete an online application
- Don't need a large, long-term loan
Who It's Not For
Cash Advance® may not be a good option for you if you:
- Want the best loan APRs
- Need a loan of more than $10,000
- Want to take out a secure loan
- Live in these states: AR, AZ, CT, GA, ME, MD, MA, MT, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, WV
How To Apply for a Cash Advance® Loan
Applying for a CashAdvance.com loan is fast and easy. Here are the steps:
Once a loan is approved, customers must communicate directly with their individual lenders to get personalized information.
Loan amounts range from $200 to $10,000 depending on the lender.
Each loan contract contains different requirements. It is essential that you thoroughly read your agreement before committing.
What To Consider Before Applying
- Before you apply for a personal loan, confirm that you reside in one of the states where CashAdvance.com operates in.
- Ensure you understand the costs involved in a Cash Advance® loan, always research the offers from lenders, and look for origination fees, prepayment penalties, late fees, and more.
- We suggest you always double-check any policies and terms before agreeing to a loan from a lender as Cash Advance® just operates the marketplace and does not guarantee terms.
- Although there is no minimum credit score required based on our CashAdvance.com review, lenders may do a hard credit check to determine your eligibility when you complete your loan application.
Cash Advance® Fees
- APRs differ between lenders and depend on the loan amount and repayment period. According to the Cash Advance® fees page, a $200 loan for 30 days would cost approximately $258 total, with an APR of roughly 2,120%. A $500 loan repaid in 7 days carries an estimated APR of 782% to 1,564%.
- There are no fees for using the CashAdvance.com platform itself. Lenders may charge their own fees including origination fees. All fees must be disclosed before you accept any offer.
- There are no prepayment penalties. Contact your lender directly if you are unsure whether you can afford the repayments.
Loan Terms: Example
CashAdvance.com has a tool on their website where borrowers can estimate what their installments may look like. You can adjust sliders based on the loan amount and repayment period to preview your likely terms. The Cash Advance app is also available on iOS for borrowers who prefer applying on the go.
Cash Advance® Payment Terms
The repayment terms range from a 7-day minimum to a 12-month maximum. Cash Advance® does not determine the rates and terms, as these are decided by the lending partners.
Most lenders allow payments to be debited automatically from your account every month to help you avoid late or missed payments. Payment schedules and late payments are worked out directly with the lender.
Be sure to read the terms of your loan offer before you agree and accept.
How Financer Rates Cash Advance®
Is Cash Advance® legit? Yes, CashAdvance.com is a legitimate loan marketplace that has been operating since 1997.
At Financer, all lenders go through a thorough research and review process. We don't make recommendations lightly.
Loan applications are fast, free, and done completely online. Their website is easy to navigate and discloses the necessary information for potential borrowers to make informed decisions.
There are NO fees to use the CashAdvance.com platform, and the company works with a network of lenders. However, the extremely high APRs (up to 2,120% on short-term loans) mean you should consider this option carefully.
Cash Advance® is not available in all states. It currently operates in 32 states.
Application Process
We tested CashAdvance.com and the application took only a few minutes. Offers are presented immediately. See above.
Costs
Cash Advance® does not charge any platform fees, although individual lenders may. This is standard for lending marketplaces in the U.S.
APRs vary by lender, loan amount, and repayment period. According to the official fees page, a $200 loan for 30 days carries a representative APR of approximately 2,120%. Longer-term, larger loans have significantly lower APRs, with some lenders starting at 15% for a $2,000 loan over 12 months.
These rates are much higher than traditional personal loans.
Payments
The maximum loan term of 12 months is standard for short-term lenders. If you need lower rates, consider personal loans that offer terms of up to 72 months or more.
Customer Service
Cash Advance® provides customer service via email and phone from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm.
Customers can also contact the OLA consumer hotline at 1-866-299-7585 with concerns, questions, or to report fraud.
We tested CashAdvance.com's customer service by sending an email inquiry. We received confirmation quickly, but the formal reply took several days.
Privacy and Security
Cash Advance® protects all information with 256-bit encryption, meeting legal privacy requirements.
Like other loan marketplaces, Cash Advance® collects and shares user information with lending partners in their network.
Cash Advance® Alternatives
Here's a list of alternatives to Cash Advance® and how they compare:
| Lender | Review | Loan Amount | APR | Max. Loan Term | Bad Credit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CashAdvance.com | View | $200 - $10,000 | 15% - 2,120% | Up to 12 months | Yes |
BadCreditLoans | View | $500 - $5,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | Up to 2 years | Yes |
CashUSA.com | View | $500 - $10,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | Up to 6 years | Yes |
Fast5KLoans | View | $500 - $35,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | Up to 5 years | Yes |
ACE Cash Express | View | $100 - $2,000 | 91.52% - 630.13% | Up to 1 month | Yes |
Should you take a loan with Cash Advance®?
Cash Advance® has been around for more than two decades and has proven to be a reputable U.S. lending platform for short-term loans.
One of the best reasons for applying for a loan with CashAdvance.com is that borrowers get access to loan offers from a wide range of U.S. lenders.
Their customer service is responsive and they have a good feedback rating from past customers.
Read more Cash Advance® reviews from customers below or add your own.
More Cash Advance® Reviews
What Users On the Web Are Saying
Cash Advance® gets 2.5 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot from 14 reviews. The rating breaks down to 36% five-star and 43% one-star reviews, showing a polarized user experience. Positive reviewers praise the fast process, while negative reviewers cite high APRs and aggressive lender collection practices:
On Sitejabber, they have a 3.6 out of 5 rating from 10 reviews. Some users appreciate the clear terms and easy process, while others report issues with high repayment amounts. Keep in mind that negative experiences often involve individual lenders in the Cash Advance® network, not the platform itself:
More User Reviews - Add Your Rating
Read more reviews on Financer from verified users below.
Have you used CashAdvance.com before? Leave your review now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CashAdvance.com legit?
Yes, CashAdvance.com is a legitimate loan marketplace that has been operating since 1997. It is owned by Hawk, LLC (a Ute Indian Tribe entity) and is a member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA). The platform itself does not lend money directly but connects borrowers with lenders. However, some lenders in the network charge extremely high APRs, so always read the terms carefully before accepting any offer.
What are the risks of cash advances?
The biggest risk is the extremely high cost. APRs on short-term cash advance loans through CashAdvance.com can reach 2,120%, which can quickly trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. Other risks include aggressive collection practices from some lenders, the temptation to roll over loans (taking new loans to pay off old ones), and the potential impact on your credit score if a lender performs a hard inquiry during the final approval process.
Is a cash advance good or bad?
A cash advance through CashAdvance.com should be treated as a last resort. The application is free and fast, and it accepts borrowers with bad credit. However, the APRs are significantly higher than traditional personal loans. A $200 loan for 30 days costs approximately $258, which translates to a 2,120% APR. If you have other options like personal loans or borrowing from family, those are typically better choices.
What states is CashAdvance.com available in?
CashAdvance.com is available in 32 U.S. states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. It is not available in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, or Washington D.C.
