Empower Cash Advance App: 2024 Review

Empower pros and cons 

Best for small advances 

Empower offers a smaller advance than some similar products, but its features and tools are what give the company its value. Its eligibility requirements are fairly thin when compared to competitors and the instant delivery fees, although high, are optional. Empower is worth considering for those who don't need a large sum of money at once and are able to make the payments on their next payday. 

How to qualify for an Empower advance 

To use the Empower app, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Be 18 years old or older.
• Have a valid bank account.
• Have a mobile phone number that can receive SMS.

Empower won't check your credit score when you apply. Instead, the company will look at your primary checking account to review your daily banking activity and to see if you have a steady income source. However, regardless of income or account status you may not get approved if you make too many Empower requests in quick succession. 

How this app compares

Empower vs. Brigit

Brigit offers similar benefits to Empower, like budgeting resources and overdraft protection. It also has a slightly lower maximum advance amount of $250 and has a similar repayment timeline. However, Empower's lower monthly fee and unique mobile app features give it an edge over Brigit, which has a required monthly subscription fee of $9.99.

Empower vs. Dave

Offering a maximum loan amount of $500 and a monthly subscription fee of just $1, Dave is a strong competitor when compared to Empower. Plus, Dave also offers overdraft protection and financial resources — although it doesn't offer an overdraft refund like Empower does. 

Dave also offers an early paycheck deposit feature, making it the better option to users who may need their paycheck up to two days early. 

What we like and what we don’t like

What we like

• Financial resources and tools: Empower offers a number of financial tools to help make money management easier.
• Overdraft refunds: If a payment to Empower causes an overdraft fee, the company will refund the amount of the fee. Simply contact Empower customer support with evidence of the fee.
• No late fees or interest for cash advance: Taking out a cash advance from Empower doesn't require any interest payments. You also won't be charged a late fee if you're late on a payment.

What we don’t like

• Must pay fee for fast funding: Express funding costs $1 to $8 depending on the amount of the advance you're taking out. 
• Mandatory subscription fee: In order to use Express, you'll need to pay a monthly $8 subscription fee. The subscription auto renews every month.
• Payment date is next paycheck: The full amount of the advance is due on your next paycheck.

Empower does state that it may need to review additional information to create your account within the app. It states that the manual review process could take up to three business days, so keep that in mind if you need the money as soon as possible. 

Empower features and perks 

You gain access to the following perks when you sign up with Empower:

• A free 14-day trial after signing up for the app.
• A full suite of money management tools and resources within the app. 
• Reimbursement on overdrafts fees caused by an Empower payment.
• A $5 reward if a person you refer uses your link to sign up for a cash advance within 30 days of starting their free trial.

How Bankrate rates Empower