Empower Cash Advance App: 2025 Review

Empower is 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.

Fees and penalties 

Empower has two fees related to its cash advance product.

• $8 monthly fee: For $8 a month, you will have access to Empower's cash advances along with financial management tools and perks.
• Optional instant delivery fee: Normally, you'll receive your cash advance in two to five business days. But if you opt into its instant delivery function, you'll get your cash within an hour. The fee cost maxes out at $8, depending on the size of your advance.

Where Empower stands out

• Financial resources and tools: Empower offers a number of financial tools to help make money management easier. You can track your spending patterns and credit score in the mobile app, and you can use AutoSave to automate transfers and effortlessly meet your savings goals.
• 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. This perk is rare among other digital cash advance platforms. 
• No late fees or interest for cash advance: Taking out a cash advance from Empower doesn't require any interest payments or service fees for each advance like you’d find with other lenders. You also won't be charged a late fee if you're late on a payment.

Where Empower falls short

• 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. (It’s worth noting that there’s a 14-day free trial if you wish to test drive the service). 
• Payment date is next paycheck: The full amount of the advance is due on your next paycheck, which is customary for digital cash advances.

Empower customer resources

Customer support

Empower operates solely online and recommends using email support, which is available 24/7. Phone support is also available Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.

Digital experience

Empower's mobile app is accessible to Android and iOS users. Both feature over 200,000 reviews, with ratings of 4.7 and 4.8 stars, respectively. The iOS app is also ranked 34th among finance apps on the App Store. Empower also features an online help center with extensive knowledge about its platform and offerings.

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 up to $5, 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. 

Do you qualify for an Empower cash 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. 

Empower is not offered in all 50 states. If you live in Connecticut, Maryland or the District of Columbia (DC), you’ll need to look elsewhere for a cash advance.

How Bankrate rates Empower