Need Cash Fast? Here's My Non-Sponsored Review of the EarnIn App
New York City living is expensive. Pursuing your dreams is costly. And the bills—and the endless list of reasons to spend money—never stop coming. Now that I'm grown, I know how to budget, tell myself I’ve got McDonald’s at home, and delay some of my wants. But that doesn’t stop real life from happening. Emergencies still pop up. Unexpected opportunities arise that require a little extra cash. Sometimes, you just need $100 to make it to your next payday.
I’ve done it all, from walking dogs to selling designer clothes to make money fast when things got tight. But eventually, all those Google searches for “how to get money now” led me to the EarnIn app.
This is not a sponsored post. I wasn’t paid to write this, --though I will place my referral code throughout the if you choose to download and use the app, which will get me $50 and you $10 and a personal referral code to give out. I just want to give an honest, firsthand review of the app and my experience with EarnIn.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth downloading, how it actually works, or if there’s a catch—keep reading. I’ll break down my full experience so you can decide if EarnIn is really the financial lifesaver it claims to be.
What Is The EarnIn App And How It Works
Why Did I Use EarnIn
Pros vs. Cons vs. Toss Ups of Using The EarnIn App
What Is The EarnIn App And How It Works
Now, a quick Google search will take you straight to the EarnIn Help Center, where you’ll find their official explanation of how the app works—which is probably more technically accurate than mine. But based on how I personally use the app, here’s the gist: EarnIn is a financial app that lets you access your paycheck early by essentially giving you a cash advance against your upcoming paycheck. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and you’ll need a few basic things to get started: a mobile phone, a checking account, a steady pay schedule with direct deposits, and proof that you’re earning at least $320 per pay period. Oh, and maybe a little patience, depending on your bank, the app, or your personal situation.
Once connected, EarnIn links to your bank account to monitor your pay history and deposit frequency. Based on that data, it calculates how much of your upcoming paycheck you can access. From there, you can withdraw funds in daily increments—up to $150 a day—either instantly for a small fee or within 1–2 business days for free. They also ask you to leave an optional tip as they it keeps the app from charging fees for borrowing. Then, when your next paycheck hits (aka the one you’ve been borrowing from), EarnIn automatically pays itself back and you can start the cash advance process again against your upcoming paycheck.
Why Did I Use EarnIn
I was strapped for cash—and I have no problem saying it. Life, in itself, is a bill. Like most people reading this, I’ve got rent due, credit card payments due, and my business endeavors come with their own out-of-pocket costs. On top of that, the essentials—food, clothing, and shelter—aren’t getting any cheaper. I had reached a point where I didn’t want to ask my parents for help again. I felt like I was too old to be making that call. So when I needed a quick financial cushion that didn't involve me selling more clothes, EarnIn became my answer.
Pros vs. Cons vs. Toss Ups of Using The EarnIn App
EarnIn was a great solution for me—and it continues to be my go-to when I need a little extra cash. But let’s be clear: it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for every financial situation. Like anything, it has its upsides, downsides, and gray areas. Below, I’m breaking down my personal pros, cons, and toss-ups from using EarnIn.
Pros:
Daily payout increments:
While the app may give you access to up to $1,000 per pay period, I actually love that you can only advance up to $150 per day. It’s not a one-time lump sum, which forces you to budget intentionally. When you're living paycheck to paycheck, that daily cap can be a blessing in disguise—it makes you think harder about where each dollar is going. With a little planning, you can spread your payouts across multiple financial needs throughout the week—even saving a portion of each day's advance. That’s especially helpful when it's time for EarnIn to withdraw the money back on payday.Full access to your daily max:
Some apps operate on a "use it or lose it" model—if you don’t take the full amount they offer in one go, you can't go back for the rest later. Not with EarnIn. If your daily max is $100 and you only take out $50 in the morning, you can still go back and pull the remaining $50 later that night, if you need it. And if you don’t need it, you haven’t lost it—you can access that balance on another day.Fast free transfers:
In my experience, when I’ve standard 1–2 day payouts (because I’m an instant payout kind of guy, lol)are actually pretty quick—often hitting my account sooner than expected. That means I can avoid using the “instant” option that charges a small fee. And since there are no traditional cash advance fees, you’re really saving money in the long run. You get more of your upcoming paycheck to stick with you after EarnIn pays itself back.
Cons:
It can create a cycle of dependency: Depending on how much you’re advancing versus the size of your paycheck, you can easily find yourself in a loop where you need EarnIn to make it through each pay period. That’s not ideal—especially if your goal is to use the app to get outof a tight financial situation, not stay stuck in one. My personaladvice? Only advance half of what they offer you, even if you’re approved for more. The key is maintaining as much of your actual paycheck as possible so you’re not left scrambling when EarnIn auto-withdraws. These types of apps are meant to be a short-term solution—not a lifestyle.
No control over repayment timing: One downside is that EarnIn pulls the money back as soon as your paycheck hits, whether you're ready or not. There’s no option to delay or stagger repayment like some other apps offer. That can be tough if other urgent bills are waiting for that same paycheck. If you’re not strategic with your advances, you could end up right back in the red the moment your check deposits. Make sure you budget as you request your cash advances in preparation for the upcoming repayment.
Toss Up:
Instant Transfers vs. Waiting It Out One of the most convenient features of EarnIn is the option to get your money instantly. That “lightning speed” payout hits your bank in minutes—but it comes with a small fee. And while the fee may feel minor in the moment (typically $1.99–$3.99 depending on the amount), those charges can add up quickly over time, especially if you’re advancing cash multiple times per week. It becomes a toss-up between convenience and cost. So you weigh it: do I pay a few bucks to get the money now and deal with a smaller paycheck later? Or wait it out and save the fee—but possibly miss the moment or the need? Just be mindful—those little fees can quietly shrink the paycheck you’re trying to stretch.
Instant-ish Approval: Another toss-up is the approval time when you first sign up. While the app is easy to download and set up, getting approved for your first payout isn’t always instant. EarnIn may need time to review your pay and deposit history, along with how often you get paid, to determine how much you can access. For some users, this can take a few hours; for others, it might take a few days. Once you're approved, you're good to go—but that initial waiting period can be frustrating if you're in urgent need of cash.
LIKE WHAT YOU’VE READ SO FAR, CLICK HERE TO USE MY REFERRAL CODE TO DOWNLOAD EARNIN
At the end of the day, EarnIn isn’t a magic fix—but it’s been a helpful tool in my financial toolbox. It gave me breathing room when I needed it most, and with a little discipline, it didn’t throw off my whole paycheck cycle. Like anything involving money, you have to be intentional—know what you’re borrowing and when it’s coming back out. If you’re in a pinch and thinking about giving EarnIn a try, just go in informed and use it with the intent of living an advance-free life in the future. And if you do end up downloading it, feel free to use my referral code—you’ll get $10, I’ll get $50, and you’ll get your own code to pass along
