Cleo skips the credit bureaus entirely — its AI reads income patterns in your linked account instead. You get up to $500 at 0% interest, and uniquely on this list, a path to build credit while you borrow via the $1-deposit secured Visa.
Read the full Cleo review →Dave approves from bank activity, never a hard pull. The $1/month cost is unbeatable if an advance is all you want.
Cleo vs Dave — full comparison →No credit check, quick instant transfers, and the Thrive line reports positive history — a solid soft-touch package.
Cleo vs Empower — full comparison →Approval runs on Brigit's cash-flow score, not FICO. Auto advances catch overdrafts before they happen.
Cleo vs Brigit — full comparison →EarnIn verifies your earned wages, not your credit file. Free base cost — if you have W-2 hours to prove.
Cleo vs EarnIn — full comparison →No credit check and no cash cost at base — Klover is paid in data and attention instead.
Cleo vs Klover — full comparison →Instacash needs no hard check. Watch the fine print: some MoneyLion products beyond advances do use soft checks.
Cleo vs MoneyLion — full comparison →Rankings reflect our editorial assessment for the typical borrower; competitor terms are publicly listed figures as of July 2026 and may change. We are powered by Cleo — comparisons aim to be factual and are labeled where opinion applies.
All Apps at a Glance
| App | Max advance | Monthly cost | Credit building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleo | $20–$500 | $5.99–$14.99 | Secured Visa from $1 |
| Dave | Up to $500 | $1 membership | None |
| Empower | Up to $400 | $8 flat | Thrive credit line |
| Brigit | $50–$250 | $8.99–$14.99 | Builder loan |
| EarnIn | $150/day · $750/period | $0 + tips | None |
| Klover | Up to ~$200 | Free · K+ $3.99 | None |
| MoneyLion | Up to $500 | $0 base · CB+ $19.99 | CB+ loan |
What "No Credit Check" Actually Means
These apps don't pull your Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion file. Instead they read the checking account you link — income regularity, spending patterns, balance behavior — and size your advance from that. Two practical consequences: applying is invisible to your credit score, and your bank activity is your application, so a healthy, active checking account matters more than your past. Cleo's requirements are typical of the category — see the full checklist.
One step better than "doesn't hurt your credit" is "helps it": Cleo's Credit Builder Card reports on-time payments to all three bureaus, turning the borrowing relationship into score-building history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — the apps listed approve from linked-bank analysis, not bureau files. No hard inquiry appears on your report from applying.
No. Advances aren't reported as loans, and there's no hard pull. The only credit effects available are positive ones, from products like Cleo's Credit Builder Card.
Income consistency, deposit size, and repayment history in the app. Limits start small ($20–$100 at Cleo) and grow with clean behavior.
No. Payday loans charge triple-digit APRs and roll over into debt cycles; these apps charge 0% interest with flat optional fees and fixed repayment.
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No hard credit check. No impact on your score. 0% interest, up to $500.
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