The Fintech Index
183 companies rated 5 sectors 38 reports Last updated Nov 13, 2026

Dave vs EarnIn: Features, Coverage and Pricing Compared (2026)

Updated November 10, 2026 · Reviewed by Benjamin Margolis

Dave and EarnIn both help US workers get money before payday without a credit check or interest. Dave advances up to $500 for a 5% fee and includes a checking account. EarnIn lets workers reach pay they have earned, with free standard transfers.

Our analysts compared the two on November 10, 2026, using each company's own product, pricing, and company pages and our full reviews of Dave and EarnIn.

Choose Dave if

  • you want checking in the same app
  • you need money in minutes
  • you want free instant transfers into a Dave account

Choose EarnIn if

  • you want free transfers
  • you want higher limits per pay period
  • you have a steady pay schedule

Dave scores 74 and EarnIn scores 73 in our ratings. EarnIn is cheaper if you can wait. Dave is faster and adds a bank account.

Key Features Compared

Dave vs EarnIn at a Glance, November 2026

FeatureDaveEarnIn
Ratings
Fintech Index score74 / 100Higher score73 / 100
Overview
What it isLos Angeles, California, banking app that gives US consumers cash advances of up to $500, checking accounts, and budgeting tools, with no credit checks and no interestMountain View, California, earned wage access app that lets US workers take pay they have already earned before payday, with no mandatory fees and no interest
Who uses itUS consumers who run short between paychecks; 3.08 million monthly transacting membersUS hourly and salaried workers with regular pay
Main productsExtraCash advances up to $500, checking through partner banks, budgeting tools, and Dave FlexCash Out earned wage access, Live Pay, Early Pay, Balance Shield, and a jobs board
Where it operatesUnited StatesUnited States
Products and features
Credit check CashAI model, no credit check No credit check
Loan sizeUp to $500Up to $200 a day and $1,000 per pay period; $1,500 with Live Pay
Funding speedFive minutes or lessFree in one to two days; minutes for a fee
Pricing
How pricing works5% or $5 per advance, whichever is greater; no interest or late feesNo mandatory fee; tips optional; Lightning Speed transfers from $3.99 and Early Pay $2.99
Published prices Fee posted Fees posted
Technology and compliance
Regulation and licensingPublicly traded (Nasdaq: DAVE); checking through Coastal Community Bank and other partner banksEarned wage access; state rules differ
App and platform App with checking and budgeting App that tracks pay itself, with no employer link
Integrations and partnersLinks to the member's bank account to judge eligibilityLinks to the user's bank account; no payroll integration needed
Onboarding and supportDefending a federal lawsuit, led by the Department of Justice, over how ExtraCash was marketedPay and employment verified in a few minutes
Company
Founded20172012
HeadquartersLos Angeles, CaliforniaMountain View, California
OwnershipPublic companyPrivate company
FundingPublicly traded (Nasdaq: DAVE) since January 2022, when its SPAC deal included a ~$210M private placement led by Tiger Global~$190M in equity, including a $125M round in December 2018 from Andreessen Horowitz, DST Global, and Spark Capital
Key leaderJason WilkRam Palaniappan
ScaleRevenue of $170.8M in the June 2026 quarter, up 30%; $2.3B of ExtraCash originationsMore than one million Live Pay transactions from July 2025 to March 2026

Fintech Index Scores Compared

We rate every company on eight criteria from 0 to 100, four tied to what buyers in its sector need and four shared by every company, and the rating is their average. Dave scores 74 and EarnIn scores 73.

Criterion Scores Out of 100

DaveEarnIn
Sector criteria
Product fit and underwriting8080
Funding speed and channels8478
Risk and collections7674
Integrations and reporting6866
Vendor criteria
Product depth and roadmap7876
Onboarding and support7272
Pricing transparency7072
Contract terms6668

Key Differences Between Dave and EarnIn

Cost

Dave charges 5% or $5 per advance. EarnIn has no mandatory fee; Lightning Speed costs from $3.99.

Limits

Dave's ExtraCash goes to $500. EarnIn allows $1,000 per pay period, or $1,500 with Live Pay.

Company

Dave is publicly traded on Nasdaq. EarnIn is private and has raised ~$190M.

Pros and Cons

Dave

Pros

  • No credit check, interest, or late fees
  • Money in five minutes or less
  • Checking account in the same app
  • Profitable in the June 2026 quarter

Cons

  • 5% fee on each advance
  • Advances capped at $500
  • Federal lawsuit over ExtraCash marketing

EarnIn

Pros

  • Free standard transfers
  • No credit check or interest
  • Works without the employer
  • Higher limits with Live Pay

Cons

  • Needs regular direct deposit
  • Fast transfers cost extra
  • State rules vary

Who Each Is Best For

Dave

A US worker living paycheck to paycheck who wants a small cash advance without a credit check, plus a no-fee checking account.

EarnIn

A US worker with a regular paycheck who wants to reach earned pay before payday without interest or a mandatory fee.

Alternatives to Dave and EarnIn

These companies, all reviewed and rated on The Fintech Index, cover some of the same ground as Dave and EarnIn.

Other Card Issuing and Processing Companies

CompanyScoreBest forComparisons
Beforepay79Employed Australians who need a short advanceBeforepay vs Dave
Beforepay vs EarnIn

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EarnIn free?

Standard transfers are free and tips are optional.

Does Dave check credit?

No. Its CashAI model uses more than 180 data points.

Which has a bank account?

Dave, through Coastal Community Bank and other partner banks.

Sources
  1. The Fintech Index analysis of Dave and EarnIn, conducted November 2026 (As of November 10, 2026)
  2. Dave home page: https://dave.com/ (As of November 10, 2026)
  3. Dave, about us: https://dave.com/about (As of November 10, 2026)
  4. Dave second quarter 2026 results: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1841408/000119312526335119/dave-ex99_1.htm (As of November 10, 2026)
  5. Dave quarterly report, June 2026: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1841408/000119312526335154/dave-20260630.htm (As of November 10, 2026)
  6. CNBC, Dave begins trading on Nasdaq: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/06/mark-cuban-backed-dave-begins-trading-on-nasdaq-after-completing-spac.html (As of November 10, 2026)
  7. EarnIn home page: https://www.earnin.com/ (As of November 10, 2026)
  8. EarnIn, one million Live Pay transactions: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/earnin-fuels-shift-real-time-120000788.html (As of November 10, 2026)
  9. TechCrunch, EarnIn raises $125M: https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/earnin-raises-125m-to-help-workers-track-and-cash-out-wages-in-real-time/ (As of November 10, 2026)
  10. Contrary Research, EarnIn: https://research.contrary.com/company/earnin (As of November 10, 2026)
  11. Purdue Business Journal, Ram Palaniappan: https://business.purdue.edu/journal/25/f/stories/ram-palaniappan-earnin.php (As of November 10, 2026)
  12. PYMNTS, EarnIn adds jobs platform: https://www.pymnts.com/back-office/payroll/2026/earnin-adds-jobs-platform-as-wage-access-draws-scrutiny/ (As of November 10, 2026)