Current offers paycheck advances to customers who can show payroll deposits via their Current account or a linked external bank account. Current has no mandatory fees.

Compare Current to other cash advance apps, and consider alternative ways to get quick cash.

Current cash advance amounts, fees and terms

Fast-funding fee: Starts at $4.99 for $50.

Automatically withdrawn from your Current account (or linked external bank account) on your next payday.

Time to fund without express fee

Time to fund with express fee

How does Current work?

Current works by giving you an advance on your paycheck, ranging from $50 to $750. This feature is known as Current Paycheck Advance.

Unlike other cash advance apps, Current doesn’t charge subscription fees, and you don’t need a Current bank account to get an advance. To qualify you, Current looks at your history of payroll deposits, including any money you may receive as an independent contractor.

Once approved, you’ll receive the funds in your Current account or external bank account within three days. If you want the money sooner, you’ll need to pay a fast-funding fee.

On your next payday, Current will autowithdraw the advance amount, plus any fees, from your linked account. Current doesn’t offer the option to extend your payment due date.

How to get a Current paycheck advance

To get a Current paycheck advance, download the Current mobile app, visit the “Services” tab and then select “Paycheck Advance.”

According to Current, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, legal U.S. resident or non-resident lawfully-admitted alien.

  • Have a U.S. address and Social Security number. 

  • Show at least $500 of payroll deposits in your Current account or external bank account, with at least one deposit of $200 or more.

Current Paycheck Advance is not available for residents of Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada or the District of Columbia.

A cash advance app can help cover you in a true emergency. However, NerdWallet recommends against using them regularly. That’s because research shows frequent use of these apps may lead to a cycle of reborrowing that’s hard to quit. And, since the apps often have fees, you may end up with an even smaller paycheck on payday. If you need to use a cash advance app like Current, limit it to one-time use and avoid fees if possible.

Should you take out a Current paycheck advance?

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Current to get an advance on your paycheck.

Where Current stands out

Large advances: Current has larger cash advances than almost all of its competitors, which tend to offer $500 or less. Though it’s not a good idea to borrow more than you need, Current’s $750 maximum could be enough to cover a particularly large, unexpected expense.

No mandatory fees: Current charges zero mandatory fees, including no membership, subscription or service fees. Its fast-funding fee is optional, so you can essentially get an advance on your paycheck for free.

Accepts external bank accounts: Unlike other apps, Current doesn’t require you to open a Current account to get a paycheck advance, saving you that step. Instead, you can link the bank account in which your paycheck is already deposited.

Where Current falls short

Slow funding: Current takes up to three business days to send you an advance — even if you choose to have the money deposited in a Current bank account. Other apps can fund a paycheck advance within 24 hours if you already have a bank account with that company.

High fast-funding fee: Current’s fast-funding fee starts at $4.99 for a $50 paycheck advance. This is much higher than some cash advances apps. For example, Chime charges a max fee of $2 for a $500 advance. Current declined to give the full range of its fast-funding fee, but it says the amount will be displayed when you request the advance.

Limited customer protections: Current’s eligibility requirements aren’t as strict as other cash advance apps, which typically require 30 to 60 days of checking account history and two or more consecutive payroll deposits from an employer. Current also lets you take out as many advances as you need, up to the amount you qualify for. Other apps only let you request one advance at a time.

Though some customers may view these lax requirements as a good thing, they could lead to overborrowing if you’re approved for an amount you can’t easily repay.

How we rate Current

Product affordability: 3.5/5 stars

An affordable cash advance app charges no or minimal fees, doesn’t ask for tips and provides overdraft protection.

Product flexibility: 3/5 stars

A flexible cash advance app has a large enough maximum borrowing amount to meet users’ needs, can provide funds quickly without charging a fee and offers repayment flexibility.

Customer experience: 2.5/5 stars

A customer-first cash advance app will have multiple ways to contact customer service representatives, maintain a thorough FAQ on its website and clearly disclose all fees.

Customer protections: 1/5 stars

A consumer-friendly cash advance app will evaluate a user’s bank account history, require recurring direct deposits and implement safeguards to help prevent overborrowing.

Discretionary additions or deductions: 0.5 deduction

A cash advance app may earn a higher star rating by offering unique features that benefit customers. Similarly, an app may lose points by offering features that disadvantage customers.

Current app reviews

Consumer ratings and complaints

At the time of writing this review, Current holds an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with over 160 complaints closed in the last year. BBB accreditation is an important feature to consider, since it helps establish legitimacy and provides an additional avenue for customers to file a dispute.

On Trustpilot, Current is rated 4.4 out of five stars. Most reviews are positive, with users saying the Current mobile app is easy to use and Current customer service is quick to respond to any concerns.

In the Apple app store, Current is rated 4.8 out of five stars, with 175,000 ratings. In the Google Play store, Current is rated 4.6 out of five stars, with over 160,000 reviews.

On Reddit, Current users discuss issues like average funding time for a paycheck advance and why their paycheck advance limit unexpectedly changed.

Frequently asked questions about Current Paycheck Advance

Is Current Paycheck Advance legit?

Current Paycheck Advance is a legit cash advance product from the mobile banking app Current. You’ll still need to exercise caution when using this product. Only borrow the amount you need, avoid fees wherever possible and try to stick to one-time use.

How do you get $500 from Current?

You can get $500 from Current by requesting an advance on your paycheck in the mobile app. Current offers advances up to $750 with no mandatory fees for qualified borrowers. You’ll need to link your external bank account and show at least $500 of payroll deposits to qualify.

Does Current run a credit check?

Current doesn’t run a credit check for Current Paycheck Advance, so there’s no risk to your credit score. Instead, Current looks at your bank account before deciding whether to lend you an advance on your paycheck.

Compare Current to other cash advance apps

Current offers larger cash advances than most apps, and there are no mandatory fees. However, its fast-funding fee is higher than some competitors.

Other ways to get quick cash

Download a BNPL app: If you need cash to purchase an essential item, like a laptop or mattress, “buy now, pay later” apps like Affirm and Klarna may be a good option. These apps split your purchase into smaller installments, usually with no interest and no fees if you pay on time, and you don’t need good credit to qualify.

Explore other ways to make money: Instead of borrowing money, consider a temporary gig to cover small gaps in your budget. You can make money at home or online by selling things you don’t need, taking surveys and testing websites, among other options.

Take out a friend or family loan: Friends and family are often an untapped resource for small loans. Though it may be difficult to ask for help, you can make it easier by drawing up a contract that clearly lists when you’ll repay the loan and if you’ll pay interest.

Consider a pawnshop loan: A pawnshop loan lets you borrow money by using a valuable item, like jewelry or electronics, as collateral. You leave the item with the pawnshop and receive a loan based on the item’s value. If you repay the loan, including fees, by the due date, you get your item back. If you don’t repay, the shop keeps the item.

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