Dave vs MoneyLion (2026): ExtraCash vs Instacash
MoneyLion Instacash has no mandatory or monthly fee and offers up to $500 to an external account or up to $1,000 if your direct deposits go to RoarMoney. Instant delivery costs a Turbo fee of $0.49–$8.99; free delivery takes up to five business days to an outside bank. Dave charges a mandatory fee but delivers instantly to Dave Checking for free.
Dave vs MoneyLion Instacash at a glance
| Item | Dave ExtraCash | MoneyLion Instacash |
|---|---|---|
| Advance amount | $25–$500 (Dave testing up to $1,000) | $10 min; up to $500 external, up to $1,000 with RoarMoney direct deposits |
| Mandatory fee | Greater of $5 or 5%, every advance | None |
| Monthly fee | Up to $5 membership | $0 for Instacash |
| Instant delivery | Free to Dave Checking; 1.5% to an external card | Turbo fee, $0.49–$8.99 |
| Standard delivery | Instant to Dave Checking | 2 business days to RoarMoney; 1–5 to external banks |
| Tips | No | Optional |
| Income needed | At least 3 recurring deposits | 3 recurring direct deposits from the same employer; account 60+ days old |
| Credit check | No | No |
Which is cheaper: Dave or MoneyLion?
If you can wait, MoneyLion is cheaper: standard Instacash is free. For instant money, the answer depends on the amount and where it goes. NerdWallet says Turbo fees are lowest for smaller advances sent to RoarMoney and rise with the amount, up to $8.99. Dave's fee is exactly the greater of $5 or 5%: $5 on $100, $15 on $300, $25 on $500.
The catch with Turbo fees
A 2025 National Consumer Law Center brief criticized MoneyLion for limiting each disbursement to $100, meaning a larger instant amount could take several Turbo fees. MoneyLion's July 2026 terms say that when your disbursement limit is lower than your Instacash limit, you can take multiple advances up to that limit per deposit period. Check the in-app fee before choosing Turbo.
Which gives more money?
MoneyLion's top limit is higher: up to $1,000 if you switch direct deposits to RoarMoney (NerdWallet also lists up to $700 with its credit-builder loan). Dave's standard maximum is $500, with tests up to $1,000. See Dave ExtraCash limits.
Repayment rules
- MoneyLion withdraws on the date it determines is your next payday, takes partial repayment if you're short, and lets you change or defer the date by up to two weeks once per cycle. No late fees.
- Dave settles around your next payday or nearest Friday, runs partial settlements if needed, and charges no late fees. More in how Dave ExtraCash works.
Credit impact and requirements
Neither app runs a credit check. NerdWallet says Instacash repayments aren't reported to credit bureaus, and LendEDU says the same for Dave, so neither builds credit. MoneyLion requires an account at least 60 days old with three recurring direct deposits from the same employer; Dave looks for at least three recurring deposits plus its own ExtraCash and Checking accounts. If Dave says no, see why Dave says you're not eligible.
Pros and cons
Dave ExtraCash
- + Instant and free to Dave Checking
- + One predictable fee formula
- + No employer requirement
- − Mandatory fee on every advance
- − Up to $5 monthly membership
MoneyLion Instacash
- + No mandatory or monthly fee
- + Up to $1,000 with RoarMoney
- + Can defer repayment up to two weeks once per cycle
- − Turbo fees up to $8.99 for instant money
- − Free delivery to external banks takes 1–5 business days
How to switch from Dave to MoneyLion
- Settle any open ExtraCash balance in the Dave app (ExtraCash tab → Settle), since an unpaid balance keeps collection attempts going.
- Sign up for MoneyLion and confirm your limit before you rely on it.
- Cancel the Dave membership at least 3 business days before the next charge, then close the accounts if you won't return. Step by step: how to cancel Dave.
Which should you choose?
- MoneyLion if you can wait for free delivery, or are willing to move your paycheck to RoarMoney for a higher limit.
- Dave if you need money instantly and prefer one predictable fee to variable Turbo fees.
Still short? Compare short-term loan offers or see all apps like Dave.
Frequently asked questions
Does MoneyLion charge a monthly fee for Instacash?
No. Instacash has no monthly fee and no mandatory fee; instant Turbo delivery costs $0.49–$8.99.
Which is faster, Dave or MoneyLion?
Dave is instant and free to Dave Checking. MoneyLion is instant only with a Turbo fee; free delivery takes 2 business days to RoarMoney or 1–5 to an external bank.
Can MoneyLion give $1,000?
Up to $1,000 is available to some users who send direct deposits to a RoarMoney account, according to NerdWallet.
Is MoneyLion like Dave?
Yes. Both offer interest-free advances based on bank-account data without a credit check, but they charge differently.
Need more than a cash advance?
Compare short-term loan offers from lenders in our partner network. Checking offers is free; we are not a lender and Dave is not part of this network.
Keep reading
Apps like Dave (2026)
EarnIn, Brigit, MoneyLion, Chime MyPay and Klover compared on cost.
Dave vs Chime MyPay
Two $500-max products with very different fee math.
Dave vs EarnIn
Per-advance fee vs optional tips and Lightning Speed fees.
Dave ExtraCash fees in 2026
The 5% fee, the vanished $15 cap, membership and express fees explained.
Sources
Checked November 12, 2026. Figures change; confirm in the provider's app.
- Dave: Credit, Cash & Money App — Google Play listing and disclosures
- Dave — How the ExtraCash account works
- NerdWallet — MoneyLion app cash advance review (updated May 8, 2026)
- MoneyLion — Instacash Terms and Conditions (July 2026)
- National Consumer Law Center — MoneyLion issue brief (2025)
- LendEDU — Dave ExtraCash review