Cash App Loan Calculator
Calculate exact fees, total repayment, and effective APR before you borrow
🧮 Cash Advance & Loan Calculator
Compare costs across different apps
Your Advance Summary
APR is calculated for comparison purposes. Cash advances use flat fees, not annual interest rates. Shorter repayment periods result in higher effective APRs even with low flat fees.
How to Read Your Results
💰 Total Fee
The dollar amount you pay to borrow. For the platform Borrow, this is always exactly 5% of what you borrow. A $300 advance costs $15 in fees.
📊 Effective APR
Annual Percentage Rate — expressed yearly for easy comparison. Short-term cash advances have high APRs because the fee period is so short. A 5% fee on a 28-day loan equals ~65% APR. This doesn't mean you pay 65% — you only pay 5% total.
📅 Repayment Period
How long you have before repayment is due. It gives you 4 weeks (28 days). Dave repays on your next payday (usually 14 days). EarnIn repays on payday automatically.
Fee Comparison at $200
| App | Fee on $200 | Total Repay | Eff. APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| EarnIn | $0 (free) | $200 | 0% |
| Cash App Borrow | $10 | $210 | ~65% |
| Dave | $10 | $210 | ~130% |
| Tilt ($8/mo) | $8/mo flat | $208 | N/A |
✅ Bottom Line
If cost is your main concern, EarnIn wins — no fees at all. If you don't qualify for EarnIn (requires consistent direct deposit), Borrow and Dave charge the same 5% flat fee. Use our calculator to see the exact dollar impact before you borrow.
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See All Cash Advance Apps →Understanding the Formulas Behind the Calculator
Our loan calculator uses standard financial formulas adjusted for the fee structures of cash advance apps. Understanding how these calculations work helps you evaluate offers from any lender, not just the apps we cover.
Flat Fee Calculation (Cash App Borrow, Dave)
For apps charging a flat percentage fee, the calculation is straightforward. Fee equals borrowed amount multiplied by fee percentage. Total repayment equals borrowed amount plus fee.
Example for $250 through Borrow: Fee = $250 × 5% = $12.50. Total repayment = $250 + $12.50 = $262.50.
Optional Tip Calculation (EarnIn)
EarnIn's cost depends on your chosen tip amount plus any express fee for instant funding. The calculation: Cost = optional tip + optional express fee.
Example for $200 through EarnIn with $3 tip and $2.99 express fee: Total cost = $3 + $2.99 = $5.99.
Subscription-Based Calculation (Brigit)
Brigit's cost includes both the monthly subscription and any advance amount. The calculation: Monthly cost = $9.99 subscription regardless of usage.
Example for $200 through Brigit borrowed once in a month: Cost = $9.99 (no additional advance fee). Cost per dollar borrowed: $9.99 / $200 = 5% effective rate.
Effective APR Calculation
To compare short-term loans to longer-term products, convert to APR. Formula: APR = (Fee / Borrowed Amount) × (365 / Days to Repay) × 100.
Example for $500 Borrow at 5% flat fee, 28-day repayment: APR = ($25 / $500) × (365 / 28) × 100 = 65.2%.
Real-World Calculation Examples
Numbers become meaningful when tied to actual situations. Here are common borrowing scenarios with complete cost breakdowns.
Scenario: Emergency Car Repair — $200
Cash App Borrow: $200 × 5% = $10 fee. Total repayment $210 in 4 weeks. Effective APR: 65%.
EarnIn: $200 with $3 tip and no express fee = $3 cost. Total repayment $203. Effective APR: 20%.
Dave: $200 with $5.99 express fee + $1 subscription = $6.99 cost. Total repayment $206.99. Effective APR: 46%.
Bank overdraft: $34 fee for $200 shortage. Total cost $34. Effective APR: 221%.
Best choice: EarnIn if eligible, followed by Dave, then the app Borrow. Bank overdraft is significantly more expensive.
Scenario: Rent Shortfall — $500
Cash App Borrow: $500 × 5% = $25 fee. Total repayment $525. Effective APR: 65%.
MoneyLion Instacash: $500 with $5.99 express fee = $5.99 cost. Total repayment $505.99. Effective APR: 15%.
Payday loan: Typical fee $75 for $500 loan. Effective APR: 391%.
Best choice: MoneyLion if you have their RoarMoney account, otherwise the app Borrow.
Scenario: Small Gas Purchase — $50
Cash App Borrow: $50 × 5% = $2.50 fee. Effective APR: 65%.
EarnIn: $50 with $1 tip = $1 cost. Effective APR: 26%.
Best choice: EarnIn for smallest costs on small amounts.
For deeper comparison between the cheapest options versus alternatives, read our detailed Cash App Borrow vs overdraft fee comparison.
Industry Fee Data and Trends
Cash advance app fees have shifted over the past several years as competition intensified and regulatory scrutiny increased. Understanding these trends helps you evaluate whether current pricing is fair or if you should wait for better options.
Historical Fee Trajectory
In 2020, average cash advance app fees ranged from 3-8% of borrowed amounts. By 2023, competitive pressure pushed most fees to the 4-6% range. Borrow's 5% flat fee has remained stable since launch, positioning it in the middle of the market.
Comparison to Traditional Alternatives
Cash advance apps at 5% are dramatically cheaper than traditional short-term borrowing alternatives. Bank overdraft fees average $34 per transaction, effectively 6.8% of a $500 overdraft. Payday loans average $15 per $100 borrowed, or 15% flat. Credit card cash advances charge 3-5% upfront plus 24-30% APR from day one.
Regulatory Trends
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau scrutiny of cash advance apps has increased since 2023. This may result in fee caps or disclosure requirements in coming years, but no specific rules have been finalized. Current fees are unlikely to increase substantially due to competitive pressure, but they may face restructuring if regulations change.
Advanced Calculation Scenarios
Beyond simple fee calculations, several advanced scenarios help users make optimal borrowing decisions. Our editorial team recommends understanding these scenarios before choosing between products.
Comparing Total Annual Cost
If you borrow regularly, single-loan cost analysis misses the bigger picture. A user borrowing $200 monthly through Borrow pays $10 per month or $120 annually. The same borrowing through Brigit costs $9.99 monthly regardless of borrowing, totaling $119.88 annually — nearly identical.
However, if you only borrow occasionally (3-4 times per year), Borrow at $10 per loan totals $30-$40 annually versus Brigit's $119.88. This makes the optimal choice depend heavily on borrowing frequency, not just per-loan cost.
Considering Alternatives to Borrowing
Sometimes the cheapest option is not to borrow at all. Delaying a purchase 1-2 weeks until your next paycheck costs $0. Selling an unneeded possession for the amount needed costs $0. Negotiating a payment plan with the creditor you're trying to pay costs $0. Our calculator focuses on comparing borrowing options, but the optimal financial decision may be avoiding borrowing entirely.
The True Cost of Chronic Borrowing
Users borrowing every pay cycle end up paying substantial amounts over time. Even at the platform Borrow's low 5% fee, borrowing $300 every two weeks costs $15 per cycle or $390 annually. This represents money not going toward emergency savings, debt reduction, or investments — a hidden cost beyond the transactional fees.