EarnIn
EarnIn is praised by many users as a reliable and quick source for cash advances, especially in emergencies, but a significant number of recent reviews highlight severe issues with unauthorized charges, poor customer service, unexpected changes to cash-out limits, and difficulties with repayment and account management.
EarnIn allows users to access portions of their earned wages before payday, often described as a lifesaver for financial emergencies. While many appreciate its speed and ease of use, a growing number of recent complaints detail issues with unexpected fees, reductions in available funds, and unresponsive customer support, contradicting the app's high lifetime rating.
What users like
- Provides quick and easy access to cash advances for emergencies.R1R3R4R13
- Fees for instant transfers are minimal and transparent, with an option to tip.R5R28R70
- Helps users avoid loans or credit cards for short-term needs.R2R6R72R97
- Customer service is sometimes described as exceptional and willing to work with users.R64
- Allows users to adjust due dates to accommodate paychecks.R41
What users complain about
- Users report unauthorized charges and money being taken from accounts without consent or explanation.R7R11R22R25
- Customer service is frequently criticized as poor, unhelpful, and automated.R7R11R33R69
- Cash-out limits can change drastically and unexpectedly, often decreasing without clear reasons.R18R53R56R77
- The app may not work with certain banks (like Chime) or prepaid cards, and has issues with bank connectivity.R51R62R122R129
- Repayments can be processed before paychecks hit, leading to overdrafts or further financial issues.R34R73R85R89
- Users report issues with direct deposits being delayed, held, or misdirected after linking accounts.R12R100R102R143
- The app's 'Live Pay' or daily cash-out feature often provides very low amounts, making it seem pointless for many.R10R43R47R82
- Some users feel trapped in a cycle of borrowing and repaying, or that the app encourages excessive use.R15R134
- Difficulty canceling accounts or deleting personal information.R42R75R160
- Issues with referral rewards not being paid out.R87
- The app requires location tracking for some features, which raises privacy concerns for users.R84
- The app may not support self-employment or non-conventional workplaces.R61R187
Latest update · v16.51
What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):
We update the app regularly to improve the experience of our community members. The latest version includes several bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Recurring themes
Who it's for
EarnIn is for individuals who need quick access to small cash advances between paychecks for emergencies R28. It is particularly useful for those who prefer to borrow against their earned wages rather than using credit cards or traditional loans R6R97. It might be less suitable for those with Chime accounts or prepaid cards R51R62, self-employed individuals R61, or anyone who needs consistent, higher cash-out limits R18.
Evidence note: The recent reviews show a significant shift towards negative sentiment compared to the lifetime rating. While many positive reviews praise the app's core function, the negative reviews are detailed and consistent across multiple issues, suggesting a recent decline in service quality or an increase in problematic experiences. The developer's notes are generic and do not specifically address the recurring issues reported in recent negative reviews.
Frequently asked
How much money can I borrow from EarnIn?
Does EarnIn charge fees?
Can I use EarnIn with a Chime account?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R1] Very good: Very good app always get my money
- [R3] Saved me: Earnin has came through for me like crazy
- [R4] Always on Time: Always there when needed
- [R13] !!: Great app! Always helps me out in a pinch
- [R5] Nice app and service: I enjoy the Earnin app and the service is really simple and seamless. All the fees (which are extremely minimal) are up front and easy to understand. I was skeptical of something like this before, but it’s been a really nice thing to know I have when and if I need it.
- [R28] Lifesaver: I have never been very smart with my money. I’ve left myself in situations where I need money before payday, I try not to let that happen very much. This app is great for when you’re in a pickle. Yes there’s a $3.99 fee for transferring instantly and yes they do ask for a tip, but you can choose the amount and I personally believe it’s worth it.
- [R70] Best Cash Advance App by Far!!: Earnin never lets me down! It really does hit instantly and there is no monthly fee like most other apps. They also allow higher amounts than the others. You don’t have to tip, the only added cost is the $5.99 for instant transfer, and it’s worth it IMO. This app is a lifesaver!
- [R2] Great: It’s like a credit card but an app to help u when u need it. Gotta love it.
- [R6] It is LEGIT!!: I was very skeptical about opening a account and give my bank information. But this is Legit, I honestly couldn’t find any other way to access money and I was thinking on a loan, but I am not needing a loan anymore since I can access my money in real time earlier. Thank you!!
- [R72] Awesome!!!: Earnin has stopped me from borrowing from people til my next check! I just borrow from myself! I love it so much!!!
- [R97] In a pinch..: A great place to get a little extra money when you need at a low rate. Don’t want to use your credit card, use this.
- [R64] Easy.Fast.Friendly: Times are hard and this app has got me out of a lot of pickles! Not only is it fast and easy but the customer service is exceptional and always willing to work with you.
- [R41] Exceptional app: So far, so excellent! They changed my due date to accommodate my paycheck, this app is exceptionally aware!
- [R7] Stolen: They have taken over 700$ in pay back before time it was 499$ and now and extra 300 was taken out of my account and no you can not contact customer service or support to fix this issue so im out an extra 300$ out of my paycheck never again it is being deleted after tears with them
- [R11] Poor Customer Service: They will take your money and they dont care about helping give anything unless you pay extra
- [R22] They rip you off: They rip you off
- [R25] Refuse to refund unauthorized charges: I am shocked by the experience I went through with this card and unauthorized charges. They claimed because a digital token was used, they could not prove any fraud took place and refused to refund the charges. Mind you this after I presented evidence that I’ve never used the card before at the specific store sites and showed someone trying to use my card AGA
- [R33] Five!! So I thought….: This app started out great for earning via gaming. Made nearly $100 fairly quickly (for gaming that is) but then I hit FOUR different milestones in a game (around $35-$40) and haven’t received credit for not only those four but ALL other milestones in ALL other games. It’s like they capped me for some reason. Then when I tried to get support to fix the issue…. Well let just
- [R69] Support: This is ridiculous, they have a support team that literally gets your name wrong and will just send automated messages. My name is Josh and I called Monique twice in one chat, even after they corrected themselves. Additionally, the chat was just unhelpful. Connecting you to a “real” person just to have them send pre-written help articles as their response. Terrible app, charge fees and
- [R18] Zero benefits for long term customers: I know now what to expect from earnings app & the un reliability when it comes to having the funds available when I need them to pay bills is something I unfortunately can’t risk. I’ve never payed late but the needle is constantly pushed back, I use to be able to withdraw 1250$ per pay period then they reduced it to 1100$ with zero valid reasons as to why. I
- [R53] Don’t get started using it: I wish I had not started it a long time ago. Because I’m stuck now. Don’t trust what the app says because it can change in a couple hours! I really wish I wouldn’t have done it!
- [R56] Terrible!: This app is a shell of itself. Lowering pay cycles every time I use the app. They take your money on time but once they held a cash out for 24 hours before I was able to receive it. Just garbage now.
- [R77] No longer effective: Ever since Earnin wanted you to get their card and direct deposit into their bank they have reduced the cash advance. I’ve never missed and payment and have had a steady paycheck for years and they repeatedly reduce the advance. While consistently advertising and directing me to sign up for the card and direct deposit.
- [R51] It doesn’t work with Chime Account: If you have a Chime Account please understand that Earnin doesn’t support it. So I personally suggest you not download this app. They were trying to make me change my diract deposit from my Chime account to the Earnin account so I can be “eligible” to get money which is stupid in my opinion. So yes if you have a Chime account do not download this app
- [R62] Won’t accept me prepaid card: They won’t accept your bank account or debit card if it’s a prepaid card. I’ve been with this prepaid card for years since I was 17. Using it because they were the first to pay two days in advanced before other banks ever did. All my paychecks have been deposited here since. I have a long history with them. More than enough for this company to see it’s not for fraudul
- [R122] DO NOT DOWNLOAD !!!!: Do not download this app it is a waste of time. If you think you’re gonna get your money fast think again. Daily pay is wayy better compared to this. And they don’t support cashapp or chime. I went through the process just for them to say it doesn’t work. Save ya breath go to a better app than this.
- [R129] No chime: I hate how Chime users are unsupported …
- [R34] SCAM BEWARE DONT DOWNLOAD: I had no choice but to close my account. First they won’t allow you to reschedule payments until 60 days… why do I have to wait 2 months? Cus they want money. Next they will take money out of your account even if you don’t have money.. why? Cus they want money. Lastly even if you explain why you can’t pay it back at that date they will keep giving you a hard time in doin
- [R73] Disappointed: I’ve entered my employment address but the app never seems add up my time spent there. I have used this app for 4 months with on time payments every 2 weeks, they take my repayment before my money hits my bank account. They see I have steady income of the same amount and my limit has still not increased. This AI generated review is Trash. I would look for other APP’s like floatme wh
- [R85] Good but not great: They’ve been taking the money out before my paycheck hits, sending my account into the negative…
- [R89] They will overdraft you: They overdrafted me on a holiday. Then I was reschedule the payment dates and we agreed on a set date but the auto charged me again a week before ! This has set me more behind and there is not one live person you can speak to . It’s very frustrating their way of handling their mistakes .
- [R12] If I could put 0 I would: Does not help As advertised. They will hold your check longer than they say
- [R100] Early pay? NAH: The selling point is that your money will come out a day or two early. Meanwhile my money is a day or two late! Still they’ve already taken their funds out of it. Last time I use this app as I may as well just let my bank direct deposit.
- [R102] A Joke: Set up direct deposit and they were taking to long and was unable to verify and wasn’t giving me the little bit of money they were offering so i deleted my account only to find out my check got deposited into the account when I went to support there was nothing they could do wth
- [R143] Med tech: They will take and hold your check after you pay your have it 2 days sooner. My check was 1100 and I only owed them 300 and made me wait almost a week to return the remain money to my account! Very frustrating and very disappointing service
- [R10] Pointless App: This is pointless. If you can’t transfer money when your account is in the negative - what’s the point??
- [R43] Earnin: I enjoy this app but when I request amount of funds it automatically send me whole 100.00 which I don’t need therefore this is a great apps. I notice the charge a fee if you need immediately or you have to wait one or two business day to receive your funds in your account.i notice I tips some time unfortunately when it time to repay the money back it seem I pay more back. I’m trying to und
- [R47] Useful kinda.: If you have money already it’s pretty useful but if you’re hoping for a payday loan you start at like $10
- [R82] It’s ok, wouldn’t recommend if you need more than 50 bucks: Never get to borrow more than 50 dollars and I pay them every week
- [R15] Blessing: It’s important to know that this service can get you stuck in a loop of borrow and repay. So use sparingly. But whenever I get in the loop I can easily get out. This service has been a life saver for emergency vet bills, last minute groceries, unexpected medical expenses and gas tank refills on many occasions. People like me who don’t have much saved up it has helped me so much when I ne
- [R134] I wouldn’t recommend.: This app is nice when you are in a bind but only leaves you stuck every check to pull it out again. Just be smart with your money. Also, once you get up to 1,000 you get to pull out 200 until you get to 1,000….well if you keep doing it they will rip you off by getting more pull out fees and only do $80 increments…very smart move on their side to get 5.99 more often rather th
- [R42] Luv: I do not want to set up a direct deposit account I do no see where I can delete my information it will not let go back an I don’t see it on here never seen a app like this! I want my account deleted ! Just started today don’t owe nothing I changed my mind. I don’t like the way the service operates so I would like to have my account deleted.!
- [R75] Terrible: Won’t let me cancel my account. This is a joke.
- [R160] App: This app is fraud and needs to be reported, a waste of time now it won’t let me delete
- [R87] Fake Rewards: They lie about the referrals. I referred someone and was suppose to get $100. and they are giving me the run around about the deposit . I no longer see it as pending in my tip jar yet I screen shot of it when it was there. They also show as a completed referral but I was never paid out. Customer service told me the referral person has to call them and tell them that EarnIn did debt t
- [R84] MISTAKE: do not get this app, they added a feature that will only give you a cash advance if it tracks where you are at all times DO NOT DOWNLOAD 🙅🏽♂️🙅🏽♂️
- [R61] Horrible: They don’t allow self employment
- [R187] Doesn’t work to it’s complicated: Initially, I encountered difficulties with the plaid system connecting to my bank. I had to personally call my bank to resolve the issue. Apparently, plaid triggered the internal security measures from the bank’s side. Fortunately, I managed to get it working. Another challenge I faced was the complexity of the job location. If your workplace isn’t a conventional
- [R20] Clutch: Always on time.!!!
- [R93] High fees / only 150 daily max: High fees / only 150 daily max
- [R35] Slightly convenient: I actually don’t care for the tipping aspect when there is already a fee
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store