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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

MoneyLion vs Dave

MoneyLion 4.8★ · Free to download 55
Winner Dave
Dave 4.8★ · Free to download 75

For users seeking reliable cash advances with generally positive experiences regarding ease of use and quick access to funds, Dave appears to be the better choice, despite some concerns about fluctuating advance amounts and increasing fees.

Both MoneyLion and Dave offer cash advances, but Dave generally receives more consistent praise for its reliability and ease of use. MoneyLion users frequently report issues with customer service, account access, and unexpected changes to advance limits, while Dave users, despite some complaints about fluctuating advance amounts and increasing fees, often highlight its convenience and speed.

Head to head

Cash Advance Features & Limits tieR6R24R31R39
MoneyLion MoneyLion offers cash advances, with some users reporting starting at $25 and increasing to $275, or even up to $700, though limits can change without warning R6R24. There are complaints about fees for every $100 advanced and a limit of $100 per transaction R39R58. Some users were offered $1,000 but only received $125 or nothing at all R31.
Dave Dave provides cash advances that users find helpful for emergencies and bills . However, many users report that their advance amounts fluctuate or decrease, even after timely repayments, with some seeing drops from $600 to $300 or $150 to $25 . There are also complaints about fees for each draw and not being able to withdraw the full amount at once .
Ease of Use & Speed edge: DaveR5R8R17R20
MoneyLion Many MoneyLion users find the app easy to use, convenient, and appreciate the fast advance process R5R8R17R20. However, some report issues with adding credit cards, logging in after a new phone, or receiving funds on their card which then take 2-4 business days to transfer to their bank R4R16R19.
Dave Dave is frequently praised for being easy to use, fast, and providing quick deposits, often in minutes . Users find the process simple and convenient .
Reliability & Account Management edge: DaveR3R7R13R15
MoneyLion MoneyLion users report significant issues with account reliability, including inability to delete accounts, problems with direct deposits, and funds being taken from their bank accounts without warning R3R7R13R15. Some also complain about spam calls and constant loan offers .
Dave Dave is generally seen as reliable, with users appreciating its consistent help in tight financial situations . However, some users report issues with the app not working, login errors, or funds being taken from their account due to adjusted pay dates without consent .
Customer Service & Support edge: DaveR4R16R19R43
MoneyLion MoneyLion's customer service receives overwhelmingly negative feedback. Users describe it as unhelpful, incompetent, and unresponsive, with issues like long hold times, chat not working, and agents playing games or making excuses R4R16R19R43.
Dave Dave's customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users praise it as awesome , others report frustrating experiences with bots and generic answers from 'human agents' .
Fees & Value tieR31R35R39R58
MoneyLion MoneyLion users complain about fees for advances, monthly membership fees, and unexpected charges R31R35R39R58. Some feel it's not worth it due to these fees and limited advance amounts R39. There are also reports of rewards money being stolen .
Dave Dave users note increasing fees, with some stating they doubled . While some find the payback fees minimal and reasonable , others feel they are too high, especially when combined with multiple draws .
Pick MoneyLion if

You are looking for an app that can help with saving and investing, and you prioritize quick access to funds for smaller amounts, provided you don't encounter the customer service or account access issues many users report R5R8R17.

Pick Dave if

You need quick cash advances for emergencies and appreciate a generally easy-to-use and reliable app, even if advance amounts might fluctuate and fees have been increasing .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, particularly concerning cash advance limits, fees, and customer service. Dave's negative reviews are often about the inconsistency of advance amounts, while MoneyLion's negative reviews frequently highlight severe customer service and account access problems.

Frequently asked

Do MoneyLion and Dave offer instant cash advances?
Yes, both MoneyLion and Dave offer instant cash advances, with MoneyLion users reporting fast advances R14R20R54 and Dave users stating money is deposited in minutes . However, MoneyLion users have reported that funds are sometimes added to their internal card first, requiring 2-4 business days for transfer to an external bank account R19.
Are there fees for using MoneyLion or Dave?
Yes, both MoneyLion and Dave have fees. MoneyLion users report fees for every $100 advanced and monthly membership fees, with some stating a $7.99 fee per transaction when withdrawing $100 R31R35R39R58. Dave users mention increasing fees, with some noting they doubled, and charges for each draw, though some find the payback fees minimal .
How reliable is customer service for MoneyLion and Dave?
MoneyLion's customer service is frequently criticized as unprofessional, incompetent, and unhelpful, with users reporting long hold times, unresponsive chat, and unresolved account issues R16R19R53R55. Dave's customer service receives mixed reviews; while some users find it awesome, others describe frustrating experiences with bots and generic responses from agents .

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.

  1. [R6] MoneyLion 3/5 · US Keeps changing my amount: I’ve had this account for awhile and had an advance of almost $700-nothing changed and they dropped my advance to $350. Don’t like this can happen without any warning or notice.
  2. [R24] MoneyLion 5/5 · US Best app: This app has genuinely helped me pay for expenses when I didn’t have my paycheck yet. I’ve paid back each cash advance I’ve borrowed from MoneyLion for about 6 months now, started from a $25 advance and I am now up to a $275 cash advance if I need it.
  3. [R31] MoneyLion 1/5 · US Misleading: I did apply, Said i qualified for 1,000 dollar but then for some reason it was only 125 which i never received or used and wanted to charge me a monthly membership ship plus almost 34 or 43 dollars for repayment. I spoke to two different people to explain the situation and telly hem to cancel. Neither one wanted to and said i had to wait three working days.” My point is i never got a
  4. [R39] MoneyLion 1/5 · US Not worth it: Theres a fee for every 100.00 you advance. Not worth it.
  5. [R5] MoneyLion 5/5 · US So Convenient!!: So easy to find, access and use!
  6. [R8] MoneyLion 5/5 · US Wonderful: MoneyLion is wonderful and super easy to use. They always come through for me
  7. [R17] MoneyLion 5/5 · US Great App: I am very satisfied with my MoneyLion app. It is user-friendly and has helped me get through some tight times between pay days. It also helped me find a loan quickly and we were able to get some home repairs done.
  8. [R20] MoneyLion 5/5 · US Instant forsure: Loveeee
  9. [R3] MoneyLion 3/5 · US Don’t mess up with them: If you owe money make sure to pay it back. I still can’t get anything 4 years later.
  10. [R7] MoneyLion 1/5 · US Delete Account: Refused to allow me to delete the account even when I didn’t get any money nor added any money.
  11. [R13] MoneyLion 1/5 · US They are scammer: I called them to have a account deleted because someone was using my identity and they keep playing games with me
  12. [R15] MoneyLion 3/5 · US They’re good but…: They helped me when I need it but when the time came to pay I was running late. I woke up nearly my whole bank account wiped clean.
  13. [R4] MoneyLion 1/5 · US Worst app: Don’t allow me to add my credit card which has the same name and user as my bank, called customer service and they couldn’t help me
  14. [R16] MoneyLion 1/5 · US Unprofessional & Incompetent: I had the app for a few months, then got a new phone. Went to log in again and got a message saying “Oh snap! Looks like we’ve hit a snag!” When I called customer service it took them a few days of me calling back every day for them to have me answer a list of three questions and then was told that they would have their ”account technician” look into it and they would
  15. [R19] MoneyLion 1/5 · US NIGHTMARE!!: This app is a total nightmare!! First of all, they don’t tell you that the funds will be added to their card. Secondly, if you want to transfer the funds to your account, it will take 2-4 BUSINESS days. I did not read anything on there that says so. Called customer service and couldn’t understand the girls accent. Horrible experience!!! Just want to pay it off and close this account!!
  16. [R43] MoneyLion 1/5 · US Don’t use: This app sucks I’m trying to delete my account and I been on hold for 10 then when I went to text it juss kept saying the same thing over and over 0/10 do not use this app
  17. [R35] MoneyLion 1/5 · US SCAM: THIS IS THE MOST SCAM APP OUT THERE, they did not let me cancel for more than 3 months and they charged me fees i did not even know existed
  18. [R58] MoneyLion 5/5 · US Cash borrowing: Receive the money instantly for a small fee like similar apps. This would have to be my favorite app out of all it gave me the highest offer for borrowing. Although one thing I can’t stand is you aren’t able to withdraw more than $100 per transaction which means paying the $7.99 fee each time and it definitely adds up… A higher withdrawal amount would be nice
  19. [R14] MoneyLion 5/5 · US Review: This app has helped me so much with keeping up with my bills you get the advance fast it also has other sites you can download to help also to help build your credit it is amazing
  20. [R54] MoneyLion 5/5 · US The real deal!!!: This app does everything it’s promised and more. So many of these money lending apps that don’t deliver. This one is awesome. Very fast abs easy to understand.
  21. [R53] MoneyLion 1/5 · US Hate it: Worst app to use. The chat team make excuses while your sitting in the chat saying your not responding after I have messages after messages. There is no number to call customer service. Just very poor customer service!!!! I won’t use this app I don’t advise anyone to use this app.
  22. [R55] MoneyLion 1/5 · US CHAT IS USELESS: The chat option has not worked for a week and no one’s doing anything about it You ask a few questions and then they start acting like you’re not responding despite responding multiple times and they only answer what they want to answer I have each/every every screenshot “AGENTS” Marvs Josh Jacob MICHALLA Jason Paul Nicole Mykee Absolutely useless I think they are playing

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store