How to Get Cash Fast: $500 Options Compared
If you’re wondering how to get cash fast, the real answer depends on how much you need and how soon. This page puts the common routes to $500 side by side, with what each costs and when the money arrives — including our own cash advance of up to $425 and our installment loans.
$500 fast — compare your options
Need $500 in fast cash? Sort the table by speed or by price. Third-party rows are general descriptions; check the current terms with each provider.
| Option | When the money arrives | Typical cost | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card cash advance | Often right away at an ATM, if your card allows it | Usually a 3–5% fee plus interest that starts the day you take it | Needs a card with available credit |
| Pawn loan | Often the same visit | Interest and fees are set by state rules; you leave an item as collateral | You can lose the item if you don’t repay |
| Cash advance app | Minutes with a paid instant transfer; otherwise usually 1–3 business days | Membership or instant-transfer fees; many apps start at smaller amounts | Limits are often well under $500 at first |
| Our cash advance | As soon as the same day after approval | $75 on $425 ($15 per $100 you repay); 460.08% APR over 14 days | Covers up to $425, so it can’t reach a full $500 |
| Our installment loan | The next day after approval | Example rate 36% APR; rates and terms depend on your state | Takes months to repay, so you pay interest for longer |
| Credit union payday-alternative loan | Usually 1–3 business days, and you must be a member | Federal credit unions can charge at most 28% APR on these loans | Membership rules and a waiting period can apply |
- “Cheapest” ranks the cost of borrowing a small amount for a short time, based on the general descriptions above. It is a guide, not an offer, and it changes with the lender and your state.
- The 28% cap for federal credit unions comes from the National Credit Union Administration. Our own fee, APR and due date are shown before you sign.
Quick cash today: what we offer
If you need cash today and an app or a credit union can’t get you there, you can apply with us on our website. There is no app to download.
- Cash advance: up to $425, due on your next payday, with a decision in minutes.
- Speed: if you’re approved, money can reach your checking account as soon as the same day.
- Installment loans: up to $10,000 for larger needs, repaid over time.
Short by $75?
A $425 advance falls $75 short of $500. If you already have part of the amount, borrow only the rest and keep the fee small. If you need all $500, ask about an installment loan instead.
What $500 really costs
Two ways to cover a similar need, shown in dollars. A cash advance is small in dollars but high as an annual rate; an installment loan costs less per dollar but takes longer to repay.
| You receive | Fee | You repay | Term | APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $35.29 | $235.29 | 14 days | 460.08% |
| $425 | $75.00 | $500.00 | 14 days | 460.08% |
- 14-day cash advance. The fee is $15 for every $100 you repay.
| $500 installment | Monthly | Interest | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | $176.77 | $30.30 | $530.30 |
| 6 months | $92.30 | $53.79 | $553.79 |
- Example at 36% APR with equal monthly payments. Rates and terms depend on your state, and the exact figures appear in your agreement.
Same-day cash: what it depends on
No lender controls every step between approval and your account, so be wary of anyone who promises an exact hour.
Getting approved
Approval isn’t guaranteed. We look mainly at your income and checking account, and verification has to finish first.
Your bank
Banks post incoming transfers on their own schedule, and some wait until the next business day.
The product
Same-day timing applies to cash advances. An installment loan is a little slower: the money arrives the next day after approval.
Fast-cash traps to avoid
- “Guaranteed” approval. A real lender checks your income and may say no.
- Fees up front. If someone asks you to send money first to release a loan, walk away.
- Rollovers. Paying a fee to push the due date back adds cost without lowering what you owe. Ask what happens on the due date before you sign.
- Unverifiable lenders. Search for the lender in your state regulator’s license list or in NMLS Consumer Access.
Which option fits?
- Need under $100 and have a card with room? A card advance or an app may cost least.
- Can wait a few days and belong to a credit union? Ask about its payday-alternative loan.
- Need up to $425 by payday? A cash advance fits, if you can repay it in full on time.
- Need the full $500 or more? Compare an installment loan, and work out how much you really need first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get cash now?
Online is usually quickest: apply on our website, get a decision in minutes, and if you’re approved the money can arrive as soon as the same day. An ATM card advance or a pawn loan can be faster, but they carry their own costs and risks.
Where can I get $500 fast?
A cash advance from us covers up to $425. For a full $500, compare an installment loan, a credit card cash advance, an app and a credit union loan using the table above.
Can I get fast cash with bad credit?
Yes, we consider applicants with bad or fair credit. The decision depends mainly on your income and your checking account, and we use a soft inquiry rather than a hard credit check.
How long will I wait for the money?
After approval, a cash advance can be in your account as soon as the same day. How soon depends on when you’re approved and on your bank. Installment loans are a little slower: after approval, the money arrives the next day.
Related: Need money now · Instant cash advance · Instant cash loans · Payday loans
Need cash today?
Apply online in minutes. Approval isn’t guaranteed, and you see the full cost before you sign.