EarnIn Review [2024] How Does EarnIn Work

Many of us are living paycheck to paycheck. So, when things come up (your car needs new tires, it’s your kid’s birthday), it’s a mad dash to figure out how to pay for it. 

It doesn’t help that 43% of private American businesses pay employees every other week. 

Unfortunately, your bills (and your life) don’t always line up with payday. 

Instead of stressing over life, imagine enjoying it. EarnIn lets you access money you’ve already earned ahead of payday, and it’s totally fee-free¹.

Wondering how it all works and if it’s worth it? Keep reading this EarnIn review to find out.

What Is EarnIn?

EarnIn is an app that offers earned wage access (EWA)². 

This means you can access your paycheck as you complete the work, not whenever payday is. It’s like getting an advance on your paycheck without interest³ or fees. 

Instead, EarnIn asks for an “optional tip,” which means you get to decide how much you pay for the service⁴. You can also opt to receive your money even faster (within minutes) with the “Lightning Speed” feature⁵. The Lightning Speed feature is completely optional, and costs range from $2.99 to $5.99 per transaction.

With EarnIn, you can borrow up to $100 per day or up to $750 per pay period⁶. Most qualified EarnIn community members can access $85 (on average) when they sign up. This Cash Out Max amount can increase once you become a more established EarnIn member — typically after a couple of pay periods. 

In addition to earned wage access, EarnIn also offers products such as:

• Free credit monitoring
• Helpful financial calculators 

Credit monitoring with EarnIn is completely free and gives you access to your Vantage Score 3.0 by Experian. It also helps you track your credit usage and can notify you of any possible fraudulent activity on your accounts. 

EarnIn has 4 different financial calculators to help you get your finances in order. Here are the calculators available on their website:

1. Credit card payoff calculator
2. Personal loan payoff calculator
3. Student loan payoff calculator
4. Mortgage loan payoff calculator

These are super helpful (free) tools available to all EarnIn app users.

And if that wasn’t enough, EarnIn also includes a feature called Balance Shield⁷, which alerts you when your bank account balance drops below a certain level. This helps you avoid overdraft fees charged by your bank.

Ultimately, this EarnIn app review found that EarnIn is a convenient app for accessing your wages in real time. Just remember: While it’s great for your short-term needs, it’s wise to focus on building a solid financial safety net – like an emergency fund.

Is EarnIn Legit? / Is The App EarnIn Legit?

Yes, if there’s anything I really want you to take away from this EarnIn app review, it’s that the EarnIn app is totally legit. 

It’s the trade name for Activehours, a real company based in Palo Alto, California. EarnIn has been offering cash advances since 2014, and it’s backed by Evolve Bank & Trust, a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Also, the EarnIn app is highly rated, with 4.6 stars out of five from over 239,000 reviews on the Google Play Store and 4.7 stars out of five from more than 281,000 ratings on the Apple App Store. This shows that most users have had a positive experience with the EarnIn app.

Is EarnIn Worth It?

So, what’s the verdict of this EarnIn review? Is EarnIn worth it? For most people, the answer is yes. But it really depends on your financial situation and needs.

Here’s who the EarnIn app is best for:

• People who live paycheck to paycheck. If you’re usually good with managing your money but get in a tight spot before payday, the EarnIn app can certainly help bridge the gap.
• People who carry a credit card balance. If you’re tired of racking up interest on your credit card and being in a never-ending cycle of debt, you can use the Earnin app to cover your short-term needs.
• People who use payday loans. Payday loans often come with ridiculously high fees and interest rates. EarnIn is a much better alternative, offering access to your earned wages without those pesky extra costs.

So, EarnIn is a great option when you need some quick cash before your scheduled payday. As mentioned above, it doesn’t charge interest or mandatory fees, just optional tips. This makes it a much friendlier option than payday loans or high-interest credit cards.

How Does EarnIn Work?

My goal with this EarnIn app review is to help you make the best decision for your financial situation. So, let me break down exactly how EarnIn works. 

First, you’ll download the EarnIn app from the Google Play store or the Apple App Store. Once it’s on your mobile device, you’ll need to create an account using your email address and set up a unique password.

Next, you’ll link your checking account to the app. This allows EarnIn to verify direct deposits from your employer and track your hours worked.

Here’s what you need to qualify for EarnIn’s earned wage access:

• Be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S.
• Have a U.S. checking account used for direct deposits.
• Be on a regular pay schedule (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly).
• Have a fixed work location or an employer-provided email address. 
• Have a valid U.S. cell phone number.

You’ll also need to provide some information about your job and earnings. This can be done one of 3 ways:

1. Submit your timesheet directly through the app.
2. Share your employer-provided email address.
3. If you work at a fixed location, you can enable GPS tracking to verify your hours.

Once that’s all setup, you can request funds. Remember, EarnIn lets you borrow up to $100 per day, with a maximum of $750 per pay period. 

And when you request a transfer, you have 2 options:

1. Lightning Speed: Get your money within minutes by paying a small fee (from $2.99 to $5.99, depending on the amount).
2. Standard Speed: Receive your funds in one to two business days at no cost.

On your next payday, EarnIn will automatically withdraw the amount you borrowed from your bank account, along with any optional tips you opted to pay. You’ll see the total amount owed and the repayment date before you agree to take the advance.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of EarnIn’s “Balance Shield.” This feature notifies you when your bank balance falls below a certain level and can even send you up to $100 automatically to prevent overdraft fees.

What Is The Catch With EarnIn?

There’s no “catch” with EarnIn, but there are some things to keep in mind, such as: 

• EarnIn relies on tips and optional fees for faster cash access. 
• To qualify, you must share your personal banking information. 
• If funds are too low during repayment, your bank could charge you overdraft fees.

Is EarnIn Safe?

After doing research for this EarnIn review, I can confidently say that EarnIn is safe to use. 

EarnIn claims to use the latest security technology to keep their members’ data secure and protected. The company also says they will never sell your personal data, which is clearly outlined in EarnIn’s privacy policy. 

And, EarnIn is backed by a legit financial company, Evolve Bank & Trust, a member of the FDIC. 

Pros and Cons of EarnIn

Thinking about using EarnIn to get access to your paycheck before payday? 

Like anything, it’s got upsides and downsides. Let me dive deeper into this EarnIn review with a pros and cons list, so you can get a better idea of whether it’s the right solution for you.

Pros:

• There are no mandatory fees. Unlike many financial services, EarnIn doesn’t hit you with mandatory fees to use it. You get to decide if and how much you want to tip.
• You can get cashouts quickly. EarnIn’s Lightning Speed feature lets you access your money almost instantly once your account is set up.
• There are no interest charges. The EarnIn app doesn’t charge interest on the money you borrow. That’s a big advantage compared to traditional payday loans and other cash advance apps.

Cons:

• The app requires bank account access. To use the EarnIn app, you have to link it to your bank account. While it’s necessary for transactions and should be secure, it means sharing your personal bank information on the internet.
• There are borrowing limits. You can only borrow up to $100 per day (or up to $750 per pay period), which might not cover all your expenses.
• There’s potential for financial irresponsibility. Getting used to quick cash advances might encourage poor financial habits (if not managed carefully).

So, overall, the EarnIn app allows you to access your earnings early without the typical fees and interest of other loan services. But be mindful of the privacy implications, and remember to use it responsibly.

You can also find out other ways to get cash fast in our guide on the best borrow money app.

EarnIn Reviews

EarnIn boasts a 4.6-star out of five rating from over 239,000 Google Play Store reviews and 4.7 stars out of five from more than 281,000 on the Apple App Store.

And what do the EarnIn reviews say? Let’s check out a few examples.

In this 5-star EarnIn app review from the Apple App store, a happy user was saved from “going homeless.”

In this 4-star EarnIn review, a Google Play Store user confirmed that there were “only extra fees if you need a lightning fast transfer.”

In another EarnIn app review, a user shared their negative experience. In their 1-star EarnIn review, they called EarnIn’s customer service “absolutely useless.”

However, in this 5-star EarnIn review, another user calls the EarnIn app “reliable” and “consistent.”

Commonly Asked Questions About EarnIn

EarnIn Competitors / Alternatives To EarnIn / Similar To EarnIn?

If you’re looking for alternatives to the EarnIn app for early access to your paychecks, here are some popular options:

• Brigit
• Empower
• Dave
• MoneyLion
• SoLo Funds
• Klover
• Varo
• Chime (check out these cash advance apps that work with Chime)

Is EarnIn a Scam? 

No, EarnIn is not a scam. After researching for this EarnIn app review, I’m confident it’s a legit and safe app. The EarnIn app also has high ratings on the Google Play store and the Apple App Store. You can also check out our list of the best ways to borrow money.

How Does EarnIn Verify Employment?

EarnIn verifies your employment using either your work-provided email address, GPS location tracking, or employee timesheets. This confirms your income and allows you to access your earned wages before your payday. You can also check out these banks that pay 2 days early.

How To Trick EarnIn App?

When it comes to using EarnIn, the best approach is to play by the rules. EarnIn verifies your earnings through methods like your official work email address, GPS tracking, and employee timesheets. Trying to “trick” the EarnIn app can lead to account suspension or other consequences. 

If you have any questions or concerns, it’s always better to reach out to their customer support (support@earnin.com) for help rather than trying any “tricks.”

Disclaimers

¹EarnIn does not charge membership fees for use of its services. Restrictions and/or third party fees may apply, for more information please review our Terms of Service available at http://EarnIn.com/TOS.
²EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our bank partners on certain products other than Cash Out.
³EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs. Restrictions and/or third party fees may apply, for more information please review our Terms of Service available at http://EarnIn.com/TOS.
⁴Tips go to EarnIn and do not impact the quality and availability of services, whether you tip or not.
⁵EarnIn doesn’t charge mandatory fees for regular transfers (typically 1-2 business days). You can pay an optional Lightning Speed fee to get your money within 30 minutes. See the LS Fee table and Cash Out User Agreement for details.
⁶Subject to your available earnings, Daily Max and Pay Period Max. EarnIn services may not be available in all states. Restrictions and/or third party fees may apply, for more information please visit http://EarnIn.com/TOS.
⁷With Balance Shield, you can transfer up to $100/day (up to $750/pay period, subject to your available earnings) when your balance drops below your set threshold. Transfers have a fee and are processed within 30 minutes. Balance Shield Alerts are free and can help prevent overdrafts, but they don’t guarantee protection from third-party fees. Its effectiveness depends on your usage and bank activity. For more details, check the LS Fee Table and Cash Out User Agreement.