Updated October 14, 2026 · BorrowCue Editorial Team
Dave vs Varo Bank
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Dave |  Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $25 to $500 | $600 to $2,000Higher |
| Arrangement fee | Overdraft fee equal to the greater of $5 or 5% per ExtraCash overdraft; optional 1.5% fee for external debit card transfers | Flat one-time fee $60-$400 (Varo Line of Credit) |
| Credit check | None | Soft prequal |
| Funding time | Typically authorized within 5 minutes | Instant, deposited same day once approved |
| Eligibility | US members with a Social Security Number and a linked bank account; must open an ExtraCash overdraft deposit account and a Dave Checking account; not all members qualify | US residents with an active Varo Bank Account; eligibility based on Varo account activity (direct deposits, balances, on-time payments) and credit score |
| Loan types | Cash advance | Personal, Credit line, Cash advanceCovers more |
| Term | Not confirmed | 3 to 12 months |
| Representative example | Not confirmed | Varo Line of Credit: $1,000 loan, 6 months to repay, $152 one-time fee, $192 monthly payment |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Fixed |
| Origination fee (%) | 5% | Not confirmed |
| Credit needed | Poor | Not confirmed |
Same on both: APR (0%), Lender type (Direct lender), Free early repayment (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Varo Bank scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.1.
- Loan amount is higher at Varo Bank: $600 to $2,000 vs $25 to $500.
- Features: only Varo Bank offers Credit line.
- Loan types: only Varo Bank offers Personal, Credit line.
Our verdict on each
Dave
Dave suits US members who need a small advance with no credit check. ExtraCash overdrafts run $25 to $500 at an APR of 0%, typically authorised Typically authorized within 5 minutes. Each overdraft carries a fee set at the greater of a flat charge or 5% of the amount.
Varo Bank
Varo Line of Credit access starts with a Varo Bank account. Any borrowed amount and applicable fee are repaid in equal monthly installments, and only one VLOC advance can be outstanding at a time.
Score breakdown
| Area | Dave | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1APR of 0% keeps interest at nothing, but each overdraft costs the greater of a flat charge or 5% of the amount. | 9.5Higher |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.1Higher |
| Trust | 9.2Higher | 8.8 |
Also worth a look
BriteCap Financial has loan amount at $5,000 to $1,000,000, against $25 to $500 for Dave and $600 to $2,000 for Varo Bank.
BriteCap Financial reviewWhere these facts come from
Dave
- dave.com: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Varo Bank
- varomoney.com: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- banks.data.fdic.gov: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- support.varomoney.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Dave | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cash advance apps | 13 of 53 | 11 of 53 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Dave | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Fixed rate |
| Features | Same day funding | Same day funding, Credit lineCovers more |
| Legal entity | Dave Operating LLC | Varo Bank, National Association |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Chat, Phone, Email | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Dave | Varo Bank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 0%lowest quarter | 0%lowest quarter | 8.99% |
| Loan amount | $25 to $500lowest quarter | $600 to $2,000lowest quarter | $30,000 |
| Term | Not confirmed | 3 to 12 monthslowest quarter | 60 |
| Origination fee (%) | 5%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.25% |
Median across 1144 listed lenders.
Pros and cons
Dave
Pros
- No credit check: the listed credit check is none, so a poor credit file is not the obstacle.
- An APR of 0%, so the cost is carried by the overdraft fee rather than interest.
- Same-day funding: same day funding, with authorisation typically Typically authorized within 5 minutes.
Cons
- Overdraft fee on every advance: the greater of a flat charge or 5% of each overdraft, plus an optional percentage fee on external debit card transfers.
- Approval is not automatic: eligibility needs a US Social Security Number, a linked bank account, an open ExtraCash overdraft account and a Dave Checking account.
- Advances stop at $25 to $500, well under the €346.97 typically borrowed in the bad-credit category.
Varo Bank
Pros
- Equal monthly installments repay the borrowed amount and applicable fee.
Cons
- Only one VLOC advance can be outstanding at a time.
Who each suits
Dave
Who it suits
- US members with poor credit who want an advance with no credit check.
- Members ready to bank through Dave, since the advance requires both an ExtraCash overdraft account and a Dave Checking account.
- Anyone covering a short gap, given the $25 to $500 limit.
Who should look elsewhere
- Creduma ES, for anyone borrowing a larger sum, since its amounts start at from €12,000.
- Cashspace, for members who prefer a stated APR of PHP 12 to PHP 36 over a fee-based overdraft.
- Sofkredit, for members who want a stated rate of 10.74% to 18.06% and a term loan rather than a cash advance.
Varo Bank
Who it suits
- Varo Bank customers reviewing how VLOC access and repayment work.
Current offers
Varo Bank
Current offer
Bonus
Elevated high-yield savings rate up to 3.75% APY: 3.75% APY on up to $5,000, 1.00% APY on the rest
Qualifying direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more and ending the month with a positive balance in all Varo accounts; APY accurate as of July 1, 2026; rates subject to change
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Dave | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Dave
How much does an ExtraCash advance cost?+
The advance itself carries an APR of 0%, so the charge is the overdraft fee rather than interest. That fee is set at the greater of a flat amount or 5% of each overdraft, and an optional percentage fee also applies when the money is transferred to an external debit card.
How quickly does the money arrive?+
Authorisation is typically quick: Typically authorized within 5 minutes, and same day funding is listed among the product's features. The advance reaches the linked bank account and behaves like an overdraft, so the balance sits on the account until it is repaid rather than arriving with a separate bill.
Does the application run a credit check?+
No. The listed credit check is none and the credit profile the product is built for is poor, so the decision does not hinge on your credit file. Eligibility matters instead: a US Social Security Number, a linked bank account, an open ExtraCash overdraft account and a Dave Checking account, and not every member qualifies.
How much can I borrow?+
ExtraCash advances run $25 to $500 on a single overdraft, which covers an emergency but not a large expense. cash advance describes the product as a cash advance, so it is not a term loan repaid through scheduled instalments.