Updated October 14, 2026 · BorrowCue Editorial Team
EarnIn vs Varo Bank
Where EarnIn and Varo Bank differ
| Compare |  EarnIn |  Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $0 to $1,000 | $600 to $2,000Higher |
| Arrangement fee | 0 USD (standard speed transfer fee $0; optional Lightning Speed from $3.99 per transfer) | Flat one-time fee $60-$400 (Varo Line of Credit) |
| Credit check | None | Soft prequal |
| Funding time | 1-3 business days at no cost, or minutes with optional Lightning Speed | Instant, deposited same day once approved |
| Eligibility | At least 18 years old, primary residence in the United States (including U.S. territories), own a U.S. checking bank account and a valid U.S. cell phone number, consistent direct deposit pay schedule and at least $320 earned per pay period | 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 |
| Free early repayment | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Origination fee (%) | 0% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: APR (0%), Lender type (Direct lender).
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Key differences
- Loan amount is higher at Varo Bank: $600 to $2,000 vs $0 to $1,000.
- Support channels: only Varo Bank offers Email, Phone.
- Features: only Varo Bank offers Credit line.
- Loan types: only Varo Bank offers Personal, Credit line.
Our verdict on each
EarnIn
EarnIn suits US earners who want a small cash advance drawn against their pay without a credit check. Its APR of 0% sits at the top of the field, and the standard transfer carries no fee, so a short advance costs close to nothing.
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 | EarnIn | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7HigherAPR of 0%, an arrangement fee that is free on a standard transfer, and 0% origination, with speed delivery charged separately. | 9.5 |
| Offer | 8.2 | 9.1Higher |
| Trust | 9.2Higher | 8.8 |
What each covers
| Loan types | EarnIn | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | No | Yes |
| Credit line | No | Yes |
| Cash advance | Yes | Yes |
Licences and countries
| Country | EarnIn | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FDIC FDIC cert 59190 |
Available in 1 country for both.
How they place
| Ranking | EarnIn | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cash advance apps | 10 of 53 | 11 of 53 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EarnIn | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Fixed rate |
| Features | Same day funding | Same day funding, Credit lineCovers more |
| Legal entity | Activehours, Inc. (d/b/a EarnIn) | Varo Bank, National Association |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EarnIn | Varo Bank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 0%lowest quarter | 0%lowest quarter | 8.99% |
| Loan amount | $0 to $1,000lowest quarter | $600 to $2,000lowest quarter | $30,000 |
| Term | Not confirmed | 3 to 12 monthslowest quarter | 60 |
| Origination fee (%) | 0%below the median | Not confirmed | 0.25% |
Median across 1144 listed lenders.
Pros and cons
EarnIn
Pros
- APR of 0% against a field median of 12%, and a rank of 1
- Credit check is none, so your score is not used to decide
- Advances run to $0 to $1,000, which covers rent, repairs or a car bill
Cons
- The account cap of $0 to $1,000 is small against a field median of €876.96
- The faster delivery is a paid upgrade on top of the free standard transfer
- Eligibility is tied to a consistent direct deposit pay schedule and a set amount earned per pay period
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
EarnIn
Who it suits
- US workers paid by direct deposit who need a small advance before their next payday
- People with thin credit files who want a decision without a credit check
- Borrowers who can clear the advance on their next paycheque
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone needing a larger sum, since the account stops at $0 to $1,000
- Brigit, if you want a similar app with a lower cap, at $25 to $500
- Exim Bank Djibouti, whose school loan runs to up to DJF 300,000 but serves a different market
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 | EarnIn | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
EarnIn
What does an advance from EarnIn cost?+
The APR is 0%, and the arrangement fee is free on a standard speed transfer. The origination fee is 0%. In practice an advance cleared on the ordinary schedule costs very little, and the only charge appears if you pay for the optional faster delivery.
How much can I borrow with EarnIn?+
The account runs to $0 to $1,000, so the cap is modest. That is a good fit for rent, a car repair or a bill between paycheques, and it is well below the €876.96 field median, so it is not a route to consolidating larger debts.
Does EarnIn run a credit check?+
No. The credit check is listed as none, so your score is not used to decide an advance priced at an APR of 0%. That is the main reason this suits people with a thin file, though the decision then rests on your pay schedule and the $0 to $1,000 cap.
Is EarnIn regulated?+
Yes. It holds a licence with NMLS (US National Mortgage Licensing System), recorded as 2567882, and it is a direct lender rather than a broker. That means the advance comes from EarnIn itself and your contract is with the same company that provides support.