Updated October 14, 2026 · BorrowCue Editorial Team
MoneyLion vs Varo Bank
Where MoneyLion and Varo Bank differ
| Compare |  MoneyLion |  Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | up to $500 | $600 to $2,000Higher |
| Arrangement fee | $0 (no origination or monthly fee on Instacash; optional tip $0 and up and optional Turbo delivery fee $0.49-$8.99) | Flat one-time fee $60-$400 (Varo Line of Credit) |
| Credit check | None | Soft prequal |
| Funding time | Within minutes with optional Turbo delivery fee, or 1-5 business days at no cost | Instant, deposited same day once approved |
| Lender type | Marketplace | Direct lender |
| Eligibility | Legal resident of the United States, at least 18 years old (age of majority in state of residence); service availability varies by state | 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 | Personal, Debt consolidation, Cash advance | Personal, Credit line, Cash advance |
| 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 |
| Credit needed | Poor | Not confirmed |
| Use cases | Home improvement | Not confirmed |
Same on both: APR (0%).
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 up to $500.
- Support channels: only MoneyLion offers Community.
- Support channels: only Varo Bank offers Chat.
- Features: only Varo Bank offers Credit line.
- Loan types: only MoneyLion offers Debt consolidation.
- Loan types: only Varo Bank offers Credit line.
Our verdict on each
MoneyLion
MoneyLion suits US adults who need a cash advance without a credit check or a fee, and its 0% APR is the same whoever applies. The marketplace side widens the choice of loan, but lender set pricing and a up to $500 cap on the cash advance keep it out of reach for anything larger.
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 | MoneyLion | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7HigherInstacash is listed at an APR of 0%, and the cash advance carries an origination charge of 0% and no monthly fee. | 9.5 |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.1 |
| Trust | 8.1 | 8.8Higher |
Choosing between them
Pick MoneyLion if offer matter most.
Pick Varo Bank if trust and loan amount matter most.
Side by side, item by item
| Loan types | MoneyLion | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | Yes | Yes |
| Debt consolidation | Yes | No |
| Credit line | No | Yes |
| Cash advance | Yes | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
MoneyLion
- moneylion.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 | MoneyLion | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Personal loans | 600 of 1920 | 499 of 1920 |
| Cash advance apps | 15 of 53 | 11 of 53 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | MoneyLion | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Fixed rate |
| Features | Same day funding | Same day funding, Credit lineCovers more |
| Legal entity | MoneyLion Technologies Inc. | Varo Bank, National Association |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | MoneyLion | Varo Bank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 0%lowest quarter | 0%lowest quarter | 8.99% |
| Loan amount | up to $500lowest 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
MoneyLion
Pros
- The cash advance carries a credit check of none, so a poor credit file does not stop a draw.
- Money can land within minutes on the paid delivery route, and same day funding is among the features the brand is listed under.
- personal, debt consolidation and cash advance run through the same marketplace, which widens choice beyond a single funder.
Cons
- The 0% headline describes the cash advance only. Pricing on a personal loan or a consolidation loan comes from the partner lender inside the marketplace, so the figure does not carry over.
- A single draw is capped at up to $500, which leaves a home improvement project dependent on the marketplace side.
- The optional Turbo delivery fee sits on top of the 0% APR for anyone who wants the money within minutes.
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
MoneyLion
Who it suits
- US adults who need a cash advance quickly and cannot pass a credit check.
- Borrowers with poor credit who want short term cash at an APR of 0%.
- People comfortable with a marketplace, where the funder behind the loan is set by the match rather than by the app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after a large home improvement loan. Monzo Flex quotes 10% to 23% on a personal loan, a different product from a up to $500 cash advance.
- Borrowers who want one lender and one published price. Monzo Flex shows 10% to 23% up front, while MoneyLion's personal loan pricing follows the marketplace.
- Borrowers in another market. Cashspace quotes PHP 12 to PHP 36 and Cashspace ES lends €100 to €5,000, and MoneyLion's service is limited to the United States.
Varo Bank
Who it suits
- Varo Bank customers reviewing how VLOC access and repayment work.
Current offers
MoneyLion
Current offer
Bonus
Shake 'N' Bank Cash Back Promotion: Cash back from $0.01, cap $500 per transaction, up to 5 shakes per month
MoneyLion member in good standing; qualified purchases of $10 or more in a single transaction with the MoneyLion Debit Mastercard or Spend Virtual Card; unlimited shakes with an active WOW membership
Source, checked September 26, 2026
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 | MoneyLion | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
MoneyLion
What does a MoneyLion cash advance cost?+
The Instacash cash advance is listed at an APR of 0%, with an origination charge of 0% and no monthly fee. Two extras sit on top if you want them, an optional tip, which you can leave at free, and the optional Turbo delivery fee that comes with money within minutes. Nothing else is charged for the account.
Is there a credit check on the Instacash cash advance?+
The cash advance carries a credit check of none, so there is no file to pass before the money is released, which is the point for anyone whose credit is thin. The personal and debt consolidation side works differently, running through a marketplace where the partner lender sets its own requirements and MoneyLion is placed at poor.
How fast can I get the money?+
The optional Turbo delivery fee puts the cash in your account within minutes, while the standard route takes a few business days and costs nothing. Money lists the product under same day funding, so a same day draw is the norm on the paid route and the wait applies only to the standard one. Both are set out before you confirm.
How much can I borrow on a cash advance?+
A single Instacash draw is up to $500. That ceiling applies to the cash advance itself, not to the personal or debt consolidation loans arranged through the marketplace, which carry their own limits. Treat the cap as a bridge to payday rather than a way to cover a large bill or a project.