October 1, 2020

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Best Payday Loans

Item: The 12 Best Payday Loans for 2020 | Free Buyers Guide
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Payday loans provide a much-needed service to millions of people. There are many times when short-term debts outrun the ability to pay. In times like this, a payday loan (a loan against a future paycheck) can provide the cash necessary to meet those needs.

The advantages of payday loans are many. Often they don't require a credit check from the major three credit bureaus. The best payday loans offer amounts that can range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000. And you receive your loan very quickly; sometimes as soon as tomorrow.

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2020

Payday Loan Reviews

TRUSTED PAYDAY
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Loan:	$250 - $1,000 for first time customers
Cost:	Varies based on your state and the length of the loan

TopConsumerReviews.com Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award Trusted Payday's website is easy to use and works with over 70 different lenders to assist you with your short-term borrowing needs. Through Trusted Payday, you can receive up to $1,000 and they don't require any faxing during the payday loan application process.

The payday loan application process is simple and quick. In less than 3 minutes you can answer questions such as your name, social security number, employer information, and pay cycle. Your payday loan application is usually approved within 30 minutes. Repayment terms are specific to the lender who approves you, but are typically between 14 and 31 days. Your payday loan can be deposited into your checking account within 24 hours, and sometimes even within one hour.

Trusted Payday accepts payday loan applications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is very convenient for people who apply for a payday loan outside of normal business hours. Keep in mind that in order to provide instant approvals, Trusted Payday communicates with lenders in their network when you apply for your payday loan - and some of these lenders may only be open from 8am - 5pm. To maximize your chance for approval, we suggest that you apply during those hours. If you apply outside of these hours and for some reason your payday loan application is rejected, then just reapply again between 8am and 5pm, when more of their lenders are available. There's absolutely no cost to you in applying again.

Trusted Payday has a convenient How It Works section, which describes the process of obtaining and paying back your payday loan. They also provide a Frequently Asked Questions page with answers to over 20 questions regarding the payday loan process.

If you're in need of cash, Trusted Payday provides a no-hassle application process with flexibility on how fast you may require your loan. We liked their direct relationships with over 70 top-quality lenders, which gives you the benefit of getting a payday loan at rates that are favorable to you. Trusted Payday is a solid payday loan company and earns high marks in our review.

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CASH ADVANCE
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Loan:	$100 - $1,000 for first time customers
Cost:	Varies based on your state and the length of the loan

Cash Advance has a very easy payday loan request process. You fill out the simple online form, and within seconds you can be approved and waiting for your cash to arrive. And with over 400 lenders in their payday loan network, many companies will review your information, meaning you have a greater chance of being approved than if you were to visit one lender directly.

The payday loan request process is both quick and entirely online. Cash Advance doesn't require you to fax or send any documentation in with your request form. All the information they need is what you provide on their website.

Cash Advance supports payday loans up to $1,000. Regardless of whether you've had recent problems meeting your bills, Cash Advance can still help you get the cash you need - no questions asked. This also eliminates any negative impact that can occur with checks of your credit history.

Once approved, your lender conveniently delivers your cash into your checking or savings account by direct deposit. This means that they will automatically send your money into your account, usually within one business day of your approval.

Another feature we really liked about Cash Advance is all the helpful financial information they provide on their website. Under the Your Finances section, you can find guides on a variety of money management, life planning, smart spending, and family finances. They also offer an account center for their customers, which gives you the ability to easily re-request a loan, check the status of an existing request, and more.

Cash Advance boasts an easy request process, with no faxing and no paperwork hassles. Electronic delivery of your money is usually within 1 business day and is not dependent on your credit history whatsoever. Plus, Cash Advance has been in business for over 15 years. If you need a payday loan fast with low fees and no stress, Cash Advance is an excellent choice.

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ACE CASH EXPRESS
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Loan:	Amount varies by state
Cost:	Varies based on your state and the length of the loan

ACE Cash Express is a leading retailer of financial services, including payday loans, consumer loans, check cashing, bill payment, and even prepaid debit cards. As the largest owner and operator of check cashing stores in the U.S., they bring a rich history of payday loan servicing to the Internet.

The payday loan application process at ACE Cash Express is easy. You simply enter your information into their online form and press send. There is nothing to fax, and you receive your approval in minutes. Once approved, an ACE Cash Express representative calls you to review your payday loan information. While we would prefer to complete the payday loan process without the necessity of a phone call, the representatives are helpful and can answer any questions you might have about your payday loan.

In addition to payday loans, the ACE Cash Express website offers a variety of other lending needs. These include installment loans, title loans, prepaid debit cards, and auto loans. They also offer a convenient store locator, where you can cash checks, purchase money orders, send a money transfer, and more.

The biggest downside to ACE Cash Express is that they currently only offer online payday loans in 11 states. If you happen to live on one of those states, then you're in luck - otherwise you would need to visit one of the 950+ locations they have throughout the country in order to get a payday loan from ACE Cash Express.

We like the reliable history that ACE Cash Express offers with their payday loans. They are a dependable, nationwide company and they provide financial services beyond just the short-term cash advance. However, the limited number of states where they offer payday loans hurts them in our rankings.

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CASH CORNER
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Loan:	From $100 to $1,000
Cost:	Varies based on your state

Cash Corner provides customers quick and easy access to payday loans. Cash Corner is not a lender themselves, but serves as a liaison to match customers with the right lending company.

The application process is straightforward and easy to follow at Cash Corner. After answering a series of questions related to address, employment and contact details, the information is sent to their lenders and a decision is made within minutes. At that point, depending on the actual loan provider, the applicant will either be directed online to complete next steps or can anticipate a call from the respective company.

Most of the payday loan lenders within the network are willing to provide between $100 and $1,000, depending on the state in which you reside and your monthly income. The finance charges vary between lenders, but customers can anticipate somewhere between $12 and $30, every two weeks, for every $100 borrowed.

Most accepted customers make at least $750 per week, have both a valid work and home phone number, and at least 4 weeks of steady employment. Cash Corner themselves will not run a credit check on applicants, but they cannot confirm whether an actual lender will do so or not. They also can't confirm how soon a customer can anticipate payment. Most lenders will make a direct deposit after 1 full business day.

We liked that Cash Corner provides a network of lenders for those hard-to-approve applications, but we were less impressed with the wishy-washy expectations related to credit checks, payment turn around, and more. For those that are in a hurry for their cash, we recommend choosing a higher ranked payday loan company.

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HONEST LOANS
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Loan:	Up to $2,500
Cost:	APR ranging from 200% to 2,290%

Honest Loans provides connections between prospective borrowers and a network of partner lenders. Their application process only has two steps, but you'll be required to enter detailed personal information, including your bank routing number and account number.

We were glad to see that Honest Loans is very, well, honest when it comes to disclosing interest rates: their partners are likely to charge anywhere from 200% to 2,290% (yes, that is two thousand two hundred and ninety percent) APR. Full terms and fees are only available once you are matched with a prospective lender.

Honest Loans also has a higher lending amount, up to $2,500, than many of the services we reviewed. Of course, this depends on your personal situation, including your credit history, employment status, and so on.

Unfortunately, we were not able to find further information as to Honest Loan's history or track record with respect to customer satisfaction. We would definitely like to see customer testimonials, reviews on independent websites, or a rating with the Better Business Bureau, in order to know if they are successful with connecting borrowers with reputable sources of payday loans.

You should also know that you are not eligible for a payday loan from Honest Loans if you are a resident of one of the following states: Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

We give Honest Loans good marks, which would easily improve with a more established reputation for good customer service.

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PAYDAY LOAN TODAY
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Loan:	$500
Cost:	$17.50 per $100 loaned

Payday Loan Today strives to provide customers with the fastest online payday loan service on the web, turning around loan applications in 24 to 48 hours to get customers the cash they need as soon as possible. Their online application is a simple one page form with minimum input of information required for the customer. Once an applicant submits the online application, it is processed in real time and potentially pre-approved within minutes. If a payday loan request is submitted by 3pm Pacific / 6pm Eastern it will be processed the same day and, once approved, funds will post to the account the next business day.

Payday Loan Today focuses on loans of $500, which may be a deterrent for anyone seeking a more substantial payday loan. In order to qualify for a $500 loan a customer must have the following:

A monthly net income of at least $1,000
No more than two payday loans currently out with other lenders
No delinquent payday loans with other lenders
Must be actively employed
Must have payroll direct deposit going to your checking account (no savings accounts or pre-paid debit cards)

This is a more stringent qualification list than some of the other payday loan services we have reviewed. While this may be a discouraging to some people, it also indicates that Payday Loan Today has a responsible lending policy.

Something else we like about Payday Loan Today is that they are a direct lender, which means they do not write loans off to some other lender once approved. Customers deal with this company directly and can make use of their live customer service Monday through Thursday, 8:30am - 4pm Pacific Time (11:30am – 7pm Eastern Time), and Fridays 10am - 3:30pm Pacific Time (1pm – 3:30pm Eastern Time). The toll free number is clearly displayed on the main page of the Payday Loan Today website.

The online application itself seems a little clunky. There is a notice on the application saying that it does not support all mobile devices, and some of the text is awkwardly spaced. However it was simple enough to complete once getting past the odd appearance.

Overall Payday Loan Today is an average choice among the many payday loan providers in the market today.

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HELPING HAND ADVANCES
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Loan:	$100 - $1,000 for first time customers
Cost:	Varies based on your state and the length of the loan

Helping Hand Advances provides convenient temporary solutions to people that run into a financial bind. To request a payday loan of up to $1,000 you simply apply online using their customer friendly website and answer a series of questions. Helping Hand Advances is available to assist customers with payday loans in over 40 different states.

Once your information is input into the system, Helping Hand Advances validates your details for payday loan approval. No additional information needs to be faxed in the majority of cases, and Helping Hand Advances does not place a credit or teletrack check. Helping Hand Advances states that your loan will be approved within minutes. You simply wait for the finalization to determine if your payday loan request is accepted - no need to talk to a representative on the phone. Once the approval comes through you'll learn the details of the payday loan terms. The term may run between 7 and 31 days, with loan extensions available. Approved payday loans are deposited directly into your bank account overnight.

Overall, Helping Hand Advances is a good option for your next payday loan. With a no hassle loan application process, and a flexible payment period, Helping Hand Advances will meet the needs of many individuals looking for short term cash assistance.

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CASH CENTRAL
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Loan:	$100 - $500 for first time customers
Cost:	Varies based on your state and the length of the loan

Cash Central is an actual lender with a building and 400 plus employees, not just a brokering website. That may or may not be important in the end, but they do offer helpful customer service, and when you call you get to speak to a real person, who will happily give you the interest rates for your state. The downfall of Cash Central is that they are only set up to lend to residents in certain states, all in the western half of the US.

The information they request is pretty much the same as all the others; personal, employment and financial. After the loan has been approved, which takes just a few minutes, the customer's account usually funds the next business day. They provide live customer service 7 days a week if a borrower has questions.

Cash Central understands the importance of repeat business and fosters that customer relationship by being accessible via phone, email, and postage mail. This may not seem like a big deal, but most of these online businesses don't offer that level of service.

Their application process is simple, with no faxing and no paper hassles. As they say, they are "Easy, no driving, no bullet proof glass, no leaving the house".

Cash Central offers a good payday loan program with competitive rates. We just wish it had a higher limit and was offered in more states.

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CASH NET USA
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Loan:	From $100 to $1,000
Cost:	APR of 299%

Cash Net USA started in 2004 and was later acquired by pay day loan powerhouse, Cash America. Cash Net USA provides loans in 30 States and loan types vary between payday loans and lines of credit depending on state requirements. The loan sizes typically run between $100 and $1,000 but may be larger for lines of credit.

The benefit of dealing with Cash Net USA is that applications received before until 9pm EST are funded the next business day. So for those in a serious cash crunch, Cash Net USA may help. Another benefit is that this company does not run a credit check from the three major reporting bureaus to determine eligibility. They do ask that an applicant be at least 18 years of age, have been employed for at least 1 month, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have an open checking account.

The process of applying for a payday loan from Cash Net USA is quick and easy. To start, customers must input contact details, employment information and bank account numbers. Approval occurs instantly at Cash Net USA. They anticipate that you'll pay your loan back at your next paycheck date, or longer depending on the type of loan issued.

Cash Net USA states they are a member of both the Better Business Bureau and CFSA member (a payday advance organization). However, in our research we found that they currently have an F rating with the BBB. In 2015 they also received an order from the Commissioner of Business Oversight of the State of California, forfeiting all charges due to violations with the California Financial Code.

Although Cash Net USA provides an easy way for you to apply for a payday loan, questions remain about their business practices. We hope they're able to make the necessary changes to become a more highly rated payday loan provider in the future.

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MY PAYDAY LOAN
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Loan:

$200 - $600 for first time customers

Up to $1,000 for returning customers

Cost:

Varies based on your state and the length of the loan

While at first glance the website at My Payday Loan may not look as professional as some other payday loan lenders we've reviewed, the fact is that they offer a reliable payday loan application process and fast delivery of your approved funds - as long as you apply during their normal business hours.

It takes no time at all to complete the online payday loan application at My Payday Loan. If you complete the application within their business hours (9am - 6pm est M-F), you can be approved within minutes. However, if you complete your application outside of these hours, you may not hear back on your status until the following day.

If your payday loan application is approved by 5pm est, you will receive your funds electronically deposited into your checking account the following business day. Of course, this means that if you complete your loan application outside of their business hours, you may not receive your funds until 48 hours after you complete your application. This can result in a frustrating delay if you need access to your funds more quickly than that.

As part of the payday loan application process, My Payday Loan requests you to submit references and their phone numbers. They state that they verify all references before approving your loan, however they do not disclose the name of their company or the nature of your loan. It's important, though, to provide valid phone numbers with your references.

We wish My Payday Loan was more flexible in order to accommodate customers who apply for a payday loan outside of normal business hours. Their insistence on contacting references also may also give some people pause - however they do keep your personal information safe and confidential.

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SECURALOAN
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Loan:	From $100 to $30,000
Cost:	APR of 9% to 1200%

Securaloan wants to connect you with their lender network for payday loans ranging from $100 to $30,000. The first step in their process is to fill out the short "Qualify Now" form, where you'll enter your credit score range, zip code, monthly income, and whether or not you're active military. From there, you'll be taken to a more lengthy application similar to other services we reviewed: you'll need to give them your contact information, Social Security Number, banking information, and so forth.

From there, you'll be taken to a lender offers page where you can see how much you qualify for, along with any terms and conditions specific to each loan offer. Because they're not an actual lender, Securaloan can't tell you exactly how much to expect in terms of interest rates, but their FAQ does state that their partners typically charge anywhere from 9% to a whopping 1200% APR.

When we tried calling the toll-free number in the "Contact Us" section, the automated system identified itself as the "Cash By Phone Network". It took several tries before the system would accept our zip code for verification; once we did get our location verified, we were told that no loans were available in our area.

We tried a zip code from a different area and were asked several automated questions; once we said that no one in our household was active military, the recording said "We cannot help you at this time". Given that we said that yes, we had a current source of income and we were 18 or older, we're not sure why not being active military would disqualify us from their process. We entered the same information in the online "Qualify Now" form and were taken to the detailed application. This inconsistency is troubling.

Then, when we looked up the mailing address provided in the "Contact Us" section, it came up as being the address both for a business called LeadStudio and for Alliance Capital Funding Network. While many businesses operate under different names, Securaloan doesn't make it easy to verify that they're on the up-and-up. We wouldn't feel very secure entering our personal information, such as a Social Security Number or bank information, unless we were assured that the lender was legitimate.

The only positive we found on the Securaloan site is the Financial Fundamental Tips section. For people who are struggling to make ends meet - as is the case with many people who need a payday loan - there are some useful suggestions regarding budgeting, credit scores, and being in control of one's finances.

For people who need the quick help offered by payday loans, having a lender they can trust is extremely important. However, Securaloan does not do much to establish that kind of trust, and for that reason we highly recommend that you consider a payday loan provider with a stronger reputation.

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LARGE CASH LOANS
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Loan:	$300 - $1,000 for first time customers
Cost:	Vague. they only state that they are in compliance with state and federal laws.

Large Cash Loans, like most of it's competition, touts an easy approval process with no application fees. In most cases the money can be deposited directly into the customer's account within 24 hours. However, they do not advertise "nothing to fax" like many other payday sites, and you may need to fax documentation. Their other pre-qualifications are pretty standard; must be a US citizen at least 18 years old, have an income of at least $1,000 per month, and have an active checking/savings account. As long as these criteria are met, and the loan application is complete, you should be able to get a payday loan/cash advance for up to $1,000.

Large Cash Loans provides a very comprehensive and informative site. For example, there is an entire section entitled "Resources". This section includes information on credit services, credit repair, debt consolidation, bankruptcy, credit cards, mortgages and insurance. Phone numbers and websites are provided for most of these services. Large Cash Loans seems to target a more international market, with references to services in the US, Canada and the UK.

Large Cash Loans also holds security in high regard. They explain at length the security and privacy measures they have taken to keep their customer's information confidential. In today's world of identify theft, this is reassuring to know. Customer Service is available through either a toll-free 1-800 number or by email.

The information provided on their website is helpful and they offer a high limit on loan amounts. We wish they posted their service fees online in a more accessible manner.

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Continued from above

Drawbacks? Payday loans typically charge service fees that are greater than traditional loans. These service fees can range from $10 to $30 per $100 loaned, and sometimes even more. Many states have regulations stipulating the amount of service fees that can be charged. Obviously, the best payday loans are meant to address quick cash needs, and should not be used as a long-term solution.

Still, in order to meet short-term obligations, payday loans can provide a fast and easy solution. When evaluating different payday loans, there are certain factors you want to consider. Some of these include:

Loan Amount. How much money do you need? A variety of loan amounts are offered by different lenders.
Service Fees. Look for companies that state their fees up front or guarantee lowest fees.
Convenience. Can your application be processed entirely online, or will you need to fax in documents? How quick will the money be deposited to you?

TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best payday loans available today. We hope these reviews help you meet your short-term financial needs!

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What to Look For in a Payday Loan

When searching for any type of loan, including payday loans, there are a number of factors to consider. Although fast cash payday loans are different in some respects, they are very much like any other loan in that convenience, cost and quick replies are essential. With that in mind, this article is designed to give you an accurate and detailed look at some of the factors to look for when choosing where to submit your application for payday loans.

Convenience. Can you apply online? If so, how long will the application process take? With the internet being so popular, many lenders now allow for fast and easy online applications, which also means quicker approvals. Due to the fact that payday loans focus less on credit history and more on your current ability to repay the debt, there is often a faster response, especially if your employment and income and easily verifiable.
Response Time. While considering payday loans, you should look at the average length of time for an approval and an estimate on how long it will be before you receive the cash advance. Payday loans are often referred to as a cash advance because, quite simply, they are a cash advance with your next paycheck being used as collateral.
Loan Fees. Every lender is different, but one thing remains virtually universal when it comes to payday loans. Almost every lender will impose a fee that is based on the amount of money that you borrow. In addition to the full amount of the loan being repaid, the fee must also be paid before the loan will be satisfied. It is crucial that you know exactly how much these fees are prior to applying for payday loans.
Loan Amount. Most payday loans are issued for an amount up to and including $1,500.00, but some may only lend up to $500.00. Available loan options, including the maximum loan amount, may differ from one lender to another. Prior to requesting payday loans, you should think about how much money you actually need and then look for a lender who can help you.
Reputation. One of the most important things that a company can have is its reputation, which is why it is important to research a payday lender as thoroughly as possible. It may be a good idea to research company both with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and through reviews produced by independent, third-party reviews.

Payday loans offer quick cash for those who need it and, best of all, they are available almost immediately. These types of loans help those who may be faced with life's unexpected events, expenses or are just running short on cash and need a helping hand until the next paycheck rolls in. Whatever the reason, payday loans provide a valuable service and it's important to know what to look for and how to choose the right lender for you.

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