How Can I Get a $400 Loan?

While you might assume it’s easier to borrow a small sum of money than a large one, many personal loans start at around $2,000, and borrowing a few hundred bucks can be trickier than you might expect — but it’s not impossible.

If you’re seeking to borrow $400 for car repairs, overdue bills or any other reason, the key is to know which lenders to approach, the rates and fees they charge, their repayment terms, how they determine eligibility and whether they perform credit checks.

Here are your 10 best options for a $400 loan.

10 Best Ways To Get a $400 Loan

The following specialized small-dollar lending platforms, fintechs and credit unions offer mini-loans, cash advances and payday loans for a variety of needs. 

MoneyLion Instacash

Instacash requires borrowers to download the MoneyLion app and link a checking account. Approval requires the account to be active, have a consistently positive balance and show a history of recurring direct deposits from the same employer or payer. Repayments are automated and flexible.

• Loan ranges: Up to $500, or $1,000 for qualifying RoarMoney users

• Credit check: None. Eligibility is based on banking history

• Interest rates and fees: None for one to five-day funding, but “Turbo” funding costs $8.99 for instant or same-day delivery

Oportun

Oportun offers loans with terms ranging from 12 to 54 months. Unsecured loans are based on your credit history and overall financial picture, but borrowers seeking larger amounts or those with no credit can get secured loans using a vehicle title as collateral.

• Loan ranges: $300 to $18,500

• Credit check: Soft check for unsecured loans; no check for secured loans

• Interest rates and fees: Administrative fees vary by state; APRs up to 36%

Cash App Borrow

Most Cash App users qualify for small loans with recurring monthly direct deposits of at least $300 into their Cash App accounts. Alternatively, you can link an external account with at least $500 in recurring direct deposits. Repayment can be a lump sum, weekly installments or automated to repay as you receive new funds.

• Loan ranges: $20 to $500

• Credit check: None

• Interest rates and fees: Flat rate fee (usually 5%)

Tilt

Formerly Empower, Tilt offers small loans as cash advances, with repayment aligned with the borrower’s anticipated pay schedule. Eligibility depends on income, expenses, and savings trends.

• Loan ranges: $10 to $400

• Credit check: None

• Interest rates and fees: 0% APR; no late fees; $8 monthly subscription fee plus $1 to $8 for instant delivery.

Klover Cash Advance

Klover offers small-dollar loans as cash advances on income you’ve already earned. Link an external bank account to demonstrate regular direct deposits and schedule automatic repayments on payday.

• Loan ranges: Up to $400

• Credit check: None

• Interest rates and fees: No late fees; 0% APR; $4.99 monthly subscription fee plus $3.99 to $37.49 in express fees for expedited delivery. Accumulated points can reduce fees.

CreditNinja

CreditNinja specializes in small, unsecured loans for borrowers with poor or no credit. The platform verifies income using Instant Bank Verification (IBV). Terms are three to 24 months, decisions are rendered in seconds and funds are delivered either same-day or next business day. However, fees and interest rates can be high.

• Loan ranges: $300 to $5,000

• Credit check: Soft pull to qualify, hard pull to complete application

• Interest rates and fees: Varied fees; APRs starting 35.99%

Possible Finance

Possible offers small loans based on your income, spending habits and cash flow demonstrated through a linked account. Funding is instant and repayment can be spread out over four pay periods, with the first due date up to 29 days out from the receipt of funds date, but watch out for state-based fees and high APRs.

• Loan ranges: Up to $500

• Credit check: None

• Interest rates and fees: Fees vary by state; APRs start at 54.51%

Navy Federal Credit Union 

Navy Federal Credit Union membership is open to active-duty service members, retired military personnel, veterans, their families and Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors.

• Loan ranges: $250 to $50,000

• Credit check: Soft pull to qualify, hard pull to complete application

• Interest rates and fees: No fees; 8.74% to 18% APR based on amount, term and creditworthiness

Dave ExtraCash

Dave is a fintech platform that issues small payday loans through its subscription-based ExtraCash platform. Funding is fast, there are no hidden fees and eligibility is based on banking history through a linked account.

• Loan ranges: Up to $500

• Credit check: None

• Interest rates and fees: 0% APR, up to $5 monthly membership fees

Varo Bank

Varo Bank approves cash advances based on banking and income history through a linked external account. Once approved, borrowers choose an automatic repayment date between 15 and 30 days from receipt of funds.

• Loan ranges: $20 to $250 for the first loan; Build toward accessing $500 over time

• Credit check: None

• Interest rates and fees: No late fees; 0% APR; flat fee of $1.60 to $40 based on loan amount.

How To Get $400 Fast

The fastest way to get $400 depends on factors such as your credit and banking history, income, platform of choice and the fees you’re willing to pay. 

Several lenders offer loans or cash advances instantly or same day for an extra expedited service fee, which can vary dramatically by provider. The best way to get quick funding for free is to borrow from an institution where you already maintain a checking account or to direct the funds to your in-app account instead of your externally linked account. 

What To Consider Before You Get a $400 Loan

Payday-style lenders, including some fintechs on this list, can charge triple-digit APRs, which can quickly turn a $400 loan into much higher debt that, if you can't pay, can trigger a debt cycle lasting months or years.  

Consider all aspects of the loan, including interest rates, flat fees, service fees, state fees, repayment terms, credit check processes and membership costs. Some platforms with subscription-based fees offer better rates or even 0% APRs, but remember to cancel your subscription after your loan is repaid in full. 

Many providers base lending decisions on banking history and require borrowers to link an external account. Always choose the account you use most actively, and that has the strongest, longest record of positive balances and recurring direct deposits. 

Alternatives To a Small Loan

Small loans can provide quick access to $400 with varying costs, conditions and repayment terms — but they’re not the only game in town. Consider the following alternatives to small loans before applying. 

Margin Loans

If you own a taxable brokerage account, you might be eligible to borrow against your securities through a margin loan. These loans, which are secured by your investment holdings, don’t require a credit check and often come with favorable interest rates, but beware — if your securities lose value, you could face a margin call that requires you to pay or forfeit your collateralized securities.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

If your credit is in decent shape, consider a balance transfer card that comes with an introductory 0% APR for a year or more. Many card providers allow approved applicants to use the funds for any purpose — not just to transfer high-interest debt — via direct deposits or paper checks included with the account. The long introductory period offers what is essentially a free loan, but when it expires, rates return to the card’s standard APR. 

FAQs

Where can I borrow $400?

Several specialized lending platforms and fintechs, as well as some credit unions and traditional lenders, offer small loans of $400 or less. However, they’re often structured as payday loans or cash advances with potentially high APRs and fees.

Can I borrow $400 with bad credit? 

Yes. Some platforms have options designed specifically for borrowers with shaky or nonexistent credit. Others are for all borrowers, but conduct only a soft pull. Others don’t examine your credit at all and instead base lending decisions on income and banking history. 

Can I borrow $400 instantly?

Several lenders offer instant or same-day funding. However, expedited service often comes at an additional fee. 

Can I borrow $400 with no bank account?

Most small-dollar lenders require a bank account, either on their platform or linked to an external account. Those that don’t perform credit checks rely primarily on banking history for approval.