How Can I Get a $400 Loan?

You can get a $400 loan through mini-loans through fintechs and credit unions, payday loans and cash advances.

Getting quick access to funds can help in a bind, whether you need to borrow money 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.

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.

Key Takeaways

• Small loans are available through fintechs, credit unions and cash advance apps, with options like Oportun, Cash App Borrow, Dave ExtraCash and Varo Bank offering $400 or less even if you have limited or no credit.

• Costs and terms vary widely — some apps charge 0% APR with a monthly subscription fee, while payday loans can hit triple-digit APRs that quickly pile on debt.

• Before you borrow, compare fees, repayment terms and funding speed, link your most active bank account and consider alternatives like margin loans or a 0% APR balance transfer card.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

9 Best Ways To Get $400

These loans offer access to quick funds for your needs. Funding times below are estimates and begin after loan approval.

1. 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

• APR rates and fees: Administrative fees vary. APRs up to 35.99%.

• Funding speed: Within 1 business day

• Best for: Those with limited or no credit who need a variety of term lengths

2. 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

• APR rates and fees: Flat rate fee — usually 5%

• Funding speed: Instant

• Best for: Those who need a fast instant loan for a small amount

3. 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

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

• Funding speed: 1 to 3 business days

• Best for: Those who prefer and are accustomed to cash advance apps and want flexibility

4. 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

• APR 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.

• Funding speed: Instant with fee. Otherwise, 1 to 3 business days

• Best for: No interest cash advances

5. 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

• APR and fees: Varied fees; APRs starting 35.99%

• Funding speed: Same or next business day

• Best for: Those with bad credit and need quick approval for a short-term loan

6. 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

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

• Funding speed: 1 to 2 business days

• Best for: Those with no or bad credit and would prefer making installment payments

7. 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

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

• Funding speed: Usually same-day, but can be up to 2 business days

• Best for: Military, veterans and their families who need a low-cost loan

8. 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

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

• Funding speed: Instant and up to 3 business days. If under 1 hour, there's a 1.5% fee.

• Best for: Users who want fast funding and simpler eligibility requirements

9. 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

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

• Funding speed: Instant upon approval and up to 20 minute

• Best for: Varo customers using direct depposit and need instant cash advances with 0% APR

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

High Interest Rates

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. 

Your Loan Terms

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. 

Your Bank Account

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?

Yes, you can borrow $400 instantly, as 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?

No. 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. 

Key Terms

• Cash advance: A small short-term loan that lets you borrow against income you have already earned or expect to receive on your next payday.

• Annual percentage rate (APR): The yearly cost of borrowing money, including interest and certain fees, expressed as a percentage. A lower APR often means you'll have a cheaper loan.

• Payday loan: A small, short-term loan usually due on your next payday. These loans often carry APRs of up to 400% and can trap borrowers in a cycle of debt.

• Soft credit check: A review of your credit that does not affect your credit score. Lenders use it to prequalify you, unlike a hard pull, which can lower your score.

• Margin loan: A loan secured by the investments in your taxable brokerage account. Rates are often low, but a drop in value can trigger a margin call requiring repayment or forfeiture of collateral.

Sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is a payday loan?:

  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-payday-loan-en-1567/

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is a cash advance?:

  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-cash-advance-en-44/

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is a APR?:

  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-difference-between-a-mortgage-interest-rate-and-an-apr-en-135/

• Equifax, Hard Inquiry vs. Soft Inquiry:

  https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/report/articles/-/learn/hard-inquiry-vs-soft-inquiry/

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Margin: Borrowing Money to Pay for Stocks:

  https://www.sec.gov/reportspubs/investor-publications/investorpubsmarginhtm.html

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors