Tilt (previously Empower) is a mobile app that offers cash advances up to $400 to eligible users who link a primary checking account and show consistent income. The advance is automatically repaid in full on your next payday, though you can request a due date extension.
In this review, I cover how the Tilt app works, what it costs, who qualifies and how it compares to similar cash advance apps.
⚠️ Before you borrow
Cash advance apps can seem like a quick and easy way to get money. But since most apps charge fees, you’ll likely end up owing more than you originally borrowed. This can trap you in a cycle of repeat borrowing that’s hard to break.
At a glance: Tilt app cash advance
Amounts available
$10 to $400
Free delivery
Express delivery timing and fees
Within 15 minutes to an external bank account: $1.00 to 3% of advance amount
Mandatory fees
No mandatory fees (Tilt charges an $8 subscription fee, but you can opt out)
Eligibility requirements
Must link your primary checking account where you receive paychecks
Repayment
Automatically withdrawn from your bank account on the date of your next paycheck
State availability
Not available in Connecticut, Maine and Washington D.C.
Tilt works by giving you a cash advance, ranging from $10 to $400, that’s repaid from your next paycheck. This feature is known as Tilt Cash Advance.
To request a cash advance, you’ll need to download the Tilt mobile app and link your primary checking account.
If eligible, you’ll receive the advance amount in your linked bank account in one business day.
If you want the money sooner, you’ll need to pay a fee, which varies based on the advance amount (more on that below).
On your next payday, Tilt automatically withdraws the amount you owe in full — the cash advance, plus any fees — from your linked account.
If you can’t repay the advance, you can reschedule your due date via the Tilt app or by contacting support. You must submit the request by 12 p.m. PT one business day before your scheduled repayment date.
You can only request one advance at a time. Tilt says it takes three business days to process your repayment.
How much do Tilt cash advances cost?
The only other fee Tilt charges is for instant delivery.
While instant delivery to a Tilt debit card is free, sending the funds to an external bank account triggers a fee, which varies based on the advance amount:
Advances of $10 to $99: $1 to $4.
Advances of $100 to $299: $5 to $8.
Advances of $300 to $400: 3% of the advance amount.
🤔 What does that really cost?
Tilt is a legitimate financial services company. Here’s what we know:
At the time of writing this review, Tilt is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
The Tilt app is rated 4.6 stars on Google Play (291,000 reviews) and 4.8 stars on the App Store (433,000 reviews).
There’s no pending federal regulatory action against Tilt.
Tilt receives relatively high marks from users on the app store, but it’s rare that a company offering financial services isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau. BBB accreditation helps vet businesses and gives customers an additional way to file and resolve a complaint.
Who qualifies for Tilt cash advances?
Tilt discloses very little about how to qualify for a cash advance.
According to the company, it looks at the “real-time financial habits” of your linked checking account. This includes your income and spending habits. From there, it decides what amount you can comfortably repay. There’s no credit check when you sign up for Tilt.
In the last quarter of 2025, first-time Tilt customers received a cash advance offer of $102. Returning customers received an offer of $171.
Tilt is not currently available to residents of Connecticut, Maine and Washington D.C.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
According to Tilt, you may be able to increase the advance amount you’re eligible for by showing a history of on-time payments. That means paying back each Tilt advance on time and in full and avoiding missed payments or due date extensions.
Pros and cons of using Tilt
Accepts external bank accounts: Unlike other apps, Tilt doesn’t require you to open a separate Tilt account to get a cash advance. Instead, you can link an existing bank account in which your paycheck is already deposited.
High fast-funding fees: To get an instant cash advance with Tilt, you’ll need to pay an instant delivery fee, ranging from $1 to $8 for advance amounts up to $299.99, then 3% of the advance amount. This fee is higher than competitors, some of which charge maximum fees of $5.99 or less.
Tilt vs. EarnIn vs. Brigit
Compare Tilt to other cash advance apps like EarnIn and Brigit, which offer larger amounts, but have other drawbacks.
EarnIn offers advances up to $1,000 with no mandatory fees for standard delivery. But EarnIn asks for tips, which increases the cost of borrowing. Avoid tipping any cash advance app.
Brigit offers a slightly larger advance (up to $500), but charges a hefty subscription fee that also increases the cost of borrowing. Unlike Tilt, there’s no way to opt out of this fee.
Tilt
EarnIn
Brigit
Max advance
Mandatory fees
Free delivery
Express delivery
Alternatives to using Tilt
There are other ways to get quick cash besides taking out a cash advance.
Explore other ways to make money: Instead of borrowing money, consider a temporary gig to cover small gaps in your budget. You can make money at home or online by selling things you don’t need, taking surveys and testing websites, among other options.
Download a BNPL app: If you need cash to purchase an essential item, like a laptop or mattress, “buy now, pay later” apps like Affirm and Klarna may be a good option. These apps split your purchase into smaller installments, usually with no interest and no fees if you pay on time, and you don’t need good credit to qualify.
Take out a friend or family loan: Friends and family are often an untapped resource for small loans. Though it may be difficult to ask for help, you can make it easier by drawing up a contract that clearly lists when you’ll repay the loan and if you’ll pay interest.
Consider a pawnshop loan: A pawnshop loan lets you borrow money by using a valuable item, like jewelry or electronics, as collateral. You leave the item with the pawnshop and receive a loan based on the item’s value. If you repay the loan, including fees, by the due date, you get your item back. If you don’t repay, the shop keeps the item.
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