Brigit is not a cash advance app in the traditional sense. It is a subscription financial services platform that happens to include cash advances as one feature among many.
That distinction matters. When you sign up for Brigit, you are not downloading an app to get an occasional advance. You are subscribing to a service for $8.99 per month — or $14.99/month for Brigit Premium — that includes advances, credit building, budgeting tools, and overdraft protection.
For some users, that bundle is worth the monthly fee. For most, it is not. This review explains who should use Brigit, who should avoid it, and why the FTC took issue with the company in 2024.
Brigit
Cash advances + credit building + budgeting
✓ Pros
- Up to $250 advances
- Includes credit building and budgeting tools
- No credit check for approval
- Overdraft protection feature
- Available in most US states
✕ Cons
- Mandatory $8.99/month subscription
- FTC settlement (2024) over deceptive marketing
- Express fees add on top of subscription
- Single-use makes it expensive
- Privacy score only 6.5/10
How Brigit Works
Brigit operates on a subscription model. You sign up, connect your bank account, and pay $8.99/month (or $14.99/month for Premium). Once subscribed, you gain access to four core features:
- Cash advances — Up to $250, with express fees of $0.99 to $3.99
- Credit Builder — Reports on-time payments to credit bureaus
- Budgeting tools — Tracks spending and predicts shortfalls
- Overdraft protection — Alerts and advances to prevent bank fees
The subscription is not optional. If you want access to the app, you pay monthly, whether you use it or not.
The Real Cost of Brigit
Let's calculate what a single advance actually costs on Brigit.
| Scenario | Subscription | Express Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 advance of $100 | $8.99 | $1.99 | $10.98 |
| 2 advances of $100 | $8.99 | $3.98 | $12.97 |
| 1 advance, standard delivery | $8.99 | $0 | $8.99 |
| No advances, just credit builder | $8.99 | $0 | $8.99 |
For a $100 advance, Brigit costs between $8.99 and $10.98. That is 3x to 4x more expensive than Chime ($3) or Dave ($5). Brigit only makes financial sense if you use multiple features (credit builder + advances) on an ongoing basis.
The subscription model means Brigit costs you $8.99 whether you use the app or not. If you forget to cancel and stop using it, you are paying for a service you no longer need. Always track your subscriptions.
Brigit Ratings Breakdown
The FTC Settlement (2024)
In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission settled with Brigit over allegations that the company deceived consumers about its cash advance service. The FTC alleged that Brigit marketed "instant" advances that were not actually instant, and failed to disclose the subscription requirement clearly.
Brigit agreed to change its marketing practices and to make disclosures clearer. The company did not admit wrongdoing, but the settlement is a matter of public record and we factor it into our score.
The FTC settlement is not disqualifying. But it does reflect a company that has needed regulatory correction. Combined with the mandatory subscription, it makes Brigit a second-tier choice compared to Chime or Dave.
Brigit vs Other Cash Advance Apps
| App | Max Advance | Monthly Cost | Privacy | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chime | $200 | $0 | 9.2 | 9.0 |
| Dave | $500 | $0 | 6.8 | 7.5 |
| Brigit | $250 | $8.99 | 6.5 | 6.8 |
| EarnIn | $100/day | Tips + fees | 4.1 | 6.2 |
Who Should Use Brigit?
Brigit makes sense if you will use multiple features. If you are actively building credit and using advances regularly, the $8.99/month bundle can be worth it. The Credit Builder feature, in particular, offers real value for users with no credit history.
Brigit does not make sense if you only need an occasional advance. For that, use Chime or Dave. They charge no subscription, and their per-advance fees are lower.
Use Brigit only if you plan to actively use the credit building and budgeting features. Otherwise, choose Chime for its lower cost and higher privacy score. Read our complete cash advance apps guide to compare all four apps side by side.
See the Apps We Actually Recommend
We reviewed 12 apps. Only four passed our test. See the full 2026 ranking, including privacy scores and real cost.
Compare All AppsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Brigit safe to use?
Brigit uses bank-level encryption and does not perform hard credit checks. However, the FTC settled with Brigit in 2024 over deceptive marketing claims, and the company operates on a mandatory monthly subscription model.
How much does Brigit cost?
Brigit costs $8.99 per month for the base plan or $14.99 per month for Brigit Premium. Express delivery on advances costs an additional $0.99 to $3.99 depending on the amount.
Does Brigit charge interest?
Brigit does not charge traditional interest. However, the mandatory subscription fee effectively functions as a cost of access to the service, and the Minnesota Attorney General sued Brigit in 2024 alleging violations of state lending laws.
How much can I borrow from Brigit?
Brigit offers advances from $25 up to $250. Your limit is based on your income history and how long you have used the app.
Should I use Brigit or Chime?
Chime is the better choice for most users. It has no subscription fee, a higher privacy score (9.2 vs 6.5), and no major regulatory action. Brigit only makes sense if you will use multiple features (credit building, budgeting) to justify the monthly fee.