Is Gerald cash advance app legit?
Gerald is a real company founded in 2018 and backed by Y Combinator, but its reputation is mixed.
While it promises fee-free cash advances, many users report issues like delayed transfers, frustrating in-app spending requirements and unresponsive customer support. The Better Business Bureau gives Gerald an F rating, citing numerous unresolved complaints.
So, while Gerald isn’t a scam, it’s wise to consider other cash advance options before downloading the app.
Compare Gerald cash advance app to other apps
If you want to see how Gerald compares to other cash advance apps, check out what its competitors have to offer in the chart below.
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The Finder Score crunches 3+ types of short-term loans across 65+ lenders. It takes into account the product’s interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate – this gives you a simple score out of 10.
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Where Gerald cash advance app falls short
Cash advance amounts are rather small, with an $80 max, while other apps top out at $250, $500, $750 or more. Plus, you won’t receive the full amount you’re approved for. Instead, you have to spend a portion of your cash advance in the Gerald app by purchasing items in its Cornerstore or buying a prepaid cell phone plan through Cranberry Mobile.
If you choose to buy something in the Cornerstore, be prepared for high prices. You may also have to pay for shipping, which further eats into your cash advance, leaving you very little to transfer to your bank. And if you don’t like the item you purchased, you’re pretty much stuck with it. According to Gerald’s terms of service, there is no return policy and sales are final.
But those aren’t the only issues with the Gerald app. Many customers report that the app doesn’t work as it should, and they receive repeated error messages. And if you run into trouble, good luck contacting customer service. According to some reviews, they can be difficult to reach.
What makes Gerald cash advance app shine?
Gerald stands out by offering cash advances with no interest, fees or even instant transfer charges (if your bank allows it). That’s a nice change from other apps that might tack on subscription fees, express transfer fees or tip requests. It also skips the credit check, which makes it a good option if you have bad or limited credit.
You can get your money fast, too, sometimes within minutes after making a qualifying purchase if your bank supports instant transfers. Even slower banks still get you cash quicker than with many other apps.
And if you can’t pay it back right away, Gerald won’t report it to credit bureaus or send it to debt collection. Just know you won’t be able to borrow again until your balance is paid off.
Gerald cash advance app details
| Loan amount | $10 to $80 |
| Loan term | Until your next payday |
| Turnaround time | As soon as the same day |
| Costs | No subscription or transfer fees. You must spend a percentage of your cash advance in Gerald’s Cornerstore or on Cranberry, its mobile phone plan. |
| Requirements | Be at least 18 years old Reside in the United States Have a US Social Security number Have a mobile phone number with a US-based provider Connect to a bank account that’s at least 3 months old with a positive balance Show regular payroll deposits of at least $100 Have a history of leaving money in the bank for a few days after you get paid and consistently paying bills |
Gerald cash advance app contact info
| support@joingearld.com | |
| X, formerly Twitter | @joingerald |
| @joingerald |
How to qualify for Gerald cash advance app
If you’re considering taking out a cash advance through the Gerald app, here are the requirements you need to meet to qualify:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Live in the United States
- Have a Social Security number
- Have a cell phone number from a US-based provider
- Connect the app to a bank account that’s been open at least 3 months
- Have a positive balance in your bank account
- Consistently receive payroll deposits of at least $100
- Routinely keep money in the bank several days after payday
- Show a history of paying bills
Other features
Gerald may be known primarily for its cash advances, but it offers several other features, including:
- Play to earn. Earn coins by playing games, completing surveys or watching ads in the Gerald app. Once you accumulate at least 500 coins, you can redeem them for a cash advance.
- Mobile phone plans. Gerald offers prepaid eSIM mobile plans through Cranberry Mobile, powered by T-Mobile and AT&T.
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Purchase household essentials through Gerald’s Cornerstore and pay later without interest or fees.
Gerald cash advance app reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited |
No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating |
F |
| BBB customer reviews |
1.05 out of 5 stars, based on 22 customer reviews |
| BBB customer complaints |
63 customer complaints |
| App Store Score |
4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 13,600 customer reviews |
| Google Play Score |
4 out of 5 stars, based on 4,290 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of |
19 April 2025 |
Gerald consistently earns low ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and has received 63 official complaints over the past three years. It also has an F rating on the site because it routinely fails to resolve customer complaints.
Complaints include having to buy overpriced products with the cash advance, high shipping rates, not receiving approved advances, trouble transferring money and not being able to reach customer service. Many past customers label the app a scam and call for it to be removed from the App Store.
Ratings on Google Play and the App Store are more balanced, but few people leave positive comments. Those who do mention the helpful customer service team. Negative reviews touch on the same issues brought up by customers on the BBB site. They also say that the app is a waste of time and that error messages are common. A few even call it the “worst app ever.”
What do people on Reddit say?
There are a handful of comments about Gerald on Reddit — none of them positive. Most comments were in response to Redditors looking for lesser-known cash advance apps to borrow from. One commenter mentioned Gerald as a possibility, then several past customers piped up to warn the OP against it. Reasons for not recommending the app include having to purchase items in the store, high prices and that the app doesn’t work very well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gerald cash advance app free?
Yes, the Gerald app is free to download from either Google Play or the App Store. Cash advances are also free, but you need to either purchase something from the app’s store or use a portion of it on a prepaid phone plan.
How does Gerald cash advance work?
You can get approved for a cash advance up to $80 after downloading the Gerald app, creating an account and connecting the app to your bank. There’s no subscription fee required, but you must spend part of the cash advance either in Cornerstore (the app’s store) or on Cranberry (its prepaid phone plan). Then, you can transfer the remaining amount to your bank account. Repayment is made automatically on your next payday.
How long does Gerald cash advance take?
Gerald claims that cash advances can be received on the same day, but customers report transfers often take longer — up to several business days.
How much money can you get from Gerald cash advance app?
Gerald approves cash advances from $10 to $80. But keep in mind that you won’t actually receive the full amount — Gerald requires you to spend some of the cash advance in its ecosystem by purchasing products or paying for prepaid wireless.
What will happen if I don’t pay back a cash advance from Gerald?
If you don’t repay a cash advance from Gerald, you won’t be charged any late fees, interest charges or penalties. In its terms of use, the company states that it doesn’t report to any credit agencies, engage in debt collection or sell debt to a third party, so your credit should remain unharmed. However, you won’t be able to take out any additional advances until the outstanding balance is repaid.
