⚠️ Disclosure
This is an independent review. We are NOT affiliated with Brigit Inc. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our ratings or analysis. Full disclosure →
What Is Brigit?
Brigit is a financial health app founded in 2017 by Zuben Mathews and Hamel Kothari. The app's primary purpose is to help users avoid overdraft fees by providing small cash advances before their next paycheck. Unlike traditional payday loans, Brigit charges no interest and performs no hard credit checks.
Here's what makes Brigit different from other cash advance apps:
| Feature | Brigit | Traditional Payday Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Rate | 0% APR | 400%+ APR |
| Credit Check | No hard pull | Usually required |
| Late Fees | $0 | $15-$50+ per occurrence |
| Repayment | Automatic on payday | Manual, often with rollovers |
| Max Amount | $500 | $500-$1,000+ |
| Cost Model | Monthly subscription ($0-$14.99) | Per-loan fees + interest |
Brigit is available on both iOS (App Store rating: 4.7/5) and Android (Google Play rating: 4.2/5). The company is headquartered in New York City and has raised over $90 million in funding from investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners and Nyca Partners.
How Brigit Works: Step-by-Step
Getting started with Brigit takes about 5-10 minutes. Here's exactly how the process works:
Step 1: Download and Sign Up
Download Brigit from the App Store or Google Play. Create an account using your email, phone number, and basic personal information. You'll need to verify your identity with your date of birth and the last 4 digits of your SSN.
Step 2: Connect Your Bank Account
Link your primary bank account through Plaid (a secure banking connection service used by Venmo, Coinbase, and thousands of other apps). Brigit supports most major banks including:
- Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank
- Capital One, US Bank, PNC, TD Bank
- Credit unions and regional banks
- Online banks like Chime, Current, Varo
💡 Important
Brigit requires at least 60 days of transaction history and regular direct deposits to calculate your Brigit Score. If your bank account is new, you may need to wait before qualifying for advances.
Step 3: Get Your Brigit Score
Once connected, Brigit analyzes your income patterns, spending habits, and account balance to calculate your "Brigit Score." This score (not related to your credit score) determines how much you can borrow—anywhere from $50 to $500.
Step 4: Request a Cash Advance
When you need money, open the app and request an advance up to your limit. Choose between:
- Express Delivery: Funds arrive in ~20 minutes to 4 hours (included with paid plans)
- Standard Delivery: Funds arrive in 2-3 business days (free tier only)
Step 5: Automatic Repayment
Brigit automatically withdraws the advance amount from your bank account on your next payday. There are no late fees if your account doesn't have sufficient funds—Brigit will simply try again later.
Brigit Pricing: Free vs Plus vs Premium (2025)
Brigit offers three subscription tiers. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you get with each plan:
- Cash advances up to $50
- Standard delivery (2-3 days)
- Balance alerts
- Spending insights
- No Express Delivery
- No Credit Builder
- Cash advances up to $250
- Express Delivery (~20 min)
- Balance alerts
- Spending insights
- Identity theft protection
- No Credit Builder
- Cash advances up to $500
- Express Delivery (~20 min)
- Credit Builder included
- Credit score monitoring
- Identity theft protection
- Financial coaching
Is the Monthly Fee Worth It?
Let's do the math. The average overdraft fee from US banks is $35. If Brigit helps you avoid just one overdraft per month, the $8.99 Plus plan saves you $26.01. Here's a cost comparison:
| Scenario | Cost Without Brigit | Cost With Brigit Plus | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 overdraft/month | $35 | $8.99 | $26.01 |
| 2 overdrafts/month | $70 | $8.99 | $61.01 |
| $200 payday loan (2 weeks) | $30+ fees (400% APR) | $8.99 | $21.01+ |
💰 Our Take
If you use cash advances at least once a month, Brigit Plus ($8.99) is almost certainly worth it. If you rarely need advances, stick with the free tier or consider alternatives like Dave ($1/month) or Earnin (tip-based).
Brigit Instant Cash: How the Advances Work
Brigit's Instant Cash feature is the core of the app. Here's everything you need to know about how cash advances work:
Advance Limits by Plan
| Plan | Minimum | Maximum | Express Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $20 | $50 | Not available |
| Plus ($8.99) | $20 | $250 | ~20 min - 4 hours |
| Premium ($14.99) | $20 | $500 | ~20 min - 4 hours |
Important: Your personal limit depends on your Brigit Score, not just your subscription tier. Even Premium members may have limits below $500 if their score is low.
How Long Does It Take to Get Money?
Delivery times depend on your plan and bank:
- Express Delivery (Plus/Premium): 20 minutes to 4 hours for most major banks. Can take up to 8 hours for some credit unions.
- Standard Delivery (Free): 2-3 business days. Does not work on weekends or bank holidays.
Repayment Terms
Brigit automatically deducts your advance on your next detected payday. There's no flexibility to choose a different date, which can be a downside if your payday changes. However, there are no late fees if the automatic withdrawal fails—Brigit will simply try again on your next payday.
Brigit Credit Builder: Does It Actually Work?
Credit Builder is available with the Premium plan ($14.99/month). Here's how it works and whether it's worth the extra cost:
How Credit Builder Works
- Brigit gives you a $600 installment loan
- The $600 is held in a secured account (you don't receive it)
- Brigit makes 12 monthly payments of ~$50 to itself on your behalf
- Each payment is reported to all 3 credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
- After 12 months, you receive the $600 (minus any fees)
Expected Credit Score Improvement
According to Brigit and user reports, most people see:
- 30-50 point increase within 3-6 months
- 50-100 point increase after 12 months
- Best results for people with limited credit history ("thin file")
📊 Reality Check
Credit Builder works best for people with limited or no credit history. If you already have several credit accounts and a long history, the impact will be smaller. Results vary significantly based on your existing credit profile.
Credit Builder vs Alternatives
| Feature | Brigit Credit Builder | Self Credit Builder | Secured Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $14.99 (Premium plan) | $25-$150 (varies) | $0 (+ deposit) |
| Upfront Deposit | $0 | $0 | $200-$500 |
| Reports to All 3 Bureaus | Yes | Yes | Usually |
| Additional Benefits | Cash advances included | None | Builds spending history |
Understanding Your Brigit Score
Your Brigit Score determines how much you can borrow. It's calculated using several factors from your connected bank account:
Factors That Affect Your Score
| Factor | Impact | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Direct Deposits | High | Maintain consistent income deposits |
| Average Account Balance | High | Keep balance above $0; avoid overdrafts |
| Account Age | Medium | Use the same bank account over time |
| Income Consistency | High | Regular paycheck timing helps |
| Repayment History | Medium | Ensure funds available on payday |
💡 Pro Tip
Your Brigit Score can change over time. If you're denied or have a low limit, keep your account in good standing for 2-4 weeks and check again. Many users report increased limits after demonstrating consistent deposits.
Brigit Pros and Cons: The Complete List
After analyzing thousands of user reviews and testing the app ourselves, here are the genuine advantages and disadvantages of using Brigit:
✅ Pros
- No interest charges: 0% APR on all advances, unlike payday loans with 400%+ APR
- No credit check: Won't affect your credit score to sign up or borrow
- No late fees: If repayment fails, Brigit tries again—no penalties
- Fast delivery: Express deposits arrive in as little as 20 minutes
- Credit Builder: Can help improve credit score (Premium plan)
- Budgeting tools: Balance alerts and spending insights included
- Identity protection: Included with paid plans
- No hidden fees: Flat monthly subscription, no surprises
❌ Cons
- Monthly subscription: $8.99-$14.99/month adds up ($108-$180/year)
- Limited advance amounts: $500 max is less than some competitors
- Brigit Score can be limiting: Your actual limit may be lower than plan maximum
- No repayment flexibility: Can't choose a different due date
- Bank connection issues: Some users report problems with certain banks
- Free tier is very limited: Only $50 max with slow delivery
- Credit Builder requires Premium: Extra cost for credit building feature
- Not available in all states: Some restrictions apply
What Real Users Are Saying About Brigit
We analyzed user reviews from the App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot. Here's a summary of what real users experience:
Overall Ratings
| Platform | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | 4.7 / 5 ⭐ | ~85,000 reviews |
| Google Play Store | 4.2 / 5 ⭐ | ~40,000 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 / 5 ⭐ | ~3,500 reviews |
| BBB (Better Business Bureau) | Not Accredited | ~200 complaints |
Common Positive Reviews
"Brigit has saved me from so many overdraft fees. The express delivery is incredibly fast—I had money in my account within 30 minutes. Worth every penny of the subscription."
"I've been using Brigit for 2 years. The credit builder helped me go from a 580 to 680 credit score. The cash advances have helped me through tough times without resorting to payday loans."
Common Negative Reviews
"The app kept lowering my advance limit even though my income is consistent. Started at $250, now I can only get $100. No explanation given. Customer service wasn't helpful."
"Had trouble canceling my subscription. I cancelled in the app but was still charged for two more months. Had to dispute with my bank. Cancellation process needs improvement."
Common Themes in Reviews
| Theme | Positive Mentions | Negative Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Speed | 85% | 15% |
| Ease of Use | 90% | 10% |
| Advance Limits | 55% | 45% |
| Customer Service | 60% | 40% |
| Value for Money | 70% | 30% |
Brigit vs Competitors: Quick Comparison
How does Brigit stack up against other cash advance apps? Here's a quick comparison:
| App | Max Advance | Cost | Speed | Credit Builder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigit | $500 | $0-$14.99/mo | ~20 min | Yes (Premium) |
| Dave | $500 | $1/mo + tips | Minutes | No |
| Earnin | $100-$750 | Tips only | Minutes-1 day | No |
| MoneyLion | $500 | $0-$19.99/mo | Minutes | Yes |
| Chime SpotMe | $200 | $0 (free) | Instant | Separate product |
For detailed comparisons, see our guides:
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use Brigit?
✅ Brigit Is Good For:
- People who frequently overdraft: If you pay $35+ in overdraft fees monthly, Brigit will save you money
- Gig workers with variable income: Cash flow smoothing between paychecks
- Those avoiding payday loans: 0% APR is infinitely better than 400%+ APR
- People building credit: Credit Builder can help establish payment history
- Those who need fast cash: Express delivery is genuinely quick
❌ Brigit May NOT Be For:
- People who rarely need advances: Monthly fee isn't worth it for occasional use
- Those with unstable bank accounts: Low balances = low Brigit Score = low limits
- People needing large amounts: $500 max may not be enough
- Those who want free options: Dave ($1) or Earnin (tips) may be cheaper
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I borrow from Brigit?
Brigit offers cash advances from $50 to $500. Free users get up to $50, Plus members ($8.99/month) get up to $250, and Premium members ($14.99/month) get up to $500. Your actual limit depends on your Brigit Score, which is calculated based on your bank account activity, income consistency, and account history.
Is Brigit legit and safe to use?
Yes, Brigit is a legitimate fintech company founded in 2017 in New York City. It has over 12 million users, maintains a 4.2-star rating from 125,000+ reviews, and uses 256-bit bank-level encryption. Brigit partners with FDIC-insured banks and is registered as a money services business. However, it's important to note that Brigit is NOT a bank itself.
Does Brigit affect your credit score?
Brigit's cash advances do NOT affect your credit score. They don't perform hard credit checks when you sign up or request advances, and non-repayment is not reported to credit bureaus. However, the Credit Builder feature (Premium plan) DOES report to all 3 credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—which can help improve your credit score over time.
How fast can I get money from Brigit?
Delivery speed depends on your plan. Express Delivery (Plus and Premium plans) takes approximately 20 minutes to 4 hours for most banks. Standard Delivery (Free plan) takes 2-3 business days and is not available on weekends or bank holidays. Actual times may vary based on your bank's processing speed.
Is Brigit worth the monthly fee?
It depends on your usage. If you use cash advances 2+ times per month and value fast delivery, the $8.99-$14.99 monthly fee is typically cheaper than bank overdraft fees ($35 average) or payday loans (400%+ APR). However, if you rarely need advances, the free tier or tip-based alternatives like Earnin may be more cost-effective.
What happens if I can't repay my Brigit advance?
Brigit does NOT charge late fees. If the automatic repayment fails because you don't have sufficient funds, Brigit will simply try again on your next detected payday. However, repeatedly failing to repay may lower your Brigit Score and reduce your future advance limits.
How do I cancel Brigit?
To cancel Brigit: Open the app → Go to Settings → Select "Subscription" → Tap "Cancel Subscription." Make sure to cancel before your next billing date to avoid being charged. You must repay any outstanding advances before canceling. For detailed steps, see our How to Cancel Brigit guide.
Why is my Brigit limit so low?
Your advance limit is based on your Brigit Score, which considers factors like income consistency, average bank balance, account age, and repayment history. Common reasons for low limits include: new bank account, irregular income, low account balance, or previous missed repayments. To increase your limit, maintain consistent deposits and positive balances for 2-4 weeks.
Our Verdict: Is Brigit Worth It in 2025?
The Bottom Line
Brigit is worth it if: You regularly need small cash advances, frequently overdraft your bank account, want to build credit (Premium), or prefer predictable monthly costs over per-transaction fees.
Consider alternatives if: You only occasionally need advances (try Dave or Earnin), need more than $500 (try MoneyLion), or want a completely free option (try Chime SpotMe).
Brigit isn't perfect—the subscription model can be expensive if you rarely use advances, and the Brigit Score system can feel arbitrary. But for its target audience—people living paycheck to paycheck who need occasional help bridging cash flow gaps—it's one of the best options available.
🎯 Our Recommendation
Start with the Free tier to test the app. If you find yourself needing advances regularly and want faster delivery, upgrade to Plus ($8.99). Only upgrade to Premium ($14.99) if you specifically want the Credit Builder feature.
📚 Sources & References
- Brigit Official Website: hellobrigit.com
- Apple App Store: Brigit App Listing & Reviews
- Google Play Store: Brigit App Listing & Reviews
- Trustpilot: Brigit Reviews
- Better Business Bureau: Brigit Profile
- CFPB: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guidelines on short-term lending
- Bankrate: "Average overdraft fee in 2024"
Last updated: January 20, 2025. We review and update this article regularly to ensure accuracy. App features and pricing may change without notice—always verify with official sources.