How to Get a $100 Loan
Sometimes—despite your best intentions—you need to borrow money to make ends meet. Even $100 can make all the difference when you're stretched thin. If you find yourself in a financial pinch, there are a few different ways you can get a $100 loan. Cash advance apps, online personal loans, payday alternative loans and buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans are just a few options.
Below, learn more about how to get a $100 loan, what credit score you need and when an alternative to a small loan might be a better idea.
How to Get a $100 Loan
If you need to borrow an extra $100 to cover your expenses, consider the following options.
Cash Advance Apps
A cash advance app, or early payday app—such as Dave, Earnin or Brigit—allows you to borrow a small amount of money to be repaid on your next payday. Typically, no hard credit check is involved.
There are several cash advance apps that don't charge fees or interest for an advance, but if you need the money instantly, you'll have to pay for the convenience. Other apps might charge a monthly subscription fee.
Cash advance apps can have a high relative annual percentage rate (APR) when all fees are considered, but they're still more affordable compared to payday and other high-cost loans.
Learn more: What Is a Payday Loan and How Does It Work?
Compare personal loan rates
Find APRs from 6.7% to 35.99% and flexible terms of 12 to 120 months. Loan amounts range from $1,000 up to $250,000, with funding available the same day or up to 3 days.
Offers from our partners
Est. APR6.70 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$31 - $1,806
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR6.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$62 - $1,806
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.90 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $60,000
Est. monthly payment$45 - $2,168
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.74 - 35.49%
Loan amount$5,000 - $100,000
Est. monthly payment$228 - $3,237
Term24 - 84 mo
Est. APR7.74 - 35.91%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$31 - $1,804
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$91 - $1,806
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.95 - 29.99%
Loan amount$5,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$226 - $1,617
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR13.37 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $15,000
Est. monthly payment$89 - $542
Term12 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$5,000 - $40,000
Est. monthly payment$226 - $1,445
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $30,000
Est. monthly payment$90 - $1,187
Term24 - 48 mo
Est. APR8.99 - 29.99%
Loan amount$15,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$685 - $1,617
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR9.95 - 35.95%
Loan amount$2,000 - $35,000
Est. monthly payment$92 - $1,264
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.39 - 28.70%
Loan amount$20,000 - $250,000
Est. monthly payment$409 - $6,352
Term60 - 120 mo
Est. APR9.98 - 26.80%
Loan amount$5,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$231 - $1,403
Term24 - 72 mo
Est. APR9.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $35,000
Est. monthly payment$32 - $1,264
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR11.69 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$33 - $1,806
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR18.00 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,500 - $20,000
Est. monthly payment$54 - $723
Term36 - 60 mo
View all of our Best Personal Loans for 2026 to see what you’re likely to qualify for, and the rates and terms you might get.
Online Personal Loans
Online personal loans are like regular personal loans, but you don't have to visit a lender in person to get your cash. These loans can vary dramatically by term, loan amount and eligibility requirements. For example, some loans require a credit check while others don't. Some loans are available for as little as $100 while others start at $5,000. And you may be able to get repayment terms of anywhere from a couple months to several years.
Funding times can vary too. For example, smaller online loans may offer instant approval and funding, while larger loans may take several business days to process.
Fees and interest rates can vary, too, so it's crucial to shop around and compare lenders.
Learn more: How Do Online Loans Work?
Payday Alternative Loan
Payday alternative loans (PALs) are small, short-term loans available to members of federal credit unions. There are two types of PALs:
- PAL I loans: These loans come in amounts of $200 to $1,000 and have repayment terms of one to six months. You have to have been a member of a federal credit union for at least one month to qualify.
- PAL II loans: These loans let you borrow up to $2,000 and repay it over one to 12 months. You can qualify immediately after joining a federal credit union.
While you still have to pay interest on a PAL, rates are currently capped at 28%. Fees are also limited to "reasonable application fees," so these tend to be a more affordable option to payday loans.
Learn more: Do You Need Good Credit for a Payday Alternative Loan?
Buy Now, Pay Later
BNPL plans let you make a purchase upfront and pay for it over time. Unlike personal loans—which you apply for ahead of time—you can apply for a BNPL loan at checkout when making a purchase. Typically, BNPLs let you borrow with no hard credit check.
BNPL repayment plans vary, but a common structure is the "pay-in-four" model of four equal payments spread two weeks apart.
Often, you can borrow without fees or interest as long as you make your payments on time. Otherwise, you may get hit with charges.
Learn more: Pros and Cons of Buy Now, Pay Later
What Credit Score Is Needed for a $100 Loan?
There's no universal minimum credit score needed to borrow $100. Instead, it depends on the type of loan you use.
For example, many cash advance apps and BNPL providers don't perform a hard credit check, and PALs have no minimum credit score requirements. Personal loan credit score requirements can vary by lender, but you often need a score of at least 580 to qualify with a favorable lender.
Can You Get a $100 Loan Without Credit?
While having good credit generally makes it easier to qualify for a loan, it's possible to get a $100 loan without credit. Because a loan for $100 is relatively low-risk for a lender, your credit profile will make less of a difference than if you were to borrow a larger amount.
Example: Cash advance apps like Dave and BNPL providers like Afterpay offer loans with no hard credit check. Similarly, credit unions may approve payday alternative loans without checking a borrower's credit. In these cases, they'll look at your account standing and income to make an approval decision.
Other lenders might check your credit before approving a loan. Generally speaking, online personal loan lenders perform hard credit checks before approving loans, and you may not qualify without a decent credit history.
Should I Get a $100 Loan?
Borrowing money isn't inherently good or bad, but you should think carefully before taking out a loan of any size.
Here are some instances when getting a $100 loan may be a good idea:
- You need cash immediately for an essential purchase.
- You can avoid fees and high interest charges.
- You have a plan for paying off your loan on time.
Borrowing $100—or any amount—isn't always a good idea, though. If you can save up for a purchase instead, you can avoid potential fees, interest charges and administrative burden.
Generally speaking, you should avoid borrowing $100 for discretionary purposes, especially if you're unsure you'll be able to pay it off. And be aware of high-cost loans, such as payday loans, which may come with fees equivalent to triple-digit APRs.
Alternatives to Taking Out a Loan
Sometimes taking out a loan isn't a smart financial move, and hidden fees can cut into your loan proceeds. In these cases, consider the following alternatives to taking out a loan:
- Delay the purchase and save up. If you have the flexibility, you may be able to avoid borrowing entirely by saving up. Even if you can save just $20 a week, you'd be able to make a $100 purchase in five weeks.
- Borrow from family. Depending on your relationships with family and friends, someone might be willing to give you an interest-free loan. Even though it's not an official loan, clearly outline the borrowing terms to make sure you're on the same page.
- Sell unused items online. If you want a quick influx of cash without borrowing money, look around your house for items you no longer use. Things like clothes, furniture, books and home decor can sell easily on sites like Facebook Marketplace.
- Use a credit card. Credit cards often come with high interest rates, but they can be helpful when used wisely. If you can repay your credit card before any interest is charged, you can borrow without an added cost.
The Bottom Line
There are several ways to get a $100 loan, including cash advance apps, online loans, payday alternative loans and BNPL plans. When choosing a loan, consider factors like fees, interest rates, funding times and eligibility requirements.
If you do end up pursuing a loan, check your FICO® ScoreΘ for free from Experian before you apply to see what lenders may see when checking your credit.
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