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$500 loan

Five hundred dollars, without wrecking the next paycheck.

A $500 bill is a one-paycheck problem, which is exactly why it goes wrong: the whole thing comes out of one check. Here's what the same $500 does to your pay three different ways, and which one to pick.

See your $500 offer Show me the paychecks

Three ways to pay back $500.

Each bar is one paycheck. The dark part is what the loan takes from it. Type your own take-home and watch the bite change size.

Paid every two weeks. Monthly payments are split across two checks.
One payday · short-term loan$575 back on your next pay date: $500 plus a $75 finance charge ($15 per $100).

Total cost $75 · done in two weeks

$575
left
— of the checkCheapest in dollars. Hardest on the check.
6 months · installment loan$92.30 a month at 35.99% APR, about $46.15 out of each check.

Total cost $53.78 · 6 fixed payments

$46.15
left
— of the checkThe one most people should take.
12 months · installment loan$50.23 a month, about $25.11 a check.

Total cost $102.74 · 12 fixed payments

$25.11
left
— of the checkSmallest bite, twice the interest of 6 months. Pay it off early if you can; there's no penalty.

Illustrative at 35.99% APR and $15 per $100; your offer shows your figures. Which product you're offered depends on your income pattern and state. Short-term loans · Installment loans · Calculator

What $500 actually covers.

Typical US prices, 2026. If your bill is on this list, $500 is the right size; if it's twice this, see $1,000.

Brakes, pads and rotors$250–$600

One axle at an independent shop. Car repair loans

Vet visit with X-rays$300–$550

Exam, imaging, a prescription. Vet bill loans

Overdraft, stopped$35 × 3–4

Three overdraft fees cost more than the 6-month interest here.

A utility shut-off notice$180–$450

Past-due plus the reconnection fee. Rent & utilities

New tires, pair$220–$480

Installed, with alignment.

Dental filling or extraction$150–$450

Without insurance. Medical bill loans

Is $500 too much?

Under about $150, a loan is the wrong tool; the fee on any loan is a bad trade for a gap that small. Here's the ladder, cheapest first, for a $100 gap to payday.

We list these on purpose. The route finder does this for any amount.

  • Ask the biller for a two-week extension$0
  • Fee-free cash advance app (EarnIn, Chime MyPay)$0–$5.99
  • Credit union Payday Alternative Loan~$2–$5
  • Membership app (Dave, Brigit, Cleo)$6–$15
  • Credit card cash advance, cleared in a month~$5–$8
  • FrontPay short-term loan, $200 minimum$30 on $200

$500 loan
questions

More in the full FAQ.

How fast can I get a $500 loan?
Offers in minutes, money the next business day for most people; same day if you accept before the lender's cutoff (usually early afternoon your time) and your bank posts fast. Same-day loans
Can I get $500 with bad credit?
Yes, this is the amount where credit matters least. Lenders look at income and how the account behaves; scores in the 500s are common among approved $500 borrowers. The APR reflects it. Bad credit loans
Is a $500 loan better than a cash advance app?
If you can get $500 from EarnIn or Chime MyPay at $0 and repay it in one payday without trouble, the app wins. Most people can't get the full $500 from an app at first, and repaying $500 plus the rest of life out of one check is where the overdraft comes from. The paycheck bars above are the test. Apps vs a loan
What does a $500 loan cost?
Repaid on one payday as a short-term loan, about $75 ($15 per $100), so $575 back. Over 6 months at 35.99% APR, $92.30 a month and $53.78 in interest. Over 12 months, $50.23 a month and $102.74 total interest. Less time, less interest, bigger bite.
Do I need direct deposit?
No. Paper checks, cash deposits, gig payouts and benefits all count as income for the lenders in our network; the account just needs to show it arriving. Loans without direct deposit

Keep reading.

$1,000 loanWhen the bill is twice thisShort-term loansOne payday, or 3–6 paymentsSame-day loansCutoff times, by bankCash advance apps vs a loanWhere the line is
$200–$5,000Soft check · $0 to apply
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