On this page
Our goal
We want readers to make informed decisions about short-term cash, including when a loan is not the best option. Our guides explain how products work, what they cost, and what the alternatives are.
Editorial independence
- We earn money when readers apply for a loan through our site (see our advertiser disclosure). That doesn’t change what our guides say about other products.
- We don’t accept payment from the companies we review or compare, and we don’t sell placements in our guides.
- We regularly point readers to options we don’t earn from, such as employer earned wage access, credit union loans, and payment plans.
- We aren’t affiliated with Payactiv or any other company we write about.
How we research
We prefer primary sources and link to them at the end of each guide:
- The company’s own published terms, such as pricing pages, fee schedules, and FAQs.
- Government and regulatory sources, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state regulators.
- Reputable secondary sources only when a primary source isn’t available, and labeled as such.
Each guide shows the date its facts were last checked. Fees and limits change often, so we also tell readers to confirm details with the provider.
When we can’t verify something
If we can’t confirm a fact, such as a lender’s APR range, a fee, or which states are served, we don’t estimate it. We mark it “Pending verification” until we have a reliable source. We never publish claims like guaranteed approval or guaranteed same-day funding.
Reviews and comparisons
- We describe how we reviewed a product, including what we did not do (for example, testing with a live employer account).
- We don’t assign our own star ratings unless we publish the method behind them.
- When we summarize public user reviews, we name the source and the date, paraphrase common themes, and don’t copy reviewers’ words.
- We don’t publish testimonials, and we don’t invent ratings or approval numbers.
Updates and corrections
We re-check provider fees, limits, and ratings at least monthly and update the “Updated” date when facts change. If you spot an error, please contact us. We’ll review it and correct the page if needed. Corrections email: [email protected]
Who writes and reviews
All guides and articles are written and reviewed by the Payactiv Apps Editorial Team. If a qualified subject-matter expert is added to the team, their name will be listed here.
Use of AI tools
Our policy on using AI tools for research and drafting, and on human review before publishing: We may use AI tools to assist with research, drafting, and fact-checking. All content is reviewed and approved by the Payactiv Apps Editorial Team before publishing. AI-generated content is always verified against primary sources, and no article is published without human editorial approval.