You need cash before payday, and an ACE Cash Express store is right down the street. Before you sign, it helps to know what an ACE payday loan really costs, because the price tag is steep and there are cheaper ways to get through a short gap.
What Is an ACE Payday Loan?
ACE Cash Express is a storefront and online lender that offers payday loans, installment loans, title loans, and check cashing. An ACE payday loan is a small, short-term advance you pay back on your next payday. As of July 2026, advances typically run from $100 to $1,500, with terms of about 9 to 35 days, depending on your state and your paycheck.
How Much Does an ACE Payday Loan Cost?
This is the part to slow down for. As of July 2026, APRs on ACE payday loans reportedly range from about 375% to 650%, depending on your state, loan amount, and term, according to SuperMoney and Finder. ACE does not publish its fees or APRs on its website, so you often will not see the full cost until you apply.
To put that in plain numbers, a payday loan APR near 400% can mean paying $15 to $20 in fees for every $100 you borrow over just two weeks. Roll it over a few times and the fees can rival the amount you first borrowed.
Where Is It Available?
ACE runs over 900 stores across about 23 states, but payday loans specifically are offered in a smaller set, roughly 8 states as of July 2026. In other states, ACE may offer installment or title loans instead, which carry their own high costs. Availability and rules change often, so check what is legal and offered where you live.
The Honest Downside of Payday Loans
Payday loans are one of the most expensive ways to borrow. The short term and huge APR make it easy to fall into a cycle where you take a new loan to pay off the last one. That cycle is where many borrowers get stuck.
A payday loan also will not build your credit, since most payday lenders do not report on-time payments to the bureaus. So you pay a very high price and get no credit benefit for it. Firstcard is a comparison platform, so we would rather point you to cheaper options first.
If you need more than a few hundred dollars, a personal installment loan is often far cheaper and comes with fixed monthly payments. Upstart looks beyond your credit score to match you with lenders, so it can be an option even if your credit is still thin, and on-time payments can help your score.
Upstart
Upstart
Upstart is an online lending marketplace that partners with banks to provide personal loans from $1,000-$75,000. Upstart goes beyond traditional lending metrics to help you find financing that considers many factors including your education and experience
Standout feature
AI-driven underwriting that goes beyond your credit score — checking your rate is a soft pull with no score impact, most applicants are approved instantly, and funds can arrive as soon as the next business day.
Fees
Origination fee 0%–12% of the loan amount
Pros
No minimum credit score required (AI-based approval)
Cons
Origination fee: up to 12%
Cheaper Alternatives to an ACE Payday Loan
You usually have options that cost far less.
Cash Advance Apps
Cash advance apps can float you a small amount until payday without the triple-digit APR of a payday loan. MoneyLion pairs cash advances with a mobile banking account and other money tools, so you can cover a small shortfall and skip the payday fees.
MoneyLion
MoneyLion
Compare personal loan offers from top providers in minutes with no credit score impact with the MoneyLion Marketplace.
Standout feature
Soft-pull marketplace that surfaces prequalified personal loan offers from a network of lenders, with options up to $100,000 and partners that work with fair and bad credit
Fees
Free to use the marketplace
Pros
Compare multiple lender offers in minutes; soft credit pull to prequalify — no impact on your score
Cons
Final approval requires a hard pull from the chosen lender
More No-Interest Advance Options
You do not have to stop at one app. Klover is another cash advance app that can advance you cash with no mandatory interest, using your everyday account activity instead of a hard credit check to decide how much you qualify for.
Klover
Klover
Need cash before payday? Klover gives you instant access to up to $750 with no credit check, no interest, and no late fees. Earn points through surveys, receipt scanning, and daily activities to unlock higher advance amounts.
Standout feature
Up to $750 cash advance with no interest or credit check. Free standard delivery.
Fees
Free (optional instant delivery fee)
Pros
No interest or required fees. Quick access to cash advances. Multiple ways to earn points and unlock higher limits.
Cons
Points system can be grindy with ads and games required.
Payday Alternative Loans (PALs)
Federal credit unions offer PALs that are capped at 28% APR. That is a small fraction of a payday loan's cost, and you may qualify even with limited credit.
Credit-Builder Tools
If the real problem is thin or damaged credit, building it opens cheaper doors. The Self Visa® Credit Card and the Kikoff Secured Credit Card both report to the credit bureaus and can help you add positive history over time. The Current Build Card is another option that helps you build credit while you spend.
None of these are instant fixes, and results depend on your habits, but they cost far less than a 400% APR loan and can leave you in a stronger spot.
How to Borrow More Safely
- Ask your biller for a payment plan before you borrow.
- Compare the total dollar cost, not just the payment.
- Borrow the smallest amount you can.
- Set a clear payoff date and avoid rollovers.
- Pair short-term help with a long-term plan to build credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACE Cash Express a legitimate company?
Yes, ACE Cash Express is a real, licensed lender with stores in many states. Being legitimate does not make its payday loans cheap, though, so read the fees closely before you sign.
How much can I borrow from ACE?
As of July 2026, ACE payday advances generally range from $100 to $1,500, depending on your state and income. The exact limit and cost depend on where you live and how much you earn.
Will an ACE payday loan help my credit?
Usually not. Most payday lenders do not report on-time payments to the credit bureaus, so paying it back on time typically will not raise your score. Credit-builder products are a better fit for that goal.
What can I use instead of a payday loan?
Cash advance apps like MoneyLion and Klover, Payday Alternative Loans from credit unions capped at 28% APR, and credit-builder cards are usually far cheaper. Each has its own terms, so compare before you choose.
