Money IQ
The editorial side of compareloanapps.com. Plain-English guides on how loan apps actually price, where they are legal, which ones to avoid, and the math behind the marketing.
Earned Wage Access: Employer-Partnered vs. Direct-to-Consumer, and Why the Difference Costs You Money
Employer-integrated EWA products run blended APRs near 110%. Direct-to-consumer apps can cross 400%. Same category, different economics.
By Jordan Leventhal · 10 min
Loan App Data Privacy: What These Apps Actually Collect, and Who They Share It With
Loan apps pull bank transactions, contacts, location, and device IDs. Where that data actually goes, and how to pull it back with Plaid Portal.
By Ray Delacruz · 10 min
Do Loan Apps Show Up on Your Credit Report? A Plain-English Breakdown for 2026
Which loan apps report to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which ones stay silent, and what shows up if you miss a payment.
By Maya Okafor · 9 min
Loan Apps for Bad Credit (Under 580 FICO): What Actually Approves You in 2026
Under-580 FICO does not lock you out of the loan app market, but it reshapes who says yes. What underwrites on deposit flow instead of credit score.
By Maya Okafor · 10 min
Tip-Based Loan Apps: The True Cost Behind the "Optional" Tip Prompt
The tip is labeled optional, but 73% of users tip when prompted. How the UI drives uptake and what the annualised cost really looks like.
By Ray Delacruz · 9 min