Our principles
- Accuracy over speed. We publish a number only when we can point to where it came from.
- Independence. No lender, app or advertiser sees content before publication or influences ratings.
- Usefulness. Every guide answers the question in the title before anything else.
- Transparency. We say how we make money, what we tested and when we last checked.
Sources we use
| Type | Examples | How we use them |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (preferred) | Brigit Terms of Service, Help Center, App Store and Google Play listings; FTC complaints, orders and press releases; CFPB and state regulator publications | Fees, limits, eligibility rules, legal history |
| First-hand testing | Our own Brigit accounts and competitor accounts | Application flow, delivery times, cancellation, UI changes |
| Provider websites | EarnIn, Dave, Chime, MoneyLion, Cleo, Tilt, Klover, Varo | Competitor fees and limits, with the date checked |
| Reputable secondary | NerdWallet, Forbes Advisor, LendEDU, major newspapers | Cross-checking and context, never as the only source for a number |
| User reviews | App Store, Google Play, Trustpilot, BBB | Themes and ratings; individual quotes only when verbatim and linked |
How we verify
Each guide is drafted from primary sources, tested where a flow can be tested, then reviewed by a consumer-credit specialist for accuracy and clarity. Figures that can change — prices, limits, fees — are tagged with the date we checked them. We re-verify every page when Brigit announces a change, after any regulatory action, and on a rolling schedule at least every 90 days.
How we rate
Our 0–10 scores weigh five factors equally: cost (total mandatory fees for a typical $250 advance), access (realistic starting limit and eligibility breadth), speed (free and instant delivery times), transparency (published rules, fee disclosure, cancellation), and track record (regulatory history, support quality, review themes). Scores are set by the editorial team and are never influenced by compensation. Brigit's 7.9/10 reflects strong transparency and a fair flat fee offset by small starting limits and a past FTC action.
User reviews and testimonials
We only publish quotes from real, identifiable reviews, reproduced verbatim with the platform, date and a link to the source. We never write, edit, solicit with incentives, or invent testimonials, and we never present a summary as a quote.
Use of automated tools
We use software to help organize research, check calculations and format pages. Every published statement is reviewed by a person who is responsible for its accuracy.
Corrections
If we got something wrong, email [email protected] with the page URL and the correct information and source. Material errors are corrected within two business days and the page's updated date is changed. We note significant corrections at the bottom of the affected page.
Compensation
We may be paid when you click links to lenders or apps, or submit our loan-comparison form. Compensation does not affect which products we cover, how we rate them, or what we say. See the advertiser disclosure.