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.
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
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
Loan Apps in California: What the 36% APR Cap Actually Means for Your Next Download
California's AB 539 caps loans $2,500 to $10,000 at 36% plus the Fed Funds Rate. Which apps operate under it, which quietly geofence the state, and how DFPI enforcement works in 2026.
By Elena Ruiz · 10 min
Loan Apps in New York: How the 16% Civil and 25% Criminal Usury Caps Shape What You Can Actually Borrow
New York's 16% civil and 25% criminal usury caps are the strictest in the country. What that means for which apps approve New York residents and how to file a DFS complaint.
By Elena Ruiz · 10 min
Loan Apps in Texas: How the 10% Usury Cap and the CAB Model Actually Set Your APR
Texas caps interest at 10% on paper, but Credit Access Business fees push effective APRs past 500%. The two-part math and what it means for app borrowers.
By Elena Ruiz · 11 min