Each month, thousands of Alaskans turn to payday loans to bridge sudden gaps in their budgets — whether it’s covering a medical bill, repairing a vehicle, or keeping the lights on until the next paycheck. For people with limited or poor credit, these short-term, small-dollar loans can feel like one of the few options left when traditional credit isn’t available.
To safeguard borrowers, Alaska has set clear payday lending rules that outline exactly how much can be borrowed, how long repayment can take, and the maximum fees that licensed lenders may charge.
Under current state law, licensed lenders may offer up to $500 with a minimum term of 14 days. Fees can be as high as $15 per $100 borrowed, which means that, on a typical two-week loan, the annual percentage rate (APR) generally falls between 194% and 521%.
While these numbers are high, they remain well below the extreme, four-digit APRs seen in some states without similar consumer protections. These limits also restrict loan terms and ensure that licensed lenders follow Alaska’s lending guidelines.
In June 2025, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 39 in an effort to place a 36% APR cap on payday loans, aligning them with the state’s Small Loan Act. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor, leaving the higher rate structure intact.
In addition, some online and out-of-state lenders use bank partnerships or tribal lending models to avoid Alaska’s regulations — often charging triple-digit APRs that can exceed those allowed for in-state, licensed lenders.
Best Payday Loans in Alaska
Now that we’ve discussed general information about Alaska payday loans online, let’s look at the terms and conditions different payday lenders offer for getting money.
PayDaySay

It’s not a financial institution but a platform with a vast database of lenders willing to lend you money. It takes about 5 minutes to fill out a qualification form and find a loan with favorable terms for you, and sometimes that’s enough time to get the funds into your bank account.
To get a payday loan online through this platform, you only need to provide basic information about yourself (name, last name, place of work, address, amount, and purpose of the loan).
Next, the application’s algorithms will select many offers from lenders, among which you can choose the one whose terms suit you best. This is an excellent option for those who do not want to go to different sites and compare the services of financial institutions manually.
PayDaySay does not set clear loan terms for its users; each lender does that separately. But, on average, you can get small credits of $100 to $500 here at 130% to 435% APR. Alaska payday loans online range from 14 to 31 days; you usually get the money before your next paycheck.
Using the PayDaySay platform is free; you do not have to pay fees. However, keep an eye on the terms of the contract because lenders have the right to charge you origination, late fees, and other payments.
Platform users say the company’s main advantage is its vast lender base. Almost everyone who applies for a loan gets money within 24 hours, regardless of their credit history.
However, the main disadvantage is that since the platform is an intermediary, it does not solve any financial issues, and all problems must be discussed directly with the lender.
Overall, PayDaySay is an excellent option for those who don’t want to spend hours comparing offers from different lenders online in search of the best loan terms. The company is entirely online, and you can find all the details on its website at https://paydaysay.com/.
CheckCity

This is one of the most popular platforms where you can get a payday loan online in Alaska from $100 to $500 for 14-36 days. To get the money, you must make a non-refundable deposit of $5, proving your US citizenship and residence address.
This platform offers borrowings at reasonably high interest rates, ranging from 192% to 435%. In addition, it does not conduct a credit check on its users and gives out 95% of those who apply for online loans in Alaska.
Users of the company say that CheckCity’s “loan extension” service helps them a lot. If you can’t pay the money back on the due date, you can extend the loan until your next paycheck. You can use this service no more than two times in a row.
This organization works both online and offline. If you would like to receive money in cash, you can go to P.O. Box 110807 Juneau, AK 99811. And if you want an online payday loan in Alaska, you can do so from your phone or computer on the website https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/dbs.
Because of the relatively high interest rate, we do not recommend using this platform as a first choice. However, if you need cash, CheckCity is a good solution for you.
OpenCashAdvance

This platform is similar to PayDaySay. However, it does not provide financial services but simply connects you to the right lender.
Compared to the first app, it has one disadvantage – if PayDaySay allows you to get money within 5 minutes to 24 hours, OpenCashAdvance always transfers funds to your bank account in 1-2 business days.
You can get a loan from $200 to $500 for 30 days. The lowest APR on credit is 150%, and the highest is 435%.
To get the loan, you must provide the following information:
- Your first and last name and phone number.
- Proof of employment.
- Paychecks from previous weeks.
This is a financial institution with a license and thousands of satisfied customers. Still, we do not recommend it if you need money urgently and can not wait two business days for funds transfer. The company is located in Wyoming, so if you want to get payday loans online in Alaska, you can do so on their website: https://opencashadvance.com/cash-advance-info/alaska.
PaydayPlus.net
It’s another company with a database of reliable lenders ready to lend you money. It works on a simple principle:
- First, you fill out a form with your contact information.
- Next, connect your existing bank account.
- Finally, you choose a lender whose terms suit you and sign a contract.
- In 1-2 business days, you receive the money in your bank account.
Through PaydayPlus.net, you can get a loan ranging from $100 to $500 for 14-31 days. The average rate for such a loan is 400%, and it depends on your credit history. In addition, lenders have the right to charge you different fees, so read the contract carefully and don’t miss anything.
This platform offers many options, but a high APR can be a problem. So be sure you can pay off a loan with that interest rate on time before applying for the company’s services.
Since PaydayPlus.net is based in Orlando, you can only get an Alaska payday loan online from their website https://plus-loans.com/alaska.
Snappy Loans

This Florida company can help you find a lender for a credit of $100 to $500 for a minimum of 14 days. The maximum APR is 435%.
When you sign up, you must fill out a form to verify your U.S. citizenship, age, and address. In addition, the company asks for proof of employment – lenders don’t want to work with people who are unofficially employed or have been employed for less than a month.
You can count on one loan extension, usually without additional fees. Once the lender approves your application and you sign the contract, the money goes straight into your bank account within one business day.
The company is a licensed intermediary and guarantees the protection of your information, so it is safe to use its services. They have an offline office in Florida, so to get Alaska payday loans online, use their website: https://www.snappypaydayloans.com/alaska-loans.php.
Are Payday Loans Legal in Alaska?
Payday loans, referred to under state law as deferred deposit advances, are legal in Alaska but strictly regulated. Licensed lenders may issue loans up to $500 for a minimum term of 14 days, with fees reaching $15 per $100 borrowed. That structure typically results in APRs ranging from 194% to over 521%, enabled by a special exemption under state law.
Borrowers in default aren’t criminally liable, and lenders cannot threaten or pursue criminal charges. However, they may enter civil court to recover damages and associated costs, provided they follow procedural safeguards. For example, lenders must attempt to reach an agreement, offer a payment plan of up to six months with a modest additional fee (no more than $30), and deliver a certified notice at least 15 days before filing suit.
Any lender, including out-of-state operators, must be licensed by Alaska’s Division of Banking and Securities to offer payday loans legally within the state. The Division maintains a public directory of licensed deferred deposit advance lenders and regulates them under Alaska Statutes AS 06.50.400 –.560 and corresponding regulations.
While the criteria you listed, such as U.S. citizenship, an Alaska address, a minimum income level, or having a bank account, are common among lenders, these are business requirements, not legal prerequisites.
They’re set individually by companies and are not mandated by state law. Lenders often perform a soft credit check to inform loan terms, such as the amount and approval conditions, but there’s no statewide regulation requiring one.
Terms for Payday Loans in Alaska
Compared to some other states, Alaska’s payday lending rules give borrowers a clearer framework and certain built-in protections. While these short-term loans are still expensive, they’re regulated by state law, which sets limits on loan amounts, fees, and how often they can be taken.
Key Rules for Alaska Payday Loans
- NSF Fee: Lenders may charge up to $30 if a payment is returned for insufficient funds.
- Cooling-Off Period: After repaying a payday loan, you must wait at least 14 days before taking out another one.
- One Loan at a Time: Borrowers may not have more than one active payday loan from any licensed lender.
- Rollovers/Extensions: You can extend repayment up to two times, but each extension may come with additional fees.
Loan Amounts
Maximum Loan: $500
Minimum Loan: Generally around $100, though it varies by lender.
Borrowing Tip: If it’s your first payday loan, borrow only what you absolutely need and choose the shortest term you can manage. This helps reduce total interest and lowers the risk of repeated borrowing.
Loan Terms
Minimum Term: 14 days (required by law).
Maximum Term: No legal limit, but most lenders set it between 28 and 35 days.
Extensions: Borrowers have the right to request up to two payment extensions if they cannot repay on time.
Loan Rates
Under Alaska law, lenders can charge up to $15 per $100 borrowed for a two-week loan, which translates to APRs between roughly 194% and 521% depending on the loan amount and term.
Here’s what that might look like for a 14-day term:
Loan Amount | Approx. APR | Total Repayment |
---|---|---|
$100 | 435% | $116.68 |
$200 | ~400% | $231.00 |
$300 | ~380% | $344.00 |
$400 | ~360% | $455.00 |
$500 | ~345% | $566.00 |
Example: If you borrow $200 for 28 days instead of 14, your fee could double — from $31 to $62 — because interest is calculated over a longer term.
Borrowing Advice
Always calculate the total repayment cost before signing any agreement. Take a payday loan only if you are confident you can pay it back in full on the due date, including fees. Otherwise, even with Alaska’s protections, repeated borrowing can quickly lead to a cycle of debt.
Pros and Cons of Payday Loans Online in Alaska
The advantages of Alaska online loans are as follows:
- They are regulated by law. Borrowers are more protected because they will receive money from licensed organizations under legally approved conditions.
- Many organizations, like PayDaySay, help you get such credit within minutes.
- These loans are unsecured, which means you don’t have to provide collateral to get the money.
- Alaska’s interest rate on these credits is lower than in other states.
- There are organizations in the state where you can even get such credit in cash.
- The ability to extend the credit twice is a great help to borrowers who have encountered an emergency event and can’t pay back the entire amount on time.
- This kind of credit is easy because you don’t need a good credit history.
The disadvantage of payday loans online in Alaska is the same as everywhere else; it is still an expensive loan that not everyone can pay back on time. In most situations, it is a wrong financial decision and often leads people into debt. Therefore, you have to be as careful as possible with these loans.
What Will Alaska’s Payday Loan Cost?
Understanding the real cost of a payday loan is important before you borrow. In Alaska, licensed lenders may charge up to $15 per $100 borrowed for a two-week loan. This means that the maximum legal cost for a $300 loan over 14 days is exactly $45, which equals an APR of roughly 391%.
To show how terms and APRs can affect what you pay, here’s a comparison of four illustrative examples from hypothetical lenders, plus one example at Alaska’s maximum allowed fee.
Loan Scenarios
Example 1: $300 at 350% APR for 14 days (below legal max)
Example 2: $300 at 360% APR for 10 days (below legal max)
Example 3: $300 at 335% APR for 30 days (below legal max)
Example 4: $300 at 340% APR for 24 days (below legal max)
Max Legal Rate in Alaska: $300 with $15 per $100 fee for 14 days (~391% APR)
How to Calculate the Cost
APR is an annual rate. To find the daily cost:
Daily rate = APR ÷ 365
Example 1 calculation:
Daily rate = 350% ÷ 365 ≈ 0.96%
Total interest = 0.96% × 14 days ≈ 13.4% of $300
Fee = $40.32
Total repayment = $340.32
Offer | APR | Term | Interest % | Fee | Total Repayment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Example 1 | 350% | 14 days | 13.4% | $40.32 | $340.32 |
Example 2 | 360% | 10 days | 9.9% | $29.50 | $329.50 |
Example 3 | 335% | 30 days | 27.5% | $82.60 | $382.60 |
Example 4 | 340% | 24 days | 22.3% | $67.00 | $367.00 |
Max Legal Rate (AK) | ~391% | 14 days | 15% | $45.00 | $345.00 |
Which Is Cheapest?
In these examples, Example 2—$300 at 360% APR for 10 days—has the lowest total cost. However, even at the maximum legal rate, the cost for 14 days in Alaska would be $45 for a $300 loan.
Borrowing Tip
If you must use a payday loan, keep the borrowing amount as low as possible and the term as short as you can manage. This will minimize interest costs and reduce the risk of getting stuck in a cycle of debt.
Alaska Online Payday Loans if the Credit Rating Is Poor
One of the main advantages of such credits is that almost anyone can get them because their primary purpose is to help those who are not selective for more favorable short-term loans.
If you have a bad credit history, you can still apply for these loans, and in 95% of cases, you will find a suitable option. However, defaulting on a loan can damage your credit history. So don’t resort to them if you have the chance or you’re not sure you can pay back the money on time.
What Are Alternatives to Alaska Payday Loans?
Since these loans are the most expensive, any other type of loan for which you have to pay less interest can be an alternative.
These can be:
- If you are part of a credit union, you can borrow a small amount from the organization at a minimal interest rate.
- Ask to borrow from your parents, friends, or relatives. Be as honest as possible and describe your situation. Very often, relatives are willing to lend you money, help you for free, or find better options to solve your problem.
- Ask your employer to pay your paycheck one or two weeks early. He may agree if it’s an exceptional case and you have a real emergency.
These loans are not as bad as many people do not pay on time, ruin their credit history and fall into a debt trap. Be careful with such loans and make sound financial decisions.