Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Is it worth paying for

Cleo AI

60
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

Cleo AI can be helpful for quick cash advances and budgeting, but users frequently encounter issues with inconsistent advance amounts, high fees, and poor customer support.

Free to download seen up to $4000 4.7★ lifetime (242,779) since 2019

Cleo AI offers cash advances and budgeting tools, which some users find helpful for emergencies. However, many report frustration with misleading advance amounts, multiple fees for withdrawals, and a lack of human customer service, making the paid subscription questionable for some.

Free vs paid

The reviews indicate that Cleo AI offers cash advances, but the amount can be inconsistent and may require a subscription or fees for instant access R2R5R80. Some users mention paying a monthly subscription fee, such as $14.99, which may not guarantee a higher or consistent advance amount R92. The app also provides budgeting and expense tracking, with some users appreciating its clarity and ability to identify unknown subscriptions R17R47R72. However, some budgeting features are reported to be clunky or buggy .

Value complaints

  • Users are often misled by advertised advance amounts, receiving significantly less than expected upon signing up.R2R26
  • There are multiple fees for cash advances, including charges for each withdrawal and for instant payment, which can add up.R5R80R82R86
  • Advance amounts are inconsistent and can decrease significantly even with good repayment history, while subscription fees remain the same.R6R20R26R92
  • The app charges subscription fees and other fees without always delivering the promised features or advances, leading to accusations of scamming.R10R25R28R37

Where it delivers

  • Cleo AI provides fast and easy cash advances for emergencies or bills, helping users in a pinch.R1R8R11R33
  • The app offers helpful budgeting tools and financial advice, assisting users in managing their money and identifying subscriptions.R17R45R47R72
  • Some users report positive experiences with AI support for issues like fraud, finding the AI helpful.R4R9R98
  • Cleo can help improve credit scores by reporting positive financial statements.R93
Worth paying if

It might be worth paying for Cleo AI if you frequently need small, quick cash advances for emergencies and are comfortable with the associated fees and potential inconsistencies in advance amounts R1R8R11R33. It could also be useful if you value the budgeting features and are willing to overlook some UI issues R17R45R47R72.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying for Cleo AI if you are looking for reliable, consistent cash advances without high fees, as many users report issues with fluctuating advance amounts and multiple charges R2R5R6R20. Also, if you require direct human customer support for issues like fraud or account access, the app's reliance on AI and lack of human contact could be a significant drawback R3R7R15R31.

Evidence note: The reviews show a strong dichotomy between users who find the app helpful for quick cash and those who experience significant issues with fees, inconsistent advances, and poor customer service. Recent negative reviews often highlight issues with the signup process and the reliability of advance amounts.

Frequently asked

How much cash advance can I get from Cleo AI?
While Cleo AI advertises advances up to $250, many users report initially receiving only $30 to $50, with amounts fluctuating and sometimes decreasing to as low as $20 even with good repayment history R2R20R26R69.
Does Cleo AI charge fees for cash advances?
Yes, Cleo AI charges multiple fees for cash advances, including a $10.99 fee for each withdrawal and additional fees (e.g., $3.99, $5.99, $7.99, $14.99) for instant payment or expedited advances R5R75R78R80.
Is Cleo AI customer service helpful?
Customer service for Cleo AI is largely handled by an AI assistant, which many users find unhelpful, giving programmed or roundabout answers, and it can be very difficult to reach a live human agent R3R7R15R31.
Are there common technical issues with Cleo AI?
Yes, many users report significant technical issues, particularly during the signup process where the Plaid bank connection screen fails to load or loops, preventing account creation R13R14R18R19.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] 1/5 · US Misleading information: Says get $250 advance, but only allows $30 advance when you sign up.
  2. [R26] 1/5 · US DO NOT GET!! USE DAVE APP!!: It advertises up to 250$ in advance. when i first downloaded it I only got 50. It went up the second time to 100 and WENT DOWN DRASTICALLY to 30 and now i can only get 20 dollars in advance. I pay every single payment early or on time and I only ever need my date to be pushed back once. AFTER I PUSHED THE PAYBACK DATE IT ONLY GIVES YOU AN ADVANCE FOR 30. I will be clo
  3. [R5] 2/5 · US Cash advance “reload”: Overall app does what it claims to do one thing I don’t like is the somewhat new features that was added which is called reload sure it gives you a chance to take out more money but it’s all a money grab making you take out 5 different advances all with free if you choose to get the instant payment which adds up why not give the option to take out all the money in one advanc
  4. [R80] 3/5 · US Fees on top of fees!: Fees on top of fees! Will only allow you to take a portion of your available advance amount. You get charged a $10.99 fee for each withdrawal. Once you make your first withdrawal you have to wait 24 hours on the dot to request the next one. Not convenient at all.
  5. [R82] 2/5 · US Misleading: The fact that it breaks the cash advance up and you have to pay a fee of 8.49 for each cash advance is robbery. Why not let us take it all at once or on 2 parts instead of four. If we coming because we need something to hold us over why would paying and extra 30/40 dollars help.
  6. [R86] 3/5 · US Fees: I wish the fees were bundled into one instead of always having to pay for each advance. Or give us a the advance all at once.
  7. [R6] 1/5 · US Good for a few times but no good now: I loved it! Always paid it back every time but it’s not even letting get more advances
  8. [R20] 1/5 · US Matthew: They suck I paid my 80 advance and 80 boost back totaling 179 on time and then they cut my advance down to 20 with no boost with explanation and without anything changing feels like robbery
  9. [R92] 2/5 · US Unfair and a borderline rip off now, used to be better.: It’s a nice app and service, but they used to grant me a monthly $80 cash advance. My income has gone up since I began using the app, but they’ve decide to cut my advance limit by 75 percent down to $20; however the membership fee is the same. Between the membership fee and the transfer fee it’s like paying $30 to borrow $20. Really sours my
  10. [R10] 1/5 · US Misleading and fraudulent: I needed some cash n thought this would be a good option but it’s a nightmare had the service for less than than 10 hours did not borrow anything from them and still they refused to refund me
  11. [R25] 1/5 · US Not worth it: Taking my money never used the app
  12. [R28] 1/5 · US Don’t use this app: They will trick you into more and more expensive subscriptions offering higher advances and only scam you out of money.
  13. [R37] 1/5 · US Quick to take your money but won’t give you any: Quick to make you pay a fee but then won’t let you get your money back it won’t let me add my debit card, just says unknown error. So I wasted money signing up for the subscription. This app preys on people who need money.
  14. [R1] 5/5 · US Money borrow: A fast and easy service to get a quick loan for a bill or emergency very reliable
  15. [R8] 5/5 · US Cleo for the win: In a pinch? Cleo is a cinch!!
  16. [R11] 5/5 · US Got to give it time: Best app for your emergency fund
  17. [R33] 5/5 · US Great app: Love the app. Low interest on loans and it helped me when I was in a bind. If you short on funds this is the app you need if you have a checking account. Loan goes through in minutes. This is a life saving app. Thank so much for being there when I need it.
  18. [R17] 5/5 · US Professional, Friendly, & REAL: I appreciate the candid approach to assist the budgeting & expenses in my life! It is displayed so clearly- it’s the BEST plan I’ve ever subscribed to for planning my life and finances! - Thanks Cleo❣️
  19. [R45] 5/5 · US Help when needed: This is a great choice to manage budget and resources.
  20. [R47] 5/5 · US Great App!: Great app to have. Helps from budgeting to unknown subscriptions you forgot about that you’re still paying on.
  21. [R72] 5/5 · US I love this app: I’ve had Cleo for about two years now I love the fact that they give me good advice on how to manage my money
  22. [R4] 5/5 · US Great service: I’ve had fraud happen on my bank account and Cleo was great at walking me through steps to fix it. The AI rep was very helpful. Thanks Cleo
  23. [R9] 5/5 · US AWESOME SUPPORT: Time and time again you guys have been helpful and supportive towards my situation.
  24. [R98] 5/5 · US great app: Cleo is user friendly and always answers my questions and solves any problems I have recommended to numerous friends and family
  25. [R93] 5/5 · US Facts: Cleo really help my credit score go up by report positive financial statements to my credit report
  26. [R69] 1/5 · US They choose when you get paid: They approve you for 250 let you get 80 and then say your pay day is coming up so you can’t get the rest smh definitely not worth it
  27. [R75] 5/5 · US Oh yeah: Cool experience advance fee sucks, and the way they get you on the fees for not letting you take one advance instead it’s broken up into BS
  28. [R78] 2/5 · US Glitches and fees: Overall, this is a great option in a financial pinch. However, beware of fees. My accounts are connected and there are no connectivity issues. However, whenever I want to cash out and have the funds deposited into my account to avoid outlandish fees, the app glitches and says my account is not connected. Leaving the only option to pay the instant fee.
  29. [R3] 1/5 · US Horrible: Do not sign up for this. No humans to talk to, I got 2 cards and was unable to activate either of them, which canceled out the virtual card. Do NOT recommend!
  30. [R7] 1/5 · US Terrible customer service: Someone used my card and I disputed the charges. They have “refunded“ me but I can’t actually access any of my funds, the refunded money or the money still present. All I can do is use the stupid AI assistant giving roundabout, redundant answers. A few months have passed and I wanted to update this review for those that found it. Ultimately, they denied my dispute becau
  31. [R15] 1/5 · US No support: No support
  32. [R31] 1/5 · US Horrible Customer Service: It took 7 months to actually get a non-canned response. Their team doesn’t know it’s own app they’re supporting… I was legit redirected to their AI which was saying I had to go to them. Goofy. Their team doesn’t care about fixing their own problems. The features the market for their builder plan, like the debt tracking, the credit monitoring, the on-time credit reporti
  33. [R13] 1/5 · US Honestly the worst: I gave them my name, date of birth, and email on the sign up page and accepted their trash terms just to not be able to connect my bank. It says “The plaid server timed out, but you’re one step away from a cash advance”. I deleted the app and reinstalled it but it says the same thing. SAVE YOUR TIME I can’t finish signing up until I’m able to connect my bank account. Customer s
  34. [R14] 1/5 · US Needs to be removed from the App Store: Plaid screen doesn’t show when it’s time to connect a bank account at signup… it just says “loading…” then doesn’t take me to the plaid screen. Has to be the worst cash advance app ever!
  35. [R18] 1/5 · US Pure trash: Couldn’t finishing signing up. Plaid screen wouldn’t pop up to let me connect my bank account. I got stuck on the connect your bank screen, which is frozen. App is useless I see why this app has a 4.7 rating. It’s trash
  36. [R19] 1/5 · US Useless: The Plaid window at signup never opens, so there’s no way for me to link my bank or finish signing up. What makes it even more frustrating is that a couple of hours later I received an email reminding me to finish linking my bank and complete my signup, as if the app actually works, lol. This app sucks. Save yourself the trouble!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store