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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Klarna vs Cleo AI

Klarna 4.9★ · Free to download 75
Winner Klarna
Cleo AI 4.7★ · Free to download 40

Klarna is generally preferred for its straightforward buy-now-pay-later services, while Cleo AI struggles with app functionality and customer service.

Full reviews: Klarna · Cleo AI

Klarna offers flexible payment options and is praised for helping users manage purchases, though some experience issues with declines and customer support. Cleo AI aims to provide cash advances and budgeting tools, but many users report significant problems with app functionality, subscription fees, and unresponsive customer service.

Head to head

Features and Core Functionality edge: KlarnaR6R7R8R9
Klarna Klarna users appreciate its 'pay in 3' or installment options, making shopping more affordable and helping with immediate needs R8R12R26. However, some users report unexpected declines even with good payment history, changes in available balance, and issues with purchase power R6R7R9.
Cleo AI Cleo AI is valued by some for providing cash advances to cover emergencies and prevent overdrafts . However, many users criticize the app for requiring a subscription before an advance, charging multiple fees per advance, and limiting withdrawal amounts R64R69. The budgeting feature is also noted as clunky, with incorrect categorization and difficulty in planning .
Ease of Use and Reliability edge: KlarnaR1R2R3R4
Klarna Klarna is generally seen as easy to use for making purchases and managing payments R2. However, some users report issues with face recognition, continuous loading, app updates at inconvenient times, and difficulties linking certain banks R1R3R4. There are also reports of payments being taken incorrectly or full amounts being charged instead of installments .
Cleo AI Cleo AI faces significant challenges with app reliability and ease of use. Numerous users report critical bugs, especially with the Plaid integration for linking bank accounts, which often gets stuck on a loading screen or fails to open R61. The app is also described as having a strange user interface, clunky budgeting, and performance lags .
Customer Support edge: KlarnaR1R16R19R27
Klarna Klarna's customer service receives frequent criticism for being unhelpful, difficult to reach, and providing generic responses R1R19. Users report issues with refunds not being processed, double charges, and being charged for services not received, with little resolution from support R16R27.
Cleo AI Cleo AI's customer support is widely condemned as nonexistent or extremely poor. Users report being unable to contact a live agent, getting stuck in loops with AI chatbots, and receiving no response to emails R67. This lack of support exacerbates problems with billing, advances, and app functionality.
Price/Value edge: KlarnaR10R12R13R26
Klarna Klarna is generally appreciated for providing flexible payment options without hidden fees, allowing users to make purchases more affordably R12R26R29. However, some users express frustration over being charged for subscriptions they didn't want or couldn't opt out of, or unexpected late fees R10R13R50.
Cleo AI Cleo AI's value proposition is heavily undermined by its pricing structure. Many users are frustrated by having to pay a subscription fee before qualifying for an advance, and then incurring additional fees for each advance or express withdrawal R64R69. This fee structure is seen as counterintuitive for users needing financial assistance R64.
Pick Klarna if

You want a flexible 'buy now, pay later' service for online and in-store purchases, appreciate clear payment plans, and want to build credit R8R12R29R53.

Pick Cleo AI if

You are looking for a cash advance specifically and are willing to navigate subscription fees and potential app issues, or if you value an AI chatbot for financial guidance .

Evidence note: Cleo AI's reviews show a strong negative skew due to critical app functionality issues (Plaid integration) and customer service problems, which overshadow its intended benefits. Klarna also has negative reviews, but they are more varied and less concentrated on core app failure.

Frequently asked

Does Klarna offer credit building?
Yes, many Klarna users appreciate that the service can help them build credit by making timely payments R7R29.
What are the common issues with Cleo AI?
Common issues with Cleo AI include critical bugs with linking bank accounts via Plaid, requiring a subscription and additional fees for cash advances, and a lack of effective human customer support R61R64R67R69.
Are there hidden fees with Klarna?
While many users praise Klarna for clear payment terms without extra charges, some report unexpected late fees or being charged for subscriptions they did not intend to purchase or could not easily cancel R10R13R50R53.

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. [R6] Klarna 3/5 · US Often Decline after offering: I’ve noticed Klarna will have services advertised all over these wholesale platform apps. Then you pick your items click Klarna, wait for plans to appear and then click to be told payment is declined due to something not at all related to me. I’m well ahead of my payments nor had 1 late. Strange but ai bot says it happens. So idk I guess it happens
  2. [R7] Klarna 1/5 · US Horrible treatment: Gonna make this quick but I’ve never missed a payment ever. Been with them for over a year and have other profiles I’m above 750 credit score. Randomly my purchase power went down dramatically and they want me to just pay all of it pretty much so why would I use you. I have the money but want to build my credit I would tell people to use the app and everything. I’m uninstalling
  3. [R8] Klarna 5/5 · US Klarna Account: I love that Klarna is there for people that need payments. Thank you
  4. [R9] Klarna 3/5 · US Report: It’s ok but I’m confused on why my available balance keep changing and yall keep running a credit check this affects people credit
  5. [R1] Klarna 1/5 · US Face Recognition: No help at all! The face recognition keeps blacking out. This is the fourth time. Every time I ask for help with an agent they give me a copy paste instructions that I told them several times I’ve already done it and still doesn’t work. They don’t care and always say wait 24-72 hours and try again. SSTILL DOESN’T WORK! I really hate the face recognition system. It’s so horrible!
  6. [R2] Klarna 5/5 · US F: Love itt
  7. [R3] Klarna 3/5 · US Telling me i cant use it: I cant use klarna because of my bank 🤦🏾‍♂️
  8. [R4] Klarna 1/5 · US App: Continuous loading
  9. [R16] Klarna 1/5 · US STARZ: I ordered STARZ through Klarna but could not login. STARZ says they can’t find my account and cannot provide a refund and stated Klarna has my payment and will be responsible for the refund. Now Klarna won’t refund my money and I guess I’ll be seeking legal action.
  10. [R19] Klarna 1/5 · US No customer service: Klarna needs to have a contact phone number available to speak to a live customer service representative
  11. [R27] Klarna 3/5 · GB Over charged: Good service overall, but I believe I may have been charged twice. Please investigate.
  12. [R10] Klarna 1/5 · US Declined for what??: There was no reason for my payment to have been declined! Thus, there was no justification for the late fee being applied to my account!
  13. [R12] Klarna 3/5 · GB Hooray for Klarna: Love using the pay in 3 agreement that Klarna offer. It makes shopping so easy and help make paying for things more affordable. I’m a very happy member. 👍👍👍
  14. [R13] Klarna 1/5 · US Makes you pay for a subscription: And will not allow you to opt out after you order with them
  15. [R26] Klarna 5/5 · US Lo mejor: Amo esta aplicación, obtengo mis cosas sin remordimientos y a plazos cómodos.
  16. [R29] Klarna 5/5 · US Salva vidas: Es una gran oportunidad de poder comprar más por menos y crear un crédito
  17. [R61] Cleo AI 1/5 · US App is bugged: Plaid didn’t pop up on the signup page. I don’t even have the chance to link my account since it never popped up. The screen just buffers
  18. [R64] Cleo AI 1/5 · US PAID ADVANCE: You literally have to pay before they will give you a advance which defeats the purpose of trying to get a payday advance if i had $6 i wouldnt need an advance! App is useless if your in a emergency you will have to pay
  19. [R67] Cleo AI 1/5 · US Nonexistent customer service: I wish I could leave a negative star rating. I was charged repeatedly for funds I didn’t get a chance to use. The funds that u was charged express fees for were taken out of my account the same day or the very next day 3 times in a row. I requested assistance and was given none. I was referred to a customer that apparently doesn’t exist. I got no help via chat and u w
  20. [R69] Cleo AI 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.
  21. [R50] Klarna 1/5 · US Theft!!!: I tried to see how it worked during a Walmart purchase and it gave me a zillion problems. It didn’t allow me to use cards attached to the account. It didn’t allow me to add a card to the account. And it CHARGED me for some stupid membership. You’ll definitely give me THAT back!!!
  22. [R53] Klarna 5/5 · US La mejor aplicación: No duden ante cualquier apuro, KLARNA es la más confiable,y es bien flexible con sus métodos de pago y es lo que dicen no hay cobros extras ni cosas raras, se las recomiendo 🙏🏻

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