Cash Advance Apps

Cleo App Review

Last Updated: Apr 03, 2025

Cleo is a cash advance app that can give you up to $250 if you're eligible. There's no interest to pay, but you'll need to subscribe to Cleo Plus for $5.99 per month to access advances up to $100, or Cleo Builder for $14.99 per month for advances up to $250. If you want your cash almost instantly, there's an express fee ranging from $3.99 to $9.99 depending on how much you borrow. Otherwise, you can wait 3 to 4 business days and get the cash advance without any additional fees.

4.4
202K Reviews
Google Play
4.1
iOS App Store
4.6

Full review of Cleo

Cleo offers interest-free (but not fee-free) cash advances up to $250 to help you bridge the gap between paychecks. Unlike traditional payday loans, Cleo doesn't require a credit check, and it's friendly to all employment types, including gig workers. To be eligible, you'll need to show regular income, consistent deposits, and healthy financial habits in your bank account.

You can choose your repayment date without it being tied to your payday, giving you flexibility to manage your finances. If you need more time, you can extend your repayment date directly through the app. There are no late fees or penalties if you can't repay on the scheduled date, but keep in mind that not repaying may affect your ability to get future advances.

Standard cash advances are free and arrive in your account within 3 to 4 business days. If you need the money sooner, you can opt for an express transfer to get the funds within 24 hours, but this will cost you between $3.99 and $9.99 depending on the amount. To access cash advances, you'll need to subscribe to either Cleo Plus for $5.99 per month (advances up to $100) or Cleo Builder for $14.99 per month (advances up to $250 and credit-building tools). If you're interested in Cleo's additional features like AI-powered budgeting tools and credit-building assistance, the subscription could be a worthwhile investment.

Editor's hack: While Cleo typically charges a monthly fee ($5.99 for Cleo Plus or $14.99 for Cleo Builder) to access cash advances, we found that you can request a cash advance without paying a subscription fee by emailing their support team at team@meetcleo.com. You'll still need to qualify and go through the standard eligibility checks.

Advance amounts, fees and repayment terms

Advance amounts
$20 - $250
Monthly fee
$5.99
Time to get cash
3-4 business days
Expedite fee
$3.99–$9.99
Time to get cash with express fee
Within 24 hours

Should you use Cleo cash advance app?

Cleo might work well for you if:

  • Need cash fast: You need quick access to up to $250 without interest or credit checks
  • Flexible repayment: You prefer to repay at your own pace with no strict deadlines
  • Non-traditional income: You have income from gig work or freelance jobs
  • Build credit: You're interested in improving your credit score with Cleo's tools
  • Financial guidance: You'd enjoy personalized budgeting help from an AI assistant
  • High-yield savings: You want to earn interest on your savings with up to 3.52% APY
  • Early paycheck: You could benefit from accessing your paycheck up to two days early

When Cleo might not be a good fit:

  • Subscription fees: You don't want to pay monthly fees of $5.99 or $14.99
  • Express fees: You'd rather avoid paying extra for same-day cash advances
  • Waiting time: You need funds immediately but don't want to wait 3–4 days or pay express fees
  • Eligibility requirements: Your account activity or spending habits might not meet the app's criteria

How do I qualify for Cleo cash advance app?

To qualify for a cash advance from Cleo, you'll need to meet a few key criteria:

  1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
  2. Income: Have earned income from employment, whether it's gig work, part-time, or full-time jobs. There's no specific income amount required.
  3. Regular Deposits: Maintain regular and consistent deposits into your main bank account.
  4. Account Activity: Keep sufficient funds and enough transaction activity in your account.
  5. Financial Habits: Show healthy spending and budgeting habits. Avoid excessive cash withdrawals, missed payments, and overspending.

Cleo will review your financial habits and account activity to determine your eligibility and the maximum cash advance they can offer you.

How long does it take to get money from Cleo cash advance app?

You will usually get your cash advance in 3 to 4 business days with the free standard transfer.

If you need the money faster, you can choose to pay an express fee to get your advance within 24 hours. The fee depends on the amount you're borrowing:

  • $3.99 for advances up to $39
  • $6.99 for advances from $40 to $59
  • $7.99 for advances from $60 to $99
  • $8.99 for advances from $100 to $149
  • $9.99 for advances of $150 and above

This way, you can access your cash more quickly if you're willing to pay a bit extra.

When do I need to pay the cash advance back?

Cleo lets you decide when to pay back your cash advance. Keep in mind that:

  1. Flexible repayment date: You choose your repayment date when you take out the advance, and it's not tied to your payday or any set time limits.
  2. Extend repayment: Need more time? You can extend your repayment date by chatting with Cleo and saying "extend repayment".
  3. Future advances: If you don't repay your cash advance, you won't be able to get another one until it's paid off.

Other Cleo cash advance app features

Besides offering cash advances, Cleo packs in several features to help you manage your money and build your financial health.

AI Assistant and Budgeting Tools

Cleo's AI assistant brings a fresh, conversational approach to managing your finances. You can chat with Cleo to get personalized budgeting advice, track your spending, and receive real-time alerts when you're nearing your limits or have bills due. The app also makes it fun with interactive features like "roasting" for a humorous take on your spending habits and "hype mode" for some positive reinforcement.

Credit Building and Secured Card

If you're looking to build your credit, Cleo has you covered. With a secured credit card requiring a deposit as low as $1, you can start building your credit history without the need for a traditional credit card. Cleo provides insights and coaching on your credit score, helping you understand and improve it over time.

High-Yield Savings and Early Paycheck Access

Cleo offers a savings account with an APY of up to 3.52%, so your money can grow faster. Plus, by setting up direct deposit through the app, you can access your paycheck up to two days early, giving you quicker access to your funds.

Gamified Financial Education

Saving and learning about finances doesn't have to be dull. Cleo turns it into a game with interactive savings challenges, financial hacks, and quizzes to boost your financial literacy. It's a fun way to encourage better financial habits and make managing money more engaging.

Frequently asked questions about Cleo

Does Cleo actually send you $250?

Cleo advertises that they provide cash advances of up to $250. If you're a first-time user, you might start with a smaller amount. The maximum amount you can get from Cleo depends on your eligibility, which looks at things like your financial habits and how active your bank account is.

Cleo checks for regular and consistent deposits into your main bank account and likes to see healthy spending and budgeting habits. They want to make sure you have the ability to repay by looking at your income, how you use your account, and how you manage your money.

Read full answer

How does Cleo cash advance work?

Cleo is a cash advance app that lets you borrow up to $250. They give you money without interest, and you pay it back on a date you choose. The process is pretty simple: you download the app, sign up, link your bank account, subscribe to Cleo Plus or Cleo Builder, and ask for an advance. There's no credit check or interest fees, but Cleo charges a monthly subscription fee starting at $5.99 to access these advances. If you need the money instantly, you can pay a small fee; otherwise, you'll receive it in 3-4 business days for free.

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What is Cleo cash advance?

Cleo is a cash advance app that lets you borrow up to $250 instantly without interest, credit checks, or late fees. Instead, you'll pay a monthly subscription fee—$5.99 per month for Cleo Plus (access to up to $100) or $14.99 per month for Cleo Builder (access to up to $250 and credit-building features). You can choose same-day transfers for an express fee or opt for free standard transfers that take 3-4 business days.

To get a cash advance with Cleo, you don't need to provide extensive paperwork, and it's available to all employment types, including gig workers and freelancers. Cleo looks for regular deposits and healthy financial habits in your bank account but doesn't require a specific income amount.

Founded in 2016, Cleo is based in New York and claims over 5 million users. Alongside cash advances, the app offers AI-powered financial assistance and budgeting tools to help manage your money.

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How to stop Cleo from taking money?

If Cleo is still taking money from you, it means your subscription is still active. To stop them from taking money, you need to cancel your subscription. You can do this by typing "cancel" in the chat and following the prompts to unsubscribe, or by going to your profile in the app, selecting "Subscriptions", and tapping "Unsubscribe from Cleo Plus". You'll receive a confirmation email once your subscription has been cancelled.

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Compare Cleo to other cash advance apps

Select...
4.1
17K Reviews
Monthly fee
Free
Advance amount
$10 - $80
Eligibility
You must have verifiable income, verified card, use funds as specified.
Features
Instant cash advances up to $100, buy now pay later, earn rewards, bill management
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3.7
39K Reviews
Monthly fee
$0.99
Advance amount
$5 - $1,000
Eligibility
US residents 18+ with bank accounts eligible upon Beem's assessment.
Features
Instant cash advances up to $1,000, flexible repayment, expense tracking, credit monitoring, tax filing assistance.
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4.7
500K Reviews
Monthly fee
$8
Advance amount
$10 - $350
Eligibility
You must be 18+, with US bank account and steady income.
Features
Instant cash advances up to $350, no interest or credit checks, line of credit building credit history, automatic savings.
Read Full Review
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