Cleo is a legit cash advance app. Founded in 2016 in London by Barnaby Hussey-Yeo, the company is now headquartered in New York. Cleo is an AI-based fintech platform that helps over 150,000 people manage their money every day. The company claims to have over 5 million users. As of October 2023, there were no official regulatory complaints about Cleo.
Hundreds of Cleo reviews from March 2025 that we analyzed suggest users can rely on the app. Here’s what they have to say about it:
Based on user feedback, while Cleo advertises a maximum cash advance of $250, many users receive much lower amounts. Here's what we found:
While Cleo can provide quick cash when you need it, don't count on getting the full $250 right away. If you're considering Cleo for larger advances, be aware you might start with smaller amounts.
Even though Cleo is a legit company, we found over 40 reviews published recently describing the service as scammy (for context, this is out of hundreds we analyzed). About 30 explicitly call the service a “scam”, “fraud”, or “thieves,” while others mention unauthorized charges or hidden fees that made them feel deceived.
Several users report being charged subscription fees but not receiving the promised cash advances, or being told they didn't qualify after paying. A few worry about data security or unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts, and express frustration with unhelpful customer service.
The overarching theme is that people feel tricked or financially harmed, often pointing to unwanted subscriptions, surprise fees, and difficulty canceling or getting refunds.