While Cleo has a strong lifetime average rating of 4.4 on the App Store and Google Play with over 200,000 reviews, recent user ratings in March 2025 have dipped to 3.1. Some users have shared concerns about certain aspects of the app. Read on to learn more about these complaints, common issues, and what users are saying.
Out of hundreds of user reviews published in early 2025, here are some of the biggest frustrations shared:
Overall, unwanted charges and lack of support dominate the dissatisfaction.
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.
We found three overdraft-related complaints, with users reporting that Cleo withdrew funds without permission, leading to negative balances. One user mentioned they didn't receive their expected advance but still had money taken out, causing a bounced check.
Another user said Cleo pulled a repayment before their payday, resulting in an overdrawn account. These experiences highlight issues with unexpected withdrawals and timing of repayments that didn't align with users' pay cycles.