Albert App Review

3.6 _/5

Get Cash

Cash Advance

Budget, bank, save, and invest all in one app
Cash advances up to $250
Cashback-earning debit card
Investing support for beginners
30-day free trial

Only available through the mobile app
Costs $9.99 – $14.99 per month
Cash advances are small at first
Need the premium Genius plan for most features

Monthly cost	$9.99 – $14.99, depending on the plan
Services included	Budgeting, banking, automatic savings, cash advances, guided investing, identity protection, credit monitoring, & subscription canceling
Cash advance limit	Up to $250
Who can use it?	U.S. residents & citizens who are at least 18 years old

Albert is a solid all-in-one finance app if you’re looking to budget, save, invest, and get small cash advances in one place. It’s especially appealing for people who want to build better money habits with the help of automation and human guidance. That said, its features come at a cost—and many tools, including cash advances, require the $14.99/month Genius subscription.

Compared to other cash advance apps, Albert offers more financial tools, but it’s not the cheapest option. If you’re just looking for fast cash, there may be simpler (and cheaper) alternatives. Here’s everything to know.

Table of Contents

How does the Albert app work?
Albert cash advance
Albert Genius
Albert banking
Who’s eligible to use Albert?
Pros and cons of the Albert app
Is Albert legit?
1. What customers say in Albert app reviews
Albert vs. cash advance apps
How to use the Albert money app
FAQ

How does the Albert app work?

The Albert app aims to simplify personal finance by providing you with all the tools you need to better manage your money. The app has two subscription tiers:

Albert subscription ($9.99/month). This plan includes basic features, including budgeting and spending tracking. You link an external bank account, and Albert will help you build a budget and find subscriptions to cancel.
Genius subscription ($14.99/month). This gets you access to most Albert features, including a checking account (called a Cash account) with cash advances and a rewards debit card, a savings account with automatic savings tools, an investment account, identity protection, credit score monitoring, and access to real financial “geniuses” who can answer your money questions.

Unless you only need budgeting help, you’ll likely need the Genius plan to squeeze the most out of Albert. This table summarizes what each plan includes.

Feature	Albert subscription	Genius subscription
Budgeting & spending tracking	✅	✅
Bill negotiation	✅	✅
Subscription monitoring	✅	✅
Saving account	⛔	✅
Checking account	⛔	✅
Cashback rewards debit card	⛔	✅
Early paydays	⛔	✅
Investment account	⛔	✅
Cash advances	⛔	✅
Identity protection	⛔	✅
Credit monitoring	⛔	✅
Expert advice	⛔	✅

Albert cash advance

Albert offers cash advances of up to $250 with no interest, but there are a few requirements. You’ll need an Albert Cash account, a history of direct deposits, and a Genius subscription ($14.99/month). You’ll also need to have Smart Money transfers turned on—a feature that helps Albert monitor your finances to determine when you might need a boost.

Here’s how it works:

Once you qualify, you can request a cash advance directly in the app
Albert will send the money to your Albert Cash account or a linked external bank account
Typical starting limits are around $25 to $50
Limits can rise to $250 based on your account activity
As of mid-2024, the average Albert cash advance was $95
Repayment happens automatically with your next deposit

Albert doesn’t charge interest or late fees, but the Genius membership is required for most users to access the advance feature.

Standard delivery is free and takes 2–3 business days. For instant delivery, there’s usually a $4.99 fee if you’re sending to an external bank account. However, if you have a Genius subscription and use your Albert Cash account, you can get instant cash advances for free—a perk known as Albert Instant Advance.

Albert Genius

Albert Genius is a premium feature that costs $14.99 per month, or $12.49 per month when you pay annually. Genius subscribers can access more comprehensive tools and personalized guidance than regular Albert members. Here’s what you get:

Albert Cash account. Albert offers a cash account with early paycheck access (up to two days) and overdraft protection of up to $250. The account comes with a Mastercard debit card, and you can earn cash-back rewards.
Albert Savings account. The app analyzes your income and spending to set aside money automatically. You can create multiple savings goals and earn cash bonuses on your savings balance.
Free ATMs. With the Cash account, you can use over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs without fees. However, a $3.50 fee applies to non-network ATMs.
Albert Instant Advances. Borrow up to $250 via a cash advance (the average limit is $95). It’s free for instant delivery if you have the cash deposited into your Albert Cash Account.
Investment accounts. Albert offers custom portfolios based on your goals or lets you choose individual stocks and ETFs. You can start investing with as little as $1.
24/7 monitoring. The app offers identity protection, credit score monitoring, and real-time alerts to help keep your financial information safe.

Albert banking

Albert is not a bank itself. Instead, it offers banking services through three partner institutions—Sutton Bank, Coastal Community Bank, and Wells Fargo. These banks are all FDIC members, so if you open an Albert Cash or Albert Savings account, your money is insured through one of these institutions.

Who’s eligible to use Albert?

The Albert app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. Generally, anyone who meets these requirements can use it:

Requirement	Details
Citizenship	U.S. resident or citizen
State of residence	Anywhere in the U.S.
Minimum age	18 years
Minimum credit score	None
Minimum income	None
Bank requirements	Must have a bank account with a U.S. financial institution
Tech requirements	Must have a mobile phone that supports the Albert app and uses a U.S. mobile carrier

Remember, if you want a cash advance, you need an Albert Genius membership and a Cash account with regular deposits.

Pros and cons of the Albert app

The Albert app has these benefits and drawbacks:

Pros

Can budget, bank, save, and invest all in one app

If you don’t want separate banking, budgeting, and investing apps, the Albert app can help you streamline.
Offers cash advances up to $250

Cash advance apps can be a low-cost way to float you until your next payday. Many people use Albert to get cash advances.
Banking features

The Albert Cash and Save accounts offer various resources to help you save money, including automatic savings tools, cash bonuses on savings balances, and rewards on debit card purchases.
Investing support for beginners

With the Albert money app, you can answer a few questions about your investing goals and build a custom portfolio.
Comes with a 30-day free trial

You can take Albert for a test drive for free for 30 days. If you don’t like it, you can cancel before your first billing cycle with no charges.

Cons

Mobile app only

The only way to use Albert is through the mobile app. You can’t access your account online through a web browser.
Subscription fee

Downloading the Albert app is free, but you’ll pay $9.99 per month to use basic features and $14.99 per month for Genius features.
Other fees apply

Albert charges $3.50 for non-network ATMs and $4.99 to move money from an Albert Cash account to an external bank account within 10 minutes rather than waiting the standard three to six business days.
Cash advances are small at first

Albert gives cash advances up to $250, but it says the average cash advance is $95, and not all customers will qualify for one.
Confusing website

We found that Albert’s website contradicts itself and doesn’t clearly state what’s included with each subscription tier. This can be frustrating when deciding which plan to purchase.

Is Albert legit?

Real-life customers have mixed opinions about the Albert app. But overall, it has positive ratings online:

Source	Customer rating	Number of reviews
Trustpilot	4.5/5	3.7K
Apple App Store	4.6/5	186.5K
Google Play Store	4.3/5	98.6K
Better Business Bureau	3.65/5	1K

Collected on August 14, 2024.

What customers say in Albert app reviews

Many users appreciate the Albert app’s budgeting tools, savings features, and instant cash advances. They praise its user-friendly interface and helpful customer service. Some customers report that Albert has helped them reach savings goals and avoid overdraft fees.

However, some users find the cash advance amounts smaller than expected, which is typical among cash advance apps. Others voice concerns about the subscription fees not being worth the price. Also, some customers report having a difficult time closing their accounts.

Albert compared to other cash advance apps

While Albert offers more than just cash advances, it’s not the only app that combines quick cash with financial tools. Some competitors, like MoneyLion and Brigit, also offer insights, savings features, or even investment options. Here’s how Albert stacks up against a few alternatives. Check out our full rundown of the best cash advance apps here.

Company	What to Know	Rating (0-5)
5.0 Get Cash	Highest rated cash advance	5.0 Get Cash
4.5 Get Cash	Large advances possible	4.5 Get Cash
4.3 Get Cash	Offers repayment flexibility	4.3 Get Cash
3.6 Get Cash	All-in-one finance app	3.6 Get Cash

Albert vs. EarnIn

EarnIn is best for people who want instant cash advances with no monthly subscription fees. You can borrow up to $750 per pay period and tip what you think is fair. However, EarnIn doesn’t offer the full suite of financial tools Albert does, like budgeting, investing, or savings automation. If you just want quick, low-cost advances, EarnIn may be a better fit. If you’re looking for an all-in-one finance app, Albert offers more value—though at a higher cost.

Albert vs. MoneyLion

MoneyLion offers cash advances up to $500 through its Instacash feature—no subscription required. It also includes other financial services like credit builder loans and investment tools, putting it in similar territory as Albert.

However, MoneyLion’s interface can feel more focused on credit and investing, while Albert leans more into budgeting and savings. Both are comprehensive, but if you’re mainly looking for credit-building and fast cash, MoneyLion might edge Albert out.

Albert vs. Brigit

Brigit offers up to $250 in cash advances, just like Albert, but its monthly fee is lower ($9.99 for Brigit Plus vs. $14.99 for Albert Genius). Brigit also includes automatic overdraft protection and financial insights.

However, it doesn’t include built-in investing or a savings account like Albert does. If budgeting and short-term advances are your main priorities, Brigit may be more affordable. But Albert wins on features if you’re looking for long-term financial tools.

How to use the Albert money app

It takes less than 15 minutes to start using the Albert app. Here’s how:

Download the Albert App from the App Store or Google Play.
Open the app and tap “Get started.”
Tell Albert your top goals—opening a bank account, creating a budget, tracking spending, canceling subscriptions, saving money, or getting instant overdrafts.
Enter your name, email address, and password, and agree to the terms and conditions.
Connect your bank accounts so Albert can find your subscriptions and help you track your spending.

Depending on your goals, you can take several actions in the Albert app. For instance, you could set up your monthly budget, open a Cash account and request an instant cash advance, cancel old subscriptions, create goals, and start investing.

FAQ

Can the Albert app be trusted?

Albert is considered a trustworthy app. It has positive user reviews and offers several security features, including encryption and two-factor authentication, to protect your financial information. However, as with any financial app, it’s important to read the terms and conditions and stay informed about its privacy policies.

Does Albert App really give you $250?

YeYes — Albert can give eligible users up to $250 through its Instant cash advance feature. You don’t need to overdraft to access the money. Instead, you request it in the app, and it can be sent to either your Albert Cash account or a linked external bank account.

To qualify, you’ll need:

A Genius subscription
An Albert Cash account with regular direct deposits
Smart Money transfers enabled

Most users start with lower limits, but advance amounts can grow over time based on your activity.

How much does Albert let you borrow the first time?

Albert typically lets new users borrow up to $20 to $50 the first time. The exact amount depends on factors like your income, spending habits, and banking history. Over time, as you use the app and your financial activity becomes more predictable, Albert may increase your cash advance limit to up to $250.

How do I get my money out of Albert?

To get your money from Albert:

Use the “Instant” feature in the app to request a cash advance.
Choose whether you want instant delivery (which may come with a small fee) or standard delivery, which is free but takes a few days.
Funds will be sent directly to your linked bank account.

If you have money in your Albert Cash account, you can also withdraw it using your Albert debit card, transfer it to another account, or use an ATM.

How fast does Albert pay you?

Albert offers two speed options:

Instant delivery: Usually arrives within minutes to an hour, but it comes with a small fee (often around $4.99).
Standard delivery: Takes 2–3 business days, but it’s free.

Does Albert work with Chime?

Yes, Albert works with Chime. You can link your Chime account to Albert to take advantage of its budgeting tools, financial insights, and cash advance features.

Does Albert work with Cash App?

Yes, Albert works with Cash App. You can link your Cash App account to Albert to manage your finances, track spending, and use features like cash advances.

Does Albert work with Zelle?

Albert does not directly integrate with Zelle. However, you can use Albert with Zelle by linking your Zelle-compatible bank account to Albert for financial tracking and cash advance features.

Does Albert work with PayPal?

Albert does not directly integrate with PayPal. You can still use Albert for financial management and PayPal for transactions and transfers.

Does Albert work with Varo?

Yes, Albert works with Varo. You can link your Varo account to Albert to use its budgeting tools, financial insights, and cash advance features.

Does Albert work with Venmo?

Yes, Albert works with Venmo. You can link your Venmo account to Albert to manage your finances, track spending, and use features such as cash advances.

How we rated Albert

We designed LendEDU’s editorial rating system to help readers find companies that offer the best cash advance apps. Our system awards higher ratings to companies with affordable solutions, positive customer reviews, and online transparency of benefits and terms.

We compared Albert to several cash advance providers, using hundreds of data points from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. We weighted, scored, and combined each factor to produce a final editorial rating. This rating is expressed on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Our take is represented in our rating and best-for designation, recapped below.

Company/product	Rating
Albert cash advance app	3.6/5