Albert review: Get a $250 advance until your next paycheck

What if we told you there’s a finance app that does it all — tracks income, analyzes spending habits, helps users save money, lets you earn cash bonuses, among other perks. Enter the Albert savings app — a one-stop shop for all of your monthly financial needs.

Launched in 2015, this app has millions of users today. It combines secure banking services, savings accounts, budgeting, investing, and more. While it’s best known for its cash advance solutions and wide range of savings account tools, Albert is designed to be an all around financing expert.
Ready to learn more? Here’s the only Albert app review you’ll need.

What is the Albert App?

Albert is a financial monitoring tool that does it all: automates savings, manages budgets, sets up custom investment portfolios, and more. It’s designed to be a one-stop shop for monthly financial needs. The Albert app allows users to save, spend, borrow, and invest.

Here’s what the Albert app can do at a glance:

• Tracks account balances and net worth
• Saves money by analyzing your spending and automatically setting money aside when you can afford it.
• Offers fee-free cash advance options
• Gives you access to your paycheck two days early
• Sets up a custom investment portfolio
• Offers insurance options and discounts

How does Albert compare to similar apps? Some finance apps keep track of bills. Others automate savings. The Albert savings app does this and more.

It offers multiple tools that help users save, budget, and invest. There are some close competitors which we’ll get to a little later in this review.

While the core features are free, many users choose to upgrade to the Genius subscription. Albert’s core features include a cash account, rewards debit card, recurring savings, and cash advances.

If you wish to invest, utilize Alberts Smart Saving tools, or connect with financial experts, you’ll need to upgrade.

Paying for the Albert Genius subscription may not be worth it for everyone. We’ll help you decide if it’s worth your money in this thorough Albert app review.

Get started with Albert here.

How the Albert App Works

Using the Albert app is made easy. Simply follow these 5 steps:

1. Install The App & Register

To use the app, you must first download it on the App Store or get it on Google Play. Once it’s installed on your phone, it’s time to register using your email address and password.

2. Tell Them About Yourself

Every individual’s financial life is different, which is why the app guarantees a personalized approach as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach.

The app will ask a few questions to best understand your needs. Once it has the information it needs, it will get to work and determine an effective approach.

3. Link Your Bank Account

After creating your Albert account, it’s time to connect your financial accounts.

Once your accounts are linked, Albert will provide recommendations. It’s important to note that Albert doesn’t store banking credentials and they use bank-level security to keep your information safe.

So, as an Albert member, you can have peace of mind all your financial accounts are in good hands.

4. Work With Albert Geniuses

Not all financial apps offer a way to connect with the experts.

With Albert Genius, you’ll have financial advisors at your fingertips. This personal finance app will analyze everything from your income to your spending to your budget. It finds ways to help you reach your money goals and improve your financial well-being.

With the free version, members will have access to all the basic functions. But for top support, enable Albert Genius.

This is a paid subscription that connects you with advisors. They will help you save money by providing you personalized, honest money advice.

They’ll help you pay down debt faster, offer investing advice, and answer any questions you may have.

5. Refer Friends and Family

Users can earn up to $1,500 by referring friends and family to Albert Cash. While this step isn’t mandatory, it is worth considering. Users have the ability to earn bonuses through the Albert referral program.

To enroll in this program, users will need to go to their profile tab and tap “Invite Friends”. From here, they can sync their contacts and refer as many friends as they’d like.

Referred users must receive a deposit from a qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more within 45 days of joining. The direct deposit must hit the account at least once every 30 days for 90 consecutive days. They also must use their Cash card to spend at least $200 every 30 days for 90 consecutive days.

Get started with Albert here.

Albert App Features

At this point, you have a solid idea of what the Albert app is designed to do. Here’s a rundown of its main features.

Albert Cash

This is the main account and there are no monthly service fees for Albert Cash accounts.

It’s a legitimate mobile banking experience offered through Sutton Bank to provide users with online banking services and FDIC insurance.

When you sign up, you’ll receive an account that has $0 minimum funding requirements and no monthly maintenance fees. Some of the main perks of an Albert Cash account include:

• Early Paycheck Access. Users can get paid up to two days early when they set up direct deposit.
• FDIC Insured. Have peace of mind your information and money are secure. The funds in your Albert Cash account are held at Sutton Bank and are FDIC insured.
• Cash Back Rewards. Genius subscribers will get cash back rewards on categories like gas, groceries, or delivery when they use the Albert debit card.

Note: Albert is not a bank. The banking services are provided by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the payer’s submission of deposits. Cash back terms apply. See app for details.

Cash Advance

Albert is one of the more popular cash advance applications available. Users will enjoy interest-free instant cash advances up to $250 that will help them get through the month. The money will need to be paid back on the next paycheck.

Note that not everyone is eligible for fee-free cash advances. Eligibility depends on a few factors. Here are a few questions Albert will consider:

• How much income is deposited monthly into your connected bank account?
• Have you been receiving consistent income for the last two months from the same employer?
• Have your connected bank accounts been open for longer than two months?
• Are there any negative balances on your bank accounts?
• Was your recent paycheck received on time and are funds still available 24 hours after payday?

If you wish to get an instant cash advance, you can pay a small fee. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait 2-3 days to receive your cash advance for free.

Smart Savings

Albert’s Smart Savings feature is available to Genius members only. This feature analyzes income, bills, and spending habits in an attempt to help users save.

With Smart Savings, you can create specific goals like saving up for a car or building an emergency fund. It will then set money aside every week to help users reach their goals.

Prefer to transfer money yourself into your savings account? No problem; you can disable Smart Savings at any time.

Note: Genius subscribers can earn bonuses on their Albert Saving balance.

Albert Investing

Albert is a SEC-registered investment advisor and FINRA-member broker dealer and provides access to investment services through its app.

With Albert Genius, there are no trading fees and users will be able to start building their portfolio with just $1. They can buy individual stocks, classic portfolios, or themes.

If you prefer, you can allow Genius to create custom investment accounts based on your financial goals. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your investing goals, risk tolerance, and timeframe.

The investing feature is designed for beginners that aren’t as familiar with investing. The Albert savings app will help them learn the ropes and build wealth overtime. And, to help Genius members stay consistent, there is an auto-invest option available.

You can set this up to invest weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Albert Insurance

Albert is continuously working to expand its services and its insurance feature is proof of this.

Albert insurance works with a network of insurance companies to offer different types of services to its users. Users will be able to look for affordable life, car, or home/renters insurance right through the app. They’ll receive free quotes and compare prices.

This is a nice touch. However, many individuals may prefer to search for insurance on their own or with the help of a broker.

Financial Overview

When you log into your Albert app, you’ll have a financial overview of your finances, net worth, investment accounts, and more. You’ll be able to see the following:

• Any upcoming bills
• Recent expenses
• Money saved
• Unusual transactions
• Bill increases
• Overdraft fees
• And more!

Should you have any financial questions, experts are available at the subscription cost.

Get started with Albert here.

How Much Does the Albert App Cost?

Basic Albert app functions are completely free to use. These include a cash account, recurring savings, a rewards debit card, and cash advances.

Albert is one of the few (if not the only free app) that offers all-in-one financial services. However, to have access to most of the features, you’ll need to pay for a Genius subscription, which will cost you a minimum of $8 per month.

Who is the Albert App Best For?

The Albert app is for anyone looking for a simple way to organize their finances in one spot. It’s also a solid option for the beginning investor that wants to automate their savings.

If you’re someone looking for wealth-building products like cash-back rewards, auto-investing tools, cash advances, the Albert app is for you.

Who is the Albert App Not Ideal For?

Albert isn’t ideal for individuals looking for assets beyond stocks and ETFs. It also doesn’t support any retirement plans, so if this is important to you, you’ll need to consider other financial apps.

Keep in mind that apps that offer all-in-one solutions tend to do a fair job at multiple things. They don’t excel at just one thing.

For example, if budgeting is your main goal, you should use an app that specializes in budgeting. You may love the Albert ecosystem due to its other features. In that case, you can always use it as a budgeting assistant.

Is the Albert App Safe To Use?

Yes, Albert prides itself in its security features and uses advanced security protocols to protect its millions of users and keep all information private. The funds in your albert Cash and Albert Savings accounts are FDIC insured through their partner banks and the funds in your Albert investment account are SIPC-protected.

Is Albert Legit?

Yes, Albert is a secure and legitimate app. Both Albert Cash and Albert saving accounts are held at FDIC-insured financial institutions. These include:

• Sutton Bank
• Wells Fargo
• Coastal Community Bank
• Axos Bank

Albert also has SIPC insurance to cover the investing side of things. SIPC insurance does not protect against the decline in the market value of your investment – rather it protects you funds if the broker goes out of business.

Albert Reviews

You’ll notice that Albert Trustpilot reviews could be better. This isn’t due to horrible customer service or a poor user interface.

Most of the negative reviews come from users not being eligible for cash advances or having a low cash advance limit.

Keep in mind that this is the nature of most cash advance applications. The users eligibility depends on several factors like monthly income or consistency of their pay. Therefore, the amount received will look different for everyone.

Another common complaint reported is that this app moves money into savings without the user knowing. This is due to the apps Smart Savings tool.

It’s designed to help members save by calculating monthly income and expenses. From here, it will transfer money from the primary checking account into the savings by analyzing your spending patterns and setting aside small amounts when users can afford it.

You can disable this feature if you prefer complete control over your funds.

Get started with Albert here.

Albert Alternatives

We’re almost at the end of our Albert app review. Before we wrap-up, let’s go over how Albert stands up to the competition. We know that Albert is a popular cash advance application and it’s continually improving it’s interface by adding new features.

However, depending on your needs and financial life, other applications could be superior.

Here are some of Albert’s strongest competitors:

Chime®

If you’re looking for fee-free² mobile banking* services, Chime is a popular choice. It’s a low-fee alternative to Albert that comes with numerous features that’ll help you spend and save.

It also automatically rounds up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfers the round up from your checking account to your savings.

With Chime, users can qualify for Chime Spot Me®⁵, which is their cash advance feature. Users can borrow up to $200 without paying any fees or worrying about a credit check.

Chime also lets you get paid up to two days early³. This isn’t really superior to Albert considering the Albert app offers up to $250 with no late fees, no interest, and no credit checks.

Why do some people prefer Chime? Because of its high-yield savings account. It currently pays 2.00% APY⁷which is significantly higher than the Albert app.

Learn more with our full Chime review.

* Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
² There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.
³ Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
⁵ Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
⁷ The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of November 17, 2022. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

Oportun

Digit has a new name, Oportun!

Oportun is similar to Albert in that it automatically monitors spending habits and income. It has smart savings tools including automatically moving money from your linked bank account into your savings.

The amount it moves over depends on how much you can afford to save.

However, Oportun goes one step further. It puts money aside every month to ensure you have enough money for your monthly bills like rent or utilities.

With Oportun, users will also invest in a wide range of portfolios of low-fee ETFs. It only costs $5 per month to use the app, which is more affordable than Albert’s Genius subscription.

Oportun does not offer cash advances like Albert does.

Learn more with our full Oportun review.

Brigit

Brigit is an app that offers its members cash advances and budgeting tools. It analyzes spending habits and automatically advances you money when in danger of overdrawing your account (requires the Plus membership).

It’s one of Albert’s closest competitors. It has several similarities, the main ones being:

• $250 fee-free cash advance
• Real-time alerts for upcoming bills
• Basic budgeting tools that help users save

One difference between both applications is that Brigit also has a credit building feature. To use this feature, simply open a credit builder account, set aside as little as $1 per month for a minimum payment, and watch your credit score improve!

Another unique feature that Brigit has is a gigs section. Users can find side hustles to earn extra income. Albert does not offer this.

The biggest downside with Brigit, is that it costs $9.99 per month to unlock most features.

Learn more at Brigit.

Is Albert a trustworthy app?

Yes, Albert is safe to use. It takes on the same security measures as any major financial institution would. The app uses advanced security protocols to protect its millions of users.

It’s also important to note that Albert is not a bank. All banking services are conducted by Sutton Bank.

Does Albert app give you money?

Albert can spot its users up to $250 from their next paycheck. Cash advances include zero late fees, no interest, and no credit checks. Just repay it when you get paid.

Genius members will also get cash back on certain items including groceries, delivery, and gas when they use their Albert debit card.

Does the Albert app spot you $250?

Thanks to the Albert app’s cash advance feature, users can receive up to $250. Eligibility depends on a few factors concerning your direct deposit.

Why is Albert taking money from my account?

What you might be seeing is a transfer to your Albert Savings account. These may look like charges, but it’s actually money going into your savings.

Albert has an automatically save feature that will move money over from your linked bank account and transfer it to your Albert app savings. You can always disable this feature if you choose to save on your own.

What is an FDIC Insured Savings Account?

FDIC secured savings accounts are protected against the loss of deposits if an insured bank fails. The FDIC protects depositors located in the U.S. against these losses.

Summary

The Albert app offers a simple way to bank, save, and invest. It’s one of the more popular cash advance apps available, offering up to $250. If you need a comprehensive solution to managing your money and investments, look no further than the Albert app.

Experience it for yourself today!

Disclosures:
Albert is not a bank. Banking services provided by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. The Albert Mastercard® debit card is issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the payer’s submission of deposits. When you join Albert, you’ll set up an Albert Cash account and a 30-day trial for Albert Genius as part of the sign-up process. If you cancel within 30 days of signing up, you will not be charged for your subscription. Your subscription will auto-renew until canceled.
Cash back terms apply. See app for details. Download to see if you qualify for Albert Instant. Repay the advance with your next paycheck. Fees may apply.
All investments involve risk. Advisory services provided by Albert Investments, LLC. Brokerage services provided by Albert Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.
Albert Savings accounts are held for your benefit at FDIC-insured banks, including Coastal Community Bank, Axos Bank, and Wells Fargo, N.A. Savings bonus may vary.