Albert App Review 2023

Whether you’re looking to improve your financial life, increase your net worth, or save for a rainy day, the Albert app could be a valuable tool to make your journey easier.

From automatic savings to commission-free investments, access to financial advisors, and everything in between, Albert has a lot to offer its customers.

This Albert App review will help you see what it’s all about.

What is Albert?

Albert is a financial app designed to help you manage and save money with very few fees. Although the Albert app works similarly to banking apps, it’s not a bank but a fintech company.

The app offers banking services and features, including an FDIC-insured account through Sutton Bank, which also acts as the card issuer for the Albert debit card.

There are no physical bank branches – everything you need is available through the Albert app that you can download to your  Android and iOS mobile devices.

Albert Features

Albert comes jam-packed with features designed to improve personal finance. While not all features might be useful for everyone, Albert has covered quite a lot in a single app.

As such, you should be able to find something that can help you improve your experience with money.

Cash

Albert Cash, also known simply as Cash, is Albert’s equivalent of a checking account. There are no minimum balance requirements and no maintenance fees to pay either.

Balances are insured through the FDIC up to $250,000 – helping you rest easy knowing your money is secure should something happen to Albert.

If you set up your paycheck as a direct deposit with Albert, you may receive funds up to two days early. Of course, this depends on several factors and might not always be the case – however, it’s still an excellent feature.

Genius subscribers get a few extra perks. The biggest bonus is arguably cash back, which is available for gas and grocery purchases, deliveries, and a few others.

Subscribers also get fee-free ATM withdrawals from over 55,000 AllPoint ATMs. If you’re not a subscriber, fees may apply.

Out-of-network ATM withdrawals may also incur fees. To avoid paying extra, use the Albert app to locate your nearest free ATM.

Instant

Instant is Albert’s answer to overdraft fees. Many banks charge excessive overdraft fees, so having a way to prevent them can save you a lot of money – while still being able to cover emergency costs if you’re short on cash.

Through Instant, Albert will spot you up to $250. The amount you can get depends on what you qualify for, but most advances start at $10, and then you can work your way up to a higher amount.

As the name suggests, you can have the funds instantly for a small fee. The cash advance is free if you don’t mind waiting two to three business days.

There are no interest payments or late fees due on cash advances. Furthermore, Albert will not run a credit check on you (yes, not even a soft inquiry), helping you avoid damaging hits to your credit score.

Any cash advances are automatically deducted from your next paycheck, making it akin to a payday loan without the associated exuberant fees.

Saving

Albert has a few ways to help you save as painlessly as possible. If saving money is not your forte, you can use Smart Savings to avoid manually setting money aside.

All you need to do is set up your savings goals, and Albert will take care of the rest. It analyzes your income, bills, and spending in the background and then sets money aside into your Albert Savings account automatically to help you reach your set goals.

*Note: You must have a Genius subscription for this feature.

Alternatively, you can set your own savings schedule if you prefer to be more hands-on. You will also get a monthly bonus depending on your account balance.

You must have a balance of at least $10 to qualify and will receive the following bonus:

• $0.03 for balances of $10 – $99.99
• $0.10 for balances of $100 – $999.99
• $0.35 for balances over $1,000

This may not seem like much, but it’s free money and motivation to save. Every penny counts, and if you leave it untouched, it will continue to grow.

If you’re worried that saving money means you won’t have free access to it, you’d be glad to know this is not the case with Albert. You can withdraw money from your savings at any time with no limits.

Investing

If you want to grow your savings faster than the monthly savings bonus allows, then investing might be the right option.

Remember that investing is inherently risky as the value may go up and down. You need to have an active Genius subscription to use the Investing feature.

Genius offers two investment options.

• The first one is stocks – which allows you to buy individual stocks right from your Albert app.
• Alternatively, you can invest in funds, a collection of different stores that Albert bundles under a specific theme. Themes include anything from stocks of companies run by women to companies that focus on sustainability and much more.

You can use Genius to help you set up an investment portfolio. All you need to do is answer some simple questions, and Genius will take care of the rest.

Portfolios are highly customizable and accommodate different timeframes, goals, and risk appetites. You also have the option to choose your own investments and allocations and manage the portfolio yourself if you prefer.

Budgeting

Purchases made with your Albert debit card are categorized, helping you get insights into your spending habits. The app alerts you if you risk going over your budget – helping you reign in spending to stay on track.

The budgeting part of Albert also offers bill negotiation, fee finder services, and subscription monitoring to help you keep costs to a minimum.

Genius

Albert Genius is a paid subscription service that elevates the experience of using Albert. Not only does it offer access to features such as investments, but it also provides cash back and fee-free withdrawals, among other things.

One unique Genius subscription feature is the help on tap. Should you have a financial question or problem, you can reach out to Albert’s geniuses – a team of financial experts who’ll be more than happy to guide you through different financial questions and issues, be it budgeting, debt, student loans, and everything in between.

Protect

With a Genius subscription, the app watches your accounts 24/7 for suspicious activity. You can receive immediate alerts of any threats, and they scour the dark web for any identity theft risks, such as exposed passwords, hard credit inquiries, or unusual charges.

The subscription also includes credit monitoring that allows access to your full credit report and alerts you of any changes.

Fees

Pricing and fees are often deciding factors when choosing a financial solution. To help you make the best choice, we will cover the various fees you can expect when using Albert.

• Monthly Fees: Albert does not charge any monthly fees the way big banks do. The app’s core functionality has no hidden fees. That means you can download and install the app and use features that don’t require a Genius subscription for free.
• Genius Subscription: Albert charges $14.99 per month. You can pay for the subscription monthly or yearly, whichever works best for you.

Promotions

Albert has no current promotions, but they often run promotions to encourage users to refer friends and family to the app.

The promotions often have strict requirements, such as how much the referral must spend or have deposited in their account. Make sure to read the fine print to ensure you receive the bonus.

Security

Albert is split into three affiliated companies – Albert Corporation, Albert Securities LLC, and Albert Investments LLC.

Albert Securities LLC, a company that offers securities products and services, is a member of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation). Aberts Investments LLC, on the other hand, is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor).

Since Albert is not a bank, it cannot be insured by the FDIC directly. Instead, it must work with a conventional bank to offer its customers FDIC insurance on their deposits. Albert works with Sutton Bank, as well as Coastal Community Bank, and Wells Fargo for its savings products.

Deposits are insured for up to $250,000, while securities are insured for up to $500,000.

Data in transit is secured via SSL (Secure Socket Layer), and you have a username and a password to enter your account. You can also enable FaceID/TouchID or a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to avoid entering your username and password whenever you want to access the app.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• FDIC Insured
• Cash Advances up to $250
• Aggregates all Financial Accounts
• $1 to Start Commission-Free Investing

Cons

• No Phone Support
• No Retirement Investment Options

Customer Support

Unfortunately, there isn’t a phone number to contact Albert’s customer support. However, if you subscribe to Genius, you have ‘help on tap,’ providing access to financial professionals to answer your questions.

Albert also provides an email that you can use when you have general questions. Email support@albert.com, or check out their FAQ and support section, which answers most of the common questions.

Customer Reviews

Albert has a 3.3 star rating out of 5 stars on TrustPilot with 370 reviews. Most of the complaints are about the newly enforced Genius pricing of $14.99 per month or the availability of the overdraft coverage that some people think encourages them to go over their balance.

Here are what some customers are saying about the Albert App:

5-star review:

Albert has saved the day plenty of times with the instant transfer feature. Albert also tracks suspicious transactions, which has helped me stop 3 different scams. Overall a good app with no notable flaws.

4-star review:

Very good app, but sometimes it takes 3 days for my banking account balance to update.

3-star review:

I've been using this app for 3 years and I never had an issue transferring extra money which is the main reason I even use the app. But recently they are forcing you to download Genius which is $14 monthly, this used to be an option you could choose but now it's either you get it or you won't get a cash transfer, and you also have to sign up for their debit card, which asks for your personal info, in order to transfer cash funds. This will be my last transfer before I delete the app

How to Get Started

You can download the Albert app for both iOS and Android devices. Apple device users rate Albert higher than those using Google’s Android operating system. The experience is similar across both devices, and you get access to the same features.

The app has a very clean interface and is easy to use and navigate. You can also find plenty of tutorials and how-tos on Albert’s website should you get stuck or want more information about how a particular feature works.

Apple users can download the app from the App Store, while Android users must head to the Google Play Store. Downloading the app is free; however, you’ll need to make sure the app is compatible with your operating system version. In the App Store, it places 28th in the Finance category, with over 161,000 ratings.

Alternatives to Albert

While Albert is a great app for managing and growing your finances, it is not the only contender in town.

Here are some Albert app alternatives you should consider with similar features, including savings and investment accounts.

1. Opportun (Formerly Digit)

Opportun bought Digit about a year ago and has rebranded its app and features. With Opportun, you can:

• Borrow personal loans
• Create savings goals and reach them
• Budget
• Spend

Opportun’s goal is to help you strengthen your finances and confidence. The app is free for 30 days and then costs $5 per month.

Acorns

Acorn is a fintech app designed to help you save and invest money. There are three plans to choose from – Personal, which costs $3.00 per month; Personal Plus, which costs $5.00 per month; and Premium, which costs $9 per month. Like other similar apps, Acorns is not a bank but provides bank accounts and debit cards through Lincoln Savings Bank or nbkc Bank.

Acorns have some interesting and unique features, such as Acorns Earn, which allows you to earn stock or money when shopping, finding a new job, or inviting friends. Acorns also will enable you to invest in Bitcoin-linked ETFs, IRAs, UTMA/UGMA accounts, and many others, helping you diversify your portfolio.

Of course, Acorns also offers spending and saving accounts and access to a financial wellness system to help you improve your relationship with money.

Stash

Stash is a fintech app designed with investing in mind. The basic plan is called Stash Growth and costs $3.00 per month. This package gives you access to financial advice, investments, banking, and a $1,000 life insurance policy. Alternatively, you can opt for Stash+, which includes additional features for $9 per month.

Stash Bank services are offered through Stride Bank, which is a member of the FDIC.

One thing that stands out is their Stock Back Visa Debit card. Instead of earning cash back, you earn a piece of stock when purchasing from eligible retailers. If the stock goes up, the value of your stock-back also increases, thus increasing the value of what you earn.

Stash also offers investment options with thousands of ETFs and stocks available. You can build a diversified portfolio and invest automatically. You can also choose to invest in a Roth or traditional IRA (Individual Retirement Account).

Cash App

Cash App is another contender that makes it to the list of Albert alternatives. It comes with a fee-free, customizable debit card, early paychecks, and three free ATM monthly withdrawals.

Like other apps in this category, it offers several investment options, including stocks and bitcoin. You can make investments for as little as $1.00. You can buy these fractional shares commission-free to help you build your custom portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Albert app give you money?

Albert offers bonuses, cash advances, and cashback rewards. Here is how they work:

• Albert Instant: Get up to $250 in instant cash for a small fee.
• Cash back rewards: Genius subscribers can get cash back on eligible purchases

Is there a monthly fee for Albert?

The basic Albert subscription comes with no fees. You get access to basic features such as Albert Cash but will miss out on perks such as cashback and access to Genius.

For this, you’ll pay a monthly or yearly fee. While there is a $14.99 per month fee, Albert leaves it in your hands to pay what you feel is fair.

Is Albert a trustworthy app?

Albert’s B rating from the Better Business Bureau is not BBB accredited. It scored 4.1 out of 5 on the Google Play Store and 4.6 out of 5 on Apple’s App Store.

Savings and cash accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through Sutton Bank, and investments are also insured for up to $500,000.

Albert Securities LLC is registered as a Brokerage Firm, while Albert Investments LLC is registered as an Investment Adviser Firm. Both companies are registered with FINRA and can be verified through BrokerCheck.

You can reach Albert by email. Overall, they are pretty responsive, with complaints generally receiving a reply on the same day.

Overall, Albert is a trustworthy app. It works with regulators such as FINRA and Sutton Bank, ensuring a level of oversight. Your money is also insured, providing a safety net should something happen to the company.