Albert Instant review
Albert isn't available on Finder right now.
- Min. Amount
- $25
- Max. Amount
- $1,000
- Turnaround time
- Instant
Our verdict
Albert Instant cash advance is now an overdraft protection feature, and you don't need a subscription to use it.
Albert has changed Instant, the cash advance feature on its banking app, to an overdraft service offering up to $1,000 in protection. Using this feature keeps you from having to pay overdraft fees, and you don’t have to get a credit check to qualify. Albert states in its disclosures that your overdraft coverage starts at $25 and is increased at their discretion, with no real direction on how you can earn the increase. Also at their discretion is whether they pay your overdraft at all, regardless of whether the service is turned on or not.
Best for: Account holders who are worried about overdrafting their account.
Pros
-
No credit check required.
-
Gives you 10 days to repay the overdraft
-
Saves you from overdraft fees
Cons
-
No customer service phone number
-
Mixed customer reviews
Where Albert shines
Primarily, Albert is a banking app with multiple features. It has a free option and three paid plans, basic, standard and Genius. Here’s how it works:
- Free plan. You have access to a bank account, advances and loans.
- Basic plan. For $14.99/mo you have access to everything in the free plan, plus budgeting and basic savings.
- Standard plan. For the $19.99/mo you have access to everything in the basic plan, plus HYSA savings, investing, bill reduction, protect and cash back rewards.
- Genius plan. For $39.99/mo you have access to everything in the standard plan, plus genius.
Where Albert falls short
One of the top customer complaints against Albert is that it doesn’t list a customer service number, so there’s no way to speak to a real person to resolve issues. Instead, you’ll have to text or email.
Another common thread among complaints is the Albert app has a lot of pop-ups trying to get users to sign up for the paid membership. According to past users, these pop-up are constant and hard to close.
Many negative customer reviews about the Genius free trial
Albert users technically have 30 days to cancel any subscription, but many people forget or don’t know how. This is one of the main complaints against Albert. Some say they didn’t know they were enrolled in a free trial upon creating an account with the app, while others don’t like the inconvenience.
Requirements for Albert Instant
To get access to Albert Instant, you’ll have to meet these basic requirements:
- Have an active bank account linked to Albert
Albert Instant starts with $25 of overdraft coverage, which can be increased at Albert’s discretion. But the company says these are the factors they consider when deciding your Instant limit:
- Account activity
- Transaction history
- Direct deposits with Albert Cash
Albert states that eligibility to Instant isn’t guaranteed.
Albert reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | B |
| BBB customer reviews | 3.96 out of 5 stars, based on 1171 customer reviews |
| BBB customer complaints | 1,330 customer complaints |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 5,518 customer reviews |
| App Store Score | 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on 353,100 customer reviews |
| Google Play Score | 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 130,000 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 05 August 2025 |
Customer reviews and ratings are pretty mixed among reviewing platforms, with reviews on BBB being somewhat negative. Many reviews cite issues contacting customer service and problems resolving fraudulent charges.
Multiple reviews also state they were automatically charged the yearly membership fee once the free 30-day Genius trial ended. This is pretty standard after free trials, but according to users, you’re automatically enrolled in the yearly plan, and it’s a pain to switch to a monthly plan or cancel the membership. And there’s no customer phone line, so support is limited in resolving issues.
App store reviews are so-so, with many customers stating it’s an “alright” banking app with limited features. Many customers talk about pop-ups that are difficult to close in the app itself, but the overall sentiment is that the app’s functionality is decent if you’re enrolled in the core plan. But even the more positive reviews wish the Genius membership came with more perks.
Is Albert legit?
Yes, the Albert app is legitimate. Albert itself is not a bank, and its banking services are provided by Sutton Bank. The Albert savings accounts are actually held at FDIC-insured banks, including Wells Fargo and Axos Bank.
The app also takes steps to verify your identity before fulfilling requests, under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). This can include personally identifying information, answering security questions or signing forms. Albert also encrypts data using SSL and other technologies.
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Your reviews
Bethany Finder
Banking editor
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