In today’s fast-moving world, managing your finances can feel like another full-time job. For freelancers and side hustlers especially, inconsistent income makes saving even trickier.
That’s where AI-powered money-saving apps like Cleo and Plum come in. They promise to help you build savings automatically by analysing your income and spending, and making micro-savings on your behalf. But do they really work?
In this post, we’ll look at how Cleo and Plum perform in real-life use, how they compare, and whether they’re worth adding to your financial toolkit.
What Are Cleo and Plum?
| App | Description |
|---|---|
| Cleo | A finance app with a chatbot-style interface that connects to your bank account, analyses your spending, and helps you save through features like “Smart Save” and “Roast Mode.” Designed to be interactive and engaging. |
| Plum | An AI assistant focused on automatic savings, budgeting insights, and even investments. It runs quietly in the background, learning your habits and moving small amounts into savings automatically. |
Core Features Comparison
| Feature | Cleo | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic saving | Yes – Smart Save feature | Yes – AI algorithm & Round-ups |
| Spending analysis | Yes – chatbot notifications | Yes – breakdown by category |
| Investing | Not yet available | Yes – funds & stocks |
| Cashback & rewards | Yes – on select deals | Yes – multiple brands |
| Style & interface | Chat-based, playful | Clean, minimal, finance-first |
| Paid plan from | £5.99/month | £2.99/month |
How Do They Actually Perform?
Cleo – Encouraging and Informal
After testing Cleo for two weeks, it managed to save £22 using its Smart Save feature. The app sends daily messages about your spending habits, some blunt and some humorous, and provides small nudges to help you improve. If you enjoy a more casual, fun experience while managing money, Cleo delivers.
Plum – Quietly Effective
Plum was able to save £74 in just under a month through its automatic savings system. Once connected, it worked in the background without the need for constant interaction. It also offers investment options and the ability to divide savings into “Pockets” for different goals like rent, travel, or an emergency fund.
Join Plum – Get started (Affiliate link via Impact)
Real-Life Use Case: Freelancers with Irregular Income
Let’s take the example of a part-time freelancer based in the UK. He connects Cleo for everyday spending accountability and Plum for long-term savings.
After 6–8 weeks:
- Cleo helped track and reduce overspending.
- Plum automatically saved over £100 without any manual transfers.
- The combined use resulted in better money awareness and the start of an emergency savings buffer.
This setup works well for anyone whose income fluctuates — creatives, gig workers, side hustlers — because it removes the pressure to manually budget each week.
Potential Drawbacks
| App | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Cleo | Best suited for younger or tech-comfortable users. May feel too casual for some. |
| Plum | Investing features may feel complex at first. Some tools only unlock with a paid plan. |
So, Which One Should You Choose?
- If you want motivation and a bit of personality in your money app: Cleo is a great place to start.
- If you prefer a quiet, more traditional approach that just works in the background: Plum is a solid choice.
- Using both together is a smart strategy. Cleo helps you reflect on your day-to-day spending, while Plum builds long-term savings and even investment potential.
Affiliate Links (Disclosure)
This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to sign up through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps keep this website running and ad-free.
- Try Cleo – AI-based budgeting assistant
- Sign Up for Plum – Auto-saving and investing app (via Impact affiliate)
Final Thoughts
Both Cleo and Plum offer valuable tools for anyone trying to get better at managing money, especially if you don’t have the time or energy to do it all manually. Whether you want a playful assistant or a quiet savings engine, these apps make saving feel effortless and surprisingly effective.
If you’re starting out as a freelancer or side hustler, either of these tools could make a real difference in how you manage cash flow and build financial stability.
