Is the the card worth $14.99/month? We review how it works, what credit bureaus it reports to, and who it's best for.
The Cleo Credit Builder is a secured cards called the the card, issued by WebBank (Member FDIC). It's included in the the Builder plan subscription at $14.99/month.
Unlike traditional credit cards, you fund your own credit limit with a security deposit. Because your deposit backs your limit, there's no risk of carrying a balance — and no APR or late fees.
Cleo reports your payment status, outstanding balance, current balance, and highest statement amount to all three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — 14 days after every statement due date.
With Carefree Credit Building enabled, It automatically applies your deposit to your statement balance, making it nearly impossible to miss a payment — the most important factor for credit scoring.
| Product | Monthly Cost | Bureaus |
|---|---|---|
| the card | $14.99 | All 3 |
| Kikoff | $5/mo | Equifax + Experian |
| Ava Card | $6/mo | All 3 |
| Current Build | $4.99/mo | All 3 |
The the card reports your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — within 14 days of each monthly statement. This three-bureau reporting matters because lenders may pull credit from any of the three when you apply for loans or credit cards. Cards that only report to one bureau leave gaps in your credit profile.
Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score, the largest single factor. The the card includes automatic payment through your linked bank account, making it nearly impossible to accidentally miss a payment. Users who consistently use the card and let auto-pay handle balances see meaningful score improvements within 3–6 months of activation.
the Builder plan makes the most sense for users in three situations. First, people building credit from scratch — recent college graduates, new immigrants, or anyone who has never had a credit card. The no-credit-check approval removes the biggest hurdle for first-time credit users.
Second, users rebuilding after credit damage from missed payments, defaults, or bankruptcy. The the card's secured structure means approval doesn't depend on past mistakes. Third, users who already pay $5.99/month for the Plus plan and want to add credit building without managing a separate app — the $9 upgrade ($14.99 - $5.99) gives access to the card plus higher advance limits.
If credit building is your only goal, dedicated credit-builder products may be cheaper. Kikoff charges $5/month and offers similar three-bureau reporting through a credit-builder loan structure. Ava Card at $6/month works similarly to Cleo Builder but lacks the AI budgeting bundle.
The Cleo Card costs more because you pay for the full Cleo Builder subscription ($14.99/month), which includes cash advances up to $500, AI coaching, savings features, and the card. If you would use those bundled features anyway, the Builder tier offers the best value. If credit building is standalone, Kikoff or Ava Card win on raw cost.