I almost didn't try the app because of it. Reddit threads, YouTube "EXPOSED" videos, people warning others to stay away. Standard stuff for any subscription app in 2025.
Then I looked at the actual data.
Trustpilot: 4.6 stars from 17,000+ reviews. App Store: 4.7. Google Play: 4.3. Newsweek nomination for "America's Best Online Platform 2025."
That's a weird profile for a scam.
So I dug into what people are actually saying — the good reviews, the bad reviews, and everything in between. Here's what's really going on.
Why "Scam" Gets Thrown Around
Let's address this first.
Almost every negative review mentions the same thing: billing. Someone signs up, forgets about the trial, gets charged, wants a refund, doesn't qualify. They're frustrated. "Scam" is an easy word to reach for.
But billing confusion isn't fraud. Finelo operates like Netflix, Spotify, or any other subscription service. Auto-renewal is standard. The terms are on the signup page.
The difference: people expect entertainment apps to charge monthly. They don't expect it from an education app they use daily.
What 17,000 People Actually Experienced
Here's where it gets interesting. Set aside the billing complaints and read what people say about the actual product:
A former judge — "by occupation I didn't trust many people" — called it "a very good purchase" that "guided me through learning in an orderly way."
Mark Miller: "I've learned more with this app than with a $10,000 program."
William Adeniran was skeptical for 8 months before signing up. After trying it: "Ever since I found you on TikTok, I've always left positive comments."
Users in their 70s consistently mention that the pace works for them. Complete beginners say concepts finally click. The "Duolingo for trading" comparison comes up constantly — short lessons, quizzes, progress tracking, daily streaks.
94% of Trustpilot reviews are 4 or 5 stars. That's not manufactured. You can't fake 16,000 detailed reviews describing specific lessons and features.
The Actual Product
Finelo teaches trading fundamentals through micro-lessons. What's a stock. How to read a chart. The difference between investing and trading. Risk management basics.
The format: 5-minute audio or text lessons, quizzes after each section, a market simulator for practice, and a 28-day challenge structure that keeps you accountable.
It's not trying to make you a day trader. It's trying to take someone who's intimidated by finance and give them enough knowledge to feel confident opening a brokerage account.
For that specific goal, it works. User after user describes the same arc: "I knew nothing" → "now I understand the basics" → "I feel confident to start."
Tim Cox: "Absolutely takes the confusion out of the equation. I am completely new to trading and have learned so much."
Becky Rachel: "The lessons are easy to understand for me. The examples stick with me in my head which helps me feel more confident moving through each lesson."
Who Won't Like It
Experienced traders. The content is introductory level — that's the point. If you already know what RSI means and how to draw Fibonacci levels, Finelo will feel basic.
One trader signed up expecting advanced AI analysis tools (the ads can oversell this) and was disappointed. Fair criticism, wrong expectations. Finelo is education, not a trading platform.
People who hate subscriptions. Finelo charges monthly.
The Bottom Line
Finelo has a perception problem and a reality.
The perception: it's a scam because some people got charged unexpectedly.
The reality: it's a well-designed beginner trading course with 17,000+ positive reviews, structured learning that works, and a subscription model that frustrates people who don't read terms.
Is it legit? Yes.
Is it for everyone? No — it's specifically for people starting from zero who want guided, daily lessons.
If that's you, the reviews suggest you'll probably like it. Just set a calendar reminder for your renewal date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic