Qube Money Review: Digital Cash Envelopes That Actually Work

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Qube review

The cash envelope budgeting system can be a major asset to your finances. However, if you want to combine it with today’s digital world, Qube Money is worth considering. 

If you’re not sure how to use the cash envelope budgeting system, our Qube Money review can tell you more about this budgeting app. 

4.1
Overall Rating

Summary

Qube offers a digital cash envelope system that helps you stay on budget without having to carry cash around.

Separate account numbers and debit card numbers allow you to pay bills, withdraw cash and make debit card purchases. Sign yourself up or add your partner and/or kids as well.

  • Ease of use

    4.8

  • Cost

    4.1

  • Mobile App

    3.8

  • Features

    3.8

Pros

  • Reduces your need to carry cash
  • Helps get a handle on spending
  • Joint account holder notifications 
  • Child accounts available

Cons

  • Unable to track transactions from other banks
  • No free option for couples or families

What is Qube Money?

Qube Money was launched by Ryan Clark and Shane Walker in an effort to help people budget successfully.

A personal finance coach, Ryan knew that the cash envelope budgeting method worked. He also knew that our world was heading toward an ever-evolving digital society.

Traditional cash envelopes don’t work for everyone, even if you are using one of the best cash envelope wallets.

Carrying cash can be cumbersome and risky. The Qube Money app was created to make budgeting convenient by combining a successful financial system with today’s digital world. 

How Does Qube Work?

How does Qube work

Qube is easy to use. After you open an account, you deposit money from your main bank account into your Qube account. 

You can also set up Direct Deposit from your employer into Qube as opposed to your regular bank account.

Bonus: You can get paid up to two days early when you have Direct Deposit into Qube. 

All Qube funds are FDIC insured through Choice Financial Group. Once your money is in your Qube account, you can deposit it into a number of separate “Qubes.” 

For instance, you can create individual Qubes for:

  • Groceries
  • Transportation
  • Entertainment
  • Vacation funds
  • Future car repairs
  • Future home repairs
  • New car funds
  • Miscellaneous spending money

And more. You assign the money you deposit into your custom-created Qubes. With Qube you need to give every dollar a job, so there’s no room for unplanned spending.

qube money smark spending

You then make purchases with your Qube card, designating which Qube each purchase comes out of. Qube will then update your balance in that Qube.

If the money in a particular Qube goes to a zero balance, you can no longer spend money from that Qube. This means you’re minimizing chances for fraud and for overspending when you use your Qube card.

How Much Does Qube Cost?

Qube has three different plans you can choose from. Here are some details for each subscription plan. 

Qube money pricing

Basic

Cost: $0 per month (one-time $5 setup fee)

The Basic plan is totally free. The Basic plan, and all other plans, include some helpful features.

You’ll receive:

  • Individual accounts only
  • Default Zero Technology
  • Peer-to-peer transfers
  • Subscription controls
  • Virtual debit card number for bill Qubes
  • 10 Qubes
  • Payday two days early
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay

Default Zero Technology means that your individual Qubes are always set at a zero balance until you transfer money from Choice Financial to spend. 

At that time, the money is put into a Qube to cover the purchase. This technology helps ensure you don’t spend money beyond what you budgeted and helps to combat potential fraud. 

The peer-to-peer transfer technology allows you to transfer money to another Qube user if need be. 

Premium

joint banking

Cost: $8 per month or $79 per year

Qube’s Premium plan includes everything the Basic plan includes.

It also offers the following additional features:

  • Joint account option with partner notifications on spending
  • Optional scheduled recurring transfers
  • Monthly reports
  • Unlimited Qubes

The Premium account also includes virtual account numbers for bill Qubes. This is nice as it allows you to create separate bill Qubes for each bill or bill category.

For instance, you can create a separate Qube for utilities or for individual utility bills. Then you’ll use your individual account number to set up auto-pay or one-time bill payments. 

Separate account numbers allow more security as they minimize the number of entities that have your main account number. Plus, unlimited Qubes is a nice perk.

Family

Qube money family

Cost: $15 per month or $138 per year

The Family plan includes all of the features of the Premium plan.

It also offers: 

  • A total of five authorized user bank accounts for kids under 18
  • Parent permission control settings
  • Kid/teen card designs

The Family plan provides for each authorized user (kid or teen) to have their own separate account number and debit card

Parental controls allow parents to monitor and set spending levels. However, kids will not have access to parent bank accounts and/or balance and spending information. 

Is Qube Money Worth It?

Qube may be worth it for you if you want help with your budget or spending, or to help you rock your zero-sum budget plan

You might also find Qube worth it if you’re searching for debit cards for kids that allow you to monitor your child’s spending as you teach them how to manage their money. 

Qube can also be a big help for those who want to make a spending plan with their partner and use an app that allows for both freedom and accountability. 

However, if you’ve got a good hold on spending and budgeting, and your partner and kids do as well, you may find that Qube isn’t worth the money. 

Does Qube Money Really Work?

Put simply, Qube helps users save money. In fact, customers save an average of $440 per month while using Qube, all without feeling restricted.

The Qube digital cash envelopes system helps you create that zero-sum budget and allocate for all of your expenses. 

The average savings per user is an indicator that Qube Money really works for those willing to use it as directed.

Since you know how much money is left in each Qube for each category, you have a better idea of what you’re spending, how much you have left, and when you’ve reached your personally set spending limit in each category. 

The only way you can go over budget categories is if you willingly choose to move more money than originally budgeted into a designated category. 

Doing so takes time that will allow you space to reflect on your action to ensure you really want to complete it. 

What Does Qube Money Offer?

Qube Money also offers other features that you may find helpful as you budget. 

Debit Card Integration

Qube’s debit card integration feature helps you to stay on track with your budget and gives you a moment to really think through a purchase.

If you go to make a purchase with your debit card without transferring the money from your account to the specific spending category, the purchase won’t work.

This is because each spending Qube is set up with the ability to keep track of your monthly allocated spending amount in a category. Not only that, it provides the safety measure of having your transfer into that category before you spend.

Transferring money to a spending Qube is quick, easy and immediate when you use the Qube app to do so before a purchase. 

Note that the debit card works for both in-person and online purchases. Keep in mind that, like most debit cards, this card will not impact your credit score.

Automatic Tracking

tracking screenshot

Qube automatically tracks how much you’ve allocated toward a given spending category, how much you’ve spent and how much you’ve got remaining left to spend. 

Knowing where you’re at, moneywise in each category, is key to helping you stay on budget. However, it also gives you the freedom to spend as you see fit. 

You can set and/or change your allocated spending amount in each category at any time. However, you’ll want to be sure to make budget adjustments carefully. 

Bill Pay

bill pay screen

Qube also offers bill pay. You can allocate funds to pay bills, schedule due dates and automate payments from your account, all within the app. 

Your bill Qubes each have individual account numbers so that your main account isn’t at risk of getting withdrawn.

Be sure to fund your bill Qubes right away at the beginning of each month so automatic payments won’t get declined.

ATM Access

With Qube, you can use any ATM machine you choose to withdraw cash from your account. However, you may have to pay a fee to use an ATM for a cash withdrawal.

Qube allows for up to three ATM cash withdrawals per day with a total daily withdrawal limit of $250.

Note that you need to be sure you have a Qube opened within the Qube app before you make your ATM withdrawal. If you don’t have a Qube opened, your ATM transaction will be denied. 

Also, Qube will reimburse you up to $10 per month for ATM usage fees. 

Qube Reviews

Qube money reviews

Before signing up for any service, knowing what others have to say about it can be useful.

Here’s how Qube Money stacks up on the different rating websites:

WebsiteRatingNumber of Reviews
Apple App Store4.3 out of 5284
Google Play3.7 out of 5241
Better Business Bureau1 out of 54
TrustpilotListed but no reviews0

Here are some Qube Money review excerpts:

“I’ve been searching for something like this left and right. Tried so many budgeting apps that were horrible until I came across this one.”—Albara Ashwaiter

“My wife and I love the concept of envelope budgeting but don’t like dealing with cash….Qube has been amazing in bringing all of our needs into one easy to use place that helps us stay on top of our finances.”—Stephen H.

“I used to check the bank account several times a day because we were so stressed about money….This is the best of both worlds. You have the cash envelope mentality and peace of mind, but in the digital age.”—Becky Z

“I’ve had my account for over 2 months and honestly it’s not worth it. There always seems to be an issue when it’s time for my bills to draft…. At this point I have just decided to set up a different banking account and call it a day.”—Kayla R.

Qube Money Alternatives

Consider these alternatives if you’re searching for a different digital banking or budgeting app. 

EveryDollar

The EveryDollar app was created by the team over at (Dave) Ramsey Solutions. It works on the premise of a zero-sum budget and costs at least $10.75 per month. 

The biggest difference between EveryDollar and Qube is that EveryDollar doesn’t come with its own account/debit card, but tracks via your primary bank account instead. 

Tiller

Tiller Money is an automated budgeting spreadsheet that automatically consolidates your money information into one place when you link it to your financial accounts.

Tiller doesn’t offer digital envelopes, but at $79 per year it’s a viable way to have automated updated access to your spending, saving and investing.

Learn More: Tiller Money Review: Automated Spreadsheets To Make Budgeting Easier

YNAB

Like Qube, YNAB‘s program sets you up with a budget that gives every dollar a job. However, YNAB also has added features such as reports, goal setting, debt payoff and more. 

At $99 per year, YNAB is a bit cheaper than Qube and offers more benefits.

Learn More: YNAB Review: Is This Budget App Worth It?

Summary

Qube Money has taken the cash envelope budgeting method and brought it into the digital world. The app can be a big help if you have trouble staying on budget. 

While it won’t help improve your credit score, it can also be helpful if you’re looking to get a better handle on fluid spending such as groceries, entertainment and clothing. 

The digital cash envelope app has account options for individuals, joint owners and extended accounts for children of users as well.