Saving money is a lot like flossing. We all know we should do it. We all promise ourselves we will do it. But when the end of the month arrives, most of us look at our bank accounts and realize we simply... didn't.

We wait to see "what's left over" after spending, and usually, the answer is zero.

This is the exact behavioral problem Digit was built to solve nearly a decade ago. It promised to save money for you, automatically, without you even noticing. It became famous for acting like a "benevolent digital pickpocket," moving small amounts of cash into a savings account before you had a chance to buy that extra latte.

But if you go looking for "Digit" in the app store today, you might be confused. The bright blue app is gone.

That is because Digit was acquired and has officially rebranded as Oportun.

While the logo has changed, the core promise remains the same. However, with the rebrand comes a Monthly Membership fee of $5.00.

For anyone trying to build wealth, does it make sense to pay a subscription fee just to save your own money? Or are you better off with free alternatives like Chime or investing apps like Acorns?

Here is our full and honest review of the new Oportun app for 2025.

What is Oportun? (The Rebrand Explained)

Credit: Oportun

If you are a long-time user, you remember Digit. It was a standalone app focused purely on automated savings.

In 2021, Digit was acquired by Oportun, a financial services company best known for providing personal loans to people with limited credit history. For a while, the two brands existed separately, but they have now merged into a single app: Oportun.

What has changed?

  • The Name: It’s Oportun now.
  • The Scope: It’s no longer just a savings app. It is a "financial health" platform that includes budgeting tools, investing options, and easy access to personal loans.
  • The Core Feature: The famous algorithm that made Digit special is now called "Set & Save."

Despite the corporate changes, the "magic" that made people love Digit is still there. It remains one of the only apps on the market that doesn't just ask you to save—it does it for you.

How "Set & Save" Actually Works

Most bank transfers are "dumb." You tell your bank: "Transfer $100 on the 1st of the month."

The problem? On the 1st of the month, your rent is due. If you forget to cancel that transfer, you might overdraft.

Oportun is "smart." Once you connect your checking account, its algorithm analyzes three things in real-time:

  1. Your Income: When you get paid and how much.
  2. Your Bills: When rent, Netflix, and credit card payments hit.
  3. Your Habits: How much you typically spend on coffee, groceries, and weekends.

It uses this data to calculate exactly how much is "safe" to save on any given day.

  • On a Monday after payday, it might move $18.50 into your savings.
  • On a Thursday before rent is due, it might move $0.45.
  • On a Sunday when your balance is low, it moves $0.00.

The Psychological Trick The brilliance of Oportun is that the amounts are usually so small (often $5 to $20) that you genuinely don't feel them leaving your checking account. You continue spending as normal. But because it happens 3-4 times a week, the money piles up fast.

You simply wake up one day, check the app, and realize you have $1,500 in your "Rainy Day" fund without ever having to exert willpower.

The Cost Analysis (Is $5/Month Too Much?)

This is the most controversial part of the app. Oportun charges a flat $5 monthly membership fee (after a 30-day free trial).

In the world of personal finance, we are taught to hate fees. Why should you pay someone to hold your money? Let’s look at the math.

The "Tax" on Your Savings

  • If Oportun saves you $100 a month, that $5 fee is effectively a 5% penalty on your money. That is expensive.
  • If you put that money in a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) instead, you would earn 4-5% interest.

The "Convenience" Argument However, pure math ignores human behavior.

  • If you delete Oportun to save the $5 fee, will you actually save that $100 a month yourself?
  • Or will you spend it on takeout because it was sitting in your checking account?

The Verdict on Price:

  • For the Disciplined Saver: If you already transfer money to savings every month, Oportun is a waste of money. You are paying $60/year for something you already do for free.
  • For the "Spender": If you have $0 in savings and struggle to build an emergency fund, Oportun is a bargain. Paying $60 a year to successfully save $2,000 is a massive win. The fee is simply the cost of outsourcing your willpower.

The Alternatives (Free & Investing Options)

If you don't like the idea of a monthly subscription, or if you want your money to grow faster, there are two powerful alternatives you should consider.

Alternative 1: Chime (The "Free" Option)

If you want automation but refuse to pay fees, Chime is the clear winner. Chime is a financial technology company (not a bank) that offers fee-free banking services.

  • "Save When You Get Paid": Chime can automatically move 10% of your direct deposit into savings the second it hits your account. This is less "intelligent" than Oportun, but it’s free.
  • "Round-Ups": Like a digital coin jar, Chime rounds up every debit card purchase to the nearest dollar and saves the difference.
  • Cost: $0/month.

Winner: Chime is better for people who want a totally free, simple banking switch.

Alternative 2: Acorns (The "Investor" Option)

If you have your emergency fund sorted and want to start investing, Acorns is the logical next step.

Like Oportun, Acorns works in the background. But instead of letting that cash sit in a savings account, Acorns invests your spare change into the stock market (ETFs).

  • The "Round-Up": You buy a coffee for $3.50. Acorns takes the extra $0.50 and invests it into a portfolio of stocks (like Apple and Amazon).
  • The Growth: Over time, your spare change benefits from compound interest. While Oportun just holds your money, Acorns tries to grow it.
  • Cost: Starts at $3/month.

Winner: Acorns is better for people who are ready to build long-term wealth, not just a short-term safety net.

Features Breakdown & Safety

Before you sign up, here is a quick look at the other features included in that $5 Oportun membership.

1. Overdraft Protection This is a huge safety net. Oportun is so confident in its algorithm that it offers an Overdraft Guarantee. If the app accidentally pulls too much money and causes your checking account to overdraft, Oportun will reimburse the fee (up to 2 times per year).

2. Personal Loans This is the new "Oportun" influence. The app gives you easy access to apply for personal loans ($300 to $10,000).

  • Warning: While convenient, these loans can have high interest rates (APRs often range from 20% to 35%). Use this feature with extreme caution. We recommend focusing on the savings tool, not the borrowing tool.

3. Is it Safe? (FDIC Insurance) Yes. Oportun is not a bank, but it partners with banks (like Pathward, N.A. or Wells Fargo) to hold your deposits. This means your savings are FDIC insured up to $250,000, just like at a traditional bank.

So Who Should Use Oportun?

Ultimately, the "best" app is the one that actually helps you reach your goals.

You should download Oportun (Digit) if:

  • You have tried to save before and failed.
  • You constantly spend whatever is in your checking account.
  • You are willing to pay $5/month to "buy" the discipline you lack.
  • Goal: Building your first $1,000 Emergency Fund.

You should skip Oportun and use Chime or a HYSA if:

  • You are disciplined enough to set up your own recurring transfer.
  • You hate monthly fees.
  • You want your money to earn high interest (4-5%) rather than sitting idle.

You should use Acorns if:

  • You already have an emergency fund.
  • You want your "spare change" to grow in the stock market for the next 10 years.

Oportun is a tool, not a magic wand. But for thousands of people, that little algorithm is the difference between having $0 and having a safety net. If that's you, the $5 fee is worth every penny.