# Backer: Smart 529 Savings — user reviews > 27 indexed App Store user reviews of Backer by Principly, Inc., rated 4.70/5 from 504 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backer-smart-529-savings/id1486259059/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backer-smart-529-savings/id1486259059.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 446 · 4★ 22 · 3★ 13 · 2★ 10 · 1★ 13 ## What do users think of Backer? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 User-friendly and intuitive interface - 💡 Simplifies 529 college savings setup - 🎁 Easy shareable links for gift contributions - 👥 Multi-user fund management capabilities - 📱 Clean and modern app design - 🔒 Strong security measures for accounts - ⭐ Excellent customer support - 🎯 Great for grandparents tracking multiple accounts **Cons** - 💰 Unexpected monthly fees ($2-5) - 🐛 Broken preview links for account sharing - 🐛 Save button non-functional across platforms - 🐛 Profile editing issues on mobile app - ⚠️ Contributions not automatically invested - ⚠️ Slow withdrawal processing (monthly only) - ⚠️ Gift transaction reliability issues - 🔐 Privacy policy concerns with data sharing - ❌ Incomplete onboarding process after verification **Commonly reported bugs** - Save button doesn't work on any platform version - Profile editing not functional on iPhone app - Financial page loads only partially (vertical cut-off) - Broken preview page link for account sharing - Contributor name incorrectly displays for joint managers - Gift emails cancelled without notice or reason - Gifts not applied to correct accounts - Missing next steps after bank account verification - App performance slow with occasional glitches **Most requested features** - One-time contribution option - Direct deposit/automatic weekly deposits - Faster ACH processing and instant withdrawals - Plaid integration for easier deposits - Gear/settings icon on mobile app - Automatic investment of contributions - Better gift transaction tracking and notifications ## Newest reviews (7 of 27) ### 4/5 — Upgrades needed *2021-03-01, version 1.5.4* The app and savings is great. I just wish it was possible that they a deposit account were I can direct deposit to every week or two weeks. It is like putting my account on auto pilot. Growing the account faster. Because waiting for the one withdrawal a month is lame. Something may happen and you need that money. Also, wish that they could withdraw the money much faster. Like other app withdrawal instant or that night. Faster ACH processing. And connected to plaid to make deposits to the account. ### 5/5 — Perfect for a grandparent *2019-12-26, version 1.1.1* So much of modern technology is hard to use, but this is as simple as can be. I’m a “backer” for 3 grandchildren and can keep track of my contributions. It’s nice to be able to give a meaningful, long-term gift like this. ### 5/5 — Thanks for making it so easy *2019-12-25, version 1.1.1* Was always intimidated by the process to setup a 529 but CollegeBacker makes it so easy to setup an account and get started. Amazing user experience!! ### 5/5 — Great Platform for Gifting to Friends’ Kids *2019-12-22, version 1.1.1* The web platform was already great, but now I can just donate to friends’ kids for holidays and birthdays right on my phone with a better experience. Plus, I can see all the accounts I’ve donated to. It’s pretty awesome, and makes donating and keeping track of your contributions fun. ### 5/5 — Perfect *2019-12-22, version 1.1.1* This is great. Made is so easy to just set up a quick way for family member to pay into my kid’s college account. I’ve been looking for something like this exactly. Very clean app, works great. ### 5/5 — Just what my family needed! *2019-12-17, version 1.1.1* I honestly felt scared to start the process of saving for my son’s college education - but College Backer made it so easy to roll up my sleeves! Now we have a plan - and peace of mind! Love the app! ### 5/5 — Such an easy way to save for college *2019-12-13, version 1.0* My friends just had a kid, and they included their college backer link in their baby announcement email. I just clicked the link and donated to their college fund. Super easy and convenient! And it feels so good to celebrate their baby by helping them pay for college. I’m definitely going to open a college backer account for my kid when I have one too! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Did Not Invest My Contributions *2022-06-22, version 1.10.0* I have put thousands into my daughter’s 529 via backer yet it’s not actually invested. They charge 5 dollars a month to be a checking account. I’ve also had a hard time with their customer service. ### 1/5 — Trustworthy *2021-12-13, version 1.9.0* I was asked to verify my bank account. However, after giving my banking information there were no “next steps”. ### 1/5 — Surprise - there’s a fee *2021-02-13, version 1.5.4* I wanted to use this to link to my existing NY 529 plans that have no app. Easy setup and link - all good. After linking, it forces you into choosing a monthly fee to continue. They get all your data and then surprise, they want $2 a month. ### 1/5 — Page won’t fully load *2020-11-05, version 1.5.2* I cannot contribute because as soon as I get to the financial portion, the page loads only a fraction of the viewable information. Half the screen is cut off vertically in the app. Wish I could upload the image here. Please fix the bug. ### 1/5 — App is to slow and have some glitches *2020-10-16, version 1.5.1* This app i think needs some king of update ### 2/5 — Good but needs improvements *2023-05-05, version 1.21.0* I love the idea and the app is generally easy to use, but I’ve identified a few bugs/areas for improvement that have made the app pretty frustrating to use. 1. I can’t figure out a way to make a one-time contribution. The only option seems to be to adjust my recurring contribution, but I was hoping to dump some extra money into the fund when I find myself with extra money in my checking account. 2. I made my husband a fund manager on my kids’ account, but the app somehow changed my name to his as well. So when our kids receive contributions from each of us, his name shows up as the contributor for both transactions. Not great for record-keeping. 3. My daughter’s birthday is coming up and I’m planning to send friends and family a link to her Backer account, so I was fussing with some settings on the backend. I was trying to preview what it would look like as a prospective backer, but the link to the preview page was broken. Argh. ### 2/5 — Objection. *2021-04-01, version 1.6.0* I object to the $4.50. The added “tip” to my donation of $50.00 ### 2/5 — Ok with simple transactions *2020-02-01, version 1.1.4* I haven’t had a problem with the initial monthly contributions into my kids accounts. That’s the only thing that has been easy. I have not had a problem-free experience with any gifts we’ve given or received! Gifts are emailed as given, but cancelled with no notice or reason, or the recipient doesn’t receive an email that they were given a gift. Gifts aren’t applied to the correct account. You REALLY have to stay on top of it. Seems like customer service helps, but also stay on top of anything they’ve “resolved” as I’ve found I’ve had to ask about the same issues multiple times and some are still not resolved. ### 2/5 — Watch out YOU PERSONAL INFORMATION privacy policy!!! *2020-01-03, version 1.1.3* WHAT DOES COLLEGEBACKER DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? I just read Terms of Use Privacy policy before to Sign Up to see what types of customer personal information and to whom they can share my personal information.... Horrible .... !!! Social Security Number , Tax ID number and transaction history !!!Account balances and payment history !!!! Assets and income - “ For joint marketing with other financial companies“ - ;((( ?!?! ... and - “such as to respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus” “When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice “ - this is exactly wording from Privacy Policy . CollegeBacker.... Really ??? ### 3/5 — Great service but marginal app *2022-03-24, version 1.9.4* I started a 529 for my daughter via Backer but have been frustrated by bugs or missing components in the iPhone app. For instance, I cannot save any edits I make to my profile and there is no gear symbol to update my daughter’s profile like in the desktop web-based version. In fact, at this time, the “Save” button doesn’t work on any version of the Backer platform. This is an elementary stuff, please fix your user interfaces! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — 529s on easy mode *2023-04-30, version 1.20.0* As a parent looking for an efficient way to save for my child's college education, Backer hits the mark like never before! The app simply blew me away with its user-friendly interface and seamless integration of tax-free savings options. Planting the seed for my son’s educational future has never been so easy. The app not only helps me track our progress but also provides excellent tips and guidance on choosing the best 529 plan for our family. This makes it tailor-made for first-time savers as well as seasoned investors. Accessing and monitoring my account is a breeze, with top-notch security measures to ensure our hard-earned money stays safe. And as an added bonus, the app's customer support always goes above and beyond, providing timely answers to any questions that sprout up. They're always eager to help and keep my peace of mind intact. In conclusion, the Backer App is a fantastic tool for any ambitious parent who wants to nurture the growth of their little sapling's higher education fund. I highly recommend this app to harvest those valuable tax-free savings and give your child the brightest future possible. Don't leaf it to chance – start saving now, and watch your investments grow! 🌱🎓💰 ### 5/5 — Great way to save for your daughters education *2023-04-30, version 1.20.0* I was really confused about how to set everything up for my child until I heard about this app. I found it very intuitive to use. ### 5/5 — Amazing savings app *2021-05-05, version 1.8.0* What a beautiful app. Love the fresh new look and intuitive interface! It’s made saving for our kid so easy. It let me add my partner to help manage the fund. Best of all we get a link to our kid’s fund so that it’s simple to collect gifts for her birthday. Keep up the great work! ### 5/5 — Fantastic *2020-09-11, version 1.5.1* So easy to use, great customer service. ### 5/5 — Finally a simple 529 *2020-02-02, version 1.1.4* I’d been delaying setting up college funds for my niñas for years because I thought it’d be too complicated, so I was excited to hear about CollegeBacker from a friend. Relieved they made it so easy to do this! ### 5/5 — Saving for college is easy *2020-01-20, version 1.1.4* Simple to use app that makes saving for your kid’s college education easy. ### 5/5 — New baby, thinking ahead *2020-01-17, version 1.1.3* As our family grows with a new baby on the way, I’ve been starting to think about their future. Heard about college backer through a friend, and it seems to simplify things a lot. Love it. ### 5/5 — Easy way to save for college *2020-01-15, version 1.1.3* This app makes it easy to start a college savings fund for a child or future child. It also makes it easy to share a link with friends and family who can donate. ### 5/5 — Amazing product in a capitalist world *2020-01-13, version 1.1.3* So excited for CollegeBacker and appreciative of the team for building an incredibly beautiful and positive app. Here’s to education and preventing future generation from their student loans crisis. ### 5/5 — Keep track of grandkids *2019-12-26, version 1.1.1* It’s hard to keep track of my grandkids across 3 states, but CollegeBacker helps me stay connected. I have annual birthday contributions set up. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*