Cushion AI Shut Down: Is Rocket Money Your Best Alternative? (Michael Ryan Investigates)

On April 4, 2025, I sat down with a 38-year-old graphic designer in Austin, who discovered she’d been bleeding $45 a month on forgotten streaming services. Enough to fund a weekend getaway. She then asked, ‘With Cushion AI gone, what’s my next best move?’

Here’s the unsettling truth: the fintech world shifts fast, but your need to control spending doesn’t. Isn’t it frustrating when a tool you rely on just vanishes? Today, we dive deep into Rocket Money to see if it can fill those shoes, especially when considering it as a Rocket Money review Cushion alternative.

Michael Ryan’s Pro Tip: 
If you’re juggling more than five subscriptions, set a quarterly calendar reminder to run your ‘leak check’—it only takes 5 minutes but can save hundreds.

Later, I’ll share a Subscription Leak Calculator—a simple spreadsheet you can download to tally forgotten services and visualize your annual waste at a glance.

This situation with my client highlights a common issue: many people significantly underestimate their monthly subscription spend by an average of $133, according to C+R Research. It’s a stark reminder of why a robust review of tools like Rocket Money, especially as a Cushion alternative, is so crucial.

To help you get a quick handle on your own subscription spending and see just how much these ‘leaks’ might be costing you annually, use the interactive calculator below. It’s a simple way to visualize the impact before considering tools like Rocket Money.

Seeing these numbers can be a real eye-opener and motivate you to take action, whether that’s manually canceling, or exploring an app to help manage them.

First, What Exactly Happened to Cushion AI?

You might have heard the rumbles, or maybe your Cushion app just…stopped. What’s the real story? It’s a tough break for its users, as it addressed a real need.

According to a report from Banking Dive, Cushion AI ceased operations in late 2024/early 2025 after 8 years, having negotiated over $15 million in bank-fee refunds for users. This shows why understanding the underlying financial challenges matters, regardless of the specific app, a key point when searching for a Rocket Money review Cushion alternative.

Introducing Rocket Money: Your Potential New Financial Co-Pilot

With a gap in the market, let’s turn our attention to a major player: Rocket Money. What can it do for your bottom line?

Rocket Money (you might remember it as Truebill) aims to be your central hub for tracking spending, slashing subscriptions, and even haggling down some of your regular bills. In fact, Rocket Money states it has helped users save over $100 million, a significant figure that speaks to its potential impact.

The rise of the subscription economy, with U.S. consumers now averaging $273 per month on these services, makes tools like Rocket Money increasingly vital.

Deep Dive: Rocket Money’s Key Features (And How They Compare to What Cushion Offered)

So, what tools does Rocket Money actually put in your hands? And how do they stack up against the problems Cushion used to solve? It’s important to understand this, especially if you’re looking at Rocket Money as a Cushion alternative.

Subscription Management & Cancellation: Rocket Money’s Bread and Butter

This is where Rocket Money truly shines. For subscription bloat, Rocket Money is a powerhouse. I’ve seen clients reclaim $50-$100 a month just by using this feature to identify and cancel services they no longer need or use. 

Ever signed up for a free trial and forgotten to cancel? Rocket Money aims to prevent that. This feature is a direct answer to the “forgetfulness and inertia” that West Monroe research identified as locking consumers into unwanted subscriptions.

Bill Negotiation Service: Can It Lower Your Monthly Headaches?

Rocket Money offers to negotiate certain recurring bills for you, like cable, internet, and phone services. They typically charge a percentage of the first-year savings, often between 35-60% according to Ramsey Solutions, if they’re successful.

It’s a “pay-for-performance” model. While not a direct replacement for Cushion’s bank fee focus, successful bill negotiation can free up cash flow, which is always a win. Many users find this a valuable service, particularly if they dislike negotiating themselves.

My article on apps like Rocket Money explores some similar services if you’re weighing options.

Budgeting & Spending Insights: Seeing Where Your Money Really Goes

Rocket Money provides tools to track your spending, categorize expenses, and set budgets. For many, simply seeing where their money is going is the first step toward taking control, a core principle in any effective Rocket Money review, especially when viewed as a Cushion alternative.

Premium Perks: Credit Monitoring, Net Worth Tracking & Smart Savings

With its premium subscription, Rocket Money adds features like credit score monitoring – crucial given that around 26% of consumers find potential material errors on their credit reports – net worth tracking, and smart savings accounts.

These extras aim to provide a more holistic financial overview.

What About Bank Fees? (The Cushion Question)

Let’s be clear: If you relied on Cushion for overdraft refunds and direct bank fee negotiation, Rocket Money is not a like-for-like replacement. It tackles different financial leaks.

Rocket Money’s strength lies in its budgeting and bill negotiation features which can prevent some fees from happening in the first place by improving your overall financial awareness and cash flow.

However, it doesn’t specialize in clawing back bank fees after they’ve been charged in the same way Cushion’s AI did. The problem of bank fees, with U.S. banks collecting $5.83 billion in overdraft/NSF fees in 2023, remains significant, a point underscored by the CFPB’s crackdown on excessive junk fees.

Rocket Money Pricing: Is It Worth the Investment?

Free is good, but are Rocket Money’s premium features worth opening your wallet for, especially now? The app offers a free tier with basic subscription tracking and budgeting.

Premium features, which unlock automated cancellation, unlimited budgets, and bill negotiation, come at a cost, typically ranging from $4-$12/month if billed annually, or $5-$15 month-to-month (users should always check current pricing on the Rocket Money site).

I advise clients to think of app costs as an investment. Will this tool save you more than it costs, in time or actual dollars? If Rocket Money’s bill negotiation saves you $200 a year, and its premium is, say, $60 for the year, you’re still $140 ahead.

But you need to track those savings!

You might not like hearing this, but the negotiation service also takes a cut of your savings, as mentioned earlier. Consider what one successful bill negotiation or three canceled subscriptions would be worth to you when evaluating if Rocket Money is a strong Cushion alternative for your overall financial health.

User Experience & Privacy with Rocket Money

Great features are one thing, but is Rocket Money a dream or a drag to use? And how safe is your info? Generally, users find the app intuitive.

However, like many finance apps, Rocket Money uses Plaid to connect to your bank accounts. While Plaid supports over 12,000 financial institutions, there can be gaps, especially with smaller banks or credit unions.

Regarding security, no app is a fortress, but reputable ones like Rocket Money use bank-level security. As The Verge noted in its discussion of Plaid, it acts as a necessary middleman, but users grant read-only access to transaction data. The key is strong passwords and vigilance on YOUR end too. 

Michael Ryan’s Verdict: Is Rocket Money the Right Choice in a Post-Cushion Era?

So, with Cushion off the table, does Rocket Money step up as the champion for your wallet? It truly depends on your primary financial pain points. This Rocket Money review aims to clarify if it’s the Cushion alternative you need.

Rocket Money Is a Strong Contender If…

• Your main battles are with runaway subscriptions and overly high monthly bills.
• You value a comprehensive dashboard for spending, budgeting, and net worth.
• You’re willing to pay a premium for convenience features like automated cancellation or for their bill negotiation success.
• You want to prevent bank fees through better financial awareness and budgeting (as RM doesn’t directly fight most bank fees like Cushion did). This proactive approach is key.

You Might Need to Supplement Rocket Money (or Look Elsewhere) If…

• Your primary and recurring issue was getting specific bank fees (overdrafts, NSF) refunded – Rocket Money doesn’t specialize in this the way Cushion did. You’ll likely need to pursue manual negotiation tactics with your bank.
• You are highly resistant to any app connecting to your bank accounts via Plaid.
• You only need very basic subscription tracking that free tools or manual methods can cover.

Michael Ryan’s Pro Tip: The fintech landscape is always evolving. Focus on building strong financial habits, and use tools like Rocket Money to support those habits, not replace them. A solid plan for retirement and overall financial health involves more than just apps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Updated

Got more questions? Let’s tackle them.

What actually happened to Cushion AI?

According to Banking Dive, Cushion AI ceased operations in late 2024/early 2025. They had a good run helping users get fee refunds.

Are there any direct alternatives to Cushion AI for bank fee negotiation now?

The dedicated AI fee negotiation space is now thinner. Some credit unions or community banks offer overdraft forgiveness programs. Otherwise, it’s often back to direct manual negotiation with your bank, armed with politeness and persistence. My article on banks’ overdraft fees might offer some context here.

Does Rocket Money negotiate credit card interest rates or bank fees?

Rocket Money primarily focuses on negotiating service bills (like cable, internet, phone). It does not typically negotiate bank fees or credit card APRs in the same direct, automated way Cushion aimed to for fees.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Finances in a Changing App World

So, where does this leave your wallet and your peace of mind when considering Rocket Money as a Cushion alternative? Apps are tools, not saviors. Cushion’s departure reminds us that our financial well-being ultimately rests on our understanding and habits.

Use tools like Rocket Money to enhance those, but always be prepared to adapt. My client after the Cushion news, took it as a cue to re-evaluate all her financial tools. Rocket Money is helping her with subscriptions, but she’s also more proactive now about checking her bank statements directly. That’s the real win.

What are your biggest financial management challenges right now, especially with Cushion gone? Share your thoughts in the comments – let’s navigate this together! Or, if you’re ready, explore Rocket Money’s website and see if its features align with your current financial goals.

• Sharing the article with your friends on social media – and like and follow us there as well.
• Sign up for the FREE personal finance newsletter, and never miss anything again.
• Take a look around the site for other articles that you may enjoy.

Note: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or legal advice. Consult with a professional advisor or accountant for personalized guidance.