Best Kids Debit Cards Compared (2025)
Greenlight, GoHenry, Current, Step—which kids debit card is actually best? We break down features, fees, and which card fits different family needs.
Quick Picks
Best Overall
Greenlight
Most features, best controls
Best Free Option
Step
Free + builds credit (13+)
Best for Young Kids
GoHenry
Kid-friendly design
Kids debit cards have exploded in popularity. They teach money management, give parents visibility into spending, and replace cash for allowance. But with so many options, choosing the right one is confusing.
Important: A debit card alone doesn't teach money skills. The real value comes from conversations about spending, saving, and earning. The card is just a tool.
Full Card Comparison
Greenlight
$4.99-$14.98/mo
Ages
All ages
Chores
✓
Investing
✓
Controls
Excellent
Best for: Families wanting investing + chores in one app
Pros
- Robust parental controls
- Store-level spending controls
- Built-in investing for kids
- Chore and allowance management
Cons
- Higher price for premium features
- Basic plan is limited
- Investing requires higher tier
GoHenry
$4.99/child/mo
Ages
6-18
Chores
✓
Investing
✗
Controls
Very Good
Best for: Teaching money basics with engaging app
Pros
- Kid-friendly app design
- Good educational content
- Customizable cards
- Weekly money challenges
Cons
- No investing features
- Per-child pricing adds up
- Less robust spending controls
Current
$4.99/mo
Ages
13+
Chores
✗
Investing
✗
Controls
Good
Best for: Teens wanting a more "adult" banking experience
Pros
- Clean, modern interface
- Gas hold protection
- Instant transfers
- Teen-focused features
Cons
- No chore tracking
- Not for younger kids
- Fewer parental controls
Step
Free/mo
Ages
13+
Chores
✗
Investing
✗
Controls
Basic
Best for: Teens who want credit building
Pros
- Completely free
- Builds credit history
- No overdraft fees
- Visa card accepted everywhere
Cons
- Teens only (13+)
- No chore features
- Limited parental oversight
Modak
$4.99/mo
Ages
6-17
Chores
✓
Investing
✗
Controls
Very Good
Best for: Hispanic families, bilingual support
Pros
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Good chore system
- Financial education
- Round-up savings
Cons
- Smaller user base
- Limited advanced features
- Newer to market
Copper
Free/mo
Ages
13+
Chores
✗
Investing
✗
Controls
Basic
Best for: Teens wanting free banking
Pros
- No monthly fees
- Instant money transfers
- Financial literacy tools
- ATM fee reimbursement
Cons
- Teens only
- No chore features
- Basic parent visibility
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Greenlight | GoHenry | Current | Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chore Tracking | ||||
| Allowance Automation | ||||
| Savings Goals | ||||
| Parent-Paid Interest | ||||
| Investing | ||||
| Store-Level Controls | ||||
| Spending Notifications | ||||
| Credit Building | ||||
| Free Plan |
How to Choose
What age is your child?
Under 13: Greenlight, GoHenry, or Modak. 13+: All options available, including free ones like Step.
Do you want chore tracking built in?
Yes: Greenlight or GoHenry. No: Current, Step, or Copper (or use ChoreSplit for chores separately).
Is investing important?
Yes: Greenlight (premium tier) is the only major option with kid investing.
What's your budget?
Free: Step or Copper. Budget: GoHenry ($4.99). Premium: Greenlight ($9.98+ for all features).
Do you want credit building for teens?
Step is the only option that builds credit history.
Alternative Approach
Not every family needs an all-in-one solution. Many families prefer separating chore tracking (ChoreSplit) from banking (any free card like Step or a regular bank account). This gives you best-in-class tools for each purpose.
Combo option: Use ChoreSplit for gamified chores + any debit card for rewards. No monthly fee for the chore app, and you can choose free banking.