Best Kids Debit Cards & Credit Cards for Kids (2026)
Greenlight, GoHenry, Current, Step—which kids debit card is actually best? Plus: can kids get a credit card, and how to start building credit early. 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
GoHenry vs Greenlight: Which Kids Card Wins in 2026?
GoHenry and Greenlight are the two most popular kids debit cards, and for good reason — both offer chore tracking, savings features, and strong parental controls. But they differ in important ways. Here's how they stack up feature by feature.
| Feature | GoHenry | Greenlight |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $4.99/child | $4.99-$14.98/family |
| Age Range | 6-18 | All ages |
| Chore Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Allowance Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Investing for Kids | No | Yes (Max plan) |
| Parent-Paid Interest | No | Yes (1-5%) |
| Store-Level Controls | No | Yes |
| Custom Card Design | Yes | Yes |
| Financial Education | Money Missions | Level Up |
| International | US + UK | US only |
| Parental Controls | Very Good | Excellent |
| Multi-Child Pricing | $4.99 per child | Up to 5 kids included |
Our Verdict: GoHenry vs Greenlight
Greenlight wins for most families — especially if you have multiple children (flat pricing vs per-child) or want investing features. The store-level spending controls and parent-paid interest are genuine differentiators.
GoHenry wins ifyou have one child under 10, want an especially kid-friendly app design, or live in the UK (where Greenlight isn't available). Their Money Missions educational content is excellent for younger kids.
Best of both worlds: Use ChoreSplit for gamified chore tracking (free) and pair with either card just for banking — you get better chore features without paying a premium tier.
For a deeper dive, see our full GoHenry vs Greenlight comparison.
Greenlight vs Current: For Teens Who Want More
Greenlight and Current take different approaches to teen banking. Greenlight is a family-focused card with parental controls, while Current is designed for teens who want a more independent, adult-style banking experience. If your teen is 13+ and wants more autonomy, this comparison matters.
| Feature | Greenlight | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $4.99-$14.98 | $4.99 |
| Age Range | All ages | 13+ |
| Chore Tracking | Yes | No |
| Investing | Yes (Max plan) | No |
| Cashback | No | Up to 15x points at partners |
| Direct Deposit | No | Yes (early access) |
| Gas Hold Protection | No | Yes |
| Instant Transfers | Parent-to-child | Peer-to-peer |
| Parental Controls | Excellent | Good |
| Store-Level Controls | Yes | No |
| App Design | Family-oriented | Teen/adult-style |
| Credit Building | No | No |
Our Verdict: Greenlight vs Current
Greenlight wins for families with younger teens (13-15) who still benefit from strong parental controls, chore tracking, and investing education. It's designed for families to use together.
Current wins for older teens (16-18) who want a more independent banking experience with features like cashback rewards, direct deposit for part-time jobs, and peer-to-peer transfers. The gas hold protection is a nice perk for new drivers.
Pro tip: Neither card has built-in credit building. If that matters, consider pairing either card with Step for credit building or adding your teen as an authorized user on your credit card.
See also: Full Greenlight review | Full Current review
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.
Credit Cards for Kids: What Parents Need to Know
Many parents search for a "credit card for kids," but the reality is more nuanced. In the United States, no one under 18 can be the primary holder of a credit card. However, there are several legitimate ways for kids and teens to start building credit -- and understanding the difference between debit and credit is one of the most valuable financial lessons you can teach.
Debit vs Credit Cards for Kids: The Key Differences
Debit Cards
- Spend only what is loaded on the card
- No credit check or credit impact
- Available to kids of all ages (with parent)
- No risk of debt or interest charges
- Best for: everyday spending and learning money basics
Credit Cards (Authorized User)
- Borrow money that must be paid back monthly
- Builds (or damages) credit history
- Authorized user from any age, primary holder at 18+
- Risk of overspending if not managed
- Best for: teens 15+ ready to learn responsible credit use
How Kids Can Start Building Credit
Authorized User on a Parent's Card
The most common path to a kids credit card. Most major issuers (Chase, Amex, Capital One) let you add a child as an authorized user at any age. The parent's payment history reports to the child's credit file, giving them a credit score before they turn 18. Set a low spending limit and use it for small, supervised purchases.
Best for: Best for ages 13+, though some parents start earlier
Secured Credit Cards (Age 18+)
When your teen turns 18, a secured credit card is the safest way to start building independent credit. They deposit $200-$500 as collateral, and that becomes their credit limit. Discover it Secured and Capital One Platinum Secured are popular first cards. After 6-12 months of on-time payments, most issuers upgrade to an unsecured card.
Best for: Best for 18-year-olds ready for independent credit
Step Card (Credit-Building Debit)
Step is unique: it functions like a debit card (spend only what you have) but reports to credit bureaus like a credit card. Your teen gets the safety of a debit card with the credit-building benefit of a credit card. No fees, no interest, no risk of debt. This is the closest thing to a true "credit card for kids" that exists.
Best for: Best for teens 13+ who want credit building without risk
Prepaid Cards with Financial Education
Prepaid cards like Greenlight and GoHenry do not build credit, but they teach the spending habits that make credit card success possible later. Learning to budget, save, and track spending on a prepaid card at age 10 prepares kids to handle a real credit card responsibly at 18.
Best for: Best for kids under 13 as a stepping stone
A Warning About Kids and Credit
Adding a child as an authorized user means your credit behavior affects theirs. Late payments or high balances on your account will hurt your child's credit score. Only do this if you have strong credit habits yourself. And never let a minor carry debt -- the point is to build a positive credit history, not to borrow money.
Our Recommendation: A Staged Approach to Kids Credit Cards
Start with a prepaid debit card (Greenlight or GoHenry) to learn spending and saving basics.
Move to Step for credit-building debit, or add as authorized user on a parent card with a $50-$100 limit.
Increase authorized user limit and start discussing credit scores, interest rates, and responsible borrowing.
Open a secured credit card in their name. They will already have a credit history from being an authorized user.
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.