The best pocket money apps for kids & teens (2024)

Pocket money apps can help kids to learn to manage their money.  Aside from showing them how to save and spend pocket money responsibly, these apps also make it easier for you to pay kids their pocket money and keep track of how they are spending it. With that in mind here are the best pocket money apps.

 

Related: How much pocket money?

 

 

 

The most popular pocket money apps

• GoHenry offers a prepaid debit card for kids and a parent-and-child app with parental controls to manage spending and automatic pocket money payments. It also has features to help kids learn about saving, giving and budgeting.

• Starling Kite is an app that offers a prepaid debit card for kids. You can also set up regular payments and savings goals.

• Revolut <18 is an app that offers a prepaid debit card for kids. You can pay kids pocket money and keep an eye on what they are spending.

• NatWest Rooster Money is a paid app that offers a prepaid debit card for kids, as well as parental controls and features to help kids learn about saving and budgeting.

• Nimbl enables parents and carers to pay pocket money via an app with tools to teach your child good money habits such as saving and budgeting. 

• Hyperjar enables kids to create separate ‘jars’ to save money for different purposes, such as holidays, clothes, and days out.

• Gimi helps kids learn about money management by giving them a virtual piggy bank to earn, save, and spend money. It also has features to help kids learn about budgeting.

• iAllowance is a family finance management app that helps you teach kids about earning, saving, and spending money. It allows you to set up pocket money for your kids, track their spending, and set up chores and rewards. 

• Osper is a prepaid card for kids. Parents can review and control spending via an app on their phone.

 

What is a pocket money app?

A pocket money app is a mobile app that helps you give your children pocket money and track their spending. These apps typically allow you to set up allowances, track how much your children have earned and spent, and set up chores and rewards. Some pocket money apps also offer extra features to help kids learn about budgeting and financial literacy.

 

Most pocket money apps (but not all) come with subscription fees and a prepaid debit card. Kids can use these pocket money cards to buy items in stores and online. They can also use the card to withdraw money from ATMs and only use the cash preloaded onto the card.

 

Features to consider when choosing a pocket money app

Here are the main things you need to bear in mind when choosing a pocket money app:

 

• Features: Consider the features that are important to you around your child's needs, as some apps include budgeting and saving tools, as well as key financial literacy information.

• Cost: Pocket money apps can range in price from zero charge to monthly or annual subscription fees. Decide how much you will spend on an app before signing up. Remember, many come with a free month trial so that you can test them out.

• Security: Ensure the app uses robust security measures to protect your child's financial information.

• Age range: Some pocket money apps are designed for younger children, while others are for older children and teens. Choose an appropriate app for your child's age and maturity level.

• Ease of use: The app should be easy for you and your child to use. Look for an app with a user-friendly interface and clear instructions.

• Customer support: Ensure the app offers good customer support when you have questions or problems.

 

 

Paid-for pocket money apps

GoHenry

GoHenry's mission is to make every kid smart with money. Thanks to a range of features, the app helps kids safely and securely learn about money, from saving to smart spending. In-app Money Missions makes learning about money fun and engaging with videos and quizzes covering everything from the value of money to budgeting. Parents can support their kids through the GoHenry app by setting flexible parental controls and receiving real-time spending alerts whenever they use their GoHenry prepaid kids debit card.

• Age: 6-18

• Price: £3.99 a month (Everyday) & £4.99 a month (Plus)

 

NatWest RoosterMoney

This is a prepaid debit card for kids with a pocket money app. Parental controls let you choose where and how much your kids can spend and save, and you can also make instant top-ups and receive real-time notifications on when and where they spend. 

• Age: 6-17 

• Price: Free (Virtual Tracker) & £1.99 a month (Rooster Card) 

 

Osper

Osper offers kids a prepaid debit card and an app to track their monthly spending and savings. Parents also get an app that lets them set an allowance, oversee their children's spending, and load money on the card for emergencies.

• Age: 8-18

• Price: £2.50 a month

 

Nimbl

Part of the ParentPay family, Nimbl's app and prepaid debit card allows parents to manage pocket money, top up instantly and set up spending controls.

• Age: 6-18

• Price £2.49 a month

 

Free pocket money apps

Revolut <18

This pocket money app and card allows kids to earn their allowance, build a budget and save. Teens aged 15 and above can create an account for free with parent or guardian approval. If your child is 14 or under, you'll need to create an account for them from your Revolut app.

• Age: 6 -17

• No fee as long as you have a Revolut adult card

 

Starling Kite

Starling Kite is built into a parent’s Starling bank account. Once their account is set up, you can transfer money onto the prepaid Kite card. Kids get their version of the app, where they can track their spending, start budgeting, and save for goals. 

• Age: 6-15

• Price: Free (Parents or guardians need a Starling personal account)

 

HyperJar Kids

HyperJar Kids is a pocket money app that comes with a prepaid card. As a parent, you load up your child's card with pocket money and create unlimited savings jars to help your child learn about budgeting, financial planning, responsible spending, and saving.

• Age: 6-17

• Price: Free

 

iAllowance

iAllowance is a free app that allows you to create a virtual piggy bank for your child. You can then top up the piggy bank with money, and your child can use it to make online purchases. You can also keep track of their money, allowances and chores and motivate kids to work toward earning rewards.

• Age: 4+

• Price: Free

 

Gimi

The free version of Gimi helps parents teach their kids about everyday money. Pocket money is scheduled to be paid, chores are set up and rewarded, and savings goals are achieved.

• Age: 7 - 18

• Price: Free 

 

FAQs about pocket money apps

What age should I start giving pocket money?

 

There is no set age to start giving pocket money; it depends on your child, your family and your own ideas around pocket money and financial education. Research from Metro Bank shows two thirds (66%) of parents give their children pocket money  with 43% of parents believing it’s useful to teach children about finances, spending and saving, as well as reward them for chores (23%).

 

How much pocket money should I pay?

 

The below averages are just a guideline. How much you choose to give your child should be based on what you can afford, your child’s age and what you think is fair. 

 

Here are the weekly averages for the UK, in 2022:

 

How do I manage my kids’ pocket money?

Here are some tips on how to manage your kids' pocket money:

1. Set a budget: Decide how much money you will give your child weekly or monthly. 

2. Be consistent: Make sure to give your child their pocket money regularly; this will help them learn the importance of budgeting and saving.

3. Allow your child to earn their pocket money: There are many ways for children to earn their pocket money, such as doing chores and completing tasks. This will help them learn the value of hard work and making their own money.

4. Teach your child about saving: Help your child set savings goals and teach them how to save their money. 

5. Talk to your child about money: Teach them the importance of budgeting, saving, and making wise financial decisions.

Are pocket money apps safe?

Pocket money apps are carefully designed to be safe for children to use. Many, like GoHenry,  come with parental controls to set spending limits and block where your child can use the card. Nevertheless, it’s important to talk to your child about keeping their card safe, spending and saving expectations and how to keep their financial information private.

Use GoHenry to help manage your kids pocket money today

 

GoHenry's mission is to make every kid smart with money. The card and app are packed with great features that help kids safely and securely learn about money, from saving to smart spending. In-app Money Missions make learning about money fun and engaging with videos and quizzes covering everything from saving to budgeting. Parents can set flexible parental controls in the GoHenry app, and receive real-time spending alerts whenever their kids use their GoHenry kids’ prepaid debit card. You can also create savings goals and recurring pocket money payments.

 

 

All of the information above is correct at the time of publishing.

 

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