Greenlight vs. Famzoo: Which Debit Card is Better For Kids?

If you are searching for the best debit card for your kids, there are many choices. Two of the top options include Greenlight and FamZoo. While they have some similarities, each product offers different pricing and features. As you compare Greenlight vs. FamZoo, how can you determine which one is superior?

I’ve compiled the features and benefits of each card so you can decide which is best for your family.

Table of contents

What Is the Best Debit Card for Teens?

When it comes to the best debit card for your child, this is an individual question that needs to be answered by you alone. However, a debit card specifically designed for kids is a wise choice.

Regular debit cards can incur overdraft fees while giving your child unrestricted access to the funds in your checking account. A debit card for kids avoids both issues because it allows your child to use the money you’ve loaded onto the card or specify that they can spend.

The transaction will be declined if your child tries to use more than they have on the card or tries to complete a purchase that is beyond their spending limit. This keeps them from overspending, going into debt, or incurring overdraft fees.

FamZoo and Greenlight are among the top options in this space. Both cards offer many features that can help you teach your child to earn, spend, save, and give money away responsibly.

Greenlight vs. FamZoo Debit Cards

Greenlight and FamZoo both offer debit cards for kids. While there are similarities between the two cards, there are also differences that should be noted.

Greenlight Vs. FamZoo Similarities

Both Greenlight and FamZoo debit cards offer many useful features.

Each card has the following:

A chore feature that pays the child when the chore or activity is completed
Real-time alerts that notify parents of spending
Manual or automatic scheduling of paydays or deposits into accounts
Parent-controlled lock/unlock features
Digital envelopes for spending, saving, and giving money away
Goal-setting features that allow your child to track their progress
Parent-paid interest is a way to incentivize children
Apple Pay and Google Pay integration
Child-requested transfers (and the parental ability to approve or deny them)
Referral programs for current members

In addition, both cards offer great support and pricing.

Greenlight Vs. FamZoo Differences

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two cards:

Details	Greenlight	FamZoo
Age Range	All ages are welcome, but it’s best for younger kids	ATM withdrawals Customizable cards Non-parent contributions option Cash back on purchases available Spend, save, give, invest pods Crash detection and safety features on the Infinity Plan *Investing and savings bonuses are available on some plans
Product	Debit card	Prepaid debit card or IOU account
Monthly Cost	Three plans ranging from $4.99 to $14.98 per month for up to five kids	One plan ranging from $2.50 to $5.99 per month for unlimited kids and four debit cards
Free Trial	NA	Two months
Functionality	ATM withdrawals Card-free IOU accounts available Transfer money between family members Loan-tracking feature Spend, save, and give pods Shared billing with kids *Split chore money between kids’ accounts	ATM withdrawals Card-free IOU accounts available Transfer money between family members Loan-tracking feature Spend, save, and give pods Shared billing with kids *Split chore money between kids’ accounts
Cash Back	1% on debit card purchases	N/A
Reloading Options	Fund from Parents’ Wallet Set up direct deposit *Transfer from others with a customized link	Push options only (no pull options) From a bank account *Debit card or direct deposit
Parental Controls	Customizable purchase/no-purchase categories Lock/unlock feature Real-time activity alerts Spending limits	Real-time activity alerts Pre-approved spending option *Lock/unlock feature
Review	Read Greenlight Review	Read Famzoo Review

One key difference between these cards is that Greenlight connects directly to the parent’s account, while FamZoo doesn’t. This can be an important distinction for parents who are hesitant to have their teen’s card connected to their account.

FamZoo vs. Greenlight Costs

Both Greenlight and Famzoo are affordable. However, their pricing varies based on which plan within the service you choose.

How Much Does FamZoo Cost?

FamZoo is known for its prepaid debit cards. The base cost is $5.99 per month, but paying in advance can save you a hefty percentage.

For instance, you can pay $59.90 for 12 months, which comes down to $4.99 monthly.

Besides the monthly fee for FamZoo, other fees include the following:

A $4.95 cash reload fee if you don’t use electronic cash reloads
One-time $3.00 fee for cards after your first four free cards
$3.00 card replacement fee (your first two replacements are free)
Card express delivery fee of $25.00

FamZoo prepaid debit cards are not charged an ATM fee when kids use their cards at a local or international ATM. However, ATM operator fees may apply.

In addition, FamZoo offers FDIC insurance for all funds.

How Much Does Greenlight Cost?

Greenlight has three different plans available at three different price points.

These are Greenlight’s plans, which include unlimited kids and cash back:

Greenlight Core: $5.99 per month
Greenlight Max: $9.98 per month
Greenlight Infinity: $14.98 per month

The key differences between these plans are:

The savings rewards (1% vs. 2% vs. 5%)
Cashback offerings (available on Max and Infinity plans)
Investing capabilities (Max and Infinity plans only)
Extra safety features are offered on the Infinity plan

Besides the monthly fee for Greenlight plans, other fees include the following:

$9.99 custom card fee
$3.50 replacement card fee (the first replacement card is free)
$24.99 for expedited shipping on card orders

As with FamZoo, Greenlight does not charge fees for ATM use. However, ATM operators may charge a fee.

Summary

When comparing Greenlight vs. FamZoo, your chosen card will depend on several factors. Parents of younger kids may prefer FamZoo and its card-free IOU account. Alternatively, parents of older kids may prefer Greenlight’s investment option.

The cost of each service might also be a factor. Although Greenlight’s monthly fees are affordable for most people, FamZoo’s prepaid debit card prices offer significant savings for parents. Assess each service’s features thoroughly to decide which is best for your family.

Recommended Reading