Greenlight is one of the most popular debit cards for kids and teens, offering parental controls, savings goals, and investing features. But how much does the Greenlight debit card cost?
Let’s break down the pricing, plans, and whether Greenlight is worth it compared to other kids’ debit cards. 👇
💲 Greenlight Debit Card Pricing & Plans
Greenlight offers three monthly subscription plans, each with different features:
Plan |
Monthly Cost |
Annual Cost |
Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Greenlight Core |
$4.99/month |
$59.88/year |
Debit card, allowance, savings goals, parental controls |
Greenlight + Invest |
$9.98/month |
$119.76/year |
Everything in Core + Investing for kids |
Greenlight Max |
$14.98/month |
$179.76/year |
Everything in Invest + Identity theft protection, priority customer support |
🔹 Key Takeaways:
- Greenlight Core ($4.99/month) covers the basics (debit card, parental controls, savings).
- Greenlight + Invest ($9.98/month) adds stock & ETF investing for kids.
- Greenlight Max ($14.98/month) includes identity theft protection and cashback.
- All plans cover up to 5 kids per family—great for large households.
🏦 Greenlight vs. Other Kids’ Debit Cards: Cost Comparison
How does Greenlight compare to other popular kids’ debit cards?
Card |
Monthly Cost |
ATM Fees |
Parental Controls |
Investing for Kids? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Greenlight |
$4.99 – $14.98 |
Free at in-network ATMs |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes (Invest plan) |
GoHenry |
$4.99 per child |
$1.50 per withdrawal |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
BusyKid |
$4.00 |
Free at in-network ATMs |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
FamZoo |
$2.50 – $5.99 |
Free |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Step (Free Option) |
$0 |
Free |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
🔹 Key Takeaways:
- Greenlight is one of the most expensive kids’ debit cards, but it offers more features than competitors.
- GoHenry charges per child, while Greenlight covers up to 5 kids for one price.
- Step is a great free alternative for families looking for a basic debit card with no fees.
🏧 Does Greenlight Charge Any Extra Fees?
While Greenlight has no overdraft fees, there are some extra costs to keep in mind:
Fee Type |
Cost |
|---|---|
Card Replacement |
First replacement is free, then $3.50 per card |
ATM Withdrawals |
Free at in-network ATMs (fees may apply for out-of-network) |
Instant Transfers (From Parent to Child) |
Free |
Foreign Transactions |
2.95% per transaction |
Cash Reload Fee (via Retail Stores like CVS, Walgreens) |
Up to $4.95 |
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid cash reloads at retail stores—it’s cheaper to fund the account via direct deposit or bank transfer.
📍 What Features Do You Get With Greenlight?
✅ Parental Controls – Track spending, set limits, approve transactions.
✅ Allowance Automation – Set up recurring payments.
✅ Savings & Interest – Parents can pay kids interest on their savings.
✅ Investing (Greenlight + Invest Plan) – Kids can buy stocks & ETFs with parental approval.
✅ Identity Theft Protection (Greenlight Max Plan) – Includes credit monitoring.
💡 Greenlight is great for teaching financial literacy but may be overkill for younger kids.
🚀 Is Greenlight Worth the Cost?
Greenlight offers a lot of features, but is it worth the price? Here’s when it makes sense:
✅ Yes, Greenlight is worth it if:
- You have multiple kids (up to 5 kids included).
- You want strong parental controls & spending tracking.
- Your child is interested in investing (Greenlight + Invest).
- You want a structured allowance & savings plan.
❌ No, Greenlight may not be worth it if:
- You only need a basic debit card (Step is free).
- You only have one child (GoHenry may be cheaper for a single user).
- You don’t need investing or financial education features.
💡 For younger kids (ages 5-10), Greenlight’s allowance tools are great. For teens, Step or a traditional bank card may be better.
🎯 Final Thoughts: How Much Does Greenlight Cost & Is It the Best Option?
Greenlight is one of the best kids’ debit cards, but it’s also one of the most expensive. If you want strong parental controls, allowance automation, and investing tools, it’s worth the price.
💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ Greenlight costs $4.99 – $14.98 per month, covering up to 5 kids.
✅ It’s more expensive than GoHenry, BusyKid, and FamZoo, but it offers more features.
✅ Greenlight Max includes identity theft protection & cash-back rewards.
✅ If you want a free kids’ debit card, Step is a solid alternative.
💬 Do you use Greenlight or another kids’ debit card? Drop your thoughts below! 👇
🚀 For real-world financial product pricing insights, bookmark CostHowMuch.com!
