[Digital Allowance 2026] Apple Cash Family vs GoHenry (Fees, Safety, Debit Cards)

Digital Allowance
Cashless Kids Guide

🚀 Key Takeaways

• Apple Cash Family: The best free option for iPhone households. It lives in iMessage and requires no extra apps or fees.
• GoHenry: The best for financial education. It has built-in "Money Missions" that pay kids to learn about savings and debt.
• Safety: All options allow parents to block specific merchants (like liquor stores) and get instant spending alerts.

This is 'Thirsty Hippo'. Do you still withdraw cash from an ATM just to give your kid $20? Stop. We live in a digital world. Your kids are buying skins in Roblox and snacks at cashless cafeterias. They need digital money. Setting up a "Digital Allowance" system not only makes your life easier (automate it!), but it also teaches them how to manage a bank balance before they leave the nest. Today, we compare the top tools to turn your child into a mini-CFO.

📌 1. The Ecosystem Choice (Apple Cash Family)

If your family uses iPhones, Apple Cash Family is a no-brainer. It is built directly into iOS. You can send money via iMessage, and it goes straight to their Apple Wallet.

Pros: It is 100% free. No monthly subscription. They can use Apple Pay on their phone or Watch immediately.
Cons: No physical card (unless they use a connected debit card) and limited budgeting tools compared to dedicated apps. It is purely for spending.

🧮 Hippo's Insight

The "Chore" Loop: Apps like GoHenry shine here. You can set a rule: "Clean Room = $5." The kid marks it as done, you approve it, and the money transfers. It connects effort to reward instantly, gamifying household tasks.

Key Insight: Make them earn it digitally.

📊 2. The Educator (GoHenry vs Greenlight)

If you want them to learn finance, pay for a dedicated app.

Feature	GoHenry	Apple Cash
Cost	~$5/mo per child	Free
Education	In-app Lessons	None
Custom Card	Yes (Name/Design)	No (Digital only)

GoHenry's "Money Missions" are videos and quizzes about compound interest, scams, and saving. Kids earn small XP or cents for completing them. It turns financial literacy into a game, justifying the monthly fee.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I see what they buy?

A. Yes. You get a real-time notification: "John spent $5 at Starbucks." It gives you peace of mind and starts conversations about spending habits.

📝 Final Thoughts

Cash is invisible. When kids tap a card, it feels like magic. Your job is to teach them that the magic has limits. Whether you choose the free Apple route or the paid GoHenry route, start today. Financial responsibility is a muscle; help them flex it.

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