The best free debit cards for kids for 2021

Compare debit cards for kids

Use this table to compare popular debit cards for kids. Sort the list by monthly fee, ATM withdrawal and features to find the best one for you.

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Name	Product	Annual or monthly fee	Age requirements	Features
Chase First Banking℠ Finder Rating: 4.3 / 5: ★★★★★		$0 per month	Any age	Real-time requests Flexible parental controls Supports chores and allowances	A debit card for teens and kids with a set of digital tools to help them learn good money habits in the Chase Mobile app. Requires parent to have or open a Chase checking account.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Copper Finder Rating: 4 / 5: ★★★★★		$0 per month	13+	Financial quizzes Automated savings Instant transfers	Copper is a digital checking account that teaches your teen healthy money habits through interactive quizzes and an intuitive mobile app.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Jassby Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★		$0 per month	7 to 17 years old	Parental controls In-app mall	Jassby is a virtual debit card for kids, complete with chores and allowance tracking.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Revolut Junior		$0 per month	12 to 17 years old	Built-in safety Parental controls Parents-paid bonuses	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Free best debit cards for kids

We researched over 35 debit cards for kids to bring you the top free best kids debit cards in 2021 to help you find a card that works for you and your kids.

Best for financial literacy for no fee

Chase First Banking℠

Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Chase's secure site

Chase First Banking stands out as its one of the only checking accounts for kids that comes with chores and allowance features and allows kids as young as 6 to get the account. Most checking accounts require kids to be at least 13 to 17 years old. Plus, because this account is powered by Greenlight, you will get some of the basic features from Greenlight but with no monthly fee requirement. But parents will need to be Chase customers to open this kids account. If you dont currently bank with Chase, you can open an account like Chase Total Checking to get started.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No monthly fee. Unlike many other kid-centric bank accounts, there's no monthly fee for Chase First Banking.
  • Built-in chores and allowances. When you open a Chase First Banking account, you can use Chase's mobile app to assign tasks to your child or automate their allowance.
  • Parents are in control. You can restrict your kid's spending, limit their ATM access and get spending alerts. Plus, your child can send you real-time requests for cash that you can instantly transfer to their account for free.

  Cons

  • Must be an existing Chase customer. You can't open a Chase First Banking account unless you already bank with Chase.
  • No support for multiple parents. You can only link one parent's account unless you share your login credentials with your partner.
  • Missing features. This account doesn't support digital wallets, direct deposits, bank-to-bank transfers or mobile check deposits.

• More details

  APY	N/A
  Fee	$0 per month
  ATM transaction fee	$0
  Foreign transaction fee	3%

APY	N/A
Fee	$0 per month
Age requirements	6 to 17 years old

Go to site on Chase's secure site

Best for teens

Copper

Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Copper's secure site

The Copper debit card for teens is linked to a full-fledged checking account. Copper is free to use and there are no ATM fees or overdraft charges. And although it doesn't have an integrated chores feature like many other debit cards for kids, parents can set up recurring transfers that instantly deposit cash into their kids' accounts. Plus, the mobile app includes interactive quizzes, articles and other resources to enrich your teen's financial literacy.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No fees. There's no monthly or overdraft fee and no minimum balance requirement with Copper. Your kid can also use the Copper debit card at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs without paying a fee.
  • Improves financial literacy. The Copper app features financial quizzes and other resources to help your teen be more mindful about their saving and spending habits. Kids can even earn extra cash for completing some of the quizzes.
  • Integrated savings. Copper lets your kid create multiple buckets to save up for long-term goals. Your teen can also set up automatic deposits into their savings buckets and invite friends and family to contribute funds.

  Cons

  • Negligible interest. Saved money only earns 0.001% APY, which is virtually nothing.
  • Cash deposit fee. Copper doesn't charge any fees when your kid deposits cash at participating retailers, but some businesses may charge a fee of up to $4.95.

• More details

  Annual or monthly fee	$0 per month
  ATM withdrawal	$0
  Card replacement fee	$0
  Age requirements	13+
  Card type	Debit
  Card network	Mastercard

Maintenance Fees	$0 monthly
Card purchase fee	$0
Age requirements	13+

Go to site on Copper's secure site

Best for no monthly fee

Jassby

Finder rating 4.2 / 5 ★★★★★

Go to site on Jassby's secure site

The Jassby virtual debit card stands out for its no monthly fee and intuitive money-management app. It's also a great option for kids who don't need a physical debit card. There used to be a monthly fee and free six-month trial, but these were done away with after Jassby became a free virtual debit card. Your kid also gets access to the Jassby Mall, which is an in-app marketplace that includes more than 20,000 products from retailers including Apple, Starbucks and Nintendo.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No monthly fee. Unlike other kids debit cards, you don't have to worry paying a fee every month.
  • Parental features. The adult on the account can award one-time bonuses, freeze their kid's debit card and set spending limits in the mobile app.
  • Jassby Mall. The app has a built-in Jassby Mall where your kid can buy products from popular retailers like Starbucks, Apple and Nintendo.

  Cons

  • No physical card. Jassby is a virtual debit card only, which could be a disadvantage if your kid shops at a place that doesn't support mobile wallet and contactless payments.

• More details

  APY	N/A
  Fee	$0 per month

APY	N/A
Fee	$0 per month
Age requirements	Any age

Go to site on Jassby's secure site

How to choose the best debit card for my kid

Compare the following features when shopping around for a debit card for your child:

• Check the fees. The costs can vary between cards and banks. Most prepaid cards will have either a monthly or yearly fee.
• Spending limits. Look for cards that let you cap daily spending and set limits for ATM withdrawals or at specific stores.
• Shopping online. Consider whether being able to buy online is a benefit or a downside, and opt for a kids’ debit card that can restrict or block online spending if needed.

Common features of a kids’ debit card

There are six common features to consider when looking for a debit card for your kid:

• Chores and allowances. Many debit cards for kids offer a way to track and pay your kids for chores that they complete. You also have the option to pay allowances.
• Like a regular debit card. Your kid can use their prepaid debit card to make purchases online and in person, generally anywhere Mastercard or Visa is accepted.
• Spending controls. Many children’s debit cards come with spending control limits that parents can set within their mobile banking app to restrict how much their child can spend.
• Card lock. Parents can also lock the debit card online or via an app.
• Choose how your child can spend. Parents can choose if the card can be used at ATMS, online or for in-store purchases.
• Spending tracking tools. Many mobile banking apps offer spending tracking tools and features to help your child learn how to manage their money.

How do debit cards for kids work?

Most debit cards for kids are prepaid cards. You can load money onto them from an app using your checking account. Then, your kid can use them to shop online and in-store just as they would a normal debit card. The major difference is that your kid typically can’t overdraft with a prepaid debit card as they could a regular debit card.

A lot of these cards come with extra features, like the ability to see how your child spends their money or pay them for doing chores.

At what age can my child get a debit card?

Prepaid cards are available for kids as young as five. But debit cards linked to traditional checking accounts usually require your child to be at least 13.

You can help your child transition to a prepaid debit card for teens once they turn 13, or you can help them open a checking account for teens if they’ve outgrown the prepaid card.

Are debit cards for kids safe?

Yes, debit cards for kids are generally safe because of two main features. First, they’re FDIC-insured so you’re guaranteed to get your money back if the bank fails. Secondly, most debit cards for kids are COPPA-compliant, meaning they never sell or collect your child’s personal information, including their name, address, Social Security numbers, and even their geolocation and images.

Is my child ready for a debit card for kids?

Your child may be ready for a kids debit card if they often ask to borrow cash or have started earning money on their own — whether through an allowance or a paid job. A debit card like Greenlight can help them master the art of spending, saving and investing wisely.

If your child isn’t ready to handle real money just yet, consider a simulated bank account like Bankaroo or RoosterMoney. These apps use virtual money to help young children learn how to spend and save until they’re ready to upgrade to a real debit card for kids.

How can I get a kids debit card?

You can open most debit cards for kids online. But keep in mind that if you decide to open a kids checking account as opposed to a prepaid card, you’ll need to open it as a joint account between a minor and an adult.

What are the pros and cons of a debit card for kids?

Before you get a debit card for your kid, consider these features and drawbacks:

13 debit cards for kids

Here’s a quick overview of the top debit cards available for kids:

Debit card for kids alternatives

If you’re not set on a prepaid card for your child, here are some other options to consider, depending on their age:

• Kids savings account. Help your child get a jump start on their future with a kids savings account. Most offer competitive APYs and low fees and minimum deposits. They’re a great option for any age.
• Kids checking account. Some kids checking accounts such as Chase First Checking have no monthly fees, free ATM access and chore and allowance tracking.
• Credit cards. You could add your child to your credit card as an authorized user. This could help them build their credit and learn financial responsibility, but beware of the risks that come.

Bottom line

A prepaid debit card for kids can help your child learn how to manage money responsibly — and let you track their spending so you can see if they’re meeting that goal. But while some prepaid cards let kids save money on them, they’re not a replacement for a savings account. Compare savings accounts for kids and prepaid debit cards to create a banking solution that’s right for your family.

Frequently asked questions?

• When should I give my child a debit card?

  This is completely up to you and your individual experience. You might consider giving your child a debit card when:

  • They start going out for social activities without you present.
  • When they start high school, or if they take public transportation to get to school
  • They start wanting or needing to buy things when you’re not with them.

• Can I reverse a transaction?

  Fraudulent transactions, including those where a thief stole and used the card or where the seller didn’t deliver what they promised, can often be reversed by contacting the bank or card company.

• What if my child makes a transaction I'm not happy with?

  You can’t request that your bank reverse a transaction unless you can prove the transaction was fraudulent. But, you can keep an eye on your child’s spending via the mobile banking app. And many cards can be frozen from the app so that your child can’t continue to spend if you aren’t happy with their purchases.