Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

10 Best Free Debit Cards for Kids and Teens in December 2024

Some of the best free debit cards for kids include Step, Current, Cash App, Axos and more.

Parents giving kids money
Kids’ debit cards can help you teach your kids about money, easily give them allowances and even help them save for short-term or long-term goals. However, many debit cards for kids charge a monthly fee – something many parents hope to avoid. So we’ve rounded up 10 of the best free debit cards for kids and teens so you can easily help your child manage money without digging into your own wallet.

Our top picks

Best overall

Step

Go to site
  • $0 monthly fee
  • No credit check, security deposit or interest charges
  • Up to 3% cashback
  • Earn 4% with $500+ in direct deposits
  • Build positive credit history before 18

Best for rewards

Modak

Go to site
  • $0 monthly or overdraft fees
  • Kids complete challenges for cash-convertible rewards
  • Parent Portal to manage chores, allowance, and savings
  • Multiple funding options

Best for savings rounds-ups

Current teen banking

Go to site
  • $0 monthly fee
  • Automatic savings round-ups
  • Spending limits and parent notifications
  • Instant transfers to your child
  • Parent Current account required

Best free debit cards for kids and teens

  1. Step: Best overall
  2. Modak: Best for rewards
  3. Current teen banking: Best for savings roundups
  4. Cash App for kids: Best for Cash App parents
  5. Revolut <18: Best for traveling families
  6. Axos Bank First Checking: Best for ATM access
  7. Chase First Banking: Best for parental controls
  8. Till Financial: Best for parent-led savings contributions
  9. Alliant Credit Union Free Teen Checking: Best for earning interest
  10. Fidelity Youth Account: Best for investing

Best overall

Step

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Maintenance Fees$0 monthly
Age requirementsAny age

Best for rewards

Modak

3.8
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Maintenance Fees$0 monthly
Age requirementsAny age

Best for savings roundups

Current teen banking

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site
on Current's secure site
Read review
Fee$0 per month
Age requirementsAny age

Best for Cash App parents

Cash App for kids

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Fee$0 per month
Age requirements13 to 17 years old

Best for traveling families

Revolut <18

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Fee$0 per month
ATM withdrawal$0
The Revolut prepaid cards are issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to licenses by Visa U.S.A. Inc and Mastercard International.

Best for ATM access

Axos Bank First Checking

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Savings0.10% APY
Fee$0 per month
Age requirements13 to 17 years old

Best for parental controls

Chase First Banking

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Fee$0 per month
Age requirements6 to 17 years old

Best for parent-led savings contributions

Finder Award Till Financial

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Fee$0 per month
Age requirementsAny age

Best for earning interest

Alliant Credit Union Free Teen Checking

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Savings0.25%
Fee$0 per month
Age requirements13 to 17 years old

Best for investing

Fidelity Youth Account

Savings4.44%
Fee$0 per month
Age requirements13 to 17 years old

Methodology

Finder’s banking experts research over 45 kids’ cards before narrowing down the best free accounts. We consider these five factors:

  • $0 monthly fee
  • Available in most US states
  • No strict membership requirements
  • Strong parental controls
  • Accounts kids can continue using after they turn 18

How to choose a free kids’ card

Aside from monthly fees, consider these factors when deciding which free card to open for your kid or teen.

  • Age range. Many debit cards for kids have age requirements. For teen checking accounts, the age range is 13 to 17 years old. But for prepaid debit cards, there’s usually no age requirement.
  • Accessibility. As a parent on the account, you’ll likely want easy ways to transfer funds and manage your kids’ accounts. Some cards allow transfers via peer-to-peer payment apps, the bank’s own mobile app, QR codes or physical cash deposits. Find the one that works for your lifestyle and child.
  • Parental controls. Most kids’ cards come with some level of parental control, such as daily spending limits or cash withdrawal limits. Axos’ account for kids allows up to $500 per day, but if that’s too much for you, then consider finding an account with customizable spending limits or extra parental perks like spending notifications.
  • Financial literacy tools. While more common with paid accounts, quite a few kids’ bank accounts feature chore and allowance tracking. Others, like Acorns Early (formerly GoHenry), have games that teach kids financial literacy. Extra features may include savings goals, budgeting tools and investing options.

Are there free debit cards for 13-year-olds?

Yes, there are plenty of free teen accounts. It may actually be easier to locate a free account for that age range than it is to find one for kids under 12. Most financial institutions allow teens aged 13 to 17 to open an account with a parent or guardian present — which are often free to open and maintain.

Outside of large traditional banks, other options include fintechs, online banks and prepaid debit cards. These options are useful if you’re looking for expanded features like spending limits and chore and allowance tracking. Accounts offered by fintech or digital banks tend to have more kid-centered and educational features, whereas accounts offered by brick-and-mortar banks are very straightforward.

Alternative fee-based kids’ cards

If none of the free kids’ bank accounts are for you, there are other debit cards for kids to consider. However, most cards with financial literacy features charge monthly or annual fees — often costing at least $4 per month. And if you have more than one kid, the fees could add up quickly.

Some paid alternative options include:

  • Greenlight. The core plan for Greenlight costs $5.99 per month and features tools for saving, spending and earning. There’s a 2% annual savings reward, you can add up to five kids and access parental controls like setting up store-level limits. Other plans cost $9.98 to $14.98 per month, with extra features like cashback rewards, investing, identity theft and purchase protection and more.
  • BusyKid. One of BusyKid's best features is the scheduling of chore assignments with allowance tracking. The app suggests weekly or monthly chores for you to implement. Costing $4 per month (billed annually), kids can also invest with parental approval. The monthly cost includes up to five cards, making it a good option for large families.
  • Mazoola. Very close to making our best list, the Mazoola debit card and mobile wallet is a top virtual kid account. While there’s a $4.95 per month fee, it offers an exceptionally long 12-month free trial. Mazoola is also known for security, as the only kids’ account certified as compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It features strong parental controls, customizability around spending limits, chore trackers, allowance features and no fees for ATM withdrawals.
  • FamZoo. Chock-full of features, FamZoo has more than 15 customizable financial literacy tools for kids and teens, and the app accepts kids of all ages. Kids can borrow money and pay it back with interest to their parents, called mock loans. Other features include chore and allowance tracking, spending notifications, automated bill pay and subaccounts for saving and spending. Cost depends on your plan, starting at $5.99 if you pay monthly.
Alexa Serrano Cruz's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Alexa Serrano Cruz as part of our fact-checking process.
Bethany Hickey's headshot
Written by

Editor, Banking

Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 437 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal finance
  • Banking
  • Auto loans
  • Insurance
  • Cryptocurrency and NFTs

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site