Revolut <18 review (Junior): A prepaid card for kids
Our verdict
We take a look at Revolut's child account, which comes with a prepaid debit card and its own app.
One drawback is that as a parent you have to be Revolut account holder. If you really like the sound of Revolut <18 but are not already a customer, you can always set up a free Revolut account to qualify for a child's one.
Get started by visiting Revolut's website and ordering a card. If you have read this review and decided that Revolut <18's card is not for you, you can also discover other prepaid cards for kids.
Pros
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A parent can digitally top up their child’s account with spending money.
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Instant parental notifications are generated whenever the child makes a purchase with the prepaid debit card.
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Parental controls mean rules can be set on where the child’s card can be used.
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The child gets their own account and payment card, which helps teach them financial skills.
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The dedicated Revolut <18 app lets kids check their account balance and transactions.
Cons
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The parent has to be a Revolut account holder.
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If you have more than one child and want more than one Revolut <18 account, you’ll have to sign up to one of the fee-charging Revolut accounts.
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There are charges for ATM withdrawals exceeding £40 per month.
E-money provider Revolut isn’t a bank, but it does offer a range of accounts that might suit you and your child.
It launched its kids’ account in 2020 which is built for teenagers and even comes with its own app called Junior. In this guide, we take a close look at Revolut’s offer to help you decide if it’s the right option for you.
What controls do parents have with Revolut <18?
To open a kids’ account, parents have to be a Revolut customer. If you already have an account then Revolut <18 could be a great option, as you can get at least 1 free kids’ account (you can get between 1 and 5 kids’ accounts depending on what type of Revolut plan you’re on). Some other prepaid cards for kids come with a monthly fee so Revolut could be a cost-effective option.
Parents top up the money in the Revolut <18 account from their own account. So they get to decide how much is available for their child to spend, and it’s a handy way to pay pocket money digitally.
Parents can control where that money is spent by setting rules on how the accompanying debit card is used by their child either online or in-store. Revolut already automatically blocks the card from being used at most age-restricted merchants.
Instant alerts are also generated whenever the child uses their debit card, giving parents information on where their child has made a purchase and for how much. There’s also the option for parents to freeze the card in the app.
The payment card is now a bright yellow colour and the details are on the back rather that the front of the card. Revolut says this adds an extra security layer in case your child is keen to show off their new card (and new-found financial independence!) on social media.
Is Revolut safe?
Revolut is not a bank in the UK, which means money is not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company goes bust. With that said, customers’ funds are kept in a segregated account and the company is authorised as an e-money provider by the Financial Conduct Authority.
How can I get Revolut <18?
A child can only have a Revolut <18 if their parent or legal guardian already has a Revolut e-money account.
For kids aged between 6 and 13, parents must create a Revolut <18 on behalf of their child and order the prepaid debit card from their own Revolut mobile banking app. For children who are 13 or older, they can download the Revolut <18 app and create a kid’s account, but this will need to be approved by the parent’s account.
They can then use the card to spend the money parents make available to them, and if they have downloaded the dedicated Revolut <18 app they can check their account balance and see the transactions they’ve made.
The payment card still works if you and your child don’t have the Junior app, which is good news if your child doesn’t have a smartphone.
The junior Revolut account is really designed with teenagers in mind, so if your child is younger, you might be better with a pocket money app.”
How much does Revolut <18 cost?
You need to have an adult Revolut account to create a Revolut <18 account. As there are five tiers of Revolut e-money account (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal and Ultra) there are also five levels of access to Revolut <18, which will be a factor if you’d like a Revolut <18 account for more than one child.
Here’s what the five tiers of Revolut account cost, and how many Revolut <18 accounts you get with each of them:
- Standard: Free, and you can have 1 Revolut <18 account.
- Plus: £3.99 per month, and you can have 2 Revolut <18 accounts.
- Premium: £7.99 per month, and you can have 2 Revolut <18 accounts.
- Metal: £14.99 per month, and you can have 5 Revolut <18 accounts.
- Ultra: £55 per month, and you can have 5 Revolut <18 accounts.
(For the full breakdown on what else you get with these different types of account, check out our Revolut review.)
Although Revolut <18 is free to set up, other transaction fees apply, which will mirror those of whatever type of Revolut account the parent has (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal or Ultra).
The exception to this policy is around the Revolut <18 debit card. While spending online or in-store is always free, ATM withdrawals are only free for the first £40 taken out each month. After that, a 2% fee applies across the board.
The Revolut <18 “Co-Parent” feature
Revolut has added a “Co-Parent” feature to Revolut <18, which means that two adults can now have full visibility and control over the account. The free feature is only available to Premium and Metal customers, who can use a link within the app to invite another adult to jointly manage their child’s Revolut <18 account.
The Co-Parent doesn’t have to be a parent – it can be a grandparent, carer or another person financially involved in the child’s life. The Co-Parent will be able to set tasks and goals for the child, as well as top up money in the Revolut <18 account.
Revolut <18 fees and features
 Revolut <18 | |
| Monthly fee | £0 (parent needs Revolut account) |
| Card delivery fee | £4.99 delivery charge |
| UK card transaction fee | £0 |
| UK cash withdrawal fee | £0 |
| Loading fee | £0 |
| Replacement card fee | £5 |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Account type | debit |
| How many child accounts | 1 |
| Fees abroad | Transaction fee after £250/month |
| Other fees | 2% ATM withdrawal fee after £40 month |
| Freeze/unfreeze card |
Revolut <18 customer reviews
In our 2024 customer satisfaction survey 91% of Revolut <18 customers said they’d recommend the service.
They praised how easy the app is to use, alongside the “great fast and reliable service”.
One commented: “We’ve been using Revolut for the children since 2017 (I think) and it;s been a really good way to reward thrm for chores, send them money while they’re out and about and to keep track of their spending (and location!).”
The app has a score of 4.8 out of 5 from just 690 ratings on the App Store. On Google Play, the app has a score of 4.2 from around 11,000 votes (February 2024).
Expert test: My son and I tried out Revolut
I decided to get a Revolut (then Junior) card for my son when he was near the end of primary school and getting a bit more independent, and he's now still using it regularly in his first year at secondary. I like that I get an app, he gets an app, and because it's all from a newish fintech, the apps are actually nice to use (and everything's instant).
Realistically, my son only uses his app to check his balance, but that's fine. Revolut doesn't seem to be on a crusade to solve financial education the way GoHenry is, so we're not tracking chores or working towards goals or anything like that. But I don't think I've ever paid a penny in fees, which I like, and it's all so simple and seamless. We'll just have to sort out his financial education separately!
What proportion of Revolut users would recommend this card and app to friends/family?
| Response | Revolut customers | Average for all brands in our survey |
|---|---|---|
| This year | 90.70% | 90.95% |
| Last year | 75.68% | 71.11% |
Banking scores
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
To find out more, read our full methodology.
