7 Family Prepaid Debit Cards Listed (Including Fees, Requirements, etc)

Family Prepaid Debit Cards

Family prepaid debit cards can help teach children the importance of budgeting, saving, and tracking one’s expenses. Features of these types of cards include remote deactivation and the ability to select which vendors kids can shop at. Family prepaid debit cards don’t typically require a credit check or charge for overdrafts.

However, not all family prepaid debit cards are created equal. Some charge high monthly fees and have limited ways to load money on to the card. Some also set age limits. Selecting the right prepaid debit card will depend on where you bank, how much oversight you want over your children’s spending, the age of your children, and how much you’re willing to pay in fees.

Below, we’ve compiled information on several of the best-known family prepaid debit card. (See our related article to find out about transferring money from a checking account to a prepaid card.)

Akimbo

• Card network: Mastercard
• Are cards available for multiple family members? Yes, you can create up to five accounts for individuals (including pets) and tasks.
• Reload options: You can load the card by linking a bank account (free), setting up direct deposit (free), using Mastercard rePower or Green Dot Reload at the Register (between $4 and $5 per use), using mobile check deposit with the Ingo Money app (free if you wait to receive your money in 10 days), or transferring money between Akimbo cards (free).
• Fees:
  • No monthly fees or signature transaction fees
  • If you make a purchase using a PIN, you’ll be charged $0.99 per transaction
  • Domestic ATM withdrawals will incur a $1.98 fee in addition to any ATM operator fees; international ATM withdrawals will incur a $1.98 fee plus 3% of the total amount in addition to any ATM operator fees.
  • Your primary card, account cards, and card replacements cost $4.95 each; you will receive one complimentary replacement card every 12 months.
  • If you do not make a transaction for more than 12 months, you’ll incur a $5.95 monthly dormancy fee.
• Required credentials: An adult cardholder must provide information such as his/her date of birth, Social Security number, address, email address, and phone number.
• Online access: The Akimbo app is available for iOS and Android devices, as well as through a web-based portal. You can set up card-specific spending categories and individuals, personalize transactions, review transactions, disable cards, and set automatic allowances.
• Find out more or apply

Bluebird

• Card network: American Express
• Are cards available for multiple family members? Yes, you can give up four cards to anyone you choose,
• Reload options: You can reload your card by direct deposit (free), with cash or a debit card at Walmart (free), or with a debit card on the Bluebird app or website (free). You can also reload your card at participating retailers (up to $3.95 per use) or through the Ingo Money app (free if you wait to receive your money in 10 days).
• Fees:
  • No monthly or annual fees, no activation fee, no ATM fees when using ATMs in the MoneyPass network, no payment fees, no stop payment fees, no foreign transaction fees, no replacement card fees, no inactivity fees, and no fees for contacting customer service
  • If you choose to set up your account at a retail location, it can cost up to $5.
  • Withdrawing funds at a non-MoneyPass ATM will incur a $2.50 fee in addition to any ATM-operator fees.
• Required credentials:
  • You must be at least 18 to register for a Bluebird account.
  • You must register at a Walmart location or online and provide personal information like your address, email address, phone number, date of birth, and Social Security number.
  • Cash-pickup recipients must be at least 18.
• Online access: Bluebird has an app for iOS and Android devices, as well as a web-based portal that allows you to set spending limits, categorize expenses, save money, transfer money, and deposit checks.
• Find out more or apply

Current

• Card network: Visa
• Are cards available for multiple family members? Yes
• Reload options: You can only reload your card by funding it through one or more linked bank accounts. Most transfers take one to three days, but accounts can qualify for instant transfers after you have completed the free trial period, paid your annual subscription, and have a record of successful transactions.
• Fees:
  • Membership fees are $36 per person per year
  • 3% international transaction fee
  • $3 ATM transaction fee in addition to any ATM operator fees
  • $5 card replacement fee
• Required credentials: An adult must provide personal information like his/her address, phone number, date of birth, and Social Security number. Some individuals may be prompted to provide a valid driver’s license, state-issued ID, or U.S. passport.
• Online access: The Current app is available for iOS and Android devices. You can track spending and savings. If you have a Current bank account, you can use the app to deposit checks electronically.
• Find out more or apply

FamZoo

• Card network: Mastercard
• Are cards available for multiple family members? Yes, the first four cards are free; each additional card costs $2.
• Reload options: You can reload your card by direct deposit (free), bank transfer (some are free), Mastercard rePower ($4 to $6 per use), Green Dot MoneyPak ($4 to $6 per use), PopMoney ($0.95 per use), Apple Pay (free), PayPal (free), or the Square Cash app (free).
• Fees:
  • No overdraft, reload, purchase, MoneyPass-network ATM, replacement card, inactivity, or customer service fees
  • Monthly subscription fees range from $2.50 to $5.99
• Required credentials:
  • Each cardholder must provide his or her legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, email address, and phone number
  • One adult parent must pass an online verification
  • Children ages 13 to 17 must pass their own online verification processes
  • Children under 13 cannot receive cards in their name, but an adult may order a card on their behalf.
  • If FamZoo can’t verify you online, you may need to submit additional information via email.
• Online access: The FamZoo app is available for iOS and Android devices. There is also a web-based portal that allows you to track spending, transfer money, set up activities like chore lists, and more.
• Find out more or apply

gohenry

• Card network: Mastercard
• Are cards available for multiple family members? Yes; customized cards are available for $4.99 each
• Reload options: You can reload your card with a debit or credit card (free).
• Fees:
  • Monthly subscription fees are $3.99 per sub-account; your first month is free
  • Domestic ATM withdrawals will incur a $1.50 fee in addition to any ATM operator fees; international ATM withdrawals will incur a $2 fee in addition to any ATM operator fees
  • International charges incur a fee of 2.75% of the transaction total
  • Primary (i.e. parental) account card replacements cost $3.99 each
• Required credentials:
  • A parent who has lived at his/her current residence for at least three years must complete the online verification process.
  • A parent who has lived at his/her residence for less than three years may need to contact gohenry via email ([email protected]) or call (877) 372-6466 to provide information from a driver’s license or state-sponsored ID.
• Online access: The gohenry app is available for iOS and Android devices. There is also a web-based portal that allows you to set automatic allowance transfers, tasks, and spending limits.
• Find out more or apply

Greenlight

• Card network: Mastercard
• Are cards available for multiple family members? Yes; cards can be customized for $9.99 each
• Reload options: You can reload your card for free by using a debit card, an ACH transfer, or direct deposit.
• Fees:
  • No fees for ATM balance inquiries, customer service calls, or inactive accounts
  • There is a flat monthly fee 0f $4.99
  • Your first replacement card is free; after that, additional cards cost $3.50 each
• Required credentials:
  • An adult will need to complete the online registration process and provide an address, email address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, debit card or bank account number, and the children’s names and their phone numbers (if they plan to use them with the associated app).
  • You must provide an initial $20 deposit when opening an account.
  • Children must be at least 13 when signing up for an online account, though children of any age can use a Greenlight card.
• Online access: Greenlight comes with a feature-heavy iOS or Android app. The app allows users to turn off cards at any time, set a parent-controlled PIN, block entire spending categories, decide whether or not children can use ATMs, set approved stores and websites, instantly transfer money, set up customized chore lists, and track savings amounts.
• Find out more or apply

TD Go

• Card network: Visa
• Are cards available for multiple family members? No; each card is issued individually and then manually linked to a parent’s account
• Reload options: You can reload your card for free through direct deposit or with a TD Bank debit card.
• Fees:
  • No monthly, purchase, in-network ATM, international transaction, or customer service fees
  • Cards initially cost $4.95 each; replacement cards cost $5
  • Out-of-network and international ATM transactions will incur a $3 fee in addition to any ATM operator fees
• Required credentials: An adult must create a parent profile that includes his/her legal name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, occupation, and Social Security number. Additionally, he/she must provide each child’s Social Security number when linking to a parent’s account.
• Online access: There is a web-based portal that you can use to set up low-balance alerts, reload cards, receive general balance updates, and track spending.
• Find out more or apply