Compare Prepaid Cards for Teenagers

Find the best prepaid card for your teenager, helping them to understand the responsibility of money and providing access to emergency funds.

HyperJar Kids Card
Transaction fee Free
Monthly fee Free
Card fee Free
ATM fee Free
The HyperJar Kids Card is free to order. There are no subscription fees or fees for transferring funds between the card and your bank account. Plus, if you go on holiday and your child wants to spend abroad, you’ll benefit from zero FX fees when paying in different currencies.
OFFER
Go Henry
Transaction fee Free
Monthly fee £2.99
Card fee Free
ATM fee Free
Get two months free when you apply through Finance.co.uk
Try the award-winning online learning tool for children, and get two months free when you apply through Finance.co.uk. After that, it's only £2.99 /month per child.
OFFER
NatWest Rooster Money
Transaction fee Free
Monthly fee £1.99
Card fee Free
ATM fee Free
Rooster Card subscription is free for current NatWest Group customers (card for ages 6-17, offer t&cs and other fees may apply)
Easy for parents. Fun for kids. Build good money habits for life.
Get the head start card from NatWest Rooster Money . The Rooster Card costs £19.99 p/yr, or £1.99p/m. Plus, you’ll get a free one month subscription trial to get you started. Parents/guardians must be 18+ and a UK resident. Subscription fees apply via auto renewal after the first month’s trial has ended. Other fees may apply. T&C’s apply.

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Our experts have been behind some of the most loved UK financial brands

We're on a mission to improve the finances of the nation by helping you to spend wisely and save money

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Finance.co.uk Team

Finding the best prepaid card for your teenager

By Matt Fernell, Editor-in-Chief at Finance.co.uk.

Matt Fernell

If you want your teen to have access to money, prepaid cards for teens may be useful. Here’s how they work and how to find the right card for you and your child.

How to choose the right prepaid card for teens

If you want a safe and convenient way to give your children money without using cash, prepaid cards for teens are a good option.

They allow you to monitor their spending and are a great way to teach them how to budget and spend wisely. 

However, there are lots of cards out there, so it’s important to choose the option that works best for you and your teen.

Some banks and providers will only allow you to get a prepaid card if you already have a current account with the same bank. This can limit your choices, so it’s important to check when you’re researching the right prepaid card for your child.

Check the controls and features

If you’re looking for a prepaid card for teenagers to help educate your child about managing their money, consider a card with spending limits and helpful tools. Common features cards for children have include:

  • Spending limits you can set - these can be daily, weekly or monthly

  • Ability to limit ATM withdrawals or online spending

  • In-app money lessons to help your child’s financial education

  • Chore tracker that links payments to the completion of tasks

  • Sorting your child’s money into spending pots to help them budget

The cards with more features tend to charge more fees, so factor this in when comparing options. Think about what features you want from your card and use this to find a card that fits the bill.

If you are just looking for a card that lets you upload your child’s pocket money or allowance, a card with fewer features and fees might suit you better. 

Look at the fees

When you’ve worked out what features and tools you need from your prepaid card for teenagers, look at the fees they charge. We show the following fees above:

  • Transaction fee: This fee is charged every time your child uses the card to buy something. Most cards for teens don’t charge a transaction fee, but check the small print as there might be charges in some circumstances.

  • Monthly fee: This is a fee you pay every month for the card. Many prepaid cards for kids charge a monthly fee, ranging from around £2 to £12 a month.

  • Card fee: This is a one-off fee when you first purchase the card and is sometimes called an application fee or a purchase fee. Most cards don’t charge a card fee, but some may charge a delivery fee of around £5.

  • ATM fee: This fee is charged every time your child uses the card to take cash out from an ATM (cash machine). Most cards don’t charge this, but some come with ATM limits or don’t allow ATM withdrawal at all.

You can use the fee information to compare cards that offer the features you want to see which is cheapest.

Pros and cons of prepaid cards for teenagers

To help you determine if a prepaid card for teenagers is the right option for you and your child, compare the pros and cons.

Pros of prepaid cards for teens

  • No credit checks when you apply so it won’t affect your credit score

  • Monitor your child’s spending and set limits and controls 

  • Some have in-app money lessons to teach your kids about their finances

  • Impossible for your child to get into debt

  • Lost or stolen cards can be blocked to stop them from being used

Cons of prepaid cards for teens

  • You do not get Section 75 protection with prepaid cards for teenagers

  • Cannot set up a direct debit or standing orders on a prepaid card

  • They can come with multiple fees, which can become costly

  • They don’t automatically cancel when they turn 18

Alternatives to prepaid cards for teenagers

A children's current account might be a good option if you want to give your child access to money from 11 years old. 

These accounts offer more functionality, like earning interest, paying direct debits, and receiving a salary. However, there are much fewer parental controls for these accounts.

If your child is under 11, there aren’t many other options available because they’ll be too young to open a bank account.

The information provided does not constitute financial advice, it’s always important to do your own research to ensure a financial product is right for your circumstances. If you’re unsure you should contact an independent financial advisor.

Frequently asked questions

How old do you have to be to get a prepaid card?

The minimum age you have to be to get a prepaid card is 6 years old. A parent will have to set up the card on the child’s behalf if under 16. 

The maximum age to get a prepaid card for teenagers is 18. It’s important to remember that these cards do not automatically cancel once your child has reached 18. You'll need to cancel it to avoid future charges. 

Can my child have more than one prepaid card?

Yes, you can get more than one prepaid card for teenagers. 

Some providers will allow you to split the amount of money on the card into different ‘pots’. For example, you could use one pot for saving, and another can be used for daily spending.

Can I control how much my child spends on their prepaid card?

You can set spending limits and cap the amount they can withdraw in cash. You can usually control this on an app, and if you think they’re spending too much, you can freeze the card. You can control where the card can be used; for example, you can block online purchases.

Is there a limit to the amount that can be loaded into an account?

Each provider will have limits on the amounts that can be loaded onto a card. These amounts will differ between providers, so it’s important to compare the best prepaid cards for teens to find the right one that suits you and your child. 

Some cards charge a fee if you upload less than a certain amount, for example, loading less than £10 at a time.

Where can my child use their prepaid card?

They can be used in most places where a debit or credit card is accepted. This includes restaurants, public transport, and retail stores. These cards can also be used online, allowing the child to purchase items from websites, although you can restrict this.

They can also be used at cash points, meaning they can access cash if needed. There are some places where prepaid cards cannot be used, including gambling sites, casinos, off-licences, pubs, or any outlets designed for those over 18.