GoHenry UK Review 2026: Is It the Best Kids’ Debit Card for Pocket Money?

GoHenry has quietly become the UK’s most popular prepaid debit card for children, with over 2 million young people using it to learn about money. For parents looking for a practical way to teach their kids about budgeting, saving, and smart spending, GoHenry offers a structured approach without the risk of an overdraft.

In this GoHenry UK review, we break down the fees, features, parental controls, and safety features so you can decide whether it’s the right pocket money tool for your family. We’ll also cover the current 2 months free + £10 pocket money bonus available to new customers in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• GoHenry is a prepaid Visa debit card and app for children aged 6 to 18, with parent-controlled spending limits and chore-based allowances.
• New customers get 2 months free plus a £10 pocket money bonus when signing up in 2026.
• Monthly fees range from £4.99 per child to £9.98 for a family plan covering up to four children.
• Money on the card is safeguarded under FCA e-money rules, with no overdrafts possible.
• GoHenry teaches financial literacy through its Money Missions feature and earn-to-learn mechanics.

→ Claim 2 Months Free + £10 Bonus at GoHenry

What Is GoHenry?

GoHenry is a UK-based financial education service that provides prepaid Visa debit cards and a dedicated mobile app for children aged 6 to 18. Founded in 2012, it was one of the first companies to offer a kids’ debit card in the UK and has since become the market leader, with over 2 million young members.

Unlike a traditional bank account, GoHenry gives parents full control: you load the card with pocket money, set spending limits by category, and see every transaction in real time. Children get their own Visa card (with their name on it) and an app where they can track their balance, set savings goals, and complete chores to earn pocket money.

GoHenry is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an e-money issuer. Your money is safeguarded in a separate account at a UK bank — it’s not lent out or invested. While this means no FSCS protection, the safeguarding rules mean your funds are ring-fenced and protected if GoHenry were to go out of business.

GoHenry Fees and Pricing in 2026

Monthly Subscription

GoHenry charges a monthly fee for each child, with no hidden costs. Here’s the 2026 pricing:

• Individual plan: £4.99 per month per child
• Family plan: £9.98 per month for up to 4 children (works out at £2.50 per child for a family of 4)

The first month is free for all new customers, and if you sign up using our link you’ll get 2 months free plus £10 added to your child’s card as a joining bonus.

Transaction and Other Fees

Most everyday activities are free:

• UK card purchases: Free
• ATM withdrawals (UK): Free
• Parent-to-child transfers: Free
• Foreign transactions: 1.75% of transaction value
• Replacement card: £4.99

There are no charges for declined transactions, no overdraft fees (overdrafts aren’t possible), and no annual card fees beyond the subscription.

Features Parents Actually Use

Spending Controls

The main reason parents choose GoHenry is control. From the parent app, you can set daily, weekly, or monthly spending limits, block or allow specific store categories (for example, blocking online gambling or age-restricted merchants), and freeze the card instantly if it’s lost.

You get a push notification for every transaction your child makes, which is useful both for safety and for starting conversations about spending habits.

Chores and Allowance Automation

GoHenry’s standout feature is the chore system. You can set recurring tasks (for example, “Tidy room — £2” or “Walk the dog — £1”) and pocket money is automatically transferred once the child marks them complete. You approve the payment from your phone.

This turns allowance into a teaching moment rather than an entitlement, and the structure mirrors how earning works in the real world.

Money Missions — Financial Education

Money Missions are short, in-app lessons covering topics like compound interest, budgeting, scams, and saving goals. Children earn in-app badges and, crucially, build real knowledge that most adults wish they’d had earlier.

Savings Goals

Children can set savings goals inside the app (for example, “New football boots — £55”) and move money from their spending pot into savings. Parents can optionally match a percentage — a gentle nudge that mirrors workplace pension contributions later in life.

Is GoHenry Safe?

GoHenry is authorised and regulated by the FCA under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (firm reference 900028). Your money is safeguarded in a separate account at a major UK bank, meaning it’s protected from GoHenry’s creditors if the business ever failed.

Note that because GoHenry is not a bank, it does not offer FSCS protection on the balance. However, safeguarding is the standard and legally required equivalent for e-money firms, and it’s the same protection Revolut, Monzo (for e-money products), and similar services use.

Cards are Visa-branded and carry Visa’s zero liability protection against fraud. GoHenry also uses chip and PIN, 3D Secure for online payments, and never lets the card go into overdraft — so your child can only spend what’s on the card.

GoHenry Pros and Cons

Pros

• Market-leading parental controls and real-time transaction alerts
• Chore automation makes allowance hands-off once set up
• In-app financial education (Money Missions) — free to use
• No overdraft risk, FCA-regulated safeguarding
• Family plan offers strong value for households with multiple children

Cons

• Monthly subscription cost — £4.99 per child can add up over years
• No interest paid on balance (use a Junior ISA for long-term saving)
• No FSCS protection (safeguarding only)
• 1.75% foreign transaction fee is higher than some adult fintech cards

How Does GoHenry Compare?

The kids’ debit card space is more crowded than it used to be. GoHenry’s main rivals are NatWest Rooster Money (£1.99/month, bank-backed), HyperJar Kids (free, but fewer controls), and the Revolut <18 account (free with a Revolut parent account).

In practice, GoHenry wins on chore automation, financial education content, and ease of use. Rooster Money is cheaper and has strong features if you’re already with NatWest. Revolut <18 is best if you or your family already use Revolut as a main bank. HyperJar is the free option but lacks the polish.

If budget is the overriding factor, Rooster Money edges it. If you want the most complete teaching tool, GoHenry is worth the extra £3 per month.

Who Is GoHenry Best For?

GoHenry is best suited to:

• Parents who want structured financial education alongside pocket money
• Families with 2 or more children (family plan economics are strong)
• Parents of children aged 8–14 who are ready for independent spending but still need guardrails
• Anyone who wants to replace cash pocket money with trackable, cashless allowance

For very young children (6–7) a piggy bank may still be more impactful. For teens heading to university, a proper adult current account from Monzo, Starling, or a high-street bank is usually the better step up.

GoHenry vs Junior ISA: Which Do You Need?

This is one of the most common questions we get from parents. The short answer is you probably need both, but for different reasons.

A Junior ISA is a long-term, tax-free savings or investment wrapper designed to build a pot your child can access at age 18. You can contribute up to £9,000 per tax year and the money is locked until they turn 18.

GoHenry is a day-to-day spending tool. It teaches budgeting and earning in real time, but the balance earns no interest and isn’t designed for long-term saving.

Most parents use a Junior ISA for long-term saving (birthdays, Christmas, university fund) and GoHenry for weekly pocket money and learning by doing. They complement each other rather than compete.

How to Sign Up for GoHenry

Signing up takes about 5 minutes:

1. Visit the GoHenry sign-up page via our link to claim the 2 months free + £10 bonus.
2. Enter your details as the parent/guardian (you’ll need to verify your identity — this is standard FCA requirement).
3. Add each child’s name and age.
4. Choose a card design (your child can pick).
5. Load initial funds from your bank account via bank transfer or debit card.
6. Card arrives by post within 3–5 working days. The app is ready immediately for both parent and child.

Get 2 Months Free + £10 Bonus →

GoHenry Review: Our Verdict

GoHenry is the most complete kids’ money tool in the UK, and for most parents the £4.99 monthly fee (or £9.98 family plan) is well worth it for the combination of parental controls, chore automation, and financial education. The 2 months free plus £10 welcome bonus makes it essentially risk-free to try.

It’s not the cheapest option (NatWest Rooster Money is) and it doesn’t earn interest, so pair it with a Junior ISA if you’re saving long-term. But for teaching children how money actually works — earning it, spending it wisely, and saving for things they want — GoHenry is hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can my child get a GoHenry card?

GoHenry is available to children aged 6 to 18. The card and app features are designed to grow with the child — younger children use the basic spending and savings features, while teenagers can unlock more advanced tools.

What happens to the account when my child turns 18?

At 18, the GoHenry account is closed and your child can transfer their balance to an adult current account. GoHenry partners with Monzo and other providers to make this transition smooth.

Is there a minimum load amount?

No. You can load as little as £1 onto the card, and there’s no minimum balance requirement.

Can grandparents or other family members send money?

Yes. You can invite family members to contribute via the “Giftlinks” feature, which lets them send money directly to your child’s GoHenry card using a secure link — ideal for birthdays and Christmas.

Does GoHenry pay interest on savings?

No. GoHenry is an e-money product, not a savings account, so the balance doesn’t earn interest. For interest-earning savings, use a Junior ISA or a children’s savings account.

Is GoHenry worth it?

For most parents of children aged 8 to 16, yes. The combination of parental controls, real-time alerts, chore automation, and financial education justifies the monthly fee. The family plan in particular offers strong value for households with multiple children.

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