HyperJar vs GoHenry: Features and fees compared

Choosing between HyperJar vs GoHenry? Both are popular UK pocket money apps that give children a prepaid debit card and tools to help them manage their spending. But they work in very different ways, and the right choice depends on what matters most to your family.

This guide covers the key features, fees, spending limits, and parental controls to help you pick the right option for your child.

We’ll also highlight the Wise Young Explorer card - another option for 6-17 year olds.

Learn more about the Young Explorer card

Key features and app capabilities

Both apps come with prepaid debit cards, which means children can only spend what has been loaded onto the card. There is no overdraft and no risk of getting into debt.

Beyond that, however, the two products take different approaches.

GoHenry's learning missions and chores

GoHenry is a dedicated children's money app for ages 6 to 18.¹ Its standout feature is financial education. The app includes "Money Missions": short quizzes, videos and stories that teach children about saving, budgeting, borrowing and spending. The content adjusts for different age groups, so it stays relevant as your child grows.

Parents can also set up chores within the app. When a child completes a task, they receive a pre-set payment. You can create one-off or recurring tasks, which ties pocket money to effort rather than just handing it over automatically. Parents and children each have their own app login, and parents receive real-time notifications each time the card is used.

GoHenry cards are Visa prepaid cards. You can choose from over 45 different card designs, or opt for a standard design.¹

HyperJar's digital jars and shared spending

HyperJar began as an adult budgeting app and later added a children's feature. The kids' card is available for ages 6 to 17 and comes with a Mastercard prepaid card.²

The app is built around a "jars" system. Each jar is a pot of money set aside for a specific purpose, such as "lunch", "savings" or "treats". Parents allocate money into named jars, and children can see exactly how much they have available in each one. This gives children a clear, visual way to understand what their money is for.

HyperJar does not include chores or structured financial lessons. The focus is purely on budgeting through everyday spending. For older children who just need a simple card to manage their own money, this straightforward approach can work well.

Comparison of monthly and usage fees

Here is a quick overview of the main costs:

GoHenry monthly subscription costs

GoHenry costs £3.99 per child per month on its Everyday plan, with a one-month free trial when you sign up.¹ There are also two higher-tier plans:

• Plus: £5.99 per child per month, including savings with interest
• Max: £9.99 per month for up to four children, which adds cashback on in-store purchases and interest savings

One thing to factor in: GoHenry includes one free top-up to the parent account per month. Additional loads cost 50p each.¹ Standard cards are free, but a custom-designed card will cost £4.99.

HyperJar's free account model

HyperJar charges no monthly fee and no subscription, making it the more budget-friendly option for families who want to keep costs down.

There are a few minor charges worth knowing about. Transferring money from your bank account into your HyperJar parent account is free for up to 10 transfers per month, and £1 per transfer after that.² Replacement cards cost £4.99.

The key limitation is that HyperJar Kids cards do not support ATM withdrawals. Your child can only pay by card or contactless, so if you need your child to have access to cash, HyperJar may not be the right fit.

Using cards at home and abroad

Spending and ATM limits

With GoHenry, parents can set daily and weekly spending limits through the app. Children can also withdraw up to £120 per day from ATMs, both in the UK and abroad, at no extra charge.¹

HyperJar has no ATM access for children. Spending is naturally capped by the amount of money in each jar. Parents can move money in and out of jars at any time.

Foreign transaction fees and exchange rates

Neither GoHenry nor HyperJar charges foreign transaction fees for card purchases abroad.¹ ² Children can use their card in shops, cafés and restaurants overseas without any extra charges.

That said, if you as a parent regularly need to send money internationally or manage family spending across currencies, a more dedicated solution could help.

The Wise account from money services provider, Wise, lets you hold and spend in 40+ currencies, send money to 140+ countries, and use a debit card in 150+ countries worldwide.³ Wise uses the mid-market rate, with no added markup on the exchange rate. You can also find out more about how Wise works before signing up.

Safety, security and parental controls

Both GoHenry and HyperJar give parents control features, such as spending notifications and card freezing. Because both cards are prepaid, children can only spend what has been loaded, so there is no risk of overspending.

Spending notifications and merchant blocking

GoHenry sends parents an instant notification every time the card is used.¹ You can set category-based spending blocks, for example, preventing the card from being used at online gaming platforms, subscription services or age-restricted merchants.

HyperJar also sends real-time alerts when your child spends.² Parents can build a "never" list within each jar to block specific retailers, which can be useful if you want to prevent spending at a particular app store or gaming platform.

Both apps let you instantly freeze and unfreeze the card if it is lost or misplaced.

Account protection and encryption standards

Both GoHenry and HyperJar are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as e-money institutions.¹ ² This means they are not banks, and your child's balance is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

However, both providers are required by regulation to hold customer funds in segregated accounts, kept separate from the company's own money. If either company were to fail, your child's balance should be returned to you. Both providers also use secure, encrypted systems to protect account data.

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GoHenry may suit families looking for structured financial education, chore tracking, parental controls, and ATM cash withdrawals. It has a monthly subscription fee, so it’s worth comparing the plan costs and included features before signing up.

HyperJar may suit families looking for a no-monthly-fee kids’ card with simple budgeting tools. Its jars feature can help children organise spending into categories, but it does not support ATM withdrawals.

The right option depends on your child’s age, how they’ll use the card, and whether features like chores, learning tools, ATM access, or monthly fees matter most to your family.

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Get a Wise Young Explorer card for 6-17 year olds

Travelling or spending abroad as a family? The Wise Young Explorer card gives 6-17 year olds their own card, managed through a parent or guardian’s Wise account.

You can set aside money for them, choose spending and ATM limits, and see their spending from your Wise app.

They can spend in-store, online and at ATMs worldwide, with age-appropriate merchant controls. There’s no monthly subscription - just a one-off fee for the physical card.

(Free withdrawals up to 250 GBP/month. A 2.69% fee applies to any amount in excess of the monthly 250 GBP free withdrawal allowance. Some ATM providers may charge additional fees.)

Order a Young Explorer card for your child today

The Wise account is not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

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FAQs

Is HyperJar or GoHenry cheaper for families?

HyperJar is cheaper as it has no monthly fee. GoHenry starts from £3.99 per child per month on its Everyday plan. If you have multiple children, the Max plan at £9.99/month covers up to four children, which could work out better value.

Can my child withdraw cash with both cards?

Only GoHenry supports ATM cash withdrawals, with a daily limit of £120 at no extra charge. HyperJar Kids cards cannot be used at ATMs at all, so cash access is not available through HyperJar.

What are the age requirements for each app?

GoHenry is available for children aged 6 to 18. HyperJar accepts children aged 6 to 17. Both require a parent or guardian to set up and manage the account on the child's behalf.

Do these apps work for international holidays?

Yes, both cards can be used for purchases abroad with no foreign transaction fees. GoHenry also allows free ATM cash withdrawals internationally. HyperJar can only be used for card payments, with no cash withdrawal option.

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Sources used:

1. GoHenry – UK pricing and features
2. HyperJar – HyperJar Kids card
3. Wise – Wise account GB

Sources last checked on date: 29 April 2026