What Are Teen Debit Accounts? And Which Ones Actually Teach Good Money Habits?

Written by Raquel Hart | August 11, 2025

With so many teen-focused money management apps popping up, often powered by AI, it’s worth asking: Do they really help teens build good financial habits? And just as importantly, how secure and easy are they to use?

Here’s a look at some of the most popular teen debit card apps.

How Are Teen Debit Cards and Apps Different from Traditional Debit Cards?

Teen debit cards link to a parent’s account or are set up as a new account for the child. Parents can see where money is spent, set limits, assign chores to earn allowance, and sometimes even enable investing.

Many apps also include games or educational content to make learning about money more fun. But not all apps are created equal, and some come with drawbacks you’ll want to know before signing up.

Comparing the Top Teen Debit Cards

App Name	Pros	Cons
Greenlight	Helps build financial literacy Teens and parents can track spending Offers investing and savings goals Gamified learning	Monthly fees apply Parents must set up brokerage accounts to enable investing Some users report difficulty closing the account Spending limits aren’t always clear
Till	Teen debit card and savings tracker Auto-allowance and chore payments Parent monitoring	Requires creating a child email Bank link setup can be tricky No phone support; issues handled only via app
GoHenry (by Acorns)	Features custom debit card designs Similar tools to Greenlight and Till	Not accepted everywhere Some users report app bugs, including failed transfers

Each of these tools offers basic spending visibility and educational features, but most require new bank accounts, and not all provide easy access to customer support.

What Makes Plinqit Different?

Plinqit isn’t just another teen debit card app. It’s a trusted savings and learning tool, designed to build smart money habits with real rewards and educational content. And it’s only available through participating banks and credit unions, which means:

You're working with a financial institution you already know and trust.
There’s no need to open an account with an unfamiliar bank.
You can access Plinqit right through your existing online banking app.

Plinqit is offered via single-signon (SSO) at a trusted financial institution, so savers know their funds and the product are secure. While Plinqit doesn’t issue a teen debit card directly, it’s a powerful financial education platform that supports your child’s financial journey from savings goals to financial literacy.

Why Families Prefer Plinqit

Benefits of Plinqit	What That Means for You and Your Teen
Offered through trusted institutions	No need to manage accounts with unfamiliar banks
Integrated into your bank’s online platform	One less app to juggle
Automated savings tools	Makes it easy for teens to save toward goals
Fun, rewarding financial education	Teens stay engaged while learning key money skills
Customer support available	Questions? Help is easy to reach

If your goal is to help your child learn real financial habits, not just spend money with a flashy card, look beyond the surface. While apps like Greenlight, Till, and GoHenry offer quick access and tracking, they also come with fees, setup hurdles, and sometimes support frustrations.

Plinqit stands out by focusing on financial education first, making it a great starting point for families who want to raise financially confident kids.

Explore Plinqit through your local credit union or bank and see how simple – and smart – saving can be.

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