Comparison · updated 2026
A free BusyKid alternative — points, not a prepaid card
BusyKid pairs a chore chart with a Visa prepaid card and real stock investing, for about $48 a year. Pointsy keeps the chore-and-reward part, makes it free, and skips the card and the markets entirely — kids earn points and redeem them for rewards you set.
Pointsy vs BusyKid
| Feature | Pointsy | BusyKid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free | ~$4 (billed yearly) |
| Free tier | Yes — everything | 30-day trial |
| What kids earn | Points & rewards you set | Real money + investing |
| Debit card | None | Yes (Visa prepaid) |
| Bank account / ID | Never needed | Required (KYC) |
| Minimum age | Any age | 5+ |
| How you get it | Any browser · add to home screen | App Store / Google Play |
| Reward types | Anything you choose | Money, stocks, charity |
| Ads / data sold | Never | Finance app |
| Open-source | Yes (MIT) | No |
Pricing and features per each provider’s site, 2026. GoHenry’s US service became Acorns Early in late 2025. Figures change — check each provider for current pricing.
Why families look for a free, no-card option
- It's a yearly subscriptionBusyKid bills around $48/year, plus possible card fees. Pointsy is free, with nothing to buy.
- Investing isn't for every familyBusyKid steers kids toward real stock investing. If you just want chores and rewards, that's complexity you don't need.
- A card means a bank link and an age floorThe Visa prepaid card needs ID and starts at age 5. Pointsy's points work at any age with nothing to fund.
- No app store, no data tradePointsy runs in any browser, adds to the home screen, and never sells data or shows ads.
When a debit-card app is the better choice
To be fair: BusyKid's earn-save-share-invest model is genuinely good if you want your child handling real money and learning to invest early — that's the whole point of it.
Pointsy deliberately leaves real money out. It's for turning chores into points and rewards, simply and for free — not for banking or the stock market.
Frequently asked
Is Pointsy free, unlike BusyKid?
Yes. BusyKid is a paid yearly subscription; Pointsy is completely free, with every feature included and no ads.
Does Pointsy do investing like BusyKid?
No — and that's by design. Pointsy is points-and-rewards only, with no real money, no card, and no markets.
Can Pointsy still handle allowance-style chores?
Yes. Set chores, award points, and let kids redeem rewards you choose — including ones you value in dollars if you want. There's just no card moving real money.
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