Comparison · updated 2026
A free FamZoo alternative — including the no-card part
FamZoo offers prepaid cards and a no-card 'IOU' mode that tracks points and allowances — but charges $5.99/month either way. Pointsy gives you that same virtual chore-and-reward experience for free, with PIN-gated kid profiles and no app-store install.
Pointsy vs FamZoo
| Feature | Pointsy | FamZoo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free | $5.99 ($4.99 prepaid) |
| Free tier | Yes — everything | Trial only |
| What kids earn | Points & rewards you set | Real money (or IOU tracking) |
| Debit card | None | Yes (prepaid) |
| Bank account / ID | Never needed | Required for cards |
| Minimum age | Any age | All ages |
| How you get it | Any browser · add to home screen | App Store / Google Play |
| Reward types | Anything you choose | Mostly money |
| Ads / data sold | Never | No ads (paid) |
| 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
- You pay even without a cardFamZoo charges $5.99/mo even for its no-card IOU mode. Pointsy's virtual points are free, full stop.
- The IOU mode is framed as 'not ready yet'FamZoo treats no-card tracking as a stepping stone to a card. Pointsy makes points the whole point — on purpose.
- Cards mean US-only and ID checksFamZoo's cards are US-only with KYC. Pointsy works in any browser, anywhere, at any age.
- No app store, no data tradePointsy adds to the home screen with no download, and never sells data or shows ads.
When a debit-card app is the better choice
To be fair: FamZoo has been trusted since 2013 and its card-plus-IOU system is flexible if you eventually want real money, parent-paid interest, and detailed family-finance tracking.
Pointsy is simpler and free. If you mainly want virtual points, chores and rewards — without a subscription or a card upsell — it covers that without the monthly fee.
Frequently asked
Pointsy vs FamZoo's IOU accounts — what's the difference?
Both track virtual balances with no card. The difference is price: FamZoo charges $5.99/mo for IOU mode; Pointsy is free. Pointsy also adds PIN-gated kid profiles and works as an install-free web app.
Is Pointsy really free?
Yes — every feature, no subscription, no ads. It's open-source, so it stays free.
Does Pointsy use real money?
No. Points only — you decide what they're worth and which rewards they buy. There's no card and no bank link.
Try the free alternative
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