Comparison · updated 2026
A free Greenlight & Acorns Early alternative — with no debit card
Want to reward chores without a monthly fee or a kids' debit card? Pointsy is a free, points-based alternative to Greenlight and Acorns Early (formerly GoHenry). Kids earn points and redeem them for rewards you choose — no real money, no bank account, no app-store download.
Pointsy vs Greenlight & Acorns Early
| Feature | Pointsy | Greenlight | Acorns Early |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free | From $5.99 | From $8 |
| Free tier | Yes — everything | None | 30-day trial |
| What kids earn | Points & rewards you set | Real money on a card | Real money on a card |
| Debit card | None | Yes (Mastercard) | Yes (Mastercard) |
| Bank account / ID | Never needed | Required (KYC) | Required (KYC) |
| Minimum age | Any age | Kids & teens | 6+ |
| How you get it | Any browser · add to home screen | App Store / Google Play | App Store / Google Play |
| Reward types | Anything you choose | Mostly money | Mostly money |
| Ads / data sold | Never | Finance app | Investing upsell |
| Open-source | Yes (MIT) | No | 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
- The monthly fee adds up$5.99–$12 a month is $70–$144 a year for what's often a chore tracker with a card attached.
- You may not want a card for a young kidDebit-card apps require a bank link and ID checks, and usually start at age 6. Points work at any age.
- Money isn't the only rewardMany families would rather reward chores with screen time, outings or privileges. Pointsy lets you set any reward.
- No app store, no data tradePointsy runs in any browser and adds to the home screen — no download — and never sells data or shows ads.
When a debit-card app is the better choice
To be fair: if your main goal is teaching real-money skills — letting a teen spend in stores and online, build savings with interest, or start investing — a card app like Greenlight or Acorns Early is built for exactly that, and worth the fee.
Pointsy is for the chores-to-rewards loop, not banking. Plenty of families even use both: a card app for spending, Pointsy for the everyday chore routine.
Frequently asked
Is Pointsy really free?
Yes — every feature, for every family, with no subscription and no ads. It's open-source, which is also why it stays free.
Does Pointsy give kids a debit card?
No. There's no card and no real money — kids earn points and redeem them for rewards you set. There's no bank account or ID to provide.
What happened to GoHenry?
GoHenry's US service was folded into Acorns Early in late 2025. If you're comparing 'GoHenry alternatives,' Acorns Early is its successor — and Pointsy is the free, no-card option next to it.
Can I switch from Greenlight to Pointsy?
Yes — set up a free Pointsy family in a minute and recreate your chores and rewards as points. Many families keep a card app for spending and use Pointsy for the chore routine.
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