GoHenry vs HyperJar: Is The Paid For App Worth It?
Looking for a kids pocket money app and prepaid card to teach your kid about managing money? I’ve been trying out GoHenry vs HyperJar – two of the biggest options!
Both of these apps enable your child to see their balance in an app and help them set money aside for particular goals with the aim of teaching them about budgeting.
However their key features are very different – with GoHenry providing a lot more – and of course the cost is also a factor when comparing these two. While GoHenry charges a monthly fee, plus some extras that we’ll come onto, HyperJar is totally free.
So which one should you choose? HyperJar or GoHenry? I’ve tried out both of these apps to help you make the decision!
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Quick verdict on GoHenry vs HyperJar
Parents only looking for a prepaid card without requiring a fancy app to accompany it for their child will be happy with HyperJar.
The extras GoHenry offers are a one-stop-shop for pocket money – with a chores list, savings goals and learning resources (which kids can earn pocket money for engaging with).
Your child will learn a lot on the GoHenry app, but parents will likely not be hugely keen on the monthly £3.99 fee – it’s certainly what has ultimately led me to decide it’s not for us long-term.
Ultimately which is best depends on your budget and whether you really want an all-singing all-dancing app.
The extra features give GoHenry the edge.
Not sure which would work for you? Get 3 months free with GoHenry by clicking this link to sign up.
What’s the difference between GoHenry and HyperJar?
Both are budgeting apps. While GoHenry was launched solely as a kids pocket money and prepaid card venture, HyperJar began as a adult budgeting app that added a kids card as an extra option to make it more family-friendly.
GoHenry says it has 2million users in the UK, whereas HyperJar has 500,000.
Let’s take a look at the key differences between the two – because there are certainly a few to take note.
Fees – WINNER: HyperJar
Let’s start with the important bit, the costs.
The key difference parents will notice is GoHenry costs £3.99 a month whereas HyperJar is totally free.
There aren’t any hidden costs for topping up the card with HyperJar.
One of my biggest issues with GoHenry is it only allows you one free top-up a month, then it charges 50p per load to add more money.
Money management – WINNER: GoHenry
These two apps have slightly different methods of money management.
HyperJar favours the jar budgeting system – where you create virtual jars labelled things like food, treats, hair, holiday, going out, toys, clothes, etc. When you create a kids account you add a jar for them, with their name, that can also be separated into jars of their own.
So your child may have jars such as toys, sweets, savings and days out, for example.
With GoHenry money arrives in the app and how it gets allocated to the child is controlled by the parent.
So you could just set an allowance to be transferred for use on their prepaid card on a weekly basis. Alternatively you can pay your child the money based on completion of tasks – either one-off or regular ones.
With GoHenry there’s a section of the app for savings goals so your child can work towards something – say a brand new toy they have their eye on.
You can do similar with HyperJar, as your child can create a jar labelled “new toy” and work towards adding money to that jar.
Transfers – WINNER: Draw
Both allow quick transfers into the app.
With GoHenry the money is added to the parent account, and you then either choose to move it to your child right then or allow it to be allocated to them as they complete tasks to earn it.
With HyperJar you add money to your main adult account, then can transfer it over to your child’s jar or individual jars for spending.
Both are quick and easy to add money. Which system you prefer is really down to personal preference. I don’t love separating the money out into jars for my daughter as she’s not dealing with huge amounts of money but that’s my thing.
App style – WINNER: GoHenry
The two apps look very different. Both will display your child’s balance but HyperJar is based on the concept of jar budgeting.
Available money is broken down into separate jars so your child can be aware of what they have to spend and encourage them to keep money aside for the important stuff, while saving for treats.
HyperJar also provides an analytics screen, featuring information such as:
- The proportion of money the has been spent in a month
- How much was spent at weekends and week days
- The proportion of money spent at different times of day
GoHenry features a record of spending listed by category, so no breakdown quite as detailed as HyperJar but to be honest I don’t really need the analytics screen.
In terms of look and style I give the edge to GoHenry because there’s just a lot more going on on the app that’s practical.
Tasks and chores lists – WINNER: GoHenry
GoHenry beats HyperJar easily in this area. While GoHenry offers a cool tasks list where you can set multiple chores, as a recurring weekly thing or one-off, HyperJar does not have this option at all.
I’m a huge fan of this element of the app as it feels like the old-fashioned idea behind pocket money and it being earned is brought into the modern age with this feature.
The GoHenry app allows you to choose an option where either you, the parent, tick off the chores on the list or your child can be authorised to do so. The allowance you set for the task won’t be paid unless the chore is ticked off.
So you will need to remember to tick it off the list, unless you’ve allowed your child permission to do so. But of course you need to trust that your child will have completed the task before they tick the box – I’m sure they will have!
Cash withdrawals – WINNER: GoHenry
GoHenry can be used at ATMS to withdraw money and there is no extra fee for this.
HyperJar Kids cards cannot be used to withdraw cash from ATMs.
Spending abroad – WINNER: Draw
Both HyperJar and GoHenry are free to use abroad. So your child can take their card with them to spend when they’re on holiday!
How your child accesses the app – WINNER: GoHenry
If your child has their own phone then using either of these apps will be straightforward.
But if they don’t then it becomes a bit of a consideration.
In terms of practicality, you will need a phone for your child to use HyperJar – either their own or they could borrow another adult’s. This is obviously a bit of a pain.
I can get GoHenry working on an iPad for my daughter to use, but I cannot with HyperJar. It has to be a phone.
With GoHenry you can also switch between your adult account in the app and your child’s view, so they can use your phone if that would be easier for you.
You cannot do this with HyperJar, however you can view your child’s balance in your HyperJar app on the parent phone.
So which is best comes down to whether you want your child to have daily access to the app to check how their money is doing.
In this regard, GoHenry makes it easier, especially if your child doesn’t have their own phone.
Parental controls – WINNER: Draw
Both apps allow you to block the prepaid cards instantly from the app.
HyperJar allows you to block particular retailers, which could be a really useful tool to have, especially if you have a child who’s keen on Roblox!
You do this by setting a “never” list in their jar
With GoHenry you can set a strict merchant block that stops the card being used at particular merchants that could be inappropriate, such as restaurants and bars.
You can set spending limits on GoHenry – including limits on how much they can spend each week and how much they can spend each day, as well as a ATM withdrawal limit.
You cannot set a particular spending limit in HyperJar, but it’s easy to move money in and out of their jar so you could manage their spending limits in that way.
Family and friends – WINNER: Draw
Both apps make it easy for family and friends to add money to your child’s balance as well.
This could make Christmas and birthday money gifting much easier!
OVERALL WINNER: GoHenry
With all of its features, fantastic financial education content, incentives for kids to earn pocket money and easy to use app, it’s clear GoHenry comes out as the winner.
Get started with GoHenry here.
Although GoHenry comes out on top in this comparison of all the features and extras, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s definitely the app and card for your family.
If you’re not fussed about the frills, then HyperJar still offers a really decent option.
You may also like: GoHenry review
GoHenry vs HyperJar compared
| GoHenry | HyperJar | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £3.99/month | Free |
| Card cost | Free card or £4.99 for custom card | Free |
| Loads | 1 free top-up per month then 50p each | Free – 3 max number of loads per day |
| Age range | 6-18 | 6-17 |
| App for parents | Yes | Yes |
| App for kids | Yes – use on a phone or tablet | Yes but requires a phone to use |
| Non-parent gifting | Yes | Yes |
| ATM usage | £120 daily limit | No ATM withdrawals |
| Fees for use abroad | No | No |
| Set regular top ups | Yes | Yes |
| Chore manager | Yes | No |
| Savings goals | Yes | No |
| Instant freeze/unfreeze in app | Yes | Yes |
| Money education | Yes – Money Missions to earn extra pocket money | No |
HyperJar vs GoHenry: Which to choose?
If you don’t care about the monthly fee and want to be able to set chores for your child to complete to earn pocket money and get them to learn more about financial matters then GoHenry is your best bet.
However if you don’t want to pay anything for the prepaid card and just want your child to use it like a debit card to spend in shops then HyperJar is for you.
You can get started with HyperJar here.
After reading all of this if you are still unsure then it’s worth noting that GoHenry normally offers a one-month free trial. So you could sign up to both and see how you get on.
It’s likely HyperJar will give you everything you need, but the extra features on GoHenry are very tempting. They’re great for helping kids learn about money, in a way that really engages them.
My daughter has got more out of using the GoHenry app than the HyperJar app.
