PouchChore and allowance apps compared
Quick answer
Chore and allowance apps fall into three kinds: trackers of pretend balances, apps that can send money to a bank, and apps with a debit card. Pouch is a free tracker with no account and no real money. Homey, Greenlight, Rooster Money and BusyKid do more, including real money, cards and syncing, and most charge a fee. Prices checked on November 14, 2026.
Three kinds of app
Search for a chore app and you will find dozens. Most fit one of three types, and the type matters more than the feature list.
- Trackers of pretend balances. They record chores and a running total. You pay out however you like.
- Apps that can move money to a bank. They track chores and can send allowance to an account.
- Apps with a debit card. They give a child a card linked to real money, with parental controls.
Prices checked on November 14, 2026, on each company's own page or store listing. Prices change, so check the current number before you sign up. If we could not confirm a claim on the company's own page, we left it out.
At a glance
| App | Type | Cost shown by the company | Real money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pouch | Pretend-balance tracker | Free | No |
| Homey | Tracker with optional bank transfer (US) or cash marking | Free to download with in-app purchases; subscription listed at $6.99 a month or $59.99 a year on its App Store page | Can transfer to a bank account (US only) on the paid plan, or mark as paid in cash |
| Greenlight | Debit card and money app | Plans start at $5.99 a month for the whole family, includes up to five kids | Yes, debit card |
| NatWest Rooster Money | Prepaid card with pocket money and chore app | Rooster Card listed at £19.99 a year or £1.99 a month; the site also lists a free star chart; UK only | Yes, prepaid card |
| BusyKid | Visa card with allowance and chores | $4 a month billed annually, with other fees possible | Yes, Visa card |
Where the paid apps do more
Be honest about the trade: the apps above do things Pouch does not.
- Real money. Greenlight, Rooster Money and BusyKid give kids a card they can use. Homey can send allowance to a bank account in the U.S. Pouch holds no real money.
- Several devices. Homey's listing says it syncs across devices in the household. Pouch keeps its data on one device.
- Notifications and controls. Greenlight lists spending limits and real-time notifications on its card. Pouch has no reminders or notifications.
- Savings and investing features. Greenlight lists savings goals with interest and parent-approved investing. Homey lists saving jars.
Where a simple tracker fits
Pouch is a free web app. It needs no account, and your data stays on your device. It tracks chores (daily, on chosen days, weekly or one-time) with optional pay per chore, adds a weekly allowance on payday and keeps a history. It also makes a printable weekly chart and has one savings goal per kid and a backup file.
Its limits are real. It works on one device. It has no reminders. It does not move real money, so you hand over cash or make your own transfer.
Who each one fits
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| A free pretend balance with no sign-up and a printable chart | Pouch |
| Shared access on several phones, and possibly bank transfers (US) | Homey |
| A debit card with parental controls in the U.S. | Greenlight or BusyKid |
| A prepaid card and chore app in the UK | NatWest Rooster Money |
Questions to ask before you choose
- Do we want real money in the app, or just a record?
- How many adults need to see the balance?
- What is the full yearly cost, including any card fees?
- Where is our data stored, and do we need an account?
- Will our child still use it in six months?
For a closer look at Homey, see Homey alternative. For cards, see Greenlight alternative without a card. To think through the cash-or-tracked question, read cash or tracked allowance.
Questions parents ask
What is the best chore and allowance app?
It depends on what you need. Apps with cards and bank links suit families who want real money handled in the app. A free tracker suits families who want a simple record and pay out themselves.
Are there free chore apps with no account?
Yes. Pouch is free, needs no account and keeps data on your device. It works on one device and has no reminders.
Which chore apps move real money?
Greenlight, NatWest Rooster Money and BusyKid offer cards linked to real money. Homey can transfer allowance to a bank account in the U.S. on its paid plan. Check each company's page for current terms.
Do chore apps work for more than one parent?
Some sync across devices, such as Homey, according to its App Store listing. Pouch keeps data on one device, so share a single phone or tablet.
Sources
- Apple App Store, Homey - Chores and Allowance (Homeylabs Inc): Free to download with in-app purchases; $6.99 monthly and $59.99 yearly subscription listed; chore types; bank transfer (US only) or cash; saving jars; sync across household devices
- Greenlight: Plans from $5.99 a month for the whole family with up to five kids; debit card, spending limits, chores, allowance, savings goals, parent-approved investing
- NatWest Rooster Money: Prepaid card at £19.99 a year or £1.99 a month; chore manager; UK only
- BusyKid, Pricing: $4 a month billed annually; prepaid Visa card; parents set how much goes on the card; additional fees may apply