What type of card is Greenlight? 7 things you should know
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Key takeaways:
Greenlight is a reloadable debit card designed for kids and teens, with parents in full control.
It’s backed by the Mastercard® network and works anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Parents can manage spending, chores, and savings (kids even have access to investing and money lessons!), all in one app.
If you’ve been searching for a safe, kid-friendly debit card, you’ve probably come across Greenlight. But what type of card is it, and what features does it offer families? Let’s see how Greenlight works.
#1 family finance and safety app
1. Greenlight is a reloadable debit card
Greenlight is a debit card made for kids and teens, with parental oversight built in. It’s not a credit card, so there’s no interest accrued and no way for them to overspend. Your kids can only use what you’ve loaded onto their card, which gives them freedom to learn, with you still in control.
When you add money to your Parent Wallet in the Greenlight app, you can split it into Spend, Save, and Give buckets, or let your kids do it themselves. It’s a simple way to show them how budgeting works.
Greenlight works for any age—from your 8-year-old who is just starting to earn an allowance to your teen who is saving up from a part-time job. Greenlight helps them practice managing money in real life, with your guidance.
2. Greenlight is part of the Mastercard network
Every Greenlight card is part of the Mastercard network, which means it’s accepted almost anywhere. And, it comes with Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection, so if a card is lost or stolen, your family is protected against unauthorized purchases. Kids can also link their Greenlight card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, making it easy to tap and go without carrying cash.
3. Greenlight accounts are parent-managed and controlled
Parents are completely in the driver’s seat with Greenlight, offering flexible parental controls so you can decide where, when, and how your kids spend. Inside the app, you can:
Turn cards on or off instantly
Set store-level spending limits
Block certain categories or merchants
Get real-time spending alerts
Transfer money quickly
Greenlight also offers robust chores and allowance management features. You can set up an automated allowance, assign paid chores, and even use the parent-paid interest feature to give your kids the opportunity to earn money while learning how to manage it.
With a debit card of their own, kids and teens learn to spend wisely, keep an eye on balances, and track their spending. Big money dreams? Set savings goals and start investing with as little as $1 — with your approval on every trade.
4. Greenlight users can earn 1% cash back on purchases1
This is one of those features that makes Greenlight feel a little more grown-up, in a good way. With select plans, your kids can earn up to 1% cash back1 on every purchase they make with their Greenlight card. So whether they’re buying school supplies, grabbing lunch with friends, or ordering something online, a little bit comes back to them.
It’s a simple way to show that smart spending can pay off. And for kids who are just starting to manage their own money, seeing that cash-back total tick up in the app can be a great motivator. It also opens the door to bigger conversations about spending versus saving, and how rewards work in the real world.
5. Greenlight includes optional investing (with parent approval!)
If your kids or teens are curious about investing2, Greenlight gives them a way to learn how it works and try it, too. They can explore stocks and ETFs, follow how things are performing, and build a starter portfolio. But, most importantly, no trades happen without your approval.
It’s a safe way for them to explore investing and start thinking about how money can grow over time. And since you're right there helping them, they can ask questions, make mistakes, and figure things out with less risk.
6. Greenlight is packed with educational features
There’s more to Greenlight than just a debit card. The app is built to help kids learn how to actually manage money, from setting savings goals and tracking their progress, to thinking through the choices they make. Level Up™, Greenlight’s in-app financial literacy game, is full of interactive lessons and challenges that teach everything from “What’s a budget?” to “How does interest work?”
Kids get to practice what they’re learning while they’re earning and spending in real life. It’s financial education that grows with your kids and provides lessons that stick over time.
7. Greenlight is built for families, with protection for every stage
Greenlight is designed to support families across multiple generations, all in one app. As your family grows and financial needs evolve, you can add features that go beyond basic budgeting. For example, Greenlight’s plans include:
Identity theft, purchase, and phone protection4
Financial account monitoring
Suspicious activity alerts
Crash detection and SOS alerts3
Real-time location sharing3
These advanced protections give families peace of mind, especially for households with new drivers, younger kids just starting to manage money, and even senior loved ones who may be susceptible to fraud and online scams.
Both you and your kids download the Greenlight app — with tailored experiences. They check off chores, you automate allowance. They spend wisely, you set flexible controls. They build healthy financial habits, and you cheer them on.
So, who is Greenlight best for?
Greenlight is a great option for parents who want to raise financially confident kids and teens, with tools that offer both freedom and structure. Whether your child is ready to earn their first dollar or you’re teaching your teen how to save for the future, Greenlight gives you the control you need and the learning your kids deserve.
With built-in savings, giving, chores, investing, and layered safety features, it’s more than just a debit card. It’s a complete money management tool made for families.
FAQs
Join Greenlight. One month, risk-free.†
Plans start at just $5.99/month for the whole family. Includes up to five kids.
Read how we use and collect your information by visiting our Privacy Statement.