The ranking at a glance
| # | App | Best for | Price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Famiyo | Best chores-to-allowance app | Free plan; optional Premium | iPhone, iPad, Android |
| 2 | Apple Calendar | Best for sending money on Apple devices | Free | iPhone, iPad, Mac; iCloud calendars also on Windows and iCloud.com |
| 3 | Skylight Calendar | Best with stars | Displays from $149.99; Calendar Plus $79/year | Skylight displays, iPhone, Android and desktop app |
| 4 | Hearth Display | Best on a wall screen | Display $699; Family Membership $9/month or $86.40/year | Hearth Display, plus companion apps for iPhone and Android |
| 5 | Printable chore charts | Best on paper | Free | Paper or spreadsheet |
How we ranked
This ranking is for families with kids. Apps score higher when they offer more of the following:
- Allowance linked to chores
- No bank card or account needed
- Parents set the exchange rate
- Free plan
Best chores-to-allowance app
1. Famiyo
Kids earn points for chores; you add rewards such as "$5 pocket money" at a price in points. No bank card or financial account is involved, and it is free for up to 3 family members.
- Shared family calendar with a colour for every family member
- Chores and events worth points, checked off by kids or approved by a parent
- A rewards shop where kids spend their points on rewards you choose
- Kids join on their own phone with a 6-character code, without an email or password
- Free plan with points and rewards included, no ads
- iPhone, iPad and Android with live sync, so mixed-phone families can use it together
- Available in 8 languages: English, Polish, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Russian
Why families love using it
- Easy for kids and parents
- The whole family works together
- Rewards you define, kids redeem
- Progress everyone can see
- Schedule and chores in one place
- Parents stay in control
- Set up in minutes
- Nudges instead of nagging
Price: Free plan for up to 3 family members and 1 repeating task (calendar, chores with points, rewards shop and statistics included). Optional Premium, monthly or yearly, removes the limits.
Best for sending money on Apple devices
2. Apple Calendar
Family Sharing lets you send kids an allowance with Apple Cash Family; it has no points for chores.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac; iCloud calendars also on Windows and iCloud.com
Best with stars
3. Skylight Calendar
Stars and rewards for chores with Calendar Plus ($79/year).
- Price
- Displays from $149.99; Calendar Plus $79/year
- Platforms
- Skylight displays, iPhone, Android and desktop app
Best on a wall screen
4. Hearth Display
Stars and rewards on a 27-inch display with membership.
- Price
- Display $699; Family Membership $9/month or $86.40/year
- Platforms
- Hearth Display, plus companion apps for iPhone and Android
Best on paper
5. Printable chore charts
Free printable charts; pocket money counted by hand.
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Paper or spreadsheet
Try our #1 pick for free
Famiyo puts the family calendar, chores with points and a rewards shop on every family phone.
Free for up to 3 family members. No ads.
How to choose
- Decide on a points-to-money rate before you start.
- If you want a debit card for your child, you need a banking product; Famiyo tracks chores and rewards only.
Frequently asked questions
Does Famiyo pay real money?
No. Famiyo tracks points and rewards. You decide what a reward is worth, and you hand over pocket money yourself.
What is a good allowance by age?
See our guide on allowance by age on the Famiyo blog for typical amounts and tips.
More rankings
Get Famiyo for your family
Free for up to 3 family members, on iPhone, iPad and Android. Kids join with a code, no email needed.
Free for up to 3 family members. No ads.