Ending your GoHenry membership made easy

What is GoHenry and why families choose it

GoHenry is a UK-based financial education service designed specifically for children and teenagers aged 6-18. Founded in 2012, it provides young people with their own prepaid Visa debit card alongside a mobile app that helps them learn money management skills in a safe, controlled environment. Parents maintain oversight through a separate app, allowing them to set spending limits, monitor transactions in real-time, and automate pocket money payments.

The service has grown substantially over the past decade, now serving over 2 million families across the UK and expanding internationally. What sets GoHenry apart from traditional children's savings accounts is its focus on practical financial education. Children can set savings goals, complete paid tasks assigned by parents, and learn about budgeting through hands-on experience with actual spending decisions.

Parents appreciate the safety features built into the platform. You can instantly freeze the card if it's lost, block certain spending categories like gambling or age-restricted purchases, and receive notifications every time the card is used. The app also includes Money Missions—interactive educational modules that teach financial literacy concepts appropriate for different age groups.

However, despite these benefits, many families eventually decide to cancel their GoHenry subscription. Common reasons include children outgrowing the need for parental oversight, switching to standard bank accounts with lower fees, changes in family financial circumstances, or simply finding that the monthly subscription cost doesn't justify the features they actually use. Some parents also cancel when their children reach their late teens and are ready for more traditional banking products with additional features like overdrafts or credit-building opportunities.

Plans, features and pricing structure

Understanding GoHenry's pricing is essential before you proceed with cancellation, particularly because you'll want to ensure you're not paying for services you no longer need. As of 2024, GoHenry operates on a straightforward monthly subscription model, though the company has adjusted its pricing structure over the years.

Current membership costs

GoHenry charges a monthly fee per child, not per family. This is an important distinction that catches many parents off guard initially. If you have three children using the service, you're paying three separate monthly subscriptions. The standard pricing is £3.99 per month per child, which works out to £47.88 annually for one child.

The company occasionally runs promotional offers for new customers, such as reduced rates for the first few months or waived setup fees. Keep in mind that these promotional rates eventually revert to standard pricing, which is often when families reassess whether the service provides sufficient value.

What you're actually paying for

The monthly subscription includes several components. First, you get the physical Visa debit card with custom design options—children can choose from various card designs or upload their own image. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted in the UK and abroad, though foreign transaction fees may apply.

Additionally, the subscription covers access to both the parent and child apps, which are the real operational hubs of the service. Parents can set up automatic pocket money payments, create paid tasks, establish spending limits by category or merchant, and review detailed transaction histories. Children access their own age-appropriate interface showing their balance, savings goals, and educational content.

The Money Missions educational modules are included, offering interactive quizzes and lessons about earning, saving, spending wisely, and giving to charity. These missions are tailored to different age groups and can be quite engaging for younger children, though teenagers often find them less relevant.

Most importantly, you're paying for the parental control infrastructure and customer support. This includes the ability to instantly block the card, receive real-time spending notifications, set spending limits, and restrict certain merchant categories. Customer support is available via email and through the app, though response times can vary.

Hidden costs to watch for

Beyond the monthly subscription, several additional charges can accumulate. ATM withdrawals are free for the first £120 per month, after which there's a £1 fee per withdrawal. If your child uses the card abroad, GoHenry applies a 3% foreign exchange fee on transactions. Replacing a lost or damaged card costs £4.50, though the first replacement is typically free.

Perhaps the most significant hidden cost is simply forgetting you're subscribed. Because GoHenry charges monthly via continuous payment authority, the fees continue indefinitely until you actively cancel. I've processed cancellations for families who continued paying for months after their child stopped using the card simply because they forgot to cancel formally.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Before attempting to cancel, you absolutely must understand GoHenry's official terms and your legal rights as a UK consumer. This knowledge prevents common mistakes that can result in unexpected charges or complications.

Legal requirements in the UK

GoHenry operates under UK financial services regulations and consumer protection laws. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Payment Services Regulations 2017 provide important protections for customers cancelling subscription services. Most importantly, you have the right to cancel at any time without penalty, though you may need to provide notice.

Under these regulations, GoHenry must clearly communicate their cancellation process and cannot make it unreasonably difficult to cancel. They're also required to stop taking payments once you've properly submitted a cancellation request within the required notice period. If they continue charging after a valid cancellation, you have grounds to dispute those charges with your bank.

Notice periods and final charges

According to GoHenry's current terms of service, you must provide notice before your next billing date to avoid being charged for the following month. The company operates on a monthly rolling contract, meaning your subscription automatically renews each month until you cancel.

Here's the critical detail many people miss: GoHenry requires reasonable notice of cancellation, typically interpreted as providing notice before your next payment date. If your monthly payment is due on the 15th of each month and you submit cancellation on the 16th, you'll likely be charged for the full following month even if you're not using the service.

This timing issue is absolutely crucial. I've seen countless cases where parents cancelled what they thought was \