As digital tools continue to revolutionize the way we manage money, parents are increasingly turning to innovative apps to teach their children about financial responsibility. Two leading contenders in this space are Spriggy and Zaap, both offering unique features designed to nurture smart money habits in kids. In this article, we'll conduct a comprehensive comparison of Spriggy vs Zaap to help parents make an informed decision about which platform is the better choice for their children's financial education.
Spriggy vs Zaap: Fees
Let's compare the costs for a family with two children using Spriggy and Zaap:
Spriggy Fees:
1. Family Membership (up to 4 children):Â $60/year
2. Prepaid card replacement fee:Â $10 per replacement card
3. Overseas currency conversion fee:Â 3.5% per transaction
4. Cancellation fee:Â Up to $10
Zaap Fees:
Zaap fees can be separated into 2 categories, setup costs and monthly fees. This makes it a little confusing to make a comparison, but we will break it down for you.
1. Setup Costs:Â
   - Generic card fee: $9.95
   - Personalized card fee: $20.00
   - ZAAP Wearable fee: $20.00
2. Monthly Fees:
   - Monthly account fee (per child account): $2.00
   - Reload fee on debit or credit card transfers to your Parent Wallet: 1.5% of load value
   - Monthly inactivity fee (only if your account is not used for 90 consecutive days): $2.00
   - Foreign exchange fee: 3% of the Australian dollar amount of the transaction
For a family with two children, let's compare the costs:
Spriggy for two children:
- Yearly cost: $60
Zaap for two children:
- Setup cost (generic card): $9.95 x 2 = $19.90
- Monthly account fee: $2.00 x 2 x 12 = $48.00
- Total yearly cost: $19.90 + $48.00 = $67.90
For two children, Spriggy and Zaap are relatively close in cost, with Spriggy being slightly cheaper at $60 per year compared to Zaap's $67.90 per year. However, it's essential to consider factors such as usability, features, customer service, and any additional benefits or drawbacks of each platform when making a decision.
Spriggy vs Zaap costs for 4 children
To further compare the value between Spriggy and Zaap, let's break down the costs for a family with four children and then for additional children:
Spriggy Fees:
1. Family Membership (up to 4 children): $60/year
2. Prepaid card replacement fee: $10 per replacement card
3. Overseas currency conversion fee: 3.5% per transaction
4. Cancellation fee: Up to $10
Zaap Fees:
1. Setup Costs:
- Generic card fee: $9.95
- Personalized card fee: $20.00
- ZAAP Wearable fee: $20.00
2. Monthly Fees:
- Monthly account fee (per child account): $2.00
- Reload fee on debit or credit card transfers to your Parent Wallet: 1.5% of load value
- Monthly inactivity fee (only if your account is not used for 90 consecutive days): $2.00
- Foreign exchange fee: 3% of the Australian dollar amount of the transaction
For a family with four children, Spriggy costs $60/year. Zaap would have a setup cost of at least $9.95 per child, along with a $2.00 monthly account fee for each child. Assuming no inactivity, replacement, or cancellation fees, let's compare:
Spriggy for four children:
- Yearly cost: $60
Zaap for four children:
- Setup cost (generic card): $9.95 x 4 = $39.80
- Monthly account fee: $2.00 x 4 x 12 = $96.00
- Total yearly cost: $39.80 + $96.00 = $135.80
For families with more than four children, Spriggy charges an extra $10 per year per child, while Zaap would require additional setup costs and monthly fees for each additional child.
Comparing these two options, Spriggy appears to be more cost-effective for families with up to four children. However, as the number of children increases, it's essential to consider the ongoing costs and potential benefits of each platform, such as features, usability, customer service, and any additional perks or rewards.
Spriggy vs Zaap: Which is better for teaching kids about money
1. Educational Content
Spriggy: Spriggy operates as a virtual pocket money platform, providing a safe and controlled environment for children to learn about money. It offers real-life financial simulations, budgeting tools, and a gamified approach to make learning fun and interactive.
Zaap: Zaap is a comprehensive financial platform that mirrors real-life scenarios for children to manage their finances. It includes features for earning pocket money, setting savings goals, and tracking spending. The app also integrates interactive learning elements for an engaging experience.
2. Safety and Parental Control
Spriggy: Parents have full control over their children's Spriggy accounts, allowing them to monitor transactions, set spending limits, and block certain spending categories. This level of control provides peace of mind to parents as their children explore financial independence.
Zaap: Similar to Spriggy, Zaap offers a controlled environment for financial learning, with parents able to allocate funds and oversee transactions. However, some parents may find that Zaap's interface and parental controls are not as intuitive as those of Spriggy.
3. User-Friendly Interface
Spriggy: Known for its user-friendly app interface, Spriggy is designed with young users in mind. The app's intuitive layout and gamified features make it easy for children to navigate and learn independently.
Zaap: Zaap also offers a user-friendly interface, but some parents may find that the app's layout and features are slightly more complex than Spriggy's. Younger children may require more guidance to navigate Zaap effectively.
4. Savings Goals and Rewards
Spriggy: Spriggy encourages children to set savings goals and allocate funds to customized "Money Jars" for different purposes. The app provides a rewarding experience when children achieve their savings milestones.
Zaap: Zaap also emphasizes savings goals, allowing children to set targets and track their progress. However, some users may prefer the gamified rewards system in Spriggy, which may motivate children more effectively.
5. Financial Literacy Education
Spriggy: Spriggy integrates educational content to help children understand fundamental financial concepts such as saving, spending wisely, and setting goals. This educational focus enhances the learning experience.
Zaap: Zaap also includes educational components, but some parents may find that the educational content is not as extensive as that of Spriggy.
Spriggy vs Zaap: The Bottom Line
Both Spriggy and Zaap offer valuable tools for parents seeking to instill smart money habits in their children. While Spriggy excels in its gamified approach, user-friendly interface, and extensive educational content, Zaap provides a comprehensive platform for real-life financial simulations and practical learning.
Ultimately, the better choice between Spriggy and Zaap depends on individual preferences and the unique needs of each family. Parents looking for a more intuitive and gamified learning experience may find Spriggy to be the ideal option. On the other hand, families seeking a comprehensive financial platform with real-life scenarios may lean towards Zaap.
Regardless of the choice, both platforms empower parents to nurture financial responsibility in their children and lay the foundation for a financially savvy future.