Best Investment Apps for Families (2025 Review)

You want to teach your children about investing while optimising their Junior ISA or Junior SIPP. But most investment platforms weren't designed with families in mind—they're built for individual adult investors, with complex interfaces and zero educational content for children.

The good news? A new generation of family-focused investment apps is emerging that combines portfolio management with financial education specifically designed for children.

In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the best investment apps for families in 2025, comparing features, educational value, and real-world usability.

Quick summary: For families prioritising children's financial education, Squids-In offers the most comprehensive gamified learning platform. For simple portfolio tracking without education, traditional platforms like Vanguard or Fidelity work well.

See what your child's investments could grow to with our free Future Builder Calculator.

What Makes a Great Family Investment App?

Before diving into specific apps, let's establish what features actually matter for families:

Essential Features

For Parents:

• Track Junior ISA and Junior SIPP accounts
• View real-time portfolio performance
• Manage multiple children's accounts
• Access calculators and planning tools
• Low fees and transparent pricing

For Children:

• Age-appropriate financial education
• Interactive learning (not just reading)
• Visual portfolio representation
• Gamification and rewards
• Safe, parent-controlled environment

For Both:

• Collaborative features
• Clear communication tools
• Mobile and tablet friendly
• UK-focused (Junior ISA/SIPP support)

Most traditional investment platforms excel at the parent features but completely ignore the child's experience. That's the gap new family apps are filling.

The Family Investment App Landscape

Traditional Investment Platforms (Parent-Only)

Vanguard, Fidelity, Interactive Investor, Hargreaves Lansdown

What they offer:

• Comprehensive Junior ISA and Junior SIPP support
• Wide range of investment options
• Professional-grade portfolio tools
• Established reputation and security

What they don't offer:

• Zero educational content for children
• No child-friendly interface
• No gamification or engagement features
• Parents manage everything alone

Best for: Parents who want full control and will handle financial education separately.

Limitations: Your child remains completely disconnected from their investments. There's no learning journey, no engagement, no excitement about their financial future.

Pocket Money Apps (Basic Education)

GoHenry, RoosterMoney, Nimbl

What they offer:

• Prepaid debit cards for children
• Basic money management lessons
• Spending tracking and parental controls
• Age-appropriate interfaces

What they don't offer:

• No investment functionality
• Limited financial education (focused on spending, not investing)
• No Junior ISA or SIPP integration
• No compound growth education

Best for: Teaching younger children (under 10) basic money concepts like saving and spending.

Limitations: These apps teach money management but don't connect children to long-term investing or their actual Junior ISA/SIPP accounts.

Comprehensive Family Financial Education Platforms

Squids-In

What it offers:

• 190 interactive lessons specifically designed for children (ages 10+)
• Gamified learning system with Squids currency, achievements, and streaks
• Virtual investment game where children practise with virtual money
• Real portfolio tracking (Junior ISA and Junior SIPP)
• Time Machine visualiser showing compound growth to age 65
• Investment request flow where children choose investments (parents approve)
• Parent dashboard with portfolio optimisation tools
• Future Builder Calculator for projection planning
• Tax relief calculator for Junior SIPP planning

What makes it different:

• Children are the primary users - the app is designed for their financial education first
• Parents can participate too (complete lessons, earn Squids) but it's secondary
• Combines education, gamification, and real investment management
• UK-focused with Junior ISA and Junior SIPP support
• Interactive learning (quizzes, games, visual tools) not passive reading

Best for: Families with children aged 10+ who want comprehensive financial education combined with investment tracking.

Limitations: Currently in beta with limited public access. Not yet available on app stores.

Pricing: Not yet announced (join waiting list for early access pricing).

Join the waiting list to be among the first families to access Squids-In.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Traditional Platforms	Pocket Money Apps	Squids-In
Junior ISA tracking	✅ Full	❌ No	✅ Full
Junior SIPP tracking	✅ Full	❌ No	✅ Full
Portfolio management	✅ Advanced	❌ No	✅ Yes
Child-focused education	❌ No	⚠️ Basic (spending)	✅ Comprehensive (190 lessons)
Interactive learning	❌ No	⚠️ Limited	✅ Gamified
Virtual investing practice	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Compound growth visualisation	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Time Machine
Achievement system	❌ No	⚠️ Limited	✅ 36 achievements
Child-parent collaboration	❌ No	⚠️ Spending only	✅ Investment decisions
Investment calculators	⚠️ Basic	❌ No	✅ Multiple tools
Learning streak system	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Duolingo-style
Platform fees	£-££	£	TBA
Target age	Adult-focused	6-16	10+

Detailed Review: Why Squids-In is Different

The Children's Financial Education Gap

Here's what most platforms miss: financial education works best when it's engaging, interactive, and continuous.

Reading a PDF about compound interest once doesn't stick. But if your child:

• Completes a 5-minute interactive lesson about compound interest
• Plays the Time Machine to see their £100 grow to £7,612 by age 65
• Earns 50 Squids for completing the lesson
• Maintains a 30-day learning streak
• Unlocks an achievement for "Compound Interest Master"
• Uses their virtual portfolio to practise investing

...then they actually understand and remember it.

That's the philosophy behind Squids-In: make financial literacy genuinely engaging for children.

The 190-Lesson Curriculum

Squids-In offers 190 interactive lessons across 19 levels, covering:

Level 1-4 (40 lessons complete):

• What is money and investing?
• Compound interest fundamentals
• Risk and return concepts
• Index funds and diversification
• Tax wrappers (Junior ISA, Junior SIPP)

Levels 5-19 (150 lessons planned):

• Advanced portfolio construction
• Economic concepts
• Market history
• Behavioural finance
• Career and income planning

Each lesson includes:

• Interactive quizzes (not passive reading)
• Real-world examples
• Visual explanations
• Squids currency rewards
• Progress tracking

Children can learn at their own pace, and parents can complete the same lessons alongside them (a secondary benefit that creates family learning opportunities).

Gamification That Actually Works

Learning Streaks:

• Duolingo-style daily streak tracking
• Weekly freeze available (miss one day without breaking streak)
• Milestone rewards at 7, 30, 100, 365 days

Squids Currency:

• Earn Squids for completing lessons, quizzes, and activities
• 1,425 Squids available through 36 achievements
• Visible balance and transaction history

Achievement System:

• 36 achievements across different categories
• Tier-based rewards (bronze, silver, gold)
• Examples: "First Lesson," "Week Streak," "Quiz Master," "Virtual Investor"

Virtual Investment Game:

• Practise investing with virtual money
• 4 fund types (UK Equity, US Equity, Global Equity, Bonds)
• Weekly dividends
• Performance tracking
• Zero risk way to learn investment mechanics

The Time Machine: Compound Growth Visualisation

One of Squids-In's most powerful features is the Time Machine—a visual tool that shows children exactly what their current investments could become by any future age.

How it works:

• Enter current investment balance
• Select target age (18, 25, 40, 65)
• See projected future value with visual animation
• Compare different growth rates
• Understand the power of time and compound returns

Why it matters: Children who can visualise their £1,000 becoming £7,612 by retirement understand the value of starting early in a way that spreadsheets never convey.

Real Investment Management (With Parent Control)

While education is the primary focus, Squids-In also handles real portfolio management:

For Parents:

• Track multiple children's accounts
• View all Junior ISAs and Junior SIPPs in one dashboard
• Portfolio Health Advisor (optimisation suggestions)
• Annual allowance tracking with urgency prompts
• Future Builder Calculator for projections
• Tax Relief Calculator for Junior SIPP planning

For Children:

• View their portfolio (read-only)
• Request investments (parents must approve)
• See performance and growth
• Understand where their money is invested

This creates a collaborative approach where children learn by participating in actual investment decisions (with appropriate parent oversight).

How to Choose the Right App for Your Family

Choose Traditional Platforms If:

• Your children are under 10 (too young for investment concepts)
• You prefer to handle financial education yourself through conversations
• You want the widest range of investment options
• You prioritise established platforms with long track records

Best options: Vanguard (low fees), Fidelity (user-friendly), Interactive Investor (comprehensive)

Choose Pocket Money Apps If:

• Your children are 6-12 and learning basic money management
• You want to teach spending and saving (not investing yet)
• You want them to have a debit card for purchases
• Junior ISA/SIPP education can wait until they're older

Best options: GoHenry (most features), RoosterMoney (good for younger kids)

Choose Squids-In If:

• Your children are 10+ and ready to learn about investing
• You want comprehensive, interactive financial education
• You value gamification and engagement
• You want children to understand and participate in their investments
• You're looking for a UK-focused platform with Junior ISA/SIPP support
• You're comfortable with a newer platform (currently in beta)

As we covered in our guide to teaching kids about compound interest, the earlier children grasp these concepts, the better their financial outcomes.

What Features Matter Most?

Based on research and user feedback, here's what actually drives long-term financial literacy:

High Impact Features:

1. Interactive lessons (not just articles to read)
2. Compound growth visualisation (understanding time value)
3. Virtual investing practice (safe learning environment)
4. Consistent engagement (streaks, rewards, achievements)
5. Real portfolio connection (connecting education to their actual investments)

Lower Impact Features:

1. Flashy animations without educational substance
2. Social features and leaderboards
3. Overly complex investment options for children
4. Parent-only dashboards with no child involvement

The best family investment apps prioritise engagement and understanding over complexity.

Common Questions

Q: What age should children start using investment apps?

A: For pocket money and basic saving apps, 6-8 years old works well. For investment education apps like Squids-In, 10+ is ideal—old enough to grasp compound growth and long-term thinking but young enough to benefit from years of learning.

Q: Should parents complete the lessons too?

A: In Squids-In, parents can complete lessons and earn Squids alongside their children (secondary feature), which creates learning opportunities and shared understanding. However, the primary focus is children's financial education—parents participating is a bonus, not the main positioning.

Q: Do these apps actually teach children to invest, or just gamify concepts?

A: The best apps (like Squids-In) combine both. Gamification drives engagement, but the underlying curriculum teaches genuine financial concepts. Children progress from "what is investing?" to understanding index funds, tax wrappers, portfolio construction, and compound returns.

Q: Can children make actual investment decisions?

A: In Squids-In, children can request investments (choosing specific funds or amounts), but parents must approve every decision. This creates a collaborative learning experience—children practise decision-making with real consequences but with appropriate safety rails.

Q: What about security and safety?

A: Reputable family investment apps should use bank-level encryption, FCA-authorised partnerships for actual investing, and parental controls for all financial actions. Children can view and learn but cannot execute transactions without parent approval.

Q: Are there free options?

A: Traditional platforms like Vanguard offer free Junior ISA accounts (though they charge fund fees). Pocket money apps typically charge £2-4/month. Squids-In's pricing hasn't been announced yet but will be revealed to waiting list members first.

Real-World Use Cases

The Mitchell Family: Traditional Platform

• Children: 6 and 9
• Approach: Vanguard Junior ISAs, parents manage everything
• Education: Dad explains investing during monthly "money chats"
• Works because: Children are young, Dad enjoys financial education conversations

The Patel Family: Combined Approach

• Children: 11 and 14
• Approach: Fidelity for Junior SIPP, GoHenry for pocket money
• Education: Mum uses YouTube videos and occasional discussions
• Gap: No systematic education, inconsistent engagement

The Thompson Family: Comprehensive Education Platform

• Children: 10 and 13
• Approach: Squids-In for education and tracking (when it launches)
• Education: Children complete daily lessons, maintain learning streaks
• Works because: Consistent engagement, children actively participate, parents can track progress

Each approach can work—it depends on your family's priorities, children's ages, and how much time you want to dedicate to financial education conversations.

The Future of Family Investing

The family investment app landscape is evolving rapidly. What we're seeing:

Trend 1: Education-First Platforms More apps are recognising that engagement and education matter more than just portfolio tracking.

Trend 2: Gamification Done Right Moving beyond simple badges to comprehensive achievement systems, streaks, and virtual practice environments.

Trend 3: Child-Parent Collaboration Shifting from "parent controls everything" to "children participate with oversight" models.

Trend 4: UK-Specific Solutions More platforms built specifically for UK families with Junior ISA and Junior SIPP support, rather than adapting US solutions.

Squids-In represents this evolution—a platform designed from the ground up for UK families prioritising children's financial education.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional investment platforms (Vanguard, Fidelity) offer comprehensive Junior ISA/SIPP management but zero child engagement or education

• Pocket money apps (GoHenry, RoosterMoney) teach basic money management to younger children but don't cover investing or long-term wealth building

• Squids-In combines 190 interactive lessons, gamified learning, virtual investing practice, and real portfolio tracking—specifically designed for children aged 10+

• The right choice depends on your priorities: portfolio management only, basic money skills, or comprehensive investment education

• For maximum impact: Start financial education early (10+), use interactive learning (not just conversations), and connect education to real investments

• Gamification works when it's paired with substantial educational content—streaks, achievements, and rewards drive consistent engagement

As we explored in our Junior ISA vs Junior SIPP comparison, choosing the right investment wrapper matters. But equally important is ensuring your child actually understands what's happening with their money.

Next Steps

If You Want Traditional Portfolio Management:

1. Research Junior ISA providers and Junior SIPP providers
2. Compare platform fees and investment options
3. Open accounts and set up regular contributions
4. Plan how you'll handle financial education separately

If You Want Basic Money Management:

1. Evaluate pocket money apps (GoHenry, RoosterMoney)
2. Set up age-appropriate spending and saving goals
3. Plan to transition to investment education around age 10-12

If You Want Comprehensive Family Financial Education:

1. Join the Squids-In waiting list to be among the first families with access
2. Explore our Future Builder Calculator to see investment projections
3. Try our Tax Relief Calculator if considering a Junior SIPP
4. Read our guide to teaching kids about compound interest

Ready to give your child the gift of financial literacy? Join the waiting list and be notified when Squids-In launches.

---

This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment values can go down as well as up. Always research apps and platforms thoroughly and consider your own financial situation before investing.

---

About Squids-In: The UK's first comprehensive financial education app designed specifically for children aged 10+, combining interactive lessons, gamified learning, and real investment tracking. Parents can participate too, creating family learning opportunities while children build genuine financial literacy skills.

Related posts:

• Teaching Kids About Compound Interest: Simple Explanations That Work
• What is a Junior ISA? Complete Guide for Parents
• What is a Junior SIPP? Everything You Need to Know
• Junior ISA vs Junior SIPP: Which is Better for Your Child?
• Stocks & Shares vs Cash Junior ISA: Which is Better?