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Quick answer: S'moresUp is a strong fit if you want chores, a shared family calendar, a family hub, and flexible chore rules (rotating, collaborative, or competitive chores) in one app, and its free Intro Pack stays free after the trial. Look elsewhere if you want parent approvals without a subscription, a simpler reward loop for a young child, a dedicated pet-style game, or real money on a card. Star Chart, Kikaroo, and Joon cover the reward-chart side; Cozi covers the calendar side; BusyKid and Greenlight cover allowance.
Disclosure and method: Star Chart Kids publishes this guide, and we make Star Chart, one of the apps compared. S'moresUp's name is used only to identify it; we are not affiliated with or endorsed by S'moresUp or any other provider listed here. Details checked October 2026 from each provider's published information (websites, pricing pages, help articles, and app-store listings). This is not a hands-on test of every app or a ranking by children's outcomes. Prices are in US dollars and can change, so confirm them before you subscribe.
What S'moresUp offers today
S'moresUp is a family chore and rewards app from Rotation 5. Its App Store listing describes parents entering household chores while the app assigns, reminds, and rewards family members; kids earn “S'mores” points, and a shared planner holds appointments and events. Each family member gets a profile, so older kids can manage their own responsibilities. The app is on iPhone and Google Play, where it was updated in October 2026.
According to the S'moresUp pricing page, the free Intro Pack includes unlimited family members and devices, core chore scheduling and reminders, a shared calendar, MyWallet and basic rewards, the Campfire family hub, and badges. New families start with a 45-day Premium trial; the App Store listing says the trial ends after 45 days or 450 completed chores, whichever comes first.
Premium adds rotating, competitive, and collaborative chore types, chore approvals and photo proof, auto-refill and late-penalty tools, custom reward rules, smart scheduling, and analytics. The price depends on which S'moresUp page you read: the pricing page shows $7.99 a month as an introductory price and says new subscriptions from July 5, 2026 cost $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, while the App Store lists $7.99 monthly and $79.99 yearly in-app purchases. Check the amount at checkout.
The same pricing page introduces It's a Family Thing!, which S'moresUp calls its “next evolution”, with separate plans from $9.99 a month. S'moresUp says families can stay on S'moresUp if it meets their needs.
Why parents look for S'moresUp alternatives
These are common needs, not complaints. Each one is a reason a different tool may fit better, based on what the providers publish.
- No subscription for the parts you use. On S'moresUp, chore approvals, photo proof, and custom reward rules are Premium features. If parent approval is central to your routine, compare apps where it is included for free.
- A simpler kid-facing reward loop. S'moresUp is a whole-family organizer with calendars, a family hub, and many chore settings. A young child may only need to see today's tasks and what they are earning. If your child does better with fewer steps on screen, our checklist for choosing a chore app for a child with ADHD is a useful filter for any family.
- A different style. S'moresUp Premium includes competitive chore types and late-penalty tools. Some families want those; others prefer a system with no competition between siblings and nothing taken away.
- Real money. S'moresUp tracks points and a MyWallet balance. If you want allowance on a debit or prepaid card, you need a money app.
- Age. A preschooler and a 15-year-old need different things. Check each provider's stated ages below.
- The It's a Family Thing! move. If you are deciding whether to upgrade to the newer product, it is a natural moment to compare other options too.
S'moresUp vs. six alternatives at a glance
For the broader market, including how we compare apps, see our best chore apps for kids comparison. On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| App | Price and free plan | Ages | Rewards model | Parent approval | Multiple kids | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S'moresUp | Free Intro Pack after a 45-day Premium trial; Premium $7.99–$9.99/month (see below) | Not stated; App Store rating 4+ | S'mores points, MyWallet, badges, and parent-set rewards | Premium feature (with photo proof) | Unlimited family members and devices | iPhone, Android | Chores inside a full family organizer |
| Star Chart | Free; no subscription, ads, or in-app purchases | About 3–12 | Virtual stars for 3D buddy items and parent-set real-life rewards | Free, optional per task | Unlimited children | Any web browser; installs to the home screen | A simple, visual reward loop for younger kids |
| Joon | Free: 7 verified Quests/day; Premium $12.99/month or from $89.99/year | 6–12 | Virtual-pet game; no allowance tracking | Parents verify Quests | Unlimited children | iOS, Android, Fire tablets, Chromebooks | Kids who want a game |
| Kikaroo | Free core plan; Premium $2.99/month | 4–18 | Points toward parent-made rewards | Parent approves reward redemptions | Unlimited children (free) | iPhone, Android | Straightforward points, wide age range |
| Cozi | Free with ads; Gold $39/year; Max $79/year | Not stated | No reward system listed | Not listed | Every family member | Web, iOS, Android | Family calendar and shared lists |
| BusyKid | $48/year, billed annually | Cards for ages 5–17 | Real allowance: save, share, spend, invest | Parents approve chores and money moves | Up to five prepaid cards | iOS, Android | Chore-based allowance with a card |
| Greenlight | From $5.99/month (Core); higher tiers $10.98–$19.98/month | Not stated on plan pages; separate teen sign-up | Real money on a debit card | Pay now, or review the work and pay later | Up to five kids | iOS, Android | Teens and older kids managing real money |
Star Chart: free, visual rewards for younger kids
Best for: children roughly 3–12 who respond to a clear “do the task, earn a star, choose a reward” loop.
Key difference from S'moresUp: Star Chart focuses on the child's chart rather than whole-family organization. Parents set tasks, routines, and star values; kids spend stars on cosmetic items for a 3D buddy (pets, outfits, worlds) or request a real-life reward that a parent sets and approves. Optional per-task approval means stars arrive only after a parent confirms. There are no ads in the child-used app, loot boxes, streaks, or leaderboards. It does not include a family calendar, money transfers, or cards, so it is not the right tool if you need those.
Cost: free: no subscription, paid tier, or in-app purchases. Getting started requires a username and parent passcode, with no email or payment. Family data is saved on the device and cloud-synced, and an internet connection is needed to open the app from scratch. It runs in a web browser and can be installed to the home screen.
Joon: a pet game for ages 6–12
Best for: kids who would rather play a game than look at a chart.
Key difference from S'moresUp: Joon turns tasks into Quests in a video game where the child cares for a virtual pet. Rewards are in-game, and Joon says it does not support allowance tracking. It lists iOS, Android, Amazon Fire tablets, and Chromebooks, and you can add as many children as you like. Joon is the only app here built as a full video game, which is a real advantage for a child motivated by play.
Cost: the free plan lets parents verify up to seven Quests a day. Premium is $12.99 a month or from $89.99 a year, with a seven-day free trial.
Kikaroo: simple points across a wide age range
Best for: families who want a plain points-for-rewards chart that can grow with the kids.
Key difference from S'moresUp: Kikaroo keeps to chores, points, and rewards that parents create, and parents approve reward redemptions. It lists ages 4–18, the widest stated range in this comparison, and runs on iPhone and Android. There is no calendar or family hub.
Cost: the free plan includes unlimited children, chores, points, and rewards. Premium is $2.99 a month and adds checklists, open chores, sharable devices, and a family activity dashboard; if siblings share one device, check that setup first.
Cozi: the family-calendar side, without rewards
Best for: households that mainly used S'moresUp to coordinate schedules and lists.
Key difference from S'moresUp: Cozi is a shared calendar with to-do and shopping lists, and it gives each family member a chores list that can repeat daily or weekly. It works on the web, iOS, and Android. Its published plan information does not list a points or reward system, and its FAQ says every member signs in with an email address and there is no restricted-access option, so it suits families where kids are old enough for a shared adult tool.
Cost: free with ads; Gold is $39 a year (ad-free, extra calendar and list features) and Max is $79 a year, both billed annually.
BusyKid: chores tied to allowance and a prepaid card
Best for: families ready to pay real allowance for chores and teach saving, sharing, and investing.
Key difference from S'moresUp: BusyKid moves real money. Parents approve chores and money movement, set paydays, split allowance across save, share, and spend, and can pay allowance regardless of chores if they prefer. The plan includes up to five prepaid Visa cards for ages 5–17, on iOS and Android.
Cost: $48 a year, billed annually (BusyKid describes it as $4 a month). Before switching to paid chores, our allowance-by-age guide can help you agree the amounts.
Greenlight: a debit card and chores for older kids and teens
Best for: teens and older kids who are ready to manage real money with parent oversight.
Key difference from S'moresUp: Greenlight is a debit card and money app. Parents set chores and allowance; according to Greenlight's chore guide, a parent is notified when a chore is completed and can pay now or review the work and pay later. Spending limits and notifications are built in, and higher tiers add investing and family-safety features. Along with BusyKid, it is the option here for real money rather than points.
Cost: plans start at $5.99 a month (Core) for up to five kids; Max is $10.98, Infinity $15.98, and Family Shield $19.98 a month, plus applicable taxes.
How to switch without losing momentum
Changing apps can feel like a reset to a child. Keep the expectations the same and change only the tool. Here is an illustrative one-week plan; adjust the days to your family.
- Day 1: Write down what works. List every chore, how often it repeats, its point or star value, and each reward with its cost. Note any approval or photo-proof rules you rely on. If anything has stopped working, our printable chore chart is a good way to test a trimmed list on paper first.
- Day 2: Set up the new app together. Let your child help enter their own tasks and pick how their profile looks. Ownership helps the new system feel like theirs.
- Day 3: Keep the same reward rules. Carry over the reward values your child already understands. If the new app uses different units, translate them once (for example, 10 S'mores to 1 star) and write the conversion down.
- Days 4–5: Move daily routines over first. Stop adding chores to the old app and run daily routines in the new one. Settle any outstanding balance or promised reward in the old app before you stop using it.
- Days 6–7: Review and simplify. Ask your child what is clearer and what is confusing. Remove anything that creates work without helping. Our guide to setting up a reward chart covers fair values and timing.
Avoid adding new rules during the switch. If you want to change chores or rewards, wait until the new routine has run smoothly for a week or two.
Try one routine in Star Chart
Create a username and parent passcode, add a child, and enter three tasks from your current list. Keep the same reward rules for a week and see whether the arrangement makes sense to your family.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free app like S'moresUp?
S'moresUp itself has a free Intro Pack after its 45-day Premium trial. Among the alternatives here, Star Chart is free with no subscription, ads, or in-app purchases; Kikaroo has a free plan with unlimited children and chores; Joon's free plan allows seven verified Quests per day; and Cozi is free with ads but lists no reward system. Check what each free plan leaves out before you move your routine.
How much does S'moresUp cost?
The Intro Pack is free and keeps core chores, reminders, a shared calendar, and basic rewards after a 45-day Premium trial. Premium prices differ between S'moresUp's own pages: its pricing page shows $7.99 a month as an introductory price and says new subscriptions from July 5, 2026 cost $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, while the App Store lists $7.99 monthly and $79.99 yearly in-app purchases. Confirm the price at checkout.
What's the best S'moresUp alternative for teens?
It depends on what the teen needs. For real money, compare Greenlight (from $5.99 a month for up to five kids) and BusyKid ($48 a year, cards for ages 5–17). For points without money, Kikaroo lists ages 4–18. Star Chart is designed for children roughly 3–12, so it suits younger siblings better than most teens.
Is there a free chore app for kids with no subscription?
Yes. Star Chart has no subscription or paid tier: every feature is free. Kikaroo's core plan is also free, with an optional $2.99-a-month Premium. S'moresUp, Joon, and Cozi have free versions plus paid plans, while BusyKid and Greenlight are paid subscriptions.
Which S'moresUp alternative has a family calendar?
Cozi is the closest match for the calendar side of S'moresUp: a shared calendar, to-do lists with a chores list for each family member, and shopping lists. Its published plans do not list a reward or points system, so pair it with a simple reward chart if your child needs one.
Sources and further reading
- S'moresUp plans and pricing (S'moresUp)
- S'moresUp home page (S'moresUp)
- S'moresUp - Best Chores App (App Store listing) (Apple App Store)
- S'moresUp - Smart Chores App (Google Play listing) (Google Play)
- Star Chart plans and features (Star Chart)
- Joon product information and pricing FAQ (Joon)
- Joon subscription and free-plan limits (Joon)
- Kikaroo features and pricing (Kikaroo)
- Cozi plan comparison (Cozi)
- Cozi FAQ (Cozi)
- Cozi chores on shared to-do lists (Cozi)
- BusyKid features and pricing (BusyKid)
- Greenlight home page (Greenlight)
- Greenlight plan comparison (Greenlight)
- Chore chart for kids (how chores work in Greenlight) (Greenlight)