Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 2,045 AI responses · See how Parse measures this
Youth Banking & Micro-Investing Apps
Parse
https://parse.gl
Acorns leads, named in 53% of answers, ahead of at 35% and at 26%.
| # | Brand | What AI says | Mention rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominates spare-change investing, often called the pioneer and best for beginners. | 53% | |
| 2 | The leading choice for kids' debit cards, emphasizing parental controls and education. | 35% | |
| 3 | A rising alternative for micro-investing, offering more hands-on control than competitors. | 26% | |
| 4 | 22% | ||
| 5 | 19% | ||
| 6 | Leading recommendation for custodial investment accounts with user-friendly fractional shares. | 18% | |
| 7 | A strong second choice for custodial accounts, noted for its educational resources. | 13% | |
| 8 | 12% | ||
| 9 | 12% | ||
| 10 | Mentioned for its unique credit-building feature for teens via a debit card. | 11% | |
| 11 | 8% | ||
| 12 | 7% | ||
| 13 | 7% | ||
| 14 | 7% | ||
| 15 | 7% | ||
| 16 | 7% | ||
| 17 | 7% | ||
| 18 | 6% | ||
| 19 | 5% | ||
| 20 | 5% | ||
| 21 | 5% | ||
| 22 | 4% | ||
| 23 | 4% | ||
| 24 | 3% | ||
| 25 | 3% |
Who wins on each AI
The same market, seen by two models.
Sources AI cited
nerdwallet.com is the page AI reaches for most here, cited in 33% of analyzed answers.
Dropped from rank #1 (61%) to #2 (38%) between Oct 2025 and Mar 2026.
Mention rate grew from 5% in Oct 2025 to 32% by Mar 2026.
Rose from rank #18 to #5 overall between Oct 2025 and Mar 2026.
“Being called GoHenry.” → “Being called 'Acorns Early (formerly GoHenry)'.”
| Brand | ChatGPT Search | Google AI Mode | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34% | 37% | ||
| 30% | 40% | ||
| 28% | 19% | ||
| 17% | 28% | ||
| 22% | 26% |
The two models disagree most about Current (ChatGPT #8, Google #24) and Qapital (ChatGPT #23, Google #12).
Across 2,045 AI responses, Acorns is mentioned most, named in 53% of them, followed by Greenlight (35%) and Stash (26%).
Parse measures each brand's mention rate — the share of answers naming it — across 2,045 AI responses to this market's buyer questions. Answers are collected daily and the ranking is published weekly.
Brands enter the ranking when AI answers mention them. Parse collects answers daily and publishes the re-measured set weekly, so new brands appear as AI starts recommending them.
Acorns has secured its position as the top-cited brand for youth banking and micro-investing apps in AI-generated answers. This rise coincided with the decline of former leader
Greenlight, which saw its overall share of mentions drop significantly between October 2025 and March 2026.
More needsCustodial account services
AI consistently recommends Greenlight for its comprehensive controls and educational tools. Since December 2025, free alternatives from major banks, especially
Chase First Banking and
Capital One, have become increasingly prominent recommendations in responses from both platforms.
Brands mentioned
which kids debit card is right for me?
AI consistently recommends Greenlight for its comprehensive controls and educational tools. Since December 2025, free alternatives from major banks, especially
Chase First Banking and
Capital One, have become increasingly prominent recommendations in responses from both platforms.
Acorns has dominated answers to this prompt across the entire observation period, universally named as the pioneer and top choice for automatic round-ups. and are consistently presented as the main alternatives, with AI models framing as the option for users wanting more hands-on control.
Which app is best for investing my spare change automatically?
Acorns has dominated answers to this prompt across the entire observation period, universally named as the pioneer and top choice for automatic round-ups.
Stash and
Qapital are consistently presented as the main alternatives, with AI models framing
Stash as the option for users wanting more hands-on control.
The market map
Recommended by need