Neo Money Card
Neo
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign fee
- 2.5%
- Annual fee
- $0
- Base Rewards Rate
- 0%
- Welcome bonus
- —
Cash Back
Applications are submitted to Neo
Neo Money Card vs KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan
A field-by-field comparison of Neo Money Card and KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan, built from the same card data that powers our comparison tools. Every figure below traces back to a data field — nothing here is an editorial estimate.
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan
KOHO
- Annual fee
- $48
- Foreign fee
- 1.5%
- Annual fee
- $48
- Base Rewards Rate
- 0%
- Welcome bonus
- $20
Cash Back
Applications are submitted to KOHO
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Neo | KOHO |
| Network | ||
| Program | Cash Back | Cash Back |
| Point default value | 1¢/point (cash back) | 1¢/point (cash back) |
| Annual fee | $0Better on this row | $48 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% | 1.5%Better on this row |
| All purchases | 0x | 0x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1xBetter on this row | 0x |
The short answer
- Year oneNeo Money Card wins 4 of 6 profiles, KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan wins 2, and 0 are too close to call.Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
- Every year afterNeo Money Card wins 4 of 6 profiles, KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan wins 2, and 0 are too close to call.The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
- KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan charges 1.5% on foreign purchases — 1% less than Neo Money Card at 2.5%.
- KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan carries a welcome offer of $20; Neo Money Card has none right now.
- Gas & EV: Neo Money Card earns 1%, against 0% on KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan.
Where each card wins
Neo Money Card
In its favour
- Gas & EV: Neo Money Card earns 1%, against 0% on KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan.
- Neo Money Card has no annual fee, while KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan charges $48 a year.
Against it
No material difference in this card's favour was found in the data we compare.
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan
In its favour
- KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan charges 1.5% on foreign purchases — 1% less than Neo Money Card at 2.5%.
- KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan carries a welcome offer of $20; Neo Money Card has none right now.
- Transit: KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan earns 1%, against 0% on Neo Money Card.
Against it
No material difference in this card's favour was found in the data we compare.
Welcome offer
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonusNot comparable in the same units | — | $20 |
| Our valuationDepends on how you spend | — | $20 |
Earning rewards
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1xBetter on this row | 0x |
| Local transit | 0x | 1xBetter on this row |
| All purchases | 0x | 0x |
Annual fee and rates
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0Better on this row | $48 |
| Additional card | $0 | — |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% | 1.5%Better on this row |
Card details
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Network | ||
| Issuer | Neo | KOHO |
Which one wins, by spending profile
Grocery-heavy household
A family basket weighted towards groceries and everyday spending.
Assumes $54,000 of card spending a year
Year one
Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $180 | $165 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Welcome bonus | $0 | $20 |
| Net value | $180 | $137 |
Every year after
The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $180 | $165 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Net value | $180 | $117 |
Show the per-category math
| Category | Spending | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | Value | Rate | Value | ||
| Groceries | $13,800 | 1% | $138 | 1% | $138 |
| Gas & EV | $4,200 | 1% | $42 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Transit | $2,700 | 0%base rate | $0 | 1% | $27 |
| Restaurants | $4,800 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Pharmacy | $900 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Travel | $1,500 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Bills & recurring payments | $5,100 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Telecom | $4,800 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Entertainment & streaming | $4,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Office supplies | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Online advertising | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Other | $12,000 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
Light spender
A modest basket where an annual fee weighs heavily.
Assumes $21,000 of card spending a year
Year one
Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $66 | $57 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Welcome bonus | $0 | $20 |
| Net value | $66 | $29 |
Every year after
The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $66 | $57 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Net value | $66 | $9 |
Show the per-category math
| Category | Spending | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | Value | Rate | Value | ||
| Groceries | $4,800 | 1% | $48 | 1% | $48 |
| Gas & EV | $1,800 | 1% | $18 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Transit | $900 | 0%base rate | $0 | 1% | $9 |
| Restaurants | $2,100 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Pharmacy | $600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Travel | $600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Bills & recurring payments | $2,100 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Telecom | $2,400 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Entertainment & streaming | $1,500 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Office supplies | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Online advertising | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Other | $4,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
Everyday couple
A balanced two-person basket across groceries, dining and bills.
Assumes $36,000 of card spending a year
Year one
Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $114 | $108 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Welcome bonus | $0 | $20 |
| Net value | $114 | $80 |
Every year after
The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $114 | $108 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Net value | $114 | $60 |
Show the per-category math
| Category | Spending | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | Value | Rate | Value | ||
| Groceries | $9,000 | 1% | $90 | 1% | $90 |
| Gas & EV | $2,400 | 1% | $24 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Transit | $1,800 | 0%base rate | $0 | 1% | $18 |
| Restaurants | $3,600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Pharmacy | $600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Travel | $1,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Bills & recurring payments | $3,000 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Telecom | $3,600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Entertainment & streaming | $3,600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Office supplies | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Online advertising | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Other | $7,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
Retiree
A basket tilted towards groceries, pharmacy and travel.
Assumes $27,000 of card spending a year
Year one
Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $93 | $84 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Welcome bonus | $0 | $20 |
| Net value | $93 | $56 |
Every year after
The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
Neo Money Card comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $93 | $84 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Net value | $93 | $36 |
Show the per-category math
| Category | Spending | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | Value | Rate | Value | ||
| Groceries | $7,200 | 1% | $72 | 1% | $72 |
| Gas & EV | $2,100 | 1% | $21 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Transit | $1,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 1% | $12 |
| Restaurants | $2,400 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Pharmacy | $600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Travel | $900 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Bills & recurring payments | $2,700 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Telecom | $2,700 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Entertainment & streaming | $2,100 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Office supplies | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Online advertising | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Other | $5,100 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
International traveller
A couple's basket with a quarter of the spending charged in another currency.
Assumes $36,000 of card spending a year, of which 25% is charged in a foreign currency (a scenario assumption, not measured data)
Year one
Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $114 | $108 |
| Foreign transaction fees | −$225 | −$135 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Welcome bonus | $0 | $20 |
| Net value | −$111 | −$55 |
Every year after
The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $114 | $108 |
| Foreign transaction fees | −$225 | −$135 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Net value | −$111 | −$75 |
Show the per-category math
| Category | Spending | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | Value | Rate | Value | ||
| Groceries | $9,000 | 1% | $90 | 1% | $90 |
| Gas & EV | $2,400 | 1% | $24 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Transit | $1,800 | 0%base rate | $0 | 1% | $18 |
| Restaurants | $3,600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Pharmacy | $600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Travel | $1,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Bills & recurring payments | $3,000 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Telecom | $3,600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Entertainment & streaming | $3,600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Office supplies | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Online advertising | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Other | $7,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
Frequent foreign spender
A deliberately aggressive scenario: half of all spending charged in another currency.
Assumes $31,800 of card spending a year, of which 50% is charged in a foreign currency (a scenario assumption, not measured data)
Year one
Includes the welcome bonus this profile's spending actually unlocks, and any first-year fee waiver.
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $81 | $78 |
| Foreign transaction fees | −$397.50 | −$238.50 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Welcome bonus | $0 | $20 |
| Net value | −$316.50 | −$188.50 |
Every year after
The ongoing picture: full annual fee, no welcome bonus, plus any recurring credits.
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan comes out ahead
| Feature | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards earned | $81 | $78 |
| Foreign transaction fees | −$397.50 | −$238.50 |
| Annual fee | $0 | −$48 |
| Net value | −$316.50 | −$208.50 |
Show the per-category math
| Category | Spending | Neo Money Card | KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate | Value | Rate | Value | ||
| Groceries | $6,000 | 1% | $60 | 1% | $60 |
| Gas & EV | $2,100 | 1% | $21 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Transit | $1,800 | 0%base rate | $0 | 1% | $18 |
| Restaurants | $4,200 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Pharmacy | $600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Travel | $900 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Bills & recurring payments | $3,000 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Telecom | $3,600 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Entertainment & streaming | $2,100 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Office supplies | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Online advertising | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
| Other | $7,500 | 0%base rate | $0 | 0%base rate | $0 |
Frequently asked questions
Which costs less per year, Neo Money Card or KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan?
Neo Money Card charges $0 a year, against $48 for KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan.
Which is better for spending in another currency, Neo Money Card or KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan?
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan charges 1.5% on foreign purchases, against 2.5% for Neo Money Card.
Which card comes out ahead, Neo Money Card or KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan?
It depends on how you spend. Across the 6 spending profiles on this page, Neo Money Card wins 4 in year one, KOHO Prepaid Mastercard® Essential Plan wins 2, and 0 are too close to call.
Do these earn rates have spending caps?
Yes — where a card caps a category, the ceiling is stated next to the rate on this page, along with what the card earns beyond it.
How we compare
- Every figure on this page is read from the card data we maintain — annual fees, foreign transaction fees, earn rates, spending caps, welcome offers, insurance and lounge access.
- Points are valued at our published valuation for each card's loyalty program. Cash back is counted at face value.
- The spending profiles are standard baskets, not your spending. The share charged in a foreign currency is a stated scenario assumption.
- Year one and the years after are kept separate: the welcome bonus and any first-year fee waiver only count in year one.
- We may earn a commission when you apply through the links on this page. It never changes the figures above — they come from the same data for every card.
Ready to apply?
Applications are submitted on the issuer's own site. Nothing you read above changes if you apply from here.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Base Rewards Rate
- 0%
- Welcome bonus
- —
Cash Back
Applications are submitted to Neo
- Annual fee
- $48
- Base Rewards Rate
- 0%
- Welcome bonus
- $20
Cash Back
Applications are submitted to KOHO