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Parenting · head to head

Messenger Kids vs Peanut

Messenger Kids logo

Messenger Kids

Parenting

Video calls and messaging for kids, controlled by parents

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Peanut logo

Peanut

Parenting

Connect with moms who get it

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Messenger Kids no published pricing model on website; marketed as completely free service; Peanut peanut Plus prices are not published and are shown only inside the app, varying by country
  • They diverge on capability: Messenger Kids covers Video calling, Peanut covers Mom matching.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Messenger Kids and Peanut actually diverge.

Attributes where Messenger Kids and Peanut differ
AttributeMessenger KidsPeanut
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsIos, Android, Amazon-fireIos, Android
Founded20042017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Parenting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Messenger Kids

  • Video calling
  • Text messaging
  • GIFs and stickers
  • Interactive masks
  • Drawing tools
  • Parent dashboard
  • Sleep mode controls
  • Contact approval

Only in Peanut

  • Mom matching
  • Group discussions
  • Direct messaging
  • Event planning
  • Expert Q&As
  • Fertility support
  • Pregnancy groups
  • Menopause community

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • English language support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Messenger Kids

  • Video calling with familynot Peanut
  • Kid-safe messagingnot Peanut
  • Remote family connectionnot Peanut
  • Supervised communicationnot Peanut

Peanut

  • Meeting other mothers at a similar stage nearbynot Messenger Kids
  • Joining support groups for newborn care, toddlers and related topicsnot Messenger Kids
  • Asking parenting questions anonymously through incognito modenot Messenger Kids

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Messenger Kids

  • No published pricing model on website; marketed as completely free service
  • No premium tier or paid features available to unlock

Peanut

  • Peanut Plus prices are not published and are shown only inside the app, varying by country
  • Faster friend-finding requires the paid Peanut Plus subscription rather than the free swipe flow
  • All profiles must pass selfie verification before use

Pricing, plan by plan

Messenger Kids

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Video calls
    • Messaging
    • GIFs and stickers

Peanut

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Profile creation
    • Matching with moms
    • Group access
  • Peanut Plus$19.99/month
    • All Free features
    • Unlimited messaging
    • Advanced filters

Which should you pick?

Choose Messenger Kids if

  • You need video calling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Amazon-fire.
  • You also want text messaging.
Messenger Kids review

Choose Peanut if

  • You need mom matching.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want group discussions.
Peanut review

Questions people ask

Is Messenger Kids or Peanut better?
Neither clearly leads. Messenger Kids starts at Free and Peanut at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Messenger Kids or Peanut?
Messenger Kids starts at Free and Peanut at Free.
Does Messenger Kids or Peanut run on more platforms?
Messenger Kids runs on Ios, Android, Amazon-fire. Peanut runs on Ios, Android.
Can I use Messenger Kids for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Messenger Kids best used for?
Messenger Kids is most often used for video calling with family, kid-safe messaging, remote family connection, supervised communication. Of those, video calling with family and kid-safe messaging are not what Peanut is typically brought in for.
What can Messenger Kids do that Peanut cannot?
Messenger Kids covers Video calling, Text messaging, GIFs and stickers, Interactive masks. Peanut covers Mom matching, Group discussions, Direct messaging, Event planning. Both handle Cloud deployment, Ios support, Android support, English language support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Messenger Kids: How much does Messenger Kids cost?

Messenger Kids is completely free. There is no subscription tier, premium features, or paid options. The service operates entirely at no charge to users.

Source
Messenger Kids: Are there ads or in-app purchases in Messenger Kids?

No, Messenger Kids contains no advertisements or in-app purchases. The only potential costs would be standard mobile data charges if video chat and messaging occur over cellular data rather than WiFi.

Source
Messenger Kids: How is Messenger Kids a free service with no monetization?

Messenger Kids operates as part of Meta's family of services with no published pricing model, subscription tiers, or per-feature costs. It is a free and safer app designed for kids to connect with family and friends over messaging and video chat.

Source
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