What is included in KOHO Essential vs Extra?

Choosing between KOHO Essential and KOHO Extra comes down to how you spend, how often you use your card, and how much value you want from cashback and savings features. Both plans give you access to KOHO’s core prepaid Mastercard and budgeting tools, but Extra layers on more perks for a monthly or annual fee.

Below is a clear breakdown of what’s included in KOHO Essential vs Extra so you can decide which plan fits your everyday money habits.

Overview: KOHO Essential vs Extra at a glance

KOHO offers multiple paid plans with different levels of perks. Essential is the more affordable, entry-level paid tier, while Extra is the mid‑tier upgrade that adds higher cashback and more financial features.

At a high level:

KOHO Essential: Lower monthly fee, solid cashback on everyday categories, basic financial tools.
KOHO Extra: Higher monthly fee, boosted cashback on more categories, better interest, more perks, and enhanced protections.

Specific fees, rates, and reward percentages can change over time, so always double-check KOHO’s website or app for the most current details. The sections below focus on the types of features each plan includes and how they differ.

What is included in KOHO Essential?

KOHO Essential is designed for users who want simple rewards and budgeting tools without a higher subscription cost. It includes the core KOHO experience with a few upgraded benefits over any free plan.

1. KOHO prepaid Mastercard and app access

With Essential, you get:

A KOHO prepaid Mastercard (physical and virtual card)
Access to the KOHO mobile app for:
- Tracking spending in real time
- Viewing transactions and balances
- Setting budgets and spending goals
- Categorizing purchases

Because it’s a prepaid card, you load money onto it and spend only what you’ve added, helping you avoid traditional credit card debt.

2. Cashback on eligible purchases

KOHO Essential includes everyday cashback, typically at a modest but consistent rate on standard purchases. Common inclusions:

Cashback on groceries
Cashback at select partners or merchants
A base cashback rate on many everyday categories

While the exact percentages can change, Essential is built to give you dependable rewards on regular spending without requiring a high fee.

3. Interest on your balance

Essential generally offers interest on the money you hold in your KOHO account, often higher than what traditional chequing accounts provide.

You typically earn:

A set annual interest rate on your account balance
Interest calculated daily and paid monthly (or according to KOHO’s schedule)

This turns your KOHO balance into a more productive place to store day‑to‑day cash versus a standard non‑interest chequing account.

4. Basic financial tools and features

With KOHO Essential, you also get access to key money management tools, such as:

Budgeting tools to track where your money goes
Automated savings features (for example, round‑ups on purchases or scheduled savings)
Spending insights broken down by category
Instant notifications on transactions for better control and security

These tools are designed to help you keep an eye on your money and gradually build better financial habits.

5. Access to KOHO Credit Building (add‑on)

Essential subscribers usually have the option to add KOHO’s credit building program for an additional monthly fee.

This program typically includes:

A small secured line or subscription reported to the credit bureaus
Monthly reporting to help build or strengthen your credit profile over time
No hard credit check in most cases (always confirm in the app)

The credit building feature isn’t exclusive to Essential, but Essential users can opt into it if they want to improve their credit.

6. Standard security and protections

With KOHO Essential, you get:

Zero‑liability protection on unauthorized Mastercard transactions (subject to terms)
The ability to lock and unlock your card from the app
Transaction alerts to monitor activity
Secure in‑app verification and support

These protections are foundational across KOHO plans and are included in Essential.

What is included in KOHO Extra?

KOHO Extra builds on everything in Essential and adds more robust rewards, improved earn rates, and extra features designed for heavier or more frequent users.

1. Higher cashback on more categories

The biggest upgrade in KOHO Extra is boosted cashback. Compared to Essential, Extra typically offers:

Higher cashback rates on:
- Groceries
- Dining and takeout
- Transportation (e.g., gas, transit, rideshare)
Elevated base rate on other eligible purchases

If you spend a lot across these categories, the extra cashback can offset the higher subscription fee and potentially save you more overall.

2. Enhanced interest on your balance

Extra often includes higher interest rates on your account balance than Essential. This means:

The money you keep in your KOHO account grows faster
It can be more compelling to park your everyday spending money or short‑term savings with KOHO

The actual interest rate and balance limits for earning may vary, so confirm the latest numbers in the app or on KOHO’s site.

3. Additional financial features and perks

KOHO Extra usually unlocks more advanced or expanded features, such as:

Better fee structures on certain services (for example, fewer or reduced costs on specific transactions compared to lower tiers)
Improved access to savings tools, like higher‑limit round‑ups or more flexible automated savings options
Potential access to more partner offers or promotions, which can enhance your effective cashback or savings

These enhancements are geared toward users who actively use KOHO for most of their day‑to‑day spending.

4. Priority or enhanced support

Extra members often receive enhanced customer support, which may include:

Faster response times
Priority handling in in‑app chat or email queues
More detailed assistance or personalized guidance

If you rely on your KOHO card regularly or move more money through it, stronger support can be a meaningful benefit.

5. Better experience for frequent travelers or online shoppers

While KOHO isn’t a full travel card, Extra may offer friendlier terms for people who spend more online or abroad, such as:

More favourable foreign transaction conditions compared with lower tiers (even if FX fees still apply)
Sometimes exclusive partner deals on travel‑related purchases (subject to promotions and partner availability)

These perks can vary over time but are more common on the Extra plan than on Essential.

6. Same security, with an upgraded overall package

KOHO Extra keeps all of the security measures of Essential:

Card lock, instant alerts, and zero‑liability protections
Secure in‑app controls and monitoring

The difference is that you’re getting these protections alongside a more premium rewards and earnings structure.

KOHO Essential vs Extra: feature comparison

Here’s a simplified side‑by‑side view of what’s typically included in KOHO Essential vs Extra:

Feature	KOHO Essential	KOHO Extra
Monthly / annual fee	Lower fee	Higher fee
Prepaid Mastercard & app	Included	Included
Cashback on everyday purchases	Yes, base and category rates	Yes, higher base and category rates
Cashback categories	Groceries + select categories/partners	Groceries, dining, transport + more boosted
Interest on KOHO balance	Yes, standard rate	Yes, enhanced rate
Budgeting and savings tools	Included	Included, with added perks and flexibility
Credit building add‑on	Available (extra cost)	Available (extra cost)
Special offers & promos	Included	Included, often with better offers
Support	Standard support	Enhanced / priority support
Security protections	Included	Included (same level of security)

Remember: exact percentages, rates, and fee amounts are subject to change and may vary by promotion, region, or time. Always verify in the KOHO app for current plan details.

How to choose between KOHO Essential and Extra

When deciding what is included in KOHO Essential vs Extra and which plan makes more sense, consider:

Your monthly spending
- If you spend modestly on groceries, dining, and transport, Essential might be enough.
- If you put a large chunk of your monthly expenses through KOHO, Extra’s higher cashback can quickly outweigh the higher fee.
How much money you keep in KOHO
- Keeping a small balance for occasional spending: Essential is usually suitable.
- Keeping a larger balance or using KOHO as a primary spending account: Extra’s higher interest could be more beneficial.
How much you value support and perks
- If you just want simple, low‑cost rewards: Essential will likely cover your needs.
- If you want more perks, stronger cashback, and premium‑style service: Extra is built for that.
Your goals with KOHO
- Budgeting and basic rewards: Essential is a good starting point.
- Maximizing cashback and earnings from everyday spending: Extra is typically the better choice.

Making the most of your KOHO plan

Whichever plan you choose, you can get more value by:

Using KOHO for most of your day‑to‑day purchases to maximize cashback
Enabling savings features (like round‑ups) to grow savings passively
Checking partner offers in the app to stack extra rewards
Monitoring your spending in categories to stick to your budget
Considering the credit building add‑on if you want to improve your credit history

If you’re still unsure between KOHO Essential vs Extra, a practical approach is to:

Estimate your monthly spend in key categories (groceries, dining, gas, etc.).
Apply each plan’s cashback rates (from the KOHO app) to calculate the expected monthly rewards.
Subtract the plan’s subscription cost.
Choose the plan where your net benefit (rewards + interest − fee) is highest.

Understanding what is included in KOHO Essential vs Extra helps you pick the plan that best matches the way you already spend. Start with the tier that feels right for your current habits, and adjust up or down as your spending and financial goals evolve.