What each one does
| ChargeGuardian | Virtual or prepaid card | Together | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Warns you at checkout about subscriptions, scams and hidden terms | Hides your real card number and can set a hard limit | You see the problem and the money is capped |
| Stops a surprise subscription | It warns you before you pay | It can cap or block later charges | Warned first, capped second |
| Protects against a leaked card number | No | Yes, the real number is never shared | Real number stays private |
| Hard spending limit | No | Yes | Yes |
| Covers other apps and browsers | No, only the browser where installed | Yes, wherever the card is used | Card covers what the extension cannot |
How to use both
- Create a virtual or prepaid card for the child or for online shopping, with a monthly limit.
- Use only that card on the child's computer.
- Install ChargeGuardian so the checkout is paused and explained before the card is used.
The short version
ChargeGuardian is not a payment method and never sees your card number. Check with your bank or card provider what virtual or prepaid cards they offer where you live.