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Discover it Cash Back vs Discover it Secured Credit Card
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | Discover it Cash BackDiscover | Discover it Secured Credit CardDiscover |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| APR | 17.49% - 26.49% | 26.49% |
| Signup Bonus | Cashback Match — unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in first year | Cashback Match — unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in first year |
| Rewards Rate | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter, activation required), 1% on everything else | 2% at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter), 1% on everything else |
| Credit Score | good | poor |
| Pros | First-year Cashback Match doubles all rewards $0 annual fee 5% rotating categories can be very lucrative | Earn cash back rewards even while building credit — rare for a secured card Cashback Match doubles all rewards in year one No annual fee and automatic review for upgrade to unsecured card |
| Cons | Must activate quarterly categories $1,500 quarterly cap on 5% categories Discover not accepted as widely as Visa/Mastercard | Requires refundable security deposit ($200 minimum) High 26.49% APR Discover not accepted as widely as Visa/Mastercard |
| View Details → | View Details → |
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Verdict
Our Pick: Discover it Cash Back
With a 4.4/5 rating, the Discover it Cash Back edges out the Discover it Secured Credit Card (4.1/5). No annual fee makes it easy to justify. Discover it Cash Back is the best starter rewards card. The first-year Cashback Match effectively gives you 10% on rotating categories and 2% on everything else. Hard to beat for year one.