Monthly spending. We rank on rewards minus the full annual fee, so statement credits and perks are listed separately and never counted for you.
Choosing between the Apple Card (no annual fee) and the Discover it Cash Back (no annual fee) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value. Let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
3% at Apple and select merchants, 2% with Apple Pay, 1% with physical card. Earns a solid 2.0% on everything else.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply Now5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply Now| Feature | Apple Card | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | None | None |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 2% | 1% |
| Key Benefits | 3% at Apple and select merchants, 2% with Apple Pay, 1% with physical card. | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year. |
Apple Card pulls ahead for travel, dining, groceries, gas spending.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math. The calculator ranks purely on rewards minus the full annual fee, so credits and perks are yours to judge.