Are you looking for another credit card to round out your line up? Wondering which of the two—Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Capital One Quicksilver®—will be the one for you?
Read our detailed comparison and see for yourself—
This article will show you:
- What Chase Freedom Unlimited and Capital One Quicksilver are, and how they compare.
- Fees, rewards, benefits, and other details.
- The alternatives you might want to consider.
Read more:
Capital One Quicksilver vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
First, let’s take a quick look at both:
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Rewards |
1.5% on every purchase |
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)—worth up to $300 cash back:
|
|
Intro offer |
One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening |
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months |
If you care about rewards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited seems to be a better option.
To help you decide, let’s explore both cards further—
Capital One Quicksilver card overview
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards is a rewards credit card with a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee:
Now, let’s go over its pros and cons—
Pros
- Unlimited cash back.
- Automatic credit line reviews.
- 0% intro APR.
- Intro bonus.
- No annual fee.
- Additional benefits.
Cons
- High APR after the intro period.
- Excellent credit score is required.
- No extra cash back categories.
- No points transfer capabilities.
What we like
Unlimited cash back
Enjoy limitless cash back earnings with no caps or expiration dates.
Automatic credit line reviews
Regular credit limit reviews help boost your credit as you demonstrate responsible use.
0% intro APR
Save on interest with an introductory period of 0% APR for purchases and balance transfers.
If you need it, you can look into doing a balance transfer with this card to pay off your debts. But do it only if you actually can pay it down during the intro period—otherwise, the interest will make your debt situation worse.
Read more:
Intro bonus
Get a head start with a sign-up bonus after meeting the initial spending requirement.
No annual fee
Keep your wallet happy with no yearly charge.
Additional benefits
Enhance your card experience with perks like Uber One membership, Capital One Dining, or extended warranty.
Things to keep in mind
High APR after the intro period
Interest rates can spike once the promotional period ends, so pay off balances to avoid extra costs.
Excellent credit score required
A stellar credit standing is often necessary for approval, which could pose a challenge for some applicants.
No extra cash back categories
Cash back earnings seem limited without category-based multipliers.
No points transfer capabilities
With no option to transfer points to travel partners, you may miss out on potentially higher value rewards.
Chase Freedom Unlimited card overview
card_name is also a rewards credit card—but besides the flat rate cash back, it also gives you an extra 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year:
Pros
- Unlimited cash back.
- 0% intro APR.
- Intro bonus.
- No annual fee.
- Additional benefits.
- Points transfer with other Chase cards for potentially higher value.
Cons
- High APR after the intro period.
- Excellent credit score is required.
- Foreign transaction fee.
What we like
Unlimited cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited’s got your back, handing out infinite cash back earnings with no spending caps.
0% intro APR
Keep interest at bay in the beginning, with 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for a set period.
Intro bonus
Earn that sweet sign-up bonus after hitting the spending target in the initial months. All you need to do is spend $500 on purchases to earn a one-time bonus of $200.
No annual fee
Keep your cash intact, with no pesky yearly fees.
Additional benefits
Up the card’s awesomeness with extras like Instacart+ and DoorDash memberships.
Points transfer
Combine rewards with other Chase cards, potentially bumping up their value. Just transfer the points you’ll earn with the Chase Freedom Unlimited to a Sapphire Preferred/Reserve and redeem towards travel at better rates.
Things to keep in mind
High APR blues
Once the intro period ends, the APR is much higher at 19.99%–28.74% (depending on your creditworthiness), so it’s best to pay off balances fully before and dodge interest costs.
Excellent credit is required
You might need a top-notch credit score to get approved for this card.
If you’re not quite there yet, read these:
Foreign transaction fees
Exploring the world might come with added costs, thanks to foreign transaction fee.
Credit cards comparison—Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Capital One Quicksilver®
Let’s compare:
- Fees and rates.
- Benefits.
- Rewards.
- Approval rates.
- Online customer reviews.
Fees and rates
The table below has them all:
|
Fees |
||
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Intro APR |
0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months |
0% intro APR for 15 months |
|
APR |
19.74%–29.74% (Variable) |
19.99%–28.74% (Variable) |
|
APR for cash advances |
29.74% (Variable) |
29.99% (Variable) |
|
Balance transfer fee |
3% in the first 15 months, 0% after that |
$5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater |
|
Cash advance fee |
3% of the amount of the cash advance, min. $3 |
$10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater |
|
Foreign transaction fee |
$0 |
3% |
|
Late fee |
Up to $40 |
Up to $40 |
Rewards
Now, for the part you’ve all been waiting for—rewards:
|
Capital One Quicksilver |
Chase Freedom Unlimited |
|
|
Rate |
1.5% cash back on every purchase 5% cash back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel |
5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3.5% cash back on Lyft rides 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) 3% on drugstore purchases 1.5% on all other purchases + extra 1.5% on up to $20,000 spent in the first 12 months |
|
Redemption |
Redeem for:
Use up with: Minimum to redeem: |
Redeem for:
Use up with:
Minimum to redeem: |
|
Expiration |
Cash back doesn’t expire until you close the account |
Cash back doesn’t expire until you close the account |
|
Cap |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Besides the rockin’ rewards, both Capital One Quicksilver and Chase Freedom Unlimited give you fun perks—
Benefits
To make it easier for you, we divided the benefits into categories:
|
Categories |
Capital One Quicksilver |
Chase Freedom Unlimited |
|
Travel |
Travel accident insurance if you buy the fare with Quicksilver card |
Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance (reimbursement up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip) |
|
24/7 complimentary concierge service |
Travel and emergency assistance services |
|
|
Get an emergency replacement card and a cash advance if the card is lost or stolen during your travel |
Coverage for theft and collision damage for most cars in the US and abroad. |
|
|
Dining |
Uber One membership for 6 months |
3 months of DashPass |
|
Capital One Dining |
3 months of Instacart+ membership |
|
|
Other |
Extended warranty on eligible stuff you buy using the card |
Credit Journey helps you monitor and protect your credit reports |
|
$0 fraud liability protection |
Yes |
Yes |
Approval rate
Would you like to know what your odds for approval would be for the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Quicksilver cards?
According to cardholders online, to be approved you need:
- Good or better credit score.
- One year or longer credit history.
- Stable income.
- No (or few) credit inquiries.
Read more:
Online customer reviews
Who can tell you more about the cards if not the cardholders that currently use them? Let’s see what they had to say about the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card—
“Chase gives out pretty hefty sign up bonuses, so if you’re willing to open a card, the Freedom cards are usually $200 back on $500, so just put $500 of what you’d normally spend on it, you got a free 40% back for a hard pull, and a small temporary credit hit for lowering your average age & newest account.”
“Chase Freedom Unlimited I think is only good for the sign up bonus and earning 1.5x points to them redeem through a Sapphire card.”
“CFU by itself, isn’t anything that special. The sign-up bonus is nice. It really shines if you’re able to pair it with the Sapphire and/or Freedom Flex and/or Ink Business cards. The real reward/value is getting the Ultimate Rewards points and using them for travel. You can spend points through Chase or transfer to travel partners. Best redemption I’ve gotten was transferring UR points to Hyatt for some nice hotel stays.”
“I assume that a lot of people who make heavy use of CFU also hold a Sapphire card, either for transfer partners or for the bonus on travel through Chase portal.”
Now, for the Capital One Quicksilver—
“The Capital One Quicksilver card is a solid choice […] It comes with a competitive rewards rate, a simple sign-up bonus, and some other nice benefits. Plus, I’ve found their customer service to be really helpful whenever I’ve needed it. Personal experience: I’ve had a Quicksilver card for almost 5 years, and it’s been really great for my spending needs.”
“I was instantly approved with a credit limit of $10,000. Capital One pulled from Experian.”
“$500 limit for almost 5 years, every time I ask for a CLI they said “your account isn’t eligible for a credit increase right now” I call, and they say to continue to use the card, but I have way better ones. It’s a car emergency card that just sits in the glove box if I need something.”
Final assessment?
“Chase is regarded by many as a better bank all around, they only do one hard pull per application (they usually pull Experian). Capital One pulls all three bureaus and are known to be stingy for credit limit increases.”
How Do Capital One Quicksilver® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® Compare to Other Cards for Excellent Credit?
|
Cards |
|||||
|
Best for |
Flat-rate cash back |
Cash back with extra categories |
Rewards |
Rewards |
Everyday spending |
|
Required credit score |
Good, Excellent |
Good, Excellent |
Good, Excellent |
Good, Excellent |
Good, Excellent |
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$95 |
$0 |
|
Rewards |
1.5% cash back on all purchases |
1.5% cash back on all purchases + extra categories |
8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores, 1% on all other purchases |
5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on online grocery purchases, 3x points on dining and select streaming services, 2x points on all other travel purchases, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
3% Cash Back at US supermarkets, online retail purchases, gas stations, 1% cash back on other eligible purchases |
|
Intro offer |
$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
$200 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months |
60,000 bonus points (spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months) That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® |
$200 after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months |
Alternatives for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Capital One Quicksilver®
Not sold on these two cards? Here are some other top cards to consider:
Citi Double Dash Card
- Earn 2% cash back (1% on purchases, 1% as you pay them off).
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months.
card_name
- 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to $1,500 quarterly, then 1%).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Cashback Match™: Discover matches your cash back earned in your first year.
card_name
- 5% cash back on two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined purchases quarterly).
- 2% cash back on one everyday category of your choice (like gas or groceries).
- 1% cashback on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
Each card offers unique benefits—so consider your spending habits and financial goals when choosing the right fit for your wallet.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Capital One Quicksilver®: Which One To Choose?
Not sure which one you should go for?
Mike Roberts, the Co-Founder of City Creek Mortgage, has the following advice:
Start by asking yourself what matters most to you. Do you care more about the cash back rewards? Or are you a frequent traveler who wants to earn airline miles? Maybe you prefer cards with exclusive shopping discounts at your favorite stores. Whatever floats your financial boat, look for a credit card that aligns with your preferences and lifestyle.
Mike RobertsCo-Founder of City Creek Mortgage
To make things easier, you can start with a few simple questions—
- Do you prefer a flat rate cash back or are open to mix and match? For the first, choose the Capital One card, for the latter, Chase will be your go to.
- Would you bother to transfer points to different Chase cards if you could? If yes, choose Chase Freedom Unlimited.
- Are you planning to use the card internationally? If so, use the no-foreign-transaction-fee-Quicksilver card.
FAQ
Is Quicksilver better than Freedom Unlimited?
Whether Quicksilver is better than Freedom Unlimited depends on your spending habits. Quicksilver offers flat-rate cash back and no foreign transaction fees, while Freedom Unlimited features extra cash back categories and point transfers with other Chase cards.
See more cashback credit cards (including cards that give you 6% cash back on groceries) and travel credit cards.
Is Quicksilver for bad credit?
Quicksilver is not specifically for bad credit—it generally requires a good credit score for approval. The card may be challenging to get for applicants with lower credit scores. If you have a credit score below 600, first learn how to build credit fast before you apply.
If you’re looking for a card for less-than-perfect credit, check out our list of credit cards for bad credit.
Is Capital One Quicksilver hard to get?
The Capital One Quicksilver might be hard to get for those with credit scores lower than 600.
If you’re in that range, learn how to increase your credit score quickly. And if you need a credit card right now, see our list of credit cards for bad credit.
Is it worth it to upgrade to Capital One Quicksilver?
It depends on your specific situation. If you recently built a good credit score and can now be approved for a card for good or excellent credit, consider cards like Quicksilver, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and American Express Blue Cash Everyday.
Upgrading to Quicksilver could be worth it if you’ll benefit from its benefits and value simplicity in cash back. The card has no annual fee and offers $200 bonus when you sign up and spend $500 in the first three months.
See more cashback credit cards.
Is it hard to get a Chase Freedom Unlimited card?
You need a good-to-excellent credit score (generally 670+) for Chase Freedom Unlimited. Chase also considers your credit history, number of hard inquiries, and current income.
If your score is still in the “fair” range, it’s probably best to wait and increase your score first before applying for the card.
What credit score do you need for Chase Freedom Unlimited?
To be approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, you need to have good or excellent credit score. That’s from 601 to 850. Not there yet? Learn more:
Can I build credit with Capital One Quicksilver?
You can build credit with the Capital One Quicksilver card by using it responsibly. To get that credit score climbing, make sure you’re paying your bills on time, keeping your credit utilization low (ideally under 30%), and having the account in good standing.
As Capital One updates your positive account activity with the credit bureaus, you’ll see your credit score improve over time. Learn more about building your credit:
