Table Of Content
Discover Bank is both a full-service online bank and a payment services provider. Individuals can use Discover for banking and retirement planning. Discover is best known for its rewards credit cards, but it also offers personal, student, and home equity loans.
It provides a checking account, savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs, and retirement products that are all FDIC insured. It also charges no fees on deposit products, such as monthly maintenance fees, excess withdrawal fees, or insufficient funds fees, to name a few.
The Discover Cashback Debit Account is a checking account that includes a debit card that allows you to earn cashback on all of your purchases – something that was previously reserved for credit cards.
Capital One is a well-known bank that developed a reputation mainly in the credit card industry. In fact, its most popular credit cards are not the only ones.
One of its major divisions, Capital One 360, offers a related, if less enticing, suite of products: FDIC-insured online banking and personal lending services. Their rates are competitive with those offered by other financial institutions on our list of the best savings accounts.
Along with a trustworthy and dependable service, Capitol One 360 has no hidden fees or minimums, allowing you to continue earning interest on your daily money.
Capital One is an excellent banking option for people who prefer to do the majority of their banking online. There are enough account choices to appeal to a diverse group of people. Because there are few local branches, most banking is done online or through Capital One's mobile app.
Banking Options
Discover | Capital one | |
|---|---|---|
Savings Accounts | ||
Checking Accounts | ||
CDs | ||
Money Market Account | ||
Debit Card | ||
Credit Cards | ||
Personal Loans | ||
Mortgage | ||
Government Mortgage | ||
Business Loans | ||
Investing Capabilities |
Savings Account
The Discover and Capital One savings accounts are very similar, with little to distinguish them apart. Both have the same rate and offer fee-free account maintenance. Both also have access to mobile tools to help you manage your money and work towards your savings goals.
Both accounts are included on our best savings accounts list for 2023.
The Capital One Kids Savings Account is designed to teach children about earning interest and the benefits of having a bank account, particularly one that isn't used as frequently as a checking account.
Discover | Capital one | |
|---|---|---|
APY | 4.35% | 4.30% |
Fees | $0 | $0 |
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Checking Needed? | No | No |
Main Benefits |
|
|
Checking Account
There are more differences between the Discover and Capital One checking accounts. Firstly, while Discover offers cash back on your debit card purchases, Capital One provides interest on your account balance of 0.1%. Although this is less than the Discover cashback rate of 1%, you don’t need to use your debit card or take any action to receive the interest on your funds.
So, if you primarily use your account for paying bills or making transfers rather than using your debit card, it is likely to provide more.
While both Discover and Capital One have a mobile app to help you manage your account, Capital One has a larger ATM network, which could be more beneficial. Additionally, you can access in person help from ambassadors at cafes and other Capital One locations.
Discover | Capital one | |
|---|---|---|
APY | 0% (1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month) | 0.10% |
Fees | $0 | $0 |
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
Main Benefits |
|
|
CDs
Where Capital One really stands apart is with its CDs. In addition to having no minimum deposit, you can access better rates. Discover CD rates are a bit lower, but the minimum is higher.
So, unless you have $2,500+ and only want to tie your money up for just one year, Capital One is a better choice.
Capital One | Discover | |
|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $2,500 |
APY Range | 4.10% – 5.30% | 2.00% – 5.20% |
APY 6 months | 4.30% | 3.40% |
APY 12 months | 5.00% | 5.20% |
APY 24 months | 4.40% | 4.40% |
APY 36 months | 4.30% | 4.30% |
No Penalty CD | / | / |
Credit Cards
Discover has a decent variety of credit card options that offer rewards on your purchases. The Discover Cash Back card offers up to 5% cash back, while the Travel Card offers miles and the Gas & Restaurant card offers 2% in this category. There is also a NHL card for all 31 teams. Discover also has student cards that offer up to 5% cash back or if you have less than perfect credit, there is the Discover Secured card to earn cash back as you rebuild your credit.
All the Discover credit cards also have Unlimited Cashback Match for your first year. This means that Discover will match your cash back dollar for dollar in your first year with no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Capital One has an extensive choice of credit card option and you can browse the cards according to category, rate and credit rating. If you have excellent credit, there is the VentureOne Rewards that offers unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on any purchase with no annual fee, if you prefer cash back, there is the Quicksilver Rewards that offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all your purchases. If you don’t mind paying an annual fee, the Spark Cash Plus provides 2% unlimited cash back with no spending limits for an annual fee of $150.
Even if you have fair credit, you can earn 1.5% cash back unlimited with the QuicksilverOne Rewards. There are also student card options, like the SavorOne Rewards that has a tiered reward structure offering up to 3% or for those who need to rebuild their credit, the Platinum Secured card offers a $200 initial credit line with a deposit as low as $49, and consideration for a higher credit limit within 6 months.
Personal Loans
A Discover personal loan can be used for a number of purposes, including debt consolidation and financing big purchases such as home repairs or a wedding. You can also use your personal loan to pay for unanticipated expenses like home improvements or the purchase of a new car. A home or a car are not required as collateral for an unsecured personal loan.
Discover Credit Card has a low minimum APR. You will, however, be eligible for that rate only if you have perfect credit. If you use a Discover loan to consolidate your debts, Discover will pay your creditors directly. Your final APR may be affected if you do not use at least 70% of your loan for existing creditors.
Discover offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on personal loans. If you decide that you no longer want your loan within 30 days of receiving it, you can return the money by check and you will not be billed any interest. With Discover, there are no origination fees, application fees, or prepayment penalties. If you miss your payment deadline, you may be charged a $39 late fee.
Discover | |
|---|---|
APR | 7.99% – 24.99%
|
Loan Amount | $2,500 – $35,000
|
Terms | 36 to 84 months
|
Customer Service
Discover offers 24/7 customer support via phone or online chat. You can also access the support team via the Discover app.
Capital One’s support is a little more complex. The bank has dedicated phone lines according to your specific issue. So, if you have a credit card query, you’ll need a different line compared to those with a savings account issue.
You can access the support page on the Capital One website and click on the appropriate link to access the phone number and details about when the service team is available. There is also a mailing address or you can tweet @AskCapitalOne.
Online/Digital Experience
Both Discover and Capital One have apps to enhance the customer’s digital experience. Discover’s app is available for iOS and Android with a rating of 4.9/5 and 4.6/5 respectively on the Apple Store and Google Play. The Capital One mobile app is rated 4.8/5 and 4.9/5 on Apple and Google.
Both apps allow you more control over your account, with 24/7 access to manage your transactions, make transfers, lock your card and receive notifications.
As we touched on above, Capital One has an impressive website that allows you to not only compare card and account options but also access resources to help you improve your finances and discover the best products for your specific needs and circumstances.
Which Bank is The Winner?
With both banks offering similar products, we need to look a little more closely at which bank is better.
In most cases, Capital One is a better choice for CDs. While Discover has a minimum deposit of $2,500, Capital One has no minimums. Additionally, apart from the one year CD, where Discover offers a better rate, Capital One has higher rates.
Capital One also has a wider variety of credit card options. So, overall, it does appear to be the better bank.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
APY Savings
The annual percentage yield (APY) is a percentage that represents the amount of money or interest earned on your savings account over the course of a year. The APY factored in compound interest. A savings calculator can help you quickly determine how much you'll earn with a given APY.
| 4.30% | 4.35%
| Up to 5.02%
|
Checking Fee
The monthly fee on checking account
| $0 | $0 | Compare Banking |
Mobile App Rating | 4.9/5 on iOS 4.6/5 on Android | 4.9/5 on iOS 4.7/5 on Android | Various Banks
|
FAQs
What promotion does Capital One offer?
Currently, there is no promotion bonus for Capital One bank account.
However, since it has its background in credit cards, it stands to reason that Capital One would tend to favor credit card promotions for new customers. New cardholders can qualify for bonus offers and rewards if they meet some basic criteria.
For example, if you have excellent credit, the Venture X Rewards card offers 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
What promotion does Discover offer?
Discover offers checking account promotions for new accounts as well as on a variety of credit cards. As of December 2023 , Discover Online Savings offers $150 – $200 bonus promotion based on your minimum deposit. There are also promotions on Discover Cashback Debit Account
Is Discover ready for recession?
On the surface, Discover is a well-known brand with a lengthy history and high profits in the recent years. In 2008, the bank has endured difficult financial circumstances. Discover was able to repay these funds by 2010 even after the financial crisis of 2007–2008, when the bank received $1.2 billion in federal bailout funding.
Naturally, Discover is also FDIC insured, so even if the bank experiences financial difficulties, you can be confident that your deposits up to $250,000 are protected by federal insurance.
Can I deposit a check online?
Both Discover and Capital One make it simple to deposit paper checks. Both use a mobile app that allows you to easily track your spending, transfer money, and deposit paper checks. These are Discover's exclusive features, which are just a few of the many features available to their customers.
All Mobile Deposits are FDIC insured up to the same amount as any other deposit into your account. Mobile Deposit is a free service that allows you to deposit checks into Capital One & Discover eligible checking and savings accounts.
Does Capital One offers auto loan?
Capital One does, in fact, offer auto refinancing. Car loans from Capital One Auto are available with terms ranging from 36 to 72 months. Capital One Auto Finance does not require an initial hard credit inquiry. This means you can pre-qualify for a refinance without affecting your credit score. Capital One Auto Finance may be available to applicants with credit scores ranging from 550 to 850. The eligibility age is 18 or the state minimum, whichever is higher.
Applicants must have a minimum annual income of $18,000 or higher to qualify for auto loans with Capital One Auto Finance.
How's Discover student loans work?
Discover student loans are an excellent backup option for students whose federal loan is insufficient to cover all of their college expenses. Discover also provides refinancing options if you want to reduce your repayment burden.
Discover does not charge any processing fees, their interest rates are low and highly competitive, and they offer their customers deferment and forbearance.
When you apply for a Discover loan for the first time, the company will check your credit report to ensure that you have an excellent score. If your credit score is insufficient, you will not be eligible for the loan; however, you may have a parent co-sign the loan with you.
Undergraduate loans have a 15-year repayment period with a 6-month grace period. This means that if you are a student, you will not be required to begin repaying your loan until six months have passed.
How Do Discover Points Rewards Programs Work?
While many card companies offer point rewards, Discover currently has only one card that does not offer a percentage cash back. This is the Discover It Travel card, which provides Air Miles rather than a percentage of cash back.
This works in the same way as cash back offers. Instead of receiving a percentage of your purchases, you will receive 1.5 miles for every dollar spent. There are no restrictions on the number of miles you can accumulate.
You can earn miles and then redeem them for statement credit or cash toward a travel purchase. With no blackout dates, your miles can help you with the cost of your trips and travel. This allows you to cover expenses such as airfare, hotels, and even gas station purchases.
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Compare More
Capital One vs American Express
Capital One is a premium online banking service that offers convenient, dependable service and physical locations to anyone looking for them. Capitol One 360, in addition to providing a trustworthy and dependable service, has no hidden fees or minimums, allowing you to continue earning interest on your daily money. There are over 38,000 fee-free ATMs and over 2,000 Capital One ATMs to meet your money access needs.
American Express is one of the world's most well-known credit card brand names. Customers can get a personal banking solution from American Express National Bank, which offers online savings and CD options. Personal savings accounts have a high potential yield. American Express National Bank is a respectable, secure banking option that does not offer any extra features but does offer the most important one.
Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Capital One: Which Bank Is Better For You?
Capital One vs CIT Bank
CIT Bank offers a variety of savings accounts. Savings Connect has two tiers, with the first offering a higher rate if you make qualifying deposits and link your checking account. Savings Builder, on the other hand, offers 3.99 percent if you keep a balance of $25,000 or make monthly deposits of at least $100. There are no account maintenance fees, but you can only make six transactions per statement cycle.
Capital One offers a high yield savings account with a slightly lower rate than CIT Bank's top rate. However, you are not required to jump through any hoops. The account allows six withdrawals per calendar month, but there is no minimum deposit or balance requirement to keep your account open.
Read Full Comparison: CIT Bank vs Capital One: Which Bank Account Is Better?
Capital One vs Chase
Chase and Capital One both have banking product lines that compete with traditional high street banks.
Capital One also has a competitive advantage in terms of checking accounts. The Capital One checking account is not only fee-free, but you can also earn interest on your account balance. Chase's checking account does not pay interest, and you must meet certain requirements to have the $12 monthly fee waived.
However, when you open a qualifying account, Chase will give you a welcome bonus, and its checking account has some nice features such as paperless statements for up to seven years and checking account upgrade options.
Read Full Comparison: Chase vs Capital One: Compare Banking Options
Capital One vs Wells Fargo
Capital One began as a credit card company, but has expanded its line of banking products to rival a traditional bank. Aside from checking and savings accounts, you can also get loan refinancing, auto finance, and children's accounts.
Wells Fargo offers an even broader range of products. There are several checking accounts available, as well as two savings accounts and investment options such as IRAs and 401ks. You can also get loans and mortgages, as well as wealth management services. Wells Fargo is thus a highly comparable alternative to the traditional high street bank.
Read Full Comparison: Capital One vs Wells Fargo: Which Bank Wins?
Capital One vs Credit One
Chase and Capital One both have banking product lines that compete with traditional high street banks.
Capital One also has a competitive advantage in terms of checking accounts. The Capital One checking account is not only fee-free, but you can also earn interest on your account balance. Chase's checking account does not pay interest, and you must meet certain requirements to have the $12 monthly fee waived.
However, when you open a qualifying account, Chase will give you a welcome bonus, and its checking account has some nice features such as paperless statements for up to seven years and checking account upgrade options.
Read Full Comparison: Chase vs Capital One: Compare Banking Options
Capital One vs Ally Bank
Ally has a decent banking product lineup that would make switching from a traditional high street bank relatively simple. Checking, savings, CDs, auto loans, personal loans, mortgages, investments, and retirement products are among the products available. The only obvious omission from the Ally line is the absence of a credit card.
Capital One began as a credit card company, but it has since expanded into a variety of other banking services. You can access auto finance, loan refinancing, and children's accounts in addition to savings and checking accounts.
Read Full Comparison: Ally vs Capital One: Compare Banking Options
Capital One vs Citi Bank
Capital One began as a credit card company, but it has recently expanded its banking product line. Capital One offers checking and savings accounts, children's accounts, auto finance and refinancing, in addition to an impressive selection of credit cards.
Citi offers a diverse range of banking products, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, credit card options, mortgages, personal loans, wealth management plans, IRAs, and investment options.
Read Full Comparison: Citi vs Capital One: Which Bank is Best For You?
Discover Bank vs Chase Bank
The Discover checking account is more traditional. While the account does not pay interest, you can earn 1% cash back on debit card purchases. There are also no fees if you require a replacement debit card, have a deposit item returned, or have insufficient funds in your account.
Chase offers a wide range of banking products, including savings accounts, checking accounts, home loans, home equity options, auto loans, and a wide range of credit cards. In addition, Chase's customer service system is quite extensive.
Read Full Comparison: Discover vs Chase: Which Bank Account Suits You Best?
Discover vs Citi
Discover began as a credit card company and has since expanded into banking services. As a result, it stands to reason that Discover would offer a diverse range of credit cards. Discover offers a simpler checking account. There are no account fees or minimum deposits, and you can earn 0.40 percent.
Citi offers home loans, personal loans, lines of credit, wealth management options, and investments, as well as everyday and premium banking services. This exemplifies Citi's viability as a viable alternative to the traditional high-street bank.
Read Full Comparison: Discover vs Citi: Compare Banking Options
Discover vs American Express
Discover Bank is a full-service online bank as well as a provider of payment services. Discover can be used for banking and retirement planning by individuals. Discover is best known for its credit cards with rewards, but it also provides personal, student, and home equity loans.
American Express is one of the world's most well-known credit card brand names. Customers can get a personal banking solution from American Express National Bank, which offers online savings and CD options. Personal savings accounts have a high potential yield. They do not, however, provide as many products as Discover Bank does.
Read Full Comparison: Discover vs American Express: Which Bank Account Is Better?
Discover vs CIT Bank
The CIT Bank eChecking account pays 0.10 percent to 0.25 percent interest. The account also has almost no fees. Only if you have a stopped payment, a returned item, or want to make a wire transfer will you be charged a fee. There is also free ATM access, with up to $30 in ATM fee reimbursements per month if you incur fees when using another bank's machine.
While Discover's checking account does not pay interest, you can earn 1% cash back on debit card purchases. There are no fees, as with eChecking. If you need a replacement debit card, have insufficient funds, or have a deposit returned, you will not be charged a fee.
Read Full Comparison: CIT Bank vs Discover: Which Bank Account Wins?
Discover vs SoFi
SoFi has developed a respectable banking product line. Aside from its hybrid savings and checking account, it also offers mortgages, loans, and investment products. The only thing missing from the offering is a traditional savings account and CDs.
Since its inception as a credit card provider, Discover has come a long way. Of course, credit cards are available, but you can also get home loans, personal loans, and a variety of checking and savings products such as retirement accounts, CDs, and money market accounts.
Read Full Comparison: SoFi Money vs Discover: Which Online Banking Suits You Best?
