Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Discover it Secured vs Citi Secured Mastercard: How They Compare?
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Discover it Secured vs Citi Secured Mastercard: How They Compare?

Unlike the Citi Secured card, the Discover it Secured offers rewards in addition to credit-building features, and therefore, it's our winner.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: July 27, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: July 27, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

The Discover it Secured and Citi Secured Mastercard are both designed to help individuals build or rebuild their credit. While they share a common goal, they differ in certain aspects.

General Comparison

The Discover it Secured card stands out with its unique feature of cash back rewards, something not commonly found in secured credit cards. Users earn cash back on their purchases, making it a more rewarding option for those looking to improve their credit. Additionally, Discover periodically reviews the account, and if deemed eligible, transitions the user to an unsecured card, returning the initial deposit.

On the other hand, the Citi Secured Mastercard focuses on simplicity. It doesn't offer rewards, but it provides a straightforward approach to rebuilding credit. Users are required to make a security deposit, and their credit limit is typically equal to that deposit. Responsible use and timely payments can lead to an eventual upgrade to an unsecured card with Citi.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the card's main features:

citi secured mastercard review

Discover It Secured review

Citi Secured Mastercard
Discover it Secured
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards
None
2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Credit Limit
$200 – $2,500
$200 – $2,500
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
3%
Purchase APR
21.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
28.24% Variable
Read Review
Read Review

Offers From Our Partners

Milestone® Mastercard®

Annual Fee:
$175 the first year; $49 thereafter
APR:
35.90%

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Top Offers From Our Partners

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

Milestone® Mastercard®

Annual Fee:
$175 the first year; $49 thereafter
APR:
35.90%
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Compare Extra Perks & Credit Building Features

Both cards also offers features and benefits for cardholders, primarily those who are looking to build their credit:

Citi Secured Mastercard

citi secured mastercard review

  • Flexible Payment Due Dates: Citi Secured Mastercard allows you to choose from available payment due dates at the beginning, middle, or end of the month, providing flexibility to align with your financial schedule.
  • Credit Bureau Reporting: It reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus, aiding users in demonstrating responsible credit behavior, which is crucial for improving their credit score over time.
  • Automatic Account Alerts: Enjoy stress-free management with automatic alerts that remind you of balance levels, upcoming payments, and instances where you exceed your credit limit. These alerts can be received via email or directly on your mobile phone.
  • Free FICO Score Access: Cardholders benefit from free online access to their FICO credit score, providing valuable insights into their creditworthiness and allowing them to track improvements over time.
  • $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges: Experience peace of mind with the Citi Secured Mastercard, as it offers $0 liability on unauthorized charges, ensuring you are not held responsible for any unauthorized transactions made on your card.
  • 24/7 Customer Service: Citi provides round-the-clock customer service, with representatives available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This ensures that you can get assistance whenever you need it, addressing any concerns or queries promptly.
  • ID Theft Protection: Citi Secured Mastercard provides an ID Theft Protection program, monitoring selected information to alert users of any suspicious activity, helping to safeguard against identity theft.
Discover it Secured

Discover It Secured review

  • Automatic Reviews: After 7 months, automatic monthly account reviews begin to determine eligibility for an upgrade to an ‘unsecured' card, potentially returning your deposit.
  • Free FICO® Credit Score: Discover provides your FICO® Credit Score for free, allowing you to track and understand how your credit actions impact your score.
  • $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee: The card ensures that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized purchases, providing a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee.
  • U.S. Based Customer Service: Enjoy the convenience of 100% U.S. based customer service, allowing you to speak to a real person anytime you need assistance.
  • Social Security Number Alerts: Discover provides free alerts if your Social Security Number is found on any of thousands of Dark Web sites, enhancing security measures for cardholders.
  • Credit Bureau Reporting: It reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus, aiding users in demonstrating responsible credit behavior, which is crucial for improving their credit score over time.

Compare The Alternatives

If you're looking for a credit-building credit card, here are some alternatives :

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Milestone® Mastercard®

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
First Progress Platinum
Milestone® Mastercard®
Annual Fee
$35
$29
$175 the first year; $49 thereafter
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
3%
1% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Purchase APR
25.64% (variable)
25.24% Variable
35.90%

Compare Discover It Secured Card

When it comes to secured cards, both Discover and Capital One offer decent cards to build and improve your credit. Which one is better?

Capital One vs Discover Secured Card: Which One Wins?

Chime wins when it comes to no credit check and no foreign transaction fees, but Discover it Secured is our winner due to rewards and bonus.

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa vs Discover it Secured: How They Compare?

Compare Citi Secured Mastercard

Both cards don't offer rewards or bonuses, but the Capital One Secured Mastercard is our winner due to better credit-building features.

Citi Secured Mastercard vs Capital One Secured Mastercard: How They Compare?

Chime is our winner as it offers no credit check and no foreign transaction fees, unlike the Citi Secured which is a more conservative card.

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa vs. Citi Secured Mastercard: Comparison

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.