Is the Capital One Platinum Secured better than the Citi® Secured Mastercard®?

If you’re looking for a higher credit limit from the beginning, the Citi Secured MasterCard will be the better option. If you need a card with no foreign transaction fees

Can you transfer points from Capital One Platinum Secured to Citi® Secured Mastercard®?

Neither of these cards earn points.

Can you switch from the Capital One Platinum Secured to the Citi® Secured Mastercard®?

No, you cannot switch from the Capital One Secured MasterCard to the Citi Secured MasterCard. However, you could have both cards at once separately.

What’s harder to get, the Capital One Platinum Secured or the Citi® Secured Mastercard®?

The Capital One Secured MasterCard and Citi Secured MasterCard both are offered to consumers with limited, poor or no established credit score.

How much do you have to spend for Capital One Platinum Secured vs Citi® Secured Mastercard® to get the welcome bonus?

Neither card has a welcome offer.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card vs. Citi® Secured Mastercard®: Which Is Best for You?

If your credit score is less than perfect and you’re interested in a secured credit card, you may consider either the Capital One Platinum Secured or Citi® Secured Mastercard® for your wallet. MoneyGeek has compared both these cards to help you understand which one is better for your credit needs.

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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

The Capital One Secured MasterCard and Citi Secured MasterCard offer credit to the users even if they have limited or no credit history.

In this Capital One Secured MasterCard vs Citi Secured MasterCard comparison, we compare the cards features to help you make the best decision for you. For instance, the credit limit on the Capital One Secured MasterCard varies from $200 to a maximum of $1,000, while the Citi Secured MasterCard provides a credit limit up to $2,500.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card at a Glance
Citi® Secured Mastercard® at a Glance
Comparison Summary
Which Card Should You Get?

Comparison Overview: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card vs. Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Has Annual Fee
Security Deposit Required
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has APR Offer
Has Balance Transfer Fee
Has Cash Advance Fee

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card At a Glance

The Capital One Secured MasterCard has a $200 initial credit limit upon the minimum security deposit. The deposit is refundable once you close the card with a zero balance.

You can increase the credit limit by increasing your deposit, with a maximum deposit of $1,000. And if you run into a snag paying your bill, Capital One provides a grace period of 25 days.

The card is unique as you can increase the credit limit of $1,000 within just six months by making timely payments.

It also comes with $0 fraud liability in case your card is lost or stolen and no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Best secured card for building credit on a budget
- Limited – BadRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- $49Min. Security Deposit
- 3# of Reporting Bureaus
- 29.74% VariableAPR
Pros
Great if you have limited or bad credit
No annual fee
25-day grace period
Good for building credit
Easy to get a higher credit limit
Online access for easy managing/monitoring
Millions of acceptable card locations worldwide

Cons
APR is a bit high
No extra rewards
Credit check required
Requires an initial security deposit of at least $49
Regular credit reports to all three bureaus
Initial credit lines start at $200
Cash advance of $3 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater
Up to $40 late payment fee
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated secure cards from our partners.

Citi® Secured Mastercard® At a Glance

The Citi Secured MasterCard has a minimum security deposit requirement of $200 and offers a credit limit ranging from $200 up to $2,500. There is no annual fee, however, the security deposit needs to be in the account within 14 days. The Citi Secured MasterCard reports to all three major credit bureaus, which can help you build your credit easily if you use the credit card responsibly.

Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Best credit card for building credit with no or limited credit history
- None–PoorRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- $200Min. Security Deposit
- 3# of Reporting Bureaus
- 26.99% VariableAPR
Pros
No annual fee
Can use the card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide
Multiple management options
Additional financial tools, auto-pay, etc.
Monthly reports to all three credit bureaus and free FICO score access

Cons
No rewards
High APR
Requires $200 security deposit minimum. Must pay the deposit within 14 days of opening account
$2,500 maximum deposit
Credit limit is equal to deposit
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other cards that are great for people with bad to limited credit.

Comparison Summary

To help you decide which secured card is better for you, we have made this detailed difference between the Capital One Secured MasterCard and the Citi Secured MasterCard.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary
Credit Limit
The Capital One Secured MasterCard offers an initial credit limit up to $200.
The Citi Secured MasterCard offers a credit limit of up to $2,500 if you pay the minimum security deposit.
Winner: Citi Secured MasterCard
Security Deposit
The minimum security deposit for Capital One Secured MasterCard is $49. You can increase the security deposit to either $99 or $200.
The Citi Secured MasterCard asks for a minimum deposit of $200 which needs to be paid within 14 days from opening the account.
Winner: Capital One Secured MasterCard
Increase of Credit Limit
The Capital One Secured MasterCard credit limit can be increased within six months if you pay your bills on time.
Increasing the credit limit on the Citi Secured MasterCard is a bit tricky where you need to keep on building your credit to reach a higher credit limit.
Winner: Capital One Secured MasterCard
APR
Capital One Secured MasterCard charges a 26.99% variable APR.
Citi Secured MasterCard has a 22.49% variable APR.
Winner: Citi Secured MasterCard

Which Card Should You Get?

Choosing the best card for you largely depends on your own financial needs. You must evaluate your needs when deciding between the Capital One Secured MasterCard and the Citi Secured MasterCard.

Who Should Consider the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card?

Getting a credit card with a poor credit score or limited credit history can be tough, however, with the Capital One Secured Mastercard, you do not have to worry about your credit score.

Individuals with limited credit history or poor credit score
Also for people who travel frequently since there are no foreign transaction fees.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

Who Should Consider the Citi® Secured Mastercard®?

The Citi Secured MasterCard provides a higher credit limit compared to other secured credit cards, ranging between $200 to $2,500. This card can be suitable for:

People with no credit history. If this is your first credit card, this card can help you build your credit history and raise your credit score.
For people who want to make larger purchases since the card offers up to a $2,500 credit line.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

EXPERT OPINION

The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is the better option as it comes with a much larger credit line. However, if you make purchases outside the U.S., the Capital One Secured Mastercard will likely be the better option.

Regardless of which card you choose, be sure to make it a priority to raise your credit score. The faster you get your credit score up, the sooner you can have an unsecured credit card.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

To help you choose between the best secured credit cards, MoneyGeek has answered some of the most commonly asked questions while comparing Capital One Secured MasterCard with Citi Secured MasterCard.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

The Capital One Secured MasterCard and Citi Secured MasterCard are two solid secured credit cards.. However, there are other secured credit cards as well which you can compare to choose the most suitable one for yourself.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

Capital One. "Capital One Platinum Secured." Accessed March 9, 2022.

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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