Discover it® Chrome
vs. Citi Simplicity® Card

Updated: April 22, 2024

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If you're looking for a credit card with no annual fee and introductory APR offers, you may be considering the Discover it Chrome and the Citi Simplicity Card. The Discover it Chrome is better for those who want to earn rewards on their spending, with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants and a lower minimum APR of 17.24%.

In contrast, the Citi Simplicity Card is ideal for those seeking a longer balance transfer introductory period, offering 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers. Choose Discover it Chrome for rewards and a lower APR, or Citi Simplicity for extended balance transfer savings.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Chrome
Discover it® Chrome
Credit Card logo for Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    18.24% - 28.24% variable
    19.24% - 29.99% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 6 months on purchases
    0% for 12 months on purchases
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% for 18 months on balance transfers
    0% for 21 months on balance transfers
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1%–2% cash back
    -
    Recommended Credit
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Not sure?

Discover it® Chrome vs. Citi Simplicity® Card: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it® Chrome if: You're interested in earning rewards on your everyday spending. You can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Additionally, the card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, which can be quite beneficial if you plan to make new purchases or have existing debt to move over. The Discover it® Chrome also boasts a higher issuer satisfaction rating, suggesting that you might enjoy better customer service.

You might prefer the Citi Simplicity® Card if: Your primary goal is to manage existing debt. This card stands out with its lengthy 21-month 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers, which is one of the longest available, giving you ample time to pay down debt without accruing interest. It also provides a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases, which can help with new expenses. While it doesn't offer a rewards program, it compensates with no late fees or penalty rates, making it a straightforward choice for those seeking simplicity and debt management tools.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Chrome

Discover it® Chrome is rated 3.4 out of 5 by MoneyGeek for balance transfer cards. With no annual fee, this card is designed for those who frequently spend on gas and dining out. Cardholders earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

Additionally, Discover matches all the cash back earned at the end of the first year, which can be a nice bonus for new users. The card also offers an introductory 0% APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, making it a good choice for those looking to manage existing debt or finance new purchases without immediate interest charges.

Discover it® Chrome
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Chrome
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5

Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 6 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 18 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–2% cash back
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

MoneyGeek's Take on the Citi Simplicity® Card

The Citi Simplicity Card, rated by MoneyGeek with a balance transfer score of 4.6 out of 5, stands out for those seeking a lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers. The card's highlight is its industry-leading 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers. It can be a financial lifeline for those looking to consolidate and pay down existing credit card debt without accruing interest. Additionally, the absence of late fees and penalty rates adds to its appeal for consumers who value a forgiving card policy. The Citi Simplicity Card is a solid choice for those focused on debt management and fee avoidance.

Citi Simplicity® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Simplicity® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5

Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 12 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
N/A
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Details Comparison: Discover it® Chrome vs. Citi Simplicity® Card

Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features. Use this section to align card benefits with your financial habits.

    discount icon

    Regular APR

    Discover it Chrome offers a more favorable regular APR range between 17.24% and 28.24% variable, compared to the Citi Simplicity Card's 19.24% to 29.99% variable. This makes Discover it Chrome the better choice for those concerned with regular APR.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee

    Both the Discover it® Chrome and the Citi Simplicity® have a $0 annual fee. This makes them equally appealing for individuals seeking to avoid extra yearly costs.

    lowInterestAPR icon

    Introductory 0% APRs

    The Citi Simplicity® Card is better for balance transfers due to its 0% APR for 21 months, compared to Discover it® Chrome's 15 months. Discover it® Chrome offers a slightly better deal for purchases with a 0% intro APR for 15 months versus the Citi Simplicity® Card's 12 months.

    coins icon

    Rewards

    Discover it® Chrome offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, while Citi Simplicity® Card does not offer any rewards. This makes Discover it® Chrome the better choice for rewards.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    Discover it® Chrome is better for those seeking a welcome offer, offering to match all cash back at the end of the first year. Citi Simplicity® Card has no current offer.

    creditApproved icon

    Recommended Credit Score

    Both the Discover it® Chrome and the Citi Simplicity® Card recommend a credit score range between 670 and 850 (good to excellent). This means that for individuals with good to excellent credit, either card could be a viable option.

    autopay icon

    Penalties and Fees

    Citi Simplicity® Card has no late fees, making it better for those who might miss a payment. Both cards charge the same for cash advances: either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater. However, Discover it® Chrome does not charge a foreign transaction fee, offering an advantage for international use.

    points icon

    Issuer Satisfaction

    Discover has a slightly higher issuer satisfaction rating than Citi.

    airplane icon

    Other Features & Perks

    Both cards don't offer specific perks focusing on rewards and introductory APRs as their primary advantages.

FAQ: Discover it® Chrome vs. Citi Simplicity® Card

What are the APRs for Discover it® Chrome and Citi Simplicity® Card?
How do the fees for Discover it® Chrome compare to Citi Simplicity® Card?
Which card offers rewards, Discover it® Chrome or Citi Simplicity® Card?
What credit score is required for Discover it® Chrome and Citi Simplicity® Card?
Do Discover it® Chrome and Citi Simplicity® Card offer any introductory deals?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*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.
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