Discover it® Student Chrome
vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Updated: April 24, 2024

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If you're a student or someone starting to build credit, you may be considering the Discover it® Student Chrome and the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. The Discover it® Student Chrome is generally the better option for students, offering a lower APR range of 18.24% to 27.24% variable and a 0% intro APR on purchases for six months. It doesn't require a security deposit, which is a significant advantage. However, for those with no credit history who can provide a security deposit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a strong contender, especially for earning rewards on gas and restaurant purchases.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Student Chrome
Discover it® Student Chrome
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
1.7/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
1.7/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    18.24% - 27.24% variable
    28.24% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 6 months on purchases
    N/A
    Balance Transfer Offer
    10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
    10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1% – 2% cash back
    Earn 1% – 2% cash back
    Recommended Credit
    (No Credit History)
    (No Credit History)
    Not sure?

Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it® Student Chrome if: You're a student looking to build credit without tying up funds in a security deposit. This card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first six months, which can be particularly useful if you have upcoming expenses and want to avoid interest charges as you get started. Additionally, with no annual fee and a rewards program that gives you cash back at gas stations and restaurants, it's tailored to fit a student's lifestyle and spending patterns.

You might prefer the Discover it® Secured Credit Card if: You're new to credit or looking to rebuild and are willing to provide a security deposit. The deposit acts as your credit line and can help you establish a credit history with responsible use. Like its student-focused counterpart, this card also offers cash back on gas and restaurant purchases and has no annual fee. Plus, the security deposit is refundable, so you can get it back as you build credit and potentially transition to an unsecured card.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Student Chrome

The Discover it Student Chrome Card boasts a MoneyGeek balance transfer card rating of 3.4 out of 5, reflecting its suitability for students and individuals with no credit history. With no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR on six-month purchases, this card is tailored for those looking to build credit while enjoying some financial flexibility. The card's rewards program is particularly beneficial for on-the-go students, offering 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, the Unlimited Cashback Match feature means Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, making it an intelligent choice for maximizing rewards without complicating your finances.

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

Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 6 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1% – 2% cash back
Recommended Credit
(No Credit History)

MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card, rated 3.1 by MoneyGeek for its absence of an annual fee, is a solid choice for individuals looking to establish or rebuild their credit. With a 4.4 satisfaction rating from cardholders and a 4.0 rating for its lenient penalty structure, this card stands out for its consumer-friendly features. It requires no credit history for application and offers a unique opportunity to earn rewards while building credit, with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. The Cashback Match™ introductory offer further enhances the card's appeal, effectively doubling the cash back you earn in your first year. With a variable APR of 28.24%, users must manage their balances carefully to avoid high interest charges. However, the lack of foreign transaction fees makes it a cost-effective option for international use. Designed for credit building, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a practical tool for those willing to secure their credit line with a deposit.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Secured Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.7/ of 5

Regular APR
28.24% variable
0% APR Offer
N/A
Balance Transfer Offer
10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1% – 2% cash back
Recommended Credit
(No Credit History)

Details Comparison: Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

    discount icon

    Regular APR

    For those prioritizing a lower Regular APR, the Discover it® Student Chrome offers a more favorable variable rate between 18.24% and 27.24%, compared to the Discover it® Secured Credit Card's higher variable rate of 28.24%. This makes the Discover it® Student Chrome the better option for individuals looking to minimize interest costs on carried balances.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee

    Both cards have a $0 annual fee.

    lowInterestAPR icon

    Introductory 0% APRs

    Discover it Student Chrome offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for six months, which is not available with the Discover it Secured Credit Card. Both cards provide a 10.99% introductory APR on balance transfers for the same period. The Discover it Student Chrome is better for those seeking an introductory 0% APR on purchases.

    coins icon

    Rewards

    Both the Discover it® Student Chrome and the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offer the same rewards, with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    Both cards offer the same welcome bonus of an Unlimited Cashback Match for the first year. This means neither the Discover it Student Chrome nor the Discover it Secured Credit Card is superior based on welcome offers alone.

    creditApproved icon

    Recommended Credit Score

    Both cards are designed for individuals with no credit history. This makes either card a potential option for those looking to build or start their credit journey.

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    Penalties and Fees

    Discover it Student Chrome has no late fee, making it more forgiving for occasional late payments compared to Discover it Secured Credit Card, which charges up to $41 but waives this fee for the first late payment. Both cards have the same cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, and neither charges foreign transaction fees. With a higher penalty rating, Discover it Student Chrome is better for penalties and fees.

    points icon

    Issuer Satisfaction

    Both the Discover it Student Chrome and the Discover it Secured Credit Card are issued by Discover Bank, which has an issuer satisfaction rating of 4.5. Neither card is better in terms of issuer satisfaction as they share the same issuer and satisfaction scores.

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    Other Features & Perks

    Both cards offer unique perks tailored to their target audiences. The Discover it® Student Chrome provides benefits suited for students, such as rewards for good grades, while the Discover it® Secured Credit Card focuses on features that help build credit. Since both cards are from Discover, they share similar issuer satisfaction scores.

FAQ: Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Secured

What are the credit requirements for the Discover it® Student Chrome and Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
How do the APRs compare between the Discover it® Student Chrome and Discover it® Secured Credit Card?
What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Are there any introductory offers for these Discover cards?
What fees should I expect with the Discover it® Student Chrome and Discover it® Secured Credit Card?

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.


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