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.
Discover it® Student Chrome
vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Despite their similarities, Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Secured Credit Card cater to different financial needs. For students, Discover it Student Chrome is the better option.
![First credit card image](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/v1652324465/Discover_It_Student_Chrome_Credit_Card_16a317cc78.png)
![Second credit card image](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/v1652267430/Discover_It_Secured_Credit_Card_0082880101.png)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/c_scale,q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy,w_100,b_white/v1585262247/bbgpw5eliaweh29jfpd8.png)
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
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.
Benjamar Gabawa
Content Editor
Benjamar Gabawa is a MoneyGeek content editor with 10 years of experience editing personal finance, fiction and nonfiction book manuscripts. He is also a published travel writer. Benjamar has a Certificate of Eligibility from the Civil Service Commission after passing its Professional Level Career Service Examination (CSE - PPT) in 2014.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/c_scale,q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy,w_100,b_white/v1585262247/bbgpw5eliaweh29jfpd8.png)
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
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.
Benjamar Gabawa
Content Editor
Benjamar Gabawa is a MoneyGeek content editor with 10 years of experience editing personal finance, fiction and nonfiction book manuscripts. He is also a published travel writer. Benjamar has a Certificate of Eligibility from the Civil Service Commission after passing its Professional Level Career Service Examination (CSE - PPT) in 2014.
Updated: April 24, 2024
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![Credit Card logo for Discover it® Student Chrome](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/c_scale,q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy,h_190,w_300/v1652324465/Discover_It_Student_Chrome_Credit_Card_16a317cc78.png)
![Credit Card logo for Discover it® Secured Credit Card](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/c_scale,q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy,h_190,w_300/v1652267430/Discover_It_Secured_Credit_Card_0082880101.png)
- Regular APR18.24% - 27.24% variable28.24% variable0% APR Offer0% for 6 months on purchasesN/ABalance Transfer Offer10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers10.99% for 6 months on balance transfersAnnual Fee$0$0Rewards SummaryEarn 1% – 2% cash backEarn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.Earn 1% – 2% cash backEarn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.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.
![Credit Card logo for Discover it® Student Chrome](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/c_scale,q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy,h_190,w_300/v1652324465/Discover_It_Student_Chrome_Credit_Card_16a317cc78.png)
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.
![Credit Card logo for Discover it® Secured Credit Card](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/c_scale,q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy,h_190,w_300/v1652267430/Discover_It_Secured_Credit_Card_0082880101.png)
Details Comparison: Discover it® Student Chrome vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
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.
Annual Fee
Both cards have a $0 annual fee.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Both cards are suitable for individuals with no credit history.
The Student Chrome has a variable APR between 18.24% and 27.24%, while the Secured card has a fixed 28.24% variable APR.
Both offer 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and you can maximize cash back rewards with either card.
Yes, both feature a Cashback Match as an introductory offer.
There's no annual fee for either, but the Secured card has a late fee of up to $41, which can be waived for the first late payment.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
![Doug Milnes, CFA headshot](https://res.cloudinary.com/moneygeek/image/upload/c_scale,q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy,w_160/v1585262247/bbgpw5eliaweh29jfpd8.png)
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.
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.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.