Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash card and Chase Freedom Unlimited card offer cardholders unlimited cash back on purchases.

However, there are notable differences between the two cards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns up to 5% cash back on purchases, whereas the Wells Fargo Active Cash provides 2% cash back on purchases irrespective of the category.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
    Chase Freedom Unlimited
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
    This is an icon
  • Has APR Offer
    This is an icon
    This is an icon
  • Cash Back Rewards
    This is an icon
    This is an icon
  • Travel Rewards
    This is an icon

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card At a Glance

If you spend $1000 or more within the first three months of card membership, you will earn a $200 welcome bonus. And as you spend, you will earn 2% cash back on all purchases.

The card also comes with cell phone protection against theft or damage worth up to $600, if you pay the phone bill using the card.

And the card comes with a valuable 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months of card membership.


  • Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

    A great no annual fee cash back card with a 0% APR offer

    • Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
    • $0Annual Fee
    • 2% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 2xRewards Rate on Gas
    • 2xRewards Rate on Groceries

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other top-rated credit cards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited At a Glance

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card comes with no annual fees and offers unlimited cashback up to 5% depending on the spending category.

The card also comes with a solid welcome offer where you can earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, you will earn 5% cash back on gas station purchases, up to $6,000 in spending in the first year of card membership.

The card also comes with several helpful benefits, including: travel insurance coverage, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.


  • Chase Freedom Unlimited

    An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back

    • ExcellentCredit Needed
    • $0Annual Fee
    • 1.5–5% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 3xRewards Rate on Dining
    • 5xRewards Rate on Air Travel

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other cards with lower interest rates.

Comparison Summary

Here is a detailed difference between the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Chase Freedom Unlimited to help you choose the best credit card for your needs.

  • Card Detail
    Comparison Summary

  • Travel Coverage

    The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance and travel and emergency assistance services.

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash card doesn’t offer any travel coverage.

    Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited

  • Welcome Bonus

    Both cards offer a $200 welcome offer bonus. The Chase Freedom Unlimited requires you to spend $500 in the first three months while the Wells Fargo Active Cash requires $1,000 in spending in the first three months.

    Lastly, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 5% cash back on gas station purchases, up to $6,000 in purchases in the first year.

    Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited

  • Rewards

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash card offers a flat 2% cashback on purchases.

    The Chase Freedom offers 5% cashback on travel purchases, 3% cashback on dining-related purchases, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, and 1.5% cashback on all other purchases.

    Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited

  • Purchase Protection

    The Chase Freedom Unlimited provides purchase protection up to $500 per claim and $50000 per account.

    The Wells Fargo Active Cash card only provides cell phone protection, up to $600.

    Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Which Card Should You Get?

Before comparing the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Chase Freedom Unlimited, it’s best to evaluate your own financial situation first. Once you understand your needs, it will help you choose the right card.

Who Should Consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card is a solid option for consumers looking for unlimited cash back from their credit purchases.

  • This is an icon

    Small business owners could benefit from making their regular office purchases using the card and earning 2% cash back.

  • This is an icon

    Travelers can also enjoy additional benefits at select luxury hotels using this card.

Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great credit card option for consumers that travel often, and would rather earn cash back than travel rewards.

  • This is an icon

    If you regularly spend on travel including air fares, hotels or rental cars, you could benefit from the 5% spending category when you book through the Chase travel portal.

  • This is an icon

    This card is a great fit for someone who wants a few extra spending categories to earn additional cash back, but is also content with earning a base 1.5% cash back.

  • This is an icon
    ≫ More: Read Our Full Review
tip icon
EXPERT OPINION

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is definitely the winner in this comparison. At the minimum, you will earn 1.5% cash back, which is slightly lower than the 2% cash back on the Wells Fargo Active Cash. For the small sacrifice in cash back, you can earn a significant amount of benefits including travel insurance coverage, purchase protection and more.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

It can sometimes be difficult to pick between two credit cards. However, MoneyGeek has answered some of the most commonly asked questions to help you understand the differences between the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card and Chase Freedom Unlimited card are two solid cash back credit cards. However, if neither of these cards fit your needs, you can also check other credit cards which offer cashback.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

Explore Topics
cardVScard

Business vs. Corporate Credit Cards

sources
*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.
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.