Home Guides What’s the Difference? Comparing Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

What’s the Difference? Comparing Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

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A debit card is an electronic payment method that allows you to spend money by drawing funds from your checking account.

A credit card, on the other hand, requires no cash up front and pays for purchases after the cardholder pays a monthly or yearly bill. Debit cards are a more affordable option because they don’t come with the same interest rates as credit cards.

They’re also safer than credit cards because if your card gets stolen, you won’t be liable for any fraudulent charges.

If you’re looking for a simple way to make payments without accruing debt, a debit card is an ideal option for you. Credit cards are better suited for people who want to have access to cash without having to carry it around all the time.

What is a debit card?

A debit card is an electronic payment method that allows you to spend money by drawing funds from your checking account. Debit cards are safer than credit cards because if your card gets stolen, you won’t be liable for any fraudulent charges. If you’re looking for a simple way to make payments without accruing debt, a debit card is an ideal option for your personal finances. What are the benefits of using a debit card? Debit cards are simple. Because there’s no paper money involved, debit cards make it easy to keep track of your cash. Using a debit card, you can pay for your recurring bills like water bills, cable bills, and rent on time. You don’t have to pay interest if you pay on time, either. Debit cards are safe.

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What are the benefits of using a debit card?

There are several benefits of using a debit card versus a credit card. The most obvious benefit is how simple it is. With a debit card, you don’t have to worry about making sure the amount is correct when you go to make a purchase. It just works. You also never have to worry about high-interest credit card interest. Depending on the credit card you have, your interest rate can be as high as 20 percent. A debit card, on the other hand, will typically have a minuscule, or even zero, annual percentage rate (APR) if you sign up for a card that doesn’t charge interest. Many debit cards also come with rewards or cash-back perks for spending money in a certain category. Some allow you to earn up to 3 percent cash back in a single category.

What are the drawbacks of using a debit card?

At their core, both debit cards and credit cards allow you to make payments without using cash or relying on plastic. But if you want to pay your monthly bills with your debit card, you’ll need to set a budget and pay it in full each month. This may be impossible if you’re a frequent user of your debit card and pay in full. You might want to compare credit cards to debit cards to see which one is best for you. Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards: How to Choose To help you pick the perfect card, here’s a brief comparison of credit and debit cards to help you decide which one is right for you. Debit cards are an extremely useful form of payment, but they’re not always the most secure. Here are the top differences between credit and debit cards.

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What is a credit card?

A credit card is basically a debit card that is offered by a credit card issuer, which is a financial company that offers credit cards to its customers. In this case, “debit card” refers to a specific form of credit card — an electronic payment method that allows you to spend money by drawing funds from your checking account. Some credit cards even allow you to choose how much you want to spend on your card, while others operate based on how much you have on your card. Related: Best Low-Interest Credit Cards of 2018 How Credit Cards Work 1. Choose Your Credit Card The first thing you should think about when choosing a credit card is how much money you have available to spend.

The differences between credit cards and debit cards

Credit and debit cards are both good options for making payments, but they’re very different when it comes to how they work. Credit cards let you charge a credit line—often ranging from $0 to $10,000—up front, with payments made every month. The cash amount you spend is usually charged to your credit card, not deducted from your checking account. Debit cards are a different story. You can only spend a certain amount on your debit card each month. On the other hand, you can put a debit card on a credit card and have your card funded in full each month. If you pay a credit card bill in full every month, you can use the credit card for smaller purchases.

Which should I choose, a credit card or a debit card?

Although credit cards are more useful than debit cards, they still come with a few benefits that are worth considering. Credit Cards You can use credit cards for nearly every transaction and they typically offer a higher rewards rate than debit cards. For example, an average ATM withdrawal with a typical credit card would have an interest rate of 18.49% and an average credit card loan (a purchase you make with a credit card) would have a 16.75% interest rate. Debit cards generally have a higher interest rate, but don’t come with as many perks. If you spend most of your cash on debit cards, you’ll want to opt for the rewards and cashback credit cards. These cards pay for themselves after you start earning rewards points or cashback on each purchase.

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Conclusion

Credit cards are easily one of the most popular ways to pay for your purchases, but are they right for you? In the last few years, debit cards have become a staple payment option because of their ease and efficiency. Not sure which is best? Shop around and compare credit cards and debit cards to see which one best fits your needs.