Is the Discover it® Cash Back the Best No-Annual-Fee Card in 2025?
KEY POINTS
- The Discover it® Cash Back offers up to everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate cash back and matches all your first-year earnings, making it one of the most rewarding no-annual-fee cards available.
- With no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and forgiving features like no-penalty APR on late payments, it’s built to be easy and low-stress to own.
- Compared to other no-fee cards, the Discover it® Cash Back stands out in 2025 for its combination of simplicity, strong rewards, and unmatched first-year bonus potential.
If you're like me, you want your credit card to work for you – not the other way around. And it’s even better if it doesn’t have an annual fee.
That’s exactly why the Discover it® Cash Back card has caught so much attention in 2025. It’s a $0 annual fee card that delivers serious value – like up to 5% cash back on your everyday spending.
5% cash back where you’re already spending
Here’s the deal: With the Discover it® Cash Back you can earn 5% cash back on everyday categories that rotate each quarter – things like restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores.
And this isn’t some tiny bonus – it's on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter (once you activate), which can really add up fast.
Having categories that already align with what you’re spending is so easy. You don’t have to change how you spend your cash – you just get rewarded for doing so.
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Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
1% - 5% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
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We think this card has among the highest cash back potential for cards with no annual fee. The key is the Unlimited Cashback Match — Discover automatically matches all the cash back new cardholders have earned at the end of the first year. That cash back can seriously add up when you earn 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories (when you activate them, up to the quarterly maximum) and 1% on other purchases.
Read Full Review -
- Rotating bonus categories
- Welcome bonus offer
- Great intro APR offer
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- No fixed bonus categories
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- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% Cashback Bonus® at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs, April 1 through June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in purchases, when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
The Cashback Match®? It’s Kinda Wild
One of the biggest selling points of this card is something Discover calls Cashback Match®. At the end of your first year, they’ll automatically match every single dollar of cash back you’ve earned.
So if you rack up $200 in cash back, they’ll turn it into $400. If you hit $300, you’re walking away with $600. No limits, no weird rules, no promo code to enter. It’s just a straight-up match.
That’s real money – and a huge reason why this card is a favorite for people new to rewards cards or anyone trying to get the most bang for their buck. Apply for the Discover it® Cash Back card now to start earning money on your everyday purchases.
No annual fee. No gotchas. Just rewards.
Some credit cards give you a great sign-up bonus but then charge a hefty annual fee that eats into your earnings.
The Discover it® Cash Back card? $0 annual fee. For real. You can keep it year after year without ever worrying about whether it’s “worth it.”
And you’ll also get:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No penalty APR if you pay late
- No late fee on your first missed payment
- Plus, free FICO® score tracking to help you build credit while you earn
For a no-fee card, that’s a shockingly good benefits package.
Is it the best no-fee card in 2025?
Honestly? It might be.
The Discover it® Cash Back proves that you don’t need to pay a premium to earn premium rewards.
Between cash back of up to 5%, the unlimited Cashback Match®, and no annual fee, this card punches way above its weight. Whether you’re new to credit or just want a smarter way to earn on daily spending, it’s absolutely worth a look.
Our Research Expert
Jake is a full-time Editorial Strategist for Motley Fool Money. He specializes in product ratings and all things credit cards, and wants to make sure each person has the best card for them.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.