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Ryan Wilcox is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. Ryan has been writing about credit cards and savings since 2022. Before joining Motley Fool Money, he was a full-time writer at The Points Guy, where he focused on maximizing credit card rewards and travel strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also spent four years reporting for The Daily Tar Heel. With a background in both journalism and consumer finance, he brings a clear and thoughtful voice to money topics. Outside of work, Ryan is likely reading, writing, or updating his Letterboxd account.
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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) and the Discover it® Cash Back are among the best cash back cards available. But the ways they rack up rewards are very different -- which means you might want to do some digging before you apply for either.
The good news? Both come with no annual fee, which means they actually make for a wicked cash back combo that doesn't hurt the wallet.
Here's what to know about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Discover it® Cash Back.
Key differences between the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Discover it® Cash Back
Here's the big-picture breakdown: With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you'll get set cash back rates across categories like travel, dining, and drugstores, plus an easy-to-earn welcome bonus.
The Discover it® Cash Back on the other hand, comes with 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, which means the way you earn rewards is always changing. Plus, instead of a traditional welcome bonus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Keep reading to learn exactly how these differences shake out.
4.80/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
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2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
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4.80/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Welcome Offer:
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Earn $200 cash back
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.
Rewards Program:
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
1.5% - 5% cash back
Rewards Program:
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
Intro APR:
0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Intro APR:
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR:
18.74% - 28.24% Variable
Regular APR:
17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Annual Fee:
$0
Annual Fee:
$0
Highlights:
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
Highlights:
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% 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.
Redeem cash back for any amount
Apply now and you could get a decision in as little as 90 seconds. No annual fee.
Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your virtual card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.74% to 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
At Motley Fool Money, every credit card we review is rated on a 5-star scale, scored to a tenth of a point. Our ratings weigh the features that matter most: rewards rates, 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
We score cards within four primary categories:
0% intro APR cards for paying down balances or financing purchases
Travel cards for maximizing points, miles, and perks on the road
Cash back and rewards cards for everyday spending value
Business cards designed to fit company expenses and growth
Top-rated cards typically combine strong long-term value, attainable bonuses, low fees, and standout protections or perks.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
At Motley Fool Money, every credit card we review is rated on a 5-star scale, scored to a tenth of a point. Our ratings weigh the features that matter most: rewards rates, 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
We score cards within four primary categories:
0% intro APR cards for paying down balances or financing purchases
Travel cards for maximizing points, miles, and perks on the road
Cash back and rewards cards for everyday spending value
Business cards designed to fit company expenses and growth
Top-rated cards typically combine strong long-term value, attainable bonuses, low fees, and standout protections or perks.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
Rewards structure: Fixed vs. rotating categories
As mentioned, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes with solid, steady rewards that don't change:
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
3% cash back at drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
That consistency makes it easy to rack up rewards without a ton of thinking. In that way, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is perfect if you value simplicity and want strong rewards across everyday purchases.
I have this card myself, and love it -- especially for its 3% dining category. Last year, I spent about $800 a month on dining (too much, I know), which added up to about $288 in cash back for the year.
The Discover it® Cash Back, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated -- but still plenty valuable. You'll 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 (then 1% after).
To give you some idea, here's what the card's bonus categories have looked like this year:
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Restaurants, home improvement stores, and select streaming services
Q2 (Apr-Jun): Grocery stores and wholesale clubs
Q3 (July-Sept): Gas stations & EV charging, public transit, and utilities
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Amazon.com and drugstores
As you can see, the categories run the gamut. No matter what you're looking to earn on, the Discover it® Cash Back has you covered -- for a few months, at least.
Also keep in mind that you'll have to activate the bonus categories each quarter, or else you'll earn 1% back on everything.
Welcome bonus: Two ways to rack up rewards
Both cards offer valuable welcome bonuses -- but the way they work is pretty different here, too.
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you'll earn a $200 cash back bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months. That's one of the easiest-to-earn bonuses you'll find, with a super low spending threshold.
The Discover it® Cash Back, meanwhile, doesn't offer a traditional welcome bonus. Instead, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
That means if you earn $300 in cash back during your first year, Discover will double it to $600 -- no enrollment required.
If you're planning to spend a lot, Discover's first-year match is the clear winner here -- there's literally no limit to how much you can earn. But if you want an easy $200 with minimal effort, Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a better pick.
Intro APR: Neck-and-neck offers
Here are the intro APR offers you'll get from these cards:
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. A 18.74% - 28.24% Variable APR applies after. Balance transfers are subject to a fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Discover it® Cash Back: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. A 17.74% - 26.74% Variable APR applies after. Balance transfers are subject to a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.
Either of these cards can help you pay down debt or make large purchases interest-free for over a year. These intro APRs aren't the longest you'll find, but it is a great length for cards that also earn rewards.
Final verdict: Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Discover it® Cash Back
If you prefer simplicity and steady rewards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is probably a better choice. Its strong rates on dining, travel, and everyday purchases make it a reliable earner, and the $200 welcome bonus is easy to earn.
If you're more of a planner who enjoys maximizing rewards, the Discover it® Cash Back offers more upside, especially with its first-year cashback match. It's best for users who will remember to activate its quarterly categories and optimize their spending to earn where it counts.
You can't go wrong with getting both cards either, though. Combining the Discover it® Cash Back's rotating categories with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®'s set rates is a smart move -- and since both cards charge no annual fee, you'll be making money from day one if you do it.
Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited® if:
You want a straightforward cash back card that rewards you consistently across multiple categories.
No, both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Discover it® Cash Back come with no annual fee.
With the Discover it® Cash Back, yes. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you'll automatically earn cash back in each spending category.
Yes. Both cards let you redeem rewards as statement credits, direct deposits, and more with no minimum threshold.
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