Discover it Student Chrome vs Capital One Platinum Secured
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
No annual fee
vs
No annual fee
Base Rewards
1%
vs
0%
Sign-Up Bonus
$100
vs
None
Editor Score
7/10
vs
7/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 6/6 | 0/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | No annual fee★ Lowest | No annual fee |
| Purchase APR | 16.49% – 25.49% | 30.49% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | 0% · 6 mo | |
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | ||
| Foreign Txn Fee | None★ Lowest | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% | None |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Cashback | Cashback |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1%★ Highest | ✗ Lowest |
| Bonus Categories | 2% Gas Stations · 2% Dining | |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $100 value★ Highest | ✗ Lowest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Fair (580-669) | Poor (300-579) |
| Network | Discover | Mastercard |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | College students building credit | Building or rebuilding credit |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.3 / 5★ Highest | 4 / 5✗ Lowest |
| Editor Score | 7 / 10★ Highest | 7 / 10 |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our Verdict
Student card vs. secured card — two paths to building credit. The Discover it Student Chrome earns 2% on dining and gas, has no annual fee, and matches cash back in the first year. The Capital One Platinum Secured requires a deposit but has no minimum credit score requirement. If you're a student with limited credit, the Discover it is the better starting point. If you have no credit history or past issues, the secured card guarantees approval.
Winner: Discover it Student Chrome
Better rewards and no deposit required for students
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Common Questions
Which is better: Discover it Student Chrome or Capital One Platinum Secured?
It depends on your spending habits. The Discover it Student Chrome has no annual fee and earns 1% base rewards. The Capital One Platinum Secured has no annual fee and earns 0% base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between Discover it Student Chrome and Capital One Platinum Secured?
The Discover it Student Chrome has no annual fee while the Capital One Platinum Secured has no annual fee. Both cards have the same annual fee, so the decision comes down to rewards structure and perks.
Can I have both the Discover it Student Chrome and Capital One Platinum Secured?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (Discover and Capital One), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.