Credit cards are an excellent way to pay. They're more flexible than debit cards, and in some ways, they're more secure. But what about debit cards? How do they stack up? Debit cards have their uses. For one thing, they encourage good spending habits. For another, they're cash-friendly.
Honestly, it's probably smart to have one of each. That way, you can spend money flexibly and build a credit score, but you can also withdraw cash from a linked checking account when you need it. You can also put big purchases on debit so you don't pay interest fees.
Below, we'll dive a little deeper into the credit card vs. debit card debate. That way, you know for sure you're swiping the best card for the job (and paying less money).
Credit card vs. debit card features
Here's a comparison of credit cards vs. debit cards:
| Credit cards | Debit cards |
|---|---|
| Connected to a line of credit | Connected directly to your checking account |
| You can make purchases even if you don't have the money | You can make purchases only if the money is in your bank account |
| Can charge interest payments | Can't charge interest payments |
| Impacts your credit history | Has nothing to do with your credit history |
| Fraud liability is limited by law | Fraud liability could be extensive |
| Often include purchase protections | Rarely include purchase protections |
| Withdrawing cash usually costs high fees | Withdrawing cash usually costs low or no fees |
| Frequently charge annual fees | Almost never charge annual fees |
Compare savings rates
Make sure you're getting the best account for you by comparing savings rates and promotions. Here are some of our favorite high-yield savings accounts to consider.
| Account | APY | Promotion | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings OnSoFi'sSecure Website. Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our 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. | up to 4.50%² Rate infoYou can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.Min. to earn: $0 | New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits!¹ | Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings OnSoFi'sSecure Website. |
Open Account for UFB Portfolio Savings Account OnUFB'sSecure Website. Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our 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. | 4.83% Rate infoTo ensure you keep getting the highest rate at UFB, you'll need to keep an eye on their rates. Occasionally, the bank launches new accounts with higher rates. Existing accounts need to contact the bank to request being moved to one of these new accounts.Min. to earn: $0 | N/A | Open Account for UFB Portfolio Savings Account OnUFB'sSecure Website. |
Open Account for Capital One 360 Performance Savings OnCapital One'sSecure Website. Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our 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. | 4.25% Rate infoSee Capital One website for most up-to-date rates. Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY)is variable and accurate as of April 11, 2024. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.Min. to earn: $0 | N/A | Open Account for Capital One 360 Performance Savings OnCapital One'sSecure Website. |
Are credit cards safer than debit cards?
Yes, in many instances. One of the biggest reasons to use a credit card vs. a debit card is security. Credit cards are required by law to offer protection against credit card fraud.
If your credit card is lost or stolen, you're only responsible for up to $50 in fraudulent purchases made before you report it, thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act. And if your credit card information -- but not your physical card -- is used in an unauthorized transaction, you pay nothing. (It's worth mentioning that most of the top credit cards offer $0 fraud liability regardless of how transactions are made.)
With debit cards, how much you pay for unauthorized charges depends on how quickly you report the card as lost or stolen. If you report a debit card before it can be used, you pay nothing. But the longer you wait, the more you could pay:
| Time to report | Maximum potential loss |
|---|---|
| Before unauthorized charges are made | $0 |
| Within two business days after loss or theft | $50 |
| More than two days after loss or theft, but less than 60 days after you get your card statement | $500 |
| More than 60 days after loss or theft | All money stolen from your account and possibly even from linked accounts |
Data source: Electronic Fund Transfer Act, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission (consumer.ftc.gov)
Keep in mind that your liability is limited to fraud committed with your physical debit card. In today's digital world, fraudsters might use your info without stealing your card. In that case, you pay $0 as long as you report the fraud within 60 days.
Credit cards also usually excel when it comes to other types of buyer protections. Some cards offer protection against theft or damage to a purchase within 90 days of checkout. Many credit cards, particularly rewards credit cards, also offer perks like extended warranty protection.
TIP
Have you been charged for a purchase that was never delivered?
You can charge back the transaction on your credit card, but your debit card may not give you the option. The best travel credit cards come with travel insurance that can refund otherwise nonrefundable travel expenses.
Do debit cards build credit?
Debit cards typically don't help you build credit. To build a credit score, you'll want to use a credit card.
To establish a credit score, you can apply for a secured credit card. Secured cards are great for beginners because they're easy to get, even when you have zero credit history. For the same reason, secured cards are typically good for folks with bad credit scores. The downside of secured cards is that they have low credit limits and offer fewer rewards, plus you have to make a security deposit (that becomes your credit limit) to get one.
To build credit as an experienced credit user, consider swiping with an unsecured credit card. That way, you can take advantage of better rewards and higher credit limits. If you have a score above 700, there should be plenty of cards for good credit available to you.
When should you use a credit card?
You should consider using a credit card to dodge fraudsters, earn rewards, and build credit.
Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards. For example, you won't pay more than $50 for fraudsters swiping your card (once reported), but you could be responsible for much more than that if your debit card gets stolen.
Credit cards earn rewards at checkout, and these are typically better than what debit cards offer. You might earn points, travel rewards, or cash back on gas and groceries. These can add up.
Using credit cards can help you build your credit score. So long as you use your credit card responsibly (and make on-time payments every month), your credit score should increase steadily. The benefits of boosting your credit score include cheaper car loans and mortgage payments. Debit cards rarely boost your credit score.
When should you use a debit card?
You should consider using a debit card to withdraw cash and limit spending.
Debit cards typically let you make cash withdrawals. Your bank may let you withdraw cash from ATM networks or cash registers. Oftentimes, it's free. You can use credit cards to withdraw cash, but you'll typically be charged a 5% cash advance fee for doing so.
Debit cards limit your spending to your linked checking account balance. You can't go into debt. At worst, you'll be charged a nonsufficient funds fee for attempting to overdraw. Debit cards make it easier to spend responsibly.
Choosing a credit card
Don't you wish you could take a peek inside a credit card expert's wallet sometimes? Just to see the cards they carry? Well, you can't look in anybody's wallet, but you can check out our experts' favorite credit cards. Get started here:
Best credit cards
FAQs
Debit cards are linked to a bank account, but credit cards are linked to a line of credit. That means you can spend more than you own with a credit card, but you must pay it back later, and you may be charged interest or late fees.
It depends. Credit cards are better for your credit if you pay your bills consistently and on time. If you don't, your credit score will likely go down. Debit cards can't build credit at all, but they also can't hurt your credit.
Yes, some debit cards earn some type of purchase rewards. You can also get sign-up bonuses for some new bank accounts. However, credit cards typically have higher rewards rates for purchases, as well as much better sign-up bonuses.
