Wells Fargo Active Cash is Claire's recommendation for most people reading this comparison. Score: 7.9/10. Closest Citi Double Cash competitor. $200 bonus + cell phone protection.
Discover it Cash Back (7.6/10) is the right choice for a specific situation: first credit card / building credit. If that describes you, the full review has the complete math.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Discover it Cash Back or Wells Fargo Active Cash?
Wells Fargo Active Cash (7.9/10) wins for most people. Closest Citi Double Cash competitor. $200 bonus + cell phone protection. Discover it Cash Back is the right choice if: first credit card / building credit.
What is Claire's score for Discover it Cash Back?
Claire rates Discover it Cash Back 7.6/10. Verdict: Best first card. Year-one Cashback Match doubles every dollar earned.
What is Claire's score for Wells Fargo Active Cash?
Claire rates Wells Fargo Active Cash 7.9/10. Verdict: Closest Citi Double Cash competitor. $200 bonus + cell phone protection.
Who should choose Discover it Cash Back?
First credit card / building credit.
Who should choose Wells Fargo Active Cash?
2% flat rate with a welcome bonus.
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Head to head, by the numbers
Discover it Cash Back
Wells Fargo Active Cash
Claire's score
7.6/10
7.9/10
Price
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Top strength
Year-one Cashback Match effectively doubles all earnings
Slightly behind Citi Double Cash in long-term simplicity
The case for Discover it Cash Back
Year-one Cashback Match effectively doubles all earnings
No annual fee
Free FICO score monitoring
Good approval odds for limited credit history
The case for Wells Fargo Active Cash
Flat 2% on everything, no categories
$200 welcome bonus after $500 spend
Cell phone protection up to $600
No annual fee
Bottom line
Wells Fargo Active Cash takes this one on the numbers (7.9/10 vs 7.6/10). The closest 2% competitor to Citi Double Cash, with a $200 welcome bonus and a cell phone protection benefit that actually matters.
That said, Discover it Cash Back isn't a loser — it's a different answer. The best first credit card. The first-year Cashback Match makes it uniquely valuable for new cardholders building credit.