Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs Amex Plum: Which Is Better In 2026?

The Plum Card® from American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like The Plum Card® from American Express.

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• It offers outstanding payment flexibility, giving business owners options to better manage their cash flow.
• The Plum Card® from American Express (See Rates & Fees) has no preset spending limit, so your purchasing power can adapt to your business's changing needs.

Terms Apply.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Provides unique payment flexibility, giving you the choice to pay early or take extra time to pay your balance.
• Your spending limit is not preset, so it can adapt to your business's spending patterns and financial profile.
• Includes access to a suite of business management and reporting tools.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee and does not offer a traditional rewards program for earning points or miles.
• As a charge card, it limits financing flexibility for businesses that may need to carry a balance over time.
• Approval can be challenging for businesses without a strong credit history, and its acceptance may be less widespread than Visa or Mastercard.

The Plum Card® from American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Secured or Amex Plum, depends entirely on whether you're building personal credit or managing business cash flow.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their personal credit history while earning rewards on everyday purchases.
• The Plum Card® from American Express - This card is tailored for established business owners who need flexible payment schedules to help manage their company's cash flow.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Cardholders can redeem the cash back they earn in flexible ways, such as a statement credit to lower their balance or as a check.

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The Plum Card® from American Express: This card provides a unique early-pay discount, giving businesses a statement credit when they pay their balance ahead of the due date.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards using your real spending data to find the perfect match for your wallet.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Stack rewards by earning extra Kudos Boost rewards on top of your regular credit card points when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals focused on building or rebuilding their credit history. It's particularly well-suited for those who don't want to miss out on earning rewards, offering a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee. Ideal cardholders are those who can provide a refundable security deposit and use the card responsibly, with the goal of eventually graduating to an unsecured version and getting their deposit back.

Who Should Choose the The Plum Card® from American Express?

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The Plum Card® from American Express is an ideal choice for established businesses that experience irregular or seasonal cash flow. The card’s main appeal lies in its flexible payment options (Terms apply), which allow businesses making large monthly purchases to either receive a 1.5% discount for paying early or take up to 60 days to pay without interest. Therefore, it’s best suited for companies with good to excellent credit that can maximize these benefits, rather than startups or businesses looking for a traditional points-based rewards program.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs Amex Plum comparison has you thinking neither card is the right fit for your business, don't worry. There are several other excellent business credit cards to consider, each with its own unique set of benefits.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to see where you stand before applying.
• Review issuer application rules as some have restrictions on recent applications or welcome offer eligibility.
• Assess your financial health since issuers often review income and ability to pay.

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Application Strategy

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• Use pre-approval tools to check your eligibility without impacting your credit score.
• Consider the card type, as some business cards like The Plum Card® from American Express have unique payment requirements.
• Time your application to align with large purchases, making it easier to earn a welcome offer.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What does a "secured" credit card mean?

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A secured credit card requires a refundable cash security deposit to open the account. This deposit typically determines your credit limit and makes it easier to get approved if you are building or rebuilding your credit.

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Is The Plum Card® from American Express a credit card?

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The Plum Card® from American Express is a business charge card, not a traditional credit card. This means the balance is generally due in full each month, though it offers flexible payment options that can extend your payment period. Terms apply.

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Who are these cards designed for?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their personal credit history. The Plum Card® from American Express is a business charge card intended for business owners to manage their company's cash flow.

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