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Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs Ink Business Unlimited: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for those looking to build or rebuild their credit while earning unlimited 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases and 5% back on travel booked through Capital One.
- The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is ideal for business owners with varied spending who want to earn simple, unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase without worrying about categories.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards.
- It's an excellent tool for building or rebuilding credit while still earning cash back rewards on purchases.
- The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards offers a pathway to graduate to an unsecured card, allowing you to get your security deposit back with responsible use.
- Cardholders can check their eligibility without impacting their credit score and may be considered for automatic credit line reviews.
Pros
- Avoids common cardholder costs with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Offers flexible cash back redemption options and the ability to earn a higher rate of rewards on select travel purchases.
Cons
- A refundable security deposit is required to open an account.
- The ongoing interest rate is high, which can be costly for those who carry a balance.
- Graduating to an unsecured card or receiving a credit line increase may take longer than expected for some users.
Ink Business Unlimited® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Ink Business Unlimited®.
- It offers a straightforward way to earn rewards on every business purchase, eliminating the need to track complicated spending categories.
- The card provides strong value for businesses with no annual fee and the ability to add employee cards at no extra cost.
- Cardholders also get access to a suite of valuable protections for business purchases and travel.
Pros
- Offers a substantial introductory bonus to new cardholders.
- Flexible rewards that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, and more.
- Employee cards can be issued with individual spending controls, simplifying expense management.
Cons
- It’s subject to application restrictions that may affect eligibility for those who have recently opened several credit cards.
- The card is less suitable for making purchases outside of the U.S.
- To unlock the maximum value of your rewards, you’ll need to pair it with a premium Chase card.
Ink Business Unlimited® vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards
Categories
When considering which is better Capital One Quicksilver Secured or Ink Business Unlimited, it's crucial to recognize they are designed for entirely different users and financial goals.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit. It is a secured card designed for those with a limited or poor credit history who still want the opportunity to earn rewards.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: This card is ideal for business owners with varied spending patterns. It offers a simple way to earn rewards on all business expenses without worrying about specific spending categories.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards can be redeemed for cash back at any time and for any amount, typically as a statement credit or a check. This provides a straightforward way for cardholders to access the value they've earned.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: The points earned are part of a flexible rewards program, allowing for redemption as cash back, gift cards, or for travel booked through the issuer's online portal. This versatility caters to a variety of business needs and preferences.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a data-driven approach to finding your next card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated options based on your own spending.
- Test Drive Feature: You can simulate potential earnings from a new card using your actual spending data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
- Extensive Card Database: The platform allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, giving you a comprehensive view of the market.
- Personalized Recommendations: Get card suggestions based on your real transaction history to find the best match for your lifestyle.
- Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn additional rewards on top of your regular card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through the platform, Kudos will match it.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit who can provide a minimum $200 security deposit. It's particularly well-suited for those who want to earn rewards while improving their credit, as it offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, making it a top secured card for rewards. Because of the card's high 28.99% variable APR, it's best for people who intend to pay their balance in full each month to avoid costly interest charges.
Who Should Choose the Ink Business Unlimited®?
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is an excellent no-annual-fee option for small business owners, freelancers, and even those with a side hustle who prefer straightforward rewards. It's particularly well-suited for businesses with diverse spending that doesn't fall into specific bonus categories, as it offers a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase. This card also helps entrepreneurs formally separate business and personal finances and provides the ability to issue employee cards with spending controls at no additional cost.
Alternatives to Consider
If you've reviewed our Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs. Ink Business Unlimited® comparison and still haven't found the right card, let's look at a few other top-tier alternatives. One of these might just be the perfect match for your needs.
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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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure it aligns with the card’s typical approval range.
- Plan your spending to meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
- Review application restrictions, such as Chase’s 5/24 rule, to confirm your eligibility.
Application Strategy
- Use pre-approval tools when available to check your odds without a hard inquiry.
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
- Separate business and personal spending to maintain clear financial records for tax purposes.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Which card is better for building credit?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is specifically designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. As the Ink Business Unlimited is a business card that typically requires good to excellent credit, it is not intended for credit-building purposes.
Do I need a security deposit for both cards?
No, only the Capital One Quicksilver Secured requires a refundable security deposit, which establishes your credit line. The Chase Ink Business Unlimited is an unsecured business credit card and does not require a deposit.
Can I use the Capital One Quicksilver Secured for business expenses?
While you technically could, it's not recommended because the Capital One Quicksilver Secured is a personal credit card. It is always best practice to keep personal and business finances separate by using a dedicated business card, like the Ink Business Unlimited, for company expenses.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.














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