Capital One QuicksilverOne vs Chase Freedom Unlimited: Which Is Better In 2026?

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

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• It’s a versatile card that earns rewards on every purchase, with bonus earnings in popular spending categories.
• With no annual fee, it’s an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned credit card users looking to maximize rewards without extra cost.
• The rewards earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be combined with premium Chase cards, unlocking even greater value for travel.

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Pros

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• Offers a simple rewards structure with a consistent earning rate on every purchase, plus bonus rewards in popular spending categories.
• Provides flexible redemption options, including cash back and travel, with the ability to pool points with other Chase cards for potentially greater value.
• Comes with valuable travel and purchase protections, adding a layer of security to your spending.

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Cons

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• It's not the best choice for international travel, as it comes with foreign transaction fees.
• You’ll likely need a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
• To get the most value from your points, you’ll need to pair it with a premium Chase card.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Capital One QuicksilverOne or Chase Freedom Unlimited, depends on your financial profile and goals. Each card is tailored to a different type of consumer, from those building credit to those maximizing everyday rewards.

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• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for credit builders. It's an excellent choice for individuals with average credit who are looking to improve their score while earning rewards.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® is best for cash back seekers. This card is ideal for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent rewards on their daily purchases without complex bonus categories.

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Redemption

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Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards: Redemption is straightforward, allowing you to receive your cash back as a statement credit or a check. You can also redeem rewards to cover recent purchases or for gift cards, offering a few flexible options.

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card earns points that offer a wide range of redemption choices, including cash back, gift cards, and travel booked through Chase. The points can also be combined with other eligible Chase cards to unlock even more valuable travel redemption options.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards and find personalized matches based on your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential rewards before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Receive detailed approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards with Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.
• Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your card perks in one place.

Who Should Choose the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card is primarily designed for individuals with average credit who are looking to build their credit history while earning rewards. Its straightforward, unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases makes it a solid choice for everyday spenders who value simplicity over complex bonus categories. Additionally, the card appeals to international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and to entertainment enthusiasts seeking exclusive access to events through Capital One Entertainment.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want a straightforward rewards card without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's also a strategic pick for existing Chase customers looking to maximize their rewards, as points can be combined with premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for enhanced travel redemptions. Finally, individuals seeking valuable benefits such as purchase protection and trip cancellation insurance without committing to an annual fee will find this card particularly appealing.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited® comparison highlights two strong contenders, but they aren't the only options available. If you're still searching for the perfect card for your wallet, here are a few other alternatives to explore.

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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 - Some cards require good to excellent credit, while others are accessible to those with average credit.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can comfortably meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer without forcing purchases.
• Review your card strategy - Consider how a new card fits with your existing cards and be aware of any issuer-specific application rules.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
• Understand the issuer's ecosystem, as some cards are more valuable when paired with others.
• Know when to decline an offer, since some application processes let you see the offer before you accept.

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 credit score do I need for the QuicksilverOne and Freedom Unlimited cards?

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The Capital One QuicksilverOne is designed for those with fair or average credit, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited® typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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Do the QuicksilverOne and Freedom Unlimited have annual fees?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not have an annual fee, but the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card does have one.

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Are these cards good for international travel?

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The Capital One QuicksilverOne is a better choice for international use as it does not charge foreign transaction fees, unlike the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

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