Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Active Cash
86/ 100 · Solid pick
Readers who want a flat 2% cashback card AND a 15-month 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers — the dual-use case is rare at $0 AF.
Find your matchWells Fargo Active Cash vs Capital One Quicksilver
Two $0-fee flat-rate cards — the simplest category in consumer credit. The Active Cash earns 2% on everything; the Quicksilver earns 1.5%. On pure earnings, the Active Cash returns 33% more per dollar. The only reasons to lean Quicksilver are international use (no foreign transaction fee versus the Active Cash's 3%) and the Capital One ecosystem. Both bundle a 0% intro-APR window.
Scored against our published methodology · Updated July 21, 2026
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Capital One
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
85/ 100 · Solid pick
People who want one no-annual-fee card that does three things at once: 1.5% unlimited cash back, a 0% intro-APR window, and no foreign transaction fee. It's the flat-rate workhorse for someone who won't track categories and occasionally spends abroad.
Find your matchBest for — by the numbers
- Wells Fargo Active Cash leads on higher published ClearValue score, higher published Rewards score.
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards leads on lower published Foreign transaction fee, higher published Fee-structure score.
Per-spec leads are computed from each issuer's published facts and our scored methodology — there is no single overall winner. Reviewed July 21, 2026. ClearValue Cards earns compensation through our CardRatings partnership, paid when a reader clicks out to CardRatings from our match tool, and through separately labeled, paid partner placements (marked "Advertiser Disclosure · Sponsored") that sit outside our card rankings. Neither compensation source influences editorial scoring or ordering.
Head-to-head, by the spec
| Spec | Wells Fargo Active Cash | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| 0% intro APR period | 15 months | 15 months |
| Ongoing APR (from) | 18.49% | 18.49% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | None |
| Rewards score | 17/20 | 15/20 |
| Fee-structure score | 19/20 | 20/20 |
| ClearValue score | 86/100 | 85/100 |
| Balance transfer fee | $5 or 3% (intro 120 days), then $5 or 5% | 3% during the 15-month intro window, 4% after |
A check marks the card that leads that spec on published figures. Rows with no marker are either tied or judgment calls (fee wording, late-fee terms) where a single "winner" would misrepresent the data.
What matters most to you?
Tap the spec you care about — we'll show which card leads on it.
For Foreign transaction fee, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards leads (None).
Pick the Wells Fargo Active Cash if
Anyone optimizing for domestic earnings who wants a flat 2% and a 0% intro window
2% on every purchase is 33% more than 1.5% — on $10,000 of annual spend that's $200 versus $150. The 15-month 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers makes it a rare dual-use card at $0 fee.
See your matchesPick the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards if
International spenders and Capital One ecosystem users
The Quicksilver charges no foreign transaction fee (the Active Cash charges 3%), so it's the better card to carry abroad despite the lower 1.5% rate. It also folds cash back, a 0% intro window, and no FX fee into a single $0-fee card.
See your matchesSkip both if
Category optimizers. A card that pays 3-5% where your spend concentrates — groceries, dining, gas — out-earns any flat 1.5-2% rate. Flat cards are the base layer, not the ceiling.
Weighing the numbers yourself? Run our free rewards vs. interest calculator.
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Take the 60-second quizThe full breakdown
Annual fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash: $0
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: $0
Flat rate
Wells Fargo Active Cash: 2% on everything
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: 1.5% on everything
Earnings on $10,000 spend
Wells Fargo Active Cash: $200
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: $150
Foreign transaction fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash: 3%
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: None
Intro APR
Wells Fargo Active Cash: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.49% – 28.49% variable
Honest knock
Wells Fargo Active Cash: The 3% FX fee makes it a poor travel card — keep it stateside
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: 1.5% trails the 2% flat leaders; you're paying a half-point for the no-FX convenience
Frequently asked
Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash better than the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?
Neither is universally better — it depends on how you spend. On our published 100-point methodology the Wells Fargo Active Cash scores 86/100 (Solid pick) and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards scores 85/100 (Solid pick). Anyone optimizing for domestic earnings who wants a flat 2% and a 0% intro window should lean Wells Fargo Active Cash; international spenders and Capital One ecosystem users should lean Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards. Take the 60-second quiz to see which fits your profile.
What is the annual fee difference between the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash carries $0 (no annual fee), sourced from the issuer's published Schumer Box as of July 15, 2026. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards carries $0 (no annual fee), as of July 20, 2026. Fees change — confirm the current number at the issuer before you decide.
Which is better for spending abroad, the Wells Fargo Active Cash or the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?
For purchases outside the U.S., the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards is the cleaner pick — it charges no foreign transaction fee, versus 3% on the Wells Fargo Active Cash.
How did ClearValue score the Wells Fargo Active Cash versus the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?
We score every card across five dimensions — effective rewards, fee structure, audience fit, transparency, and the weakness named — 0–20 each for a 100-point total. The Wells Fargo Active Cash earned 86/100 and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards earned 85/100. Scoring follows our published methodology and is never influenced by compensation.
Keep comparing
Independent editorial comparison. ClearValue Cards is not a card issuer, a bank, or a lender. ClearValue Cards earns compensation through our CardRatings partnership, paid when a reader clicks out to CardRatings from our match tool, and through separately labeled, paid partner placements (marked "Advertiser Disclosure · Sponsored") that sit outside our card rankings. Neither compensation source influences editorial scoring or ordering. Card facts are sourced from each issuer's published Schumer Box and terms — confirm current numbers at the issuer. See disclosure.