Credit One Vs. Capital One (2024)

No, Credit One is not the same as Capital One. The names and logos are similar, though, so it’s easy to get confused.

Credit One is a small, independent financial company offering consumers personal credit cards. Credit One offers credit cards for people looking to rebuild credit. Credit One doesn’t have any physical branches customers can visit; all banking with the company is done online.

Capital One, on the other hand, is the ninth-largest bank in the U.S., with branches all over the country. Capital One offers personal and business credit cards, bank accounts, auto loans and more.

Credit One Bank is an online bank offering several personal credit cards. The card networks vary between Visa and American Express.

Most of Credit One’s cards are aimed at those rebuilding or establishing credit for the first time. Several of their cards offer cash-back rewards. For example, the Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® earns 5% cash-back rewards on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year, then 1% thereafter. All other purchases earn 1%. Credit One also offers a few co-branded cards, including the Credit One Bank® NASCAR® American Express® Credit Card and the Vegas Golden Knights Credit Card*.

Like many other card issuers, Credit One offers zero-fraud liability, access to credit scores (via Experian), credit education tools and account alerts via text and email.

Does Capital One Own Credit One?

No. Although Capital One and Credit One have similar names and branding, these companies are different banks and independent of each other. Capital One does not own Credit One.

Credit One’s best cards offer cash-back rewards and the opportunity to rebuild credit.

The Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® has the flashiest cash-back offer with 5% cash-back rewards on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year, then 1% thereafter. All other purchases earn 1%.

The Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit* is specifically designed for people with little to no credit history. Like many card issuers, Credit One will conduct periodic reviews to increase your credit line—as long as your account is in good standing, your credit line can increase over time, allowing you to improve your credit as long as your balance is low.

The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is arguably Credit One’s most well-rounded card and best for avid travelers. It has an annual fee of just $95 and offers solid rewards to cardholders of 10 points per dollar on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5 points per dollar on eligible travel, dining and gas and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

We recommend using Credit One’s pre-qualifying tool on its website to see which cards you qualify for and learn more about the rates, fees and terms of a particular card. Pre-qualifying is not a guarantee of approval, but it may indicate a better chance of receiving approval for a card.

Keep in mind that Credit One cards typically have higher-than-average APRs, which is typical of credit cards designed for those with less-than-stellar credit. Card terms are not determined until you get an offer for a card, so pre-qualifying may be your best chance to get some idea of what your credit card terms might be in advance.

Capital One is known for its widespread commercials and ubiquitous branding. It’s the ninth-largest bank in the U.S., with branches all over the country and millions of customers.

Capital One credit cards are some of the best in the market for travel and cash-back rewards. Co-branded cards include the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®* and the Key Rewards Card*.

Capital One offers competitive rewards cards for travel, cash back, rebuilding credit and more. Capital One has a much larger offering of credit cards than Credit One.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees), for example, offers 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel. While its annual fee is $395, the Venture X also offers an annual $300 travel credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel, letting you recoup most of the annual fee just through one benefit. Plus, earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

But if the Venture X’s annual fee is a bit too daunting, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is far more reasonable at $95 with fewer, but still exceptional, perks (rates & fees). You’ll earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. The card generally offers the same welcome bonus as the Venture X. Venture Rewards currently offers: 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

If travel isn’t your main focus, Capital One also offers solid cash-back cards. For an annual fee of $95, you can earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and 1% on all other purchases with the Savor Rewards Credit Card*. And don’t forget about its sibling card, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees). It lets you earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, and 1% on all other purchases all without the annual fee. And for those who are looking to finance a large purchase, the SavorOne sweetens the deals with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months, 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you.

Read more: Best Capital One Cards

Capital One and Credit One may sound similar, but these financial institutions are not the same company. Capital One is a large banking institution with a slew of credit cards for both personal and business use, and their lineup ranges from premium travel cards to cards for fair credit to secured cards. Credit One is a smaller financial company operating solely online that primarily offers credit cards for those who have average credit or are rebuilding their credit.

We recommend using pre-approval tools if available before formally applying for a new card. Always read the terms and research your options before opening a new credit card to make sure you understand how a particular card aligns with your financial and personal goals.