Counter advice, no bank jargon

Which card is right for you? Ask at the counter.

Tell us your situation. We show the real yearly cost first, then the perks — and say plainly who should skip a card.

Take a number: what is your situation?

  1. My first card Easy approval, low limit to start
  2. Low Interest Lower rates if you carry a balance
  3. No annual fee Pay nothing just to keep it
  4. Cashback Money back on everyday spending
  5. Miles and travel Lounges, miles, fewer foreign fees
  • Real yearly cost before perks
  • No one can promise approval — we never do
  • Fine print explained in plain words

Recently added

R

Refresh Financial Secured Visa Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Canadians with bad credit wanting dual-bureau reporting

  • Annual fee CA$48
  • Rewards —
  • APR 17.99%

Lower APR than most Canadian secured cards and reports to both bureaus. The annual fee is a trade-off.

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S

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

 Amex

Who it's for: Ideal for those who frequently spend on dining and entertainment, looking to maximize rewards through Scene+.

  • Annual fee CA$120
  • Rewards 5%
  • APR 21.99%

This card offers excellent rewards for frequent diners and entertainment seekers, but the high APR may deter those who carry a balance.

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R

RBC Avion Visa Infinite

 Visa

Who it's for: Best for those who travel frequently and can leverage the rewards for flights and upgrades.

  • Annual fee CA$120
  • Rewards 1%
  • APR 20.99%

This card is ideal for frequent travelers seeking flexibility and rewards, though its APR may deter balance carriers.

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M

MBNA True Line Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Individuals with existing credit card debt who need a low-interest option to manage payments effectively.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 12.99%

With a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first year, this card is ideal for those looking to manage existing debt. However, the maximum APR can reach 24.99%, which is steep for long-term users.

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B

BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Students with limited income who want to earn rewards while managing everyday expenses.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 3%
  • APR 21.99%

The BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students is for students looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases. Its no annual fee and high cashback rates make it an attractive option, but the APR can be steep for those who might carry a balance.

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S

Secured Neo Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Canadians looking for the lowest barrier to entry for a secured card that also earns rewards.

  • Annual fee CA$96
  • Rewards 1%
  • APR 19.99%

The Secured Neo Mastercard stands out for its extremely low $50 minimum deposit — one of the lowest in Canada. It also earns 1% cash back on gas and groceries, which is unusual for a secured card. The monthly fee of $7.99 adds up to about $96/year, but the cash back and credit-building tools partially offset it.

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A

American Express Cobalt Card

 Amex

Who it's for: Frequent diners and grocery shoppers in Canada with good credit looking to maximize rewards.

  • Annual fee CA$191.88
  • Rewards 5%
  • APR 21.99%

With a high rewards rate of 5x points on dining and groceries, this card is ideal for foodies and frequent shoppers. However, the steep annual fee may deter casual users.

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T

TD Low Rate Visa Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Individuals who typically carry a balance and prioritize low interest rates over rewards.

  • Annual fee CA$25
  • Rewards —
  • APR 12.9%

With a low 12.99% interest rate, this card is great for those who carry a balance. However, the lack of a rewards program may deter those looking for perks.

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T

TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Individuals with good credit seeking to earn cash back rewards on everyday purchases while traveling.

  • Annual fee CA$139
  • Rewards —
  • APR 21.99%

This card is excellent for those looking to maximize cash back on their spending, especially with the 10% cash back on eligible purchases in the first three months. However, the high annual fee and APR may deter users who carry a balance.

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H

Home Trust Secured Visa Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Budget-conscious Canadians who want a simple, fee-free secured card focused purely on credit building.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 19.99%

The Home Trust Secured Visa is about as simple as secured cards get — no annual fee, no rewards, no gimmicks. The 19.99% interest rate is fair for a secured card, and the broad deposit range ($500-$10,000) gives you flexibility on your credit limit. Reports to both Equifax and TransUnion.

Recommended View card

C

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Best suited for frequent travelers who can leverage the card's travel rewards and benefits.

  • Annual fee CA$139
  • Rewards 2%
  • APR 21.99%

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card offers solid travel rewards but comes with a notable annual fee.

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C

CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students

 Visa

Who it's for: Best for students wanting to earn cashback on everyday grocery purchases without incurring fees.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 2%
  • APR 21.99%

This card is a great choice for students looking to earn cashback without an annual fee.

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C

Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Individuals in Canada with no established credit looking to build their credit profile.

  • Annual fee CA$59
  • Rewards —
  • APR 21.9%

The Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard is those needing to establish or improve their credit, thanks to its guaranteed approval. However, the high APR range of 21.9% to 29.9% can be costly for long-term users.

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T

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Individuals with a gross annual income of at least $12,000 who frequently spend in specific categories and want a no-fee credit card.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 2%
  • APR 20.95%

The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is excellent for those who want to maximize cash back in specific spending categories without an annual fee. However, the 0.5% rate on general purchases is less competitive compared to other cards.

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T

TD Secured Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: TD Bank customers building credit

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 19.99%

Another Big Five secured card option. TD's extensive branch network is a plus for in-person banking.

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S

SimplyCash Card from American Express

 Amex

Who it's for: Best for Canadians who frequently spend on gas and groceries and prefer straightforward cashback rewards.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 2%
  • APR 21.99%

The SimplyCash Card is a solid choice for everyday spenders looking to earn cashback without an annual fee.

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S

Scotiabank Secured Visa Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Canadian newcomers wanting to start with a major bank

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 19.99%

A secured card from one of Canada's Big Five banks. The big-bank backing means easy graduation to unsecured cards.

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N

Neo World Elite Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: High-income Canadians with excellent credit scores who want to maximize cashback on everyday purchases.

  • Annual fee CA$125
  • Rewards 5%
  • APR 19.99%

With a strong cashback structure, this card is a those who frequently spend on groceries and gas. However, the high annual fee and income requirements limit accessibility for average earners.

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C

CIBC Secured Visa Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Newcomers wanting to build credit with a major Canadian bank

  • Annual fee CA$35
  • Rewards —
  • APR 19.99%

Big Five bank secured card with a clear path to unsecured products. Annual fee is the trade-off for the CIBC relationship.

Recommended View card

B

BMO CashBack Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Best for consumers who primarily spend on groceries and want to avoid annual fees.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 3%
  • APR 21.99%

This card is a practical choice for those who want to earn cashback without annual fees.

Recommended View card