Citi Simplicity® vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Easily compare up to three credit cards side by side with our intuitive comparison tool. Assess features, offers, and more to find the best fit for your financial needs.

Citi Simplicity<sup>®</sup> Card Citi Simplicity® Card Chase Freedom Unlimited<sup>®</sup> Card Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
9.0MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 9.0

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
9.8
Regular APR
9.5
Rewards
6.4
Benefits
9
Welcome Bonus
9.3
Recommended Credit Score: 9
Foreign Transaction Fee: 8.5
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 9.4
8.7MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.7

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
7
Regular APR
9
Rewards
9.1
Benefits
8.1
Welcome Bonus
8.7
Recommended Credit Score: 9.3
Foreign Transaction Fee: 7.7
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 9.3
ANNUAL FEE
$0 $0
INTRO APR
0% intro APR on Purchases for first 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for first 21 months on qualifying balance transfers 0% intro APR on Purchases for first 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for first 15 months on qualifying balance transfers
REGULAR APR
19.24% - 29.99% Variable APR Intro time end, 20.49% - 29.24% (V) APR after that
PROS
  • 0% intro rate on new purchases for 12 months
  • Cardholders will pay no annual fee
  • No penalty APR
  • No late fees
  • 1.5 - 5% cash back
  • 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • No minimum redemption amount
  • Earn a $200 bonus
CONS
  • No rewards
  • Balance transfer fee
  • High regular APR
  • 3 percent foreign transaction fee
  • Assesses a balance transfer fee.
  • Ongoing balance transfer fee is high
  • 3% Foreign transaction fee
WELCOME BONUS
0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and purchases from date of account opening Get an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
REWARDS
Citi Simplicity® Card Rewards stand out as a highly versatile credit currency, offering a myriad of redemption options to suit your preferences. You can utilize your rewards in a variety of ways, including:
  • No Rewards offer
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card Rewards program provides exceptional flexibility in credit currency. Redeem your earnings across a wide range of options, including:
  • Through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.
  • 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 3% cash back on dining at restaurants
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
BENEFITS
Flexible payment due date - Cardholders are able to choose a payment due date that works best for them. No penalty APR - You won’t be assessed a penalty APR if you’re late on a payment. 21 month-APR offer on balance transfers - The 21-month offer on balance transfers is one of the longest intro APR offers. They have not paid interest for nearly two years. This gives cardholders the chance to make a serious dent in their debt. 12 month-APR offer on purchases - If you need to pay for purchases over time, you won't have to pay interest on them for a full year. However, there are cards with longer intro APR periods on purchases.  Fewer fees - The Citi Simplicity doesn’t charge an annual fee or late fees. It does, however, charge a balance transfer fee and cash advance fee. Unique cash back rate boost - The Freedom Unlimited card's latest welcome offer is better than its normal one. It gives you a chance at up to $300 in cash back (1.5% on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). This is a $100 boost to the card's usual $200 offer. Travel - Travel and emergency assistance services can help if you have issues away from home. They provide legal and medical referrals and other help. Roadside Dispatch can help in a roadside emergency. It covers tows, jump starts, tyre changes, and lockout service. 0% intro rate for purchases and balance transfers - Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 0% APRs for new purchases. They also offer 0% APRs for balance transfers. This is for the first 15 months. The purchase part is fine. Just make sure to pay off your full balance before the high regular rates start.  The only downsides are Chase Freedom Unlimited’s higher regular APR and its 3% balance transfer fee. The fee is for transfers in the first 60 days (5% after that). Purchase protection - If you buy an item with your Freedom Unlimited and it is stolen or damaged in the first 120 days, you can be reimbursed. You can get up to $500 per claim, with a max of $50,000 per account. Credit score & identity restoration services - Cardholders can use Chase Credit Journey to access their credit score at any time. They can also get no-cost identity restoration services. 
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
BALANCE TRANSFER FEE
19.24% - 29.99% variable, 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, and 5% ($5 min) for each transfer after that Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional) 690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
3% 3% in U.S. dollars
BEST FOR
  • Small Business Owners
  • Everyday Spending
  • Balance Transfers
  • Travelers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Everyday Spending
  • Restaurant
  • Health and Wellness
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