Updated September 29, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Aqua Card vs Capital One
Aqua Card
Capital One
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Aqua CardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Capital OneReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 | $0 |
| APR | 39.9% | 34.9%Lower |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 months | 18 monthsHigher |
| Credit needed | Poor | Excellent |
| Perks | 24/7 fraud protection, Free credit score checks in the Aqua app, Aqua Coach credit building tool, Instalment plans, Offers and discounts from well known brands in the Aqua app, Contactless Mastercard, Instant spend with Apple Pay and Google Pay, UK based call centre support, Credit limit increases for well managed accounts | Free CreditWise credit score and report, Up to 56 days interest free on new spends, Section 75 protection on spends between GBP 100 and GBP 30,000, Up to 2 credit limit increases a year, Free QuickCheck eligibility check with no impact to credit score, Round the clock fraud security |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | Cashback |
| Rewards rate | Not confirmed | unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 1.5% |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FDIC |
Same on both: Balance transfer fee (3%), Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- Capital One scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- APR is lower at Capital One: 34.9% vs 39.9%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Capital One: 18 months vs 5 months.
- Perks: only Aqua Card offers 24/7 fraud protection, Free credit score checks in the Aqua app, Aqua Coach credit building tool.
- Perks: only Capital One offers Free CreditWise credit score and report, Up to 56 days interest free on new spends, Section 75 protection on spends between GBP 100 and GBP 30,000.
Our verdict on each
Aqua Card
Aqua Card suits people with poor credit who want a UK credit card and tools to build their credit file. Its annual fee is £0, so the real cost sits in the representative APR of 39.9% charged on any balance you carry.
Capital One
Capital One suits spenders who want cashback on everyday purchases with no annual cost while accepting card approval for shoppers with strong credit. You pay currency conversion fees of 0% and face APR of 34.9% if you carry a balance, so clearing in full each month matters most.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aqua Card | Capital One |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Annual fee of £0 on the Aqua Classic and balance transfer cards, with a balance transfer fee of 3%. | 9.2HigherCost reflects annual fee of $0 plus currency conversion fees of 0%. |
| Offer | 9.2Perks centre on credit building: score checks, the Aqua Coach tool. | 9.4HigherOffer reflects balance transfer intro period of 18 and APR of 34.9%. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.9Trust reflects licence FDIC cert 4297 held by Capital One, National Association. |
Moving a 3,000 balance
Aqua Card
90
3% of 3,000
Capital One
90
3% of 3,000
Both come to the same total.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
How they place
| Ranking | Aqua Card | Capital One |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 183 of 1020 | 176 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 15 of 35 | 14 of 35 |
Also worth a look
HSBC UK has balance transfer intro period at 17 to 36 months, against 5 months for Aqua Card and 18 months for Capital One.
HSBC UK reviewWhat we checked
Aqua Card
- aquacard.co.uk: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Capital One
- capitalone.com: 10 facts, checked September 29, 2026
- capitalone.co.uk: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- banks.data.fdic.gov: 3 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Aqua Card | Capital One |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Features | Not confirmed | Rewards |
| Legal entity | NewDay Ltd | Capital One, National Association |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1985 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre |
Debit cards
| Fact | Aqua Card | Capital One |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Aqua Card | Capital One | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 39.9%highest quarter | 34.9%highest quarter | 19.39% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0%below the median | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 monthslowest quarter | 18 monthsabove the median | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3%at the median | 3%at the median | 3% |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 1.5%at the median | 1.5% |
Median across 312 listed cards.
Pros and cons
Aqua Card
Pros
- Annual fee of £0 on the Aqua Classic and on the balance transfer card
- Contactless Mastercard with instant spend through Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Support runs on phone, chat and help centre plus a UK based call centre
Cons
- Interest is the main cost, at a representative APR of 39.9% on the Aqua Classic and the balance transfer card
- The balance transfer offer runs for 5 and each transfer costs 3%
- It is a credit card, so it suits people ready to clear a balance each month rather than spend beyond their means
Capital One
Pros
- Annual fee of $0 keeps yearly card costs at free while you hold the account.
- Currency conversion fees of 0% keep foreign purchases free of added conversion charges.
- Balance transfer intro period of 18 gives room to spread repayment of moved debt.
Cons
- APR of 34.9% makes carried balances costly, so full repayment matters for value.
- Balance transfer fee of 3% adds cost when you move debt despite the intro period of 18.
Who each suits
Aqua Card
Who it suits
- People with poor credit who want a credit card that accepts an application
- Borrowers who want a fee free way to start a credit file in the UK
- Anyone who wants to check a credit score and track limits inside the app
Who should look elsewhere
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card or Chime Card, if you would rather put a deposit behind the card than rely on a credit check
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card, if you want a debit account that spends only what you hold
Capital One
Who it suits
- Shoppers who pay in full and want cashback with annual fee of $0 and currency conversion fees of 0%.
- Planners who want a balance transfer intro period of 18 to spread moved debt in a structured way.
Who should look elsewhere
- Carried balances: if you often revolve debt, Oney Préstamos may merit a look because Capital One APR of 34.9% is costly.
- Business money management: if you need invoicing and team controls, Qonto may fit better than a card of debit built around spending.
Current offers
Aqua Card
Current offer
First period offer
0% on balance transfers for up to 5 months on the Aqua balance transfer credit card: 0% interest for up to 5 months, 3% balance transfer fee (minimum GBP 3)
Transfers must be made within 60 days of account opening; offer period runs from date of account opening; minimum payment must be made in full and on time and the credit limit must not be exceeded or the promotional rate is withdrawn; 34.9% APR representative variable
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Aqua Card | Capital One |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Aqua Card
Is there an annual fee on the Aqua Card?+
The annual fee is £0 on the Aqua Classic, and the balance transfer version carries the same figure. The only regular cost is therefore the interest on a balance you carry, at a representative APR of 39.9%.
What APR does the Aqua Card charge?+
The representative APR is 39.9%, which is high for a UK credit card. It suits people who clear their balance each month rather than rolling one, since interest accrues on whatever you carry.
Capital One
Does Capital One charge an annual fee?+
What is the annual fee on Capital One? Annual fee is $0, which means fixed yearly card costs stay at free. You still need to manage APR of 34.9% and balance transfer fee of 3% when you carry or move balances.
What APR does Capital One charge?+
APR is 34.9%. That rate applies when you carry a balance beyond the payment due date. Paying in full each cycle helps you avoid interest and keeps the cashback value intact over time.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Aqua Card
Capital One