Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Aqua Card vs Current
Current
Higher score in this comparison
Aqua Card
What sets them apart
| Compare | Aqua CardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | CurrentReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 | $0 |
| APR | 39.9% | 0%Lower |
| 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 | Paycheck advance up to $750 with qualifying direct deposit, Paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit, Fee free overdraft, 40,000 fee free in network ATMs, Savings Pods with annual boosts up to 4.00%, Buy and sell crypto with no trading fees, Cash deposits at 60,000 retail locations, Credit reporting to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, Teen and custodial accounts |
| Card kind | Credit | Charge |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 3% |
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | Points |
| Rewards rate | Not confirmed | 1x points per $1 on eligible purchases, redeemable as cash back |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 months | Not confirmed |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Credit needed (Poor).
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Key differences
- Current scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- APR is lower at Current: 0% vs 39.9%.
- Perks: only Aqua Card offers 24/7 fraud protection, Free credit score checks in the Aqua app, Aqua Coach credit building tool.
- Perks: only Current offers Paycheck advance up to $750 with qualifying direct deposit, Paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit, Fee free overdraft.
- Support channels: only Aqua Card offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Current offers Email.
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.
Current
Current suits people who want a no monthly fee account with a Visa debit card, fee-free overdrafts and crypto trading on the same balance. Weigh the currency conversion fee of 3% against a 1% site median, and check what the card costs you abroad.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aqua Card | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8HigherAnnual fee of £0 on the Aqua Classic and balance transfer cards, with a balance transfer fee of 3%. | 8.7Monthly fee of $0 and annual fee of $0, but a currency conversion fee of 3% against a 1% site median. |
| Offer | 9.2Perks centre on credit building: score checks, the Aqua Coach tool. | 9.6Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Aqua Card | Current |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 682417 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Aqua Card: 1. Additional countries for Current: 1.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Aqua Card | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 183 of 1020 | 21 of 1020 |
| Bad credit and credit builder cards | 15 of 23 | 2 of 23 |
What we checked
Aqua Card
- aquacard.co.uk: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Current
- current.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Aqua Card | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Features | Not confirmed | Crypto, Custodial |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Kids |
| Legal entity | NewDay Ltd | Finco Services, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Aqua Card | Current | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 39.9%highest quarter | 0%lowest quarter | 19.39% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 3%highest quarter | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 monthslowest quarter | Not confirmed | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3%at the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
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
Current
Pros
- Monthly fee of $0 and annual fee of $0, so keeping the account open costs you nothing to run
- Fee-free overdrafts, which means a short dip under your balance does not add a charge to your bill
- Buy and sell crypto with no trading fees, with the account also listed for custodial holdings
Cons
- A currency conversion fee of 3% against a 1% site median, so foreign spending costs more than it does with a low conversion pick
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line when a card is frozen or a payment is disputed
- The account is a charge card in the charge sense, listed at 3.2% against 96.8% for the credit kind, so treat the balance as a sum to clear rather than revolving
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
Current
Who it suits
- US customers who want no monthly fee and no annual fee on a Visa debit card
- Parents looking for teen and custodial accounts, the audience the brand lists
- People who want to hold and trade crypto inside the same spending account
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone spending heavily abroad, since the 3% conversion fee sits well above the 1% site median, where Wise or a no foreign fee pick is cheaper
- People who need a phone line for urgent card problems, since support runs on email, chat and help centre
- Shoppers who want cash back as the standard reward, since points are the points model here
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 | Current |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
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.
Current
Does Current charge a monthly or annual fee?+
No. The monthly fee is $0 and the annual fee is $0, so running the account costs you nothing. Money only leaves your balance when you spend it or draw cash, and foreign spending is where a charge can appear. It sits in the same no annual fee group as most compared brands.
How much does it cost to spend in another currency?+
The currency conversion fee is 3%, which is above the 1% site median and well above the 0% lower end. Because the card is on the Visa network, it works abroad, but the conversion charge is the number to budget for. Providers built for travel usually convert at a lower rate.
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Current
Aqua Card