Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
IDFC FIRST Select vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select
VISA
Wins 6 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Pulse
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict
IDFC FIRST Select wins 6-3. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. SBI Pulse is still the right call if health/fitness focused — smartwatch + wellness benefits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Select | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 10% (shopping) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹600,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
IDFC FIRST Select
- 10x reward points on ₹20K+ monthly spend
- 6x reward points on ₹20K below threshold
- 3x reward points on offline spend
- Lifetime free — no annual fee, ever
- 4 complimentary domestic + 2 international lounge visits per quarter
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
SBI Pulse
- Free Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 smartwatch
- 4 reward points per ₹100 on chemists, dining, movies
- 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
- Cult.fit + 1mg discount partnerships
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Select vs SBI Pulse: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (6 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories, SBI Pulse for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IDFC FIRST Select: 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.