Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
SBI Cashback vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
SBI Card
SBI Cashback
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Pulse
Wins 1 of 10
Verdict
SBI Cashback wins 4-1. Pure online cashback — 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions. SBI Pulse is still the right call if health/fitness focused — smartwatch + wellness benefits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Cashback | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹999 | · ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | ₹999 | · ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | = ₹200,000 / yr | = ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | = ₹360,000 | = ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI Cashback
- 5% cashback on ALL online spends (not just listed merchants) — capped ₹5,000/month
- 1% cashback on offline spends
- Auto-credited within 2 days of statement
- 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
›SBI Cashback vs SBI Pulse: which is better?
SBI Cashback wins on more dimensions (4 vs 1). 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 SBI Cashback for online shopping, SBI Pulse for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
SBI Cashback: Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.