Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States

Wells Fargo Active Cash vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.

US
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Active Cash
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
US
Capital One
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
VISA
Wins 1 of 10
Verdict

Wells Fargo Active Cash wins 2-1. No-fee 2% flat — competitive with Citi Double Cash. Capital One Spark Cash Plus is still the right call if high-spend small business — 2% flat with $1,200 welcome..

Side-by-side

CriterionWells Fargo Active CashCapital One Spark Cash Plus
Annual fee
No annual fee
·
$150
Joining fee
=
None
=
None
Top reward rate
=
2% (general)
=
2% (general)
Base reward rate
=
2%
=
2%
Forex markup
·
3%
No FX fee
Welcome bonus
=
$200 cashback after $500 in first 3 months
=
$1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months
Fee waiver threshold
=
N/A (no fee)
=
No waiver
Min income
=
=
Min credit score
670
·
720
Editorial rating
=
4.5/5
=
4.5/5

Benefits compared

Wells Fargo Active Cash

  • 2% unlimited cashback on every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months
  • Cell phone protection (up to $600/claim)
  • Visa Signature concierge

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

  • Unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase
  • 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
  • No preset spending limit
  • Annual fee refund of $150 if you spend $150K/year
  • No foreign transaction fees

FAQ

Wells Fargo Active Cash vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus: which is better?

Wells Fargo Active Cash wins on more dimensions (2 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 Wells Fargo Active Cash for its best categories, Capital One Spark Cash Plus for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.

Which one has the better welcome bonus?

Wells Fargo Active Cash: $200 cashback after $500 in first 3 months. Capital One Spark Cash Plus: $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months.