Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Current Build Card vs Upgrade
Current Build Card
Higher score in this comparison
Upgrade
What sets them apart
| Compare | Current Build CardReviewVisitVisit | UpgradeReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| APR | 0%Lower | 7.74% to 35.99% |
| Rewards type | Points | Cashback |
| Rewards rate | 1x points per $1 on eligible purchases, redeemable as cash back | 3% cash back on gas, groceries, streaming and monthly subscriptions, and utilities; 1% on everything else, uncapped |
| Perks | 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 | Visa Zero Liability protection, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Roadside Dispatch, Upgrade Shopping offers, Rewards do not expire, 24/7 fraud monitoring and real time alerts, Flexible payment options Pay Now, Pay in 4, Pay Over Time (coming soon) |
| Card kind | Charge | Credit |
| Credit needed | Poor | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Annual fee ($0), Currency conversion fee (3%).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Current Build Card scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- APR is lower at Current Build Card: 0% vs 7.74% to 35.99%.
- Perks: only Current Build Card offers Paycheck advance up to $750 with qualifying direct deposit, Paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit, Fee free overdraft.
- Perks: only Upgrade offers Visa Zero Liability protection, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Roadside Dispatch.
- Support channels: only Current Build Card offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Upgrade offers Phone.
- Pricing model: only Current Build Card offers No annual fee.
- Pricing model: only Upgrade offers Fixed rate.
- Features: only Current Build Card offers Rewards, Secured.
- Features: only Upgrade offers Same day funding, Credit line.
Our verdict on each
Current Build Card
The Current Build Card suits US adults building credit who want a secured card with no annual fee. Its rewards are one point per dollar on eligible purchases, redeemable as cash back. Foreign spend costs 3%, so it is poor value abroad and better kept for domestic use.
Upgrade
Upgrade suits US borrowers who want a direct lender with fixed rate personal loans, a credit line and quick access to money, and the fee is taken from the proceeds before you see it. It scores 6.4 on offer, and the arrangement fee runs 1.85% to 9.99% on top of the rate.
Score breakdown
| Area | Current Build Card | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherAnnual fee of $0 and an APR of 0%, the weakest part being the 3% currency conversion fee. | 9.0 |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.4Direct lender with loans of $1,000 to $50,000 over 24 to 84 at 7.74% to 35.99%, plus same day funding and a credit line. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.4 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Current Build Card | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 20 of 1594 | 26 of 1594 |
| Credit cards | 6 of 421 | 9 of 421 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Current Build Card | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | NMLS (Finco Advance LLC) 2670557 NMLS (FinCo Licensing LLC) 2533115 Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner EWA.0000025 State of Missouri Division of Finance EWA-25-9579 Utah Division of Consumer Protection 14246805-EWAS |
Available in 1 country for both.
What it costs in practice
A year with 1,000 spent abroad
Current Build Card
$30
1 × $0 + 3% of 1,000
Upgrade
$30
1 × $0 + 3% of 1,000
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.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Current Build Card | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | Fixed rate |
| Features | Rewards, Secured | Same day funding, Credit line |
| Legal entity | Finco Services, Inc. | Upgrade, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Debit cards
| Fact | Current Build Card | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Visa |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Current Build Card | Upgrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| APR | 0%lowest quarter | 7.74% to 35.99%below the median | 11.635% |
| Currency conversion fee | 3%highest quarter | 3%highest quarter | 1% |
Median across 486 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Current Build Card
Pros
- Annual fee of $0 and an APR of 0%, so holding and carrying a balance cost nothing
- Secured, so it suits a poor credit profile
- Points on eligible purchases, redeemable as cash back, with a points scheme
Cons
- Currency conversion fee of 3% is the weak spot for travel spending
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line listed
- It is a charge card, so full balances come due each cycle rather than revolving on terms
Upgrade
Pros
- Fixed rate personal loans with an APR of 7.74% to 35.99%
- Free early repayment lets you settle the balance early without a charge
- Soft prequalification, so a soft prequal credit check comes before a hard search
Cons
- The arrangement fee of 1.85% to 9.99% is deducted from loan proceeds, so the amount received is lower than the amount borrowed
- The top of the APR range is far above the site median of 15.5%
- The smallest loan is $1,000 to $50,000, which rules out small emergency amounts
Who each suits
Current Build Card
Who it suits
- US adults with a poor credit history needing a first card with no annual fee
- Anyone who wants a secured card reporting to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
- Direct deposit earners who value early pay and fee-free overdrafts
Who should look elsewhere
- Frequent travellers, since the currency conversion fee of 3% applies on foreign spend
- Anyone who wants to revolve a balance on a card credit line, as this is a charge card
- People who need phone support, since channels are limited to email, chat and help centre
Upgrade
Who it suits
- US residents who want one lender for a loan and a credit line
- Borrowers consolidating debt or funding home improvement who value a fixed rate
- Adults who prefer a soft prequal credit check before committing
Who should look elsewhere
- Borrowers who would rather pay fees up front, since the arrangement fee of 1.85% to 9.99% comes out of the amount borrowed
- Anyone outside the US, as eligibility is tied to US residency and citizenship status
- Borrowers who need a very large sum, since the maximum is $1,000 to $50,000
Country by country
| Country | Current Build Card | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Current Build Card
How much is the Current Build Card to keep?+
There is no annual fee, so the card costs nothing to hold in the US. The APR is 0%, which means no interest is added to balances. The only charge to watch is the 3% currency conversion fee on foreign spending.
Who can apply for this secured card?+
It is built for a poor credit profile, since a secured card backs your limit with a deposit rather than a long credit history. Teen and custodial accounts are also offered, so younger US account holders can start building a file.
Upgrade
What rate will I pay on an Upgrade personal loan?+
Upgrade offers fixed rate loans with an APR of 7.74% to 35.99% and terms of 24 to 84. Loans cover personal, debt consolidation, secured and car borrowing, and the model is fixed rate rather than variable, so repayments stay the same each month.
How much does an Upgrade loan cost in fees?+
An arrangement fee of 1.85% to 9.99% applies, and it is deducted from your loan proceeds rather than billed separately. That means the amount you receive is lower than the amount you borrow, so the fee and the interest rate stack up.
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