Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Current vs Upgrade
Current
Upgrade
Higher score in this comparison
Current vs Upgrade: the differences
| Compare | CurrentReviewVisitVisit | UpgradeReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
Same on both: Monthly fee ($0), Currency conversion fee (3%), Card type (Debit), Card network (Visa).
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
- Upgrade scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Support channels: only Current offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Upgrade offers Phone.
- Features: only Current offers Crypto, Custodial.
- Features: only Upgrade offers Same day funding, Credit line.
Our verdict on each
Current
Current suits US families and anyone who wants one app for spending, saving and short crypto trades. No monthly fee of $0 and an annual fee of $0 keep the everyday cost at nil, though 3% on currency conversion gives foreign spend away.
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 | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8No monthly or annual fee, fee-free overdraft, but a currency conversion fee of 3% bites on foreign spend. | 9.0Higher |
| Offer | 9.4 | 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 |
The bill, worked out
A year with 1,000 spent abroad
Current
$30
12 × $0 + 3% of 1,000
Upgrade
$30
12 × $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.
Availability and regulation
| Country | Current | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
Available in 1 country for both.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Current | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 34 of 1594 | 26 of 1594 |
| Credit cards | 12 of 421 | 9 of 421 |
| Debit cards | 25 of 826 | 19 of 826 |
Where these facts come from
Current
- current.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Upgrade
- upgrade.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Current | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Custodial | Same day funding, Credit line |
| Audience | Kids | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Finco Services, Inc. | Upgrade, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Credit cards
| Fact | Current | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| APR | 0%Lower | 7.74% to 35.99% |
| Rewards type | Points | Cashback |
| Pricing model | No annual fee | Fixed rate |
| 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 |
| Credit needed | Poor | Not confirmed |
| 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 |
Savings
| Fact | Current | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 0.25% to 4% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Fixed |
| Term | Not confirmed | 24 to 84 months |
| Minimum deposit | $0.010 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit protection | FDIC up to USD 250,000 | Not confirmed |
| Access terms | Savings Pods accessible on demand in the mobile app, no notice period, up to three pods | Not confirmed |
| Account kind | Easy access | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Current | Upgrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 3%highest quarter | 3%highest quarter | 1% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2%at the median | 2% |
Median across 336 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Current
Pros
- No monthly fee of $0 and fee-free overdraft
- Pods pay a variable 0.25% to 4% from a minimum deposit of $0.01
- Deposits hold FDIC up to USD 250,000 protection
Cons
- Currency conversion costs 3% on foreign spend
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, so there is no phone line
- The savings rate is variable and the boost can sit at the bottom of 0.25% to 4%
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
Who it suits
- US households that want spending and savings in a single app
- Parents setting up a teen or custodial account with a debit card
- Anyone who wants to buy and sell crypto alongside everyday banking
Who should look elsewhere
- Frequent travellers, since currency conversion runs at 3%
- Anyone outside the US, where Current does not operate
- People who want a UK or euro current account with a branch-style support line
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 | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Current
Is there a monthly fee for a Current account?+
No. The monthly fee is $0 and the annual fee is $0, and overdrafts on the debit card are fee-free. Cash deposits, direct deposits and the savings pods sit inside the same app, so there is no separate charge to open the account.
What does currency conversion cost?+
Spending in another currency is charged 3%. That is the main cost to watch if you travel or buy from overseas sellers, and it applies to the debit card.
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.