Extra card was founded in 2020 and only recently became available to users. The premise of the card has some similarities to Fizz. With Extra, you can get the card and build your credit without a credit check - same as Fizz. Extra also links to your existing bank account to keep you from spending more than you have - same as Fizz. And Extra is paid off every day through your connected bank account so that you can’t build up a balance and be charged interest - just like when you enable daily Autopay and SafeFreeze with Fizz.

Probably the biggest difference between Extra and Fizz is the fact that Extra charges all of its users a monthly usage fee starting at more than $16 per month. Fizz, on the other hand, is less than $5 per month for college students. We think that while you're in college, your money should stay where it belongs: in your pocket so that you can spend it on what you want instead of having to pay just to build credit.

Extra, on the other hand, charges up to $22 a month for all users, even those in college, making Fizz the far superior option - whether you're in college or a recent graduate.

Extra is certainly helping people build credit who previously wouldn’t have been able to, so credit where credit is due. But with expensive monthly fees and lackluster rewards, Extra doesn’t quite stand out above it’s competition of secured cards or starter credit cards from Discover, Bank of America - and it certainly doesn't do as well as Fizz. Let’s take a closer look at how Extra stacks up against Fizz, and why Fizz is a clear winner.

Fees and Interest

Extra is expensive to use. In fact, you have to pay either $200 or $265 per year to use the card, which works out to about $16 or $22 per month. Fizz, on the other hand, is just $70 per year ($50 for students). Fizz doesn't charge hidden fees like fees for late or missed payments either. Instead, we make money through memberships and through tiny fees charged to merchants whenever you make a purchase.

As for interest, both Fizz and Extra don’t charge any interest. Both cards link to your bank account to keep you from overspending. Daily payments are mandatory with Extra, and Fizz includes features such as daily Autopay and SafeFreeze to help you stay on top of payments so that you don't build up a big balance.

Rewards

If you pay a whopping $200 per year for Extra, you’ll have access to their credit building package. You’ll still build credit, but you won’t earn any kind of rewards. Extra’s rewards + credit building option is an even steeper $265 per year and comes with the ability to earn rewards. The rewards rate is pretty unremarkable at essentially 1% cash back on purchases. To break even, you'd need to spend over $26,000 on your Extra card every year.

Fizz gives everyone access to a fantastic rewards program, whether you're a student or a recent graduate. With Fizz, you won’t earn a low flat cashback rate. Instead, you can earn cash back at places you love on campus and online, with cash back rates ranging as high as 25%. Fizz’s rewards are tailored to college students and cities specifically. Plus, Fizz reward rates tend to be in the double digits, helping you earn even more.

Credit and credit building

Both Fizz and Extra are options for those who don’t have credit and want to build credit. Neither card checks your credit, so you won’t have to worry about the approval process, which can be a big pain with student credit cards. Both Extra and Fizz build your credit score, so this part is more of a toss up.

The bottom line

When it comes to how the card itself functions, Fizz and Extra are quite similar. Both link to your existing bank account, keep you from spending more than you have, and operate on a daily payment schedule to keep you from building up a big balance.

But the similarities stop there, and Fizz is a clear winner. Extra is expensive - $200 to $265 per year - whereas Fizz is as cheap as $70 (or $50 per year if you're a student). Plus, the Fizz rewards program is tailored to the wants and needs of college students, while Extra's rewards program only offers 1% cash back and only does so if you pay the more expensive fee.

At Fizz, we think your money should stay in your pocket where it belongs. That way you can spend it on the things you love and care about, all while earning some sweet cash back. So apply for a Fizz card today!