Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Credit cards
$0/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Credit cards
$95/yrAnnual fee
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
- Leads 2 of 3 rankable overall specs; Chase Sapphire Preferred Card takes 1.
- Annual fee: $0 vs $95
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Regular APR: 20.49% – 29.24% Variable APR vs 21.49% – 28.49% Variable APR
It also charges $95 less a year.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Chase Freedom Unlimited has foreign transaction fee. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual feeFees & Rates | $0 (No annual fee) | $95 |
| Regular APRFees & Rates | 20.49% – 29.24% Variable APR | 21.49% – 28.49% Variable APR |
| Foreign transaction feeFees & Rates | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | None (0%) |
| Rewards rateRewards & Perks | 5% travel via Chase, 3% dining & drugstores, 1.5% unlimited on all other purchases | 5X travel via Chase, 3X dining/online grocery/select streaming, 2X other travel, 1X other |
| Sign-up bonusRewards & Perks | $150 bonus (or extra 1.5% on all spend up to $20k in first year) after $500 spend | 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $4,000 spend in first 3 months ($750 travel value) |
Showing 5 of 10 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Reasons to choose it
- No annual fee with 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
- 15 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Pairs seamlessly with Sapphire cards to pool Ultimate Rewards points
Worth considering
- 3% foreign transaction fee on foreign purchases
- Requires Sapphire card to transfer points to airline partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Reasons to choose it
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel
- 1:1 point transfers to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and British Airways
- Primary rental car collision damage waiver insurance
Worth considering
- No airport lounge access
- $95 annual fee is not waived the first year
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
What three years could cost
Chase Freedom Unlimited
3-Year Estimated Total$0
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
3-Year Estimated Total$285
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which card has the lower annual fee, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
Chase Freedom Unlimited charges $95 a year less.
What is the biggest catch with the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has this deal-breaker: annual fee. You pay before a single reward is earned.
Which is better for travel, the Chase Freedom Unlimited or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?
Tied on travel. Chase Freedom Unlimited charges less a year. The 2 rankable travel specs split 1 to 1. Saves $95 a year in fees.
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 10 specs tracked here, 7 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.