Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card vs SBI Card PULSE

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

6.2/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.2666666666666667%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit CardSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹500₹1,499
Joining Fee₹500₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2666666666666667%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

  • 0% on Grocery — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Utility Bills — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Fuel — 500 pts/month

SBI Card PULSE

  • 0.62% on Pharmacy & Chemists
  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Movies

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

Pros

  • 3X Reward Points on grocery, supermarkets, and utility bills.
  • Monthly milestone bonus of 500 points on spending ₹20,000.
  • Annual fee waiver on a relatively low spend of ₹1 Lakh.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations in India.

Cons

  • Low reward point value of ₹0.20 per point.
  • Accelerated rewards are capped at 500 points per month.
  • No complimentary airport lounge access.

SBI Card PULSE

Pros

  • Complimentary Noise ColorFit Pulse Smartwatch worth up to ₹7,999 as a welcome gift.
  • Annual FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships worth over ₹4,000.
  • High 2.5% reward rate (10 RP per ₹100) on pharmacies, chemists, dining, and movies.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on non-accelerated categories.
  • Priority Pass membership does not include any complimentary international visits.
  • Milestone voucher of ₹1,500 requires a high annual spend of ₹4 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

SBI Card PULSE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card if

Specifically designed for Equitas customers looking for an entry-level rewards card.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

Offers dedicated memberships for gyms (FITPASS) and online medicine (Netmeds) along with high rewards on pharmacy spends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card PULSE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2666666666666667% with accelerated rewards on Grocery and Utility Bills. SBI Card PULSE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
For beginners, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card

Explore More

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card Full ReviewSBI Card PULSE Full ReviewAll HDFC Bank CardsAll SBI Card CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips