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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card vs Apollo SBI Card

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

HDFC Bank

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.04%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeaturePharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit CardApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹500₹499
Joining Fee₹500₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹70,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.04%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating6.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

  • 0% on Pharmeasy — 3000 pts/month

Apollo SBI Card

  • 0% on Apollo Services
  • 0% on Dining, Movies & Entertainment
  • 0% on Beauty & Wellness

Pros & Cons

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on Pharmeasy spends including medicines and healthcare products
  • Complimentary 6-month Pharmeasy Plus membership worth ₹999
  • Up to 50% discount on diagnostic tests and health check-ups
  • Low annual fee waiver threshold of ₹70,000 per year

Cons

  • No airport lounge access benefits
  • Low base reward rate of 1 point per ₹150 spent
  • Monthly reward point cap of 3,000 points on partner spends

Apollo SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% value back (3X points) on all Apollo services including pharmacy and clinics
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 at Apollo POS
  • Complimentary OneApollo Gold Tier membership for the first year
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh

Cons

  • No airport lounge access (available only on the Select variant)
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends
  • Rewards are primarily valuable only within the Apollo ecosystem

Our Verdict

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

Choose Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card if

High 5% value back on regular medicine and diagnostic requirements via Pharmeasy.

Choose Apollo SBI Card if

Frequent users of Apollo Pharmacy and Apollo 24/7 app benefit from high reward rates and instant discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Apollo SBI Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹70,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.04% with accelerated rewards on Pharmeasy. Apollo SBI Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on Apollo Services and Dining, Movies & Entertainment. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
For beginners, Apollo SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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