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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

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

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeaturePharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit CardSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹500₹1,499
Joining Fee₹500₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹70,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.04%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

  • 0% on Pharmeasy — 3000 pts/month

SBI Card PULSE

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

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

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, 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 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: Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card PULSE 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 SBI Card PULSE?
Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹70,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.04% with accelerated rewards on Pharmeasy. 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 Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
For beginners, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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.

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