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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs Apollo SBI Card

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

SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
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

FeatureSBI Card PULSEApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹499
Joining Fee₹1,499₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.25%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

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

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

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.

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

Both SBI Card PULSE and Apollo SBI Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

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

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: SBI Card PULSE or Apollo SBI Card?
Both SBI Card PULSE and Apollo SBI Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card PULSE and Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. 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 SBI Card PULSE and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE 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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