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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit 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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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PULSEICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹3,500
Joining Fee₹1,499₹6,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.25%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

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

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

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.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High-value welcome vouchers worth over ₹9,000 covering travel, shopping, and dining.
  • Dual-card advantage (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) allows for broader acceptance and network-specific offers.
  • Generous movie benefits with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹500 twice a month on BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per month) based on spending milestones.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹3,500 which is only waived on a relatively high spend of ₹6 lakhs.
  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.
  • Reward rate on utilities and insurance is low at 1 point per ₹100.

Our Verdict

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

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

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

Choose ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

Offers both domestic and international lounge access along with travel-specific welcome vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on International Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card PULSE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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