Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis Atlas vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Premium
Axis Bank
Axis Atlas
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Pulse
Wins 5 of 10
Verdict
SBI Pulse wins 5-3. Health/fitness focused, smartwatch + wellness benefits. Axis Atlas is still the right call if travel-heavy spenders who transfer to airline partners (vistara, singapore airlines, etc.).
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis Atlas | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹5,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹5,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,500 EDGE Miles on 1 transaction within 37 days | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · No waiver | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,000,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 780 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
Axis Atlas
- 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel (capped ₹2 lakh/month), 2 per ₹100 on other spends
- No annual fee waiver offered
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
- Transferable to 20+ airline + hotel partners
- 3.5% forex markup (high, pair with a zero-forex card for international)
SBI Pulse
- Free Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 smartwatch
- 4 reward points per ₹100 on chemists, dining, movies
- 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
- Cult.fit + 1mg discount partnerships
FAQ
›Axis Atlas vs SBI Pulse: which is better?
SBI Pulse wins on more dimensions (5 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern, see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Axis Atlas for its best categories, SBI Pulse for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Axis Atlas: 2,500 EDGE Miles on 1 transaction within 37 days. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.