Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
SBI Cashback vs HDFC Pixel
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
SBI Card
SBI Cashback
Wins 3 of 10
IN
HDFC Bank
HDFC Pixel
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
Verdict
HDFC Pixel wins 4-3. Gen Z first card, fully digital, instant approval, customizable art. SBI Cashback is still the right call if pure online cashback, 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Cashback | HDFC Pixel |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹999 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹999 | None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 3% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = No welcome bonus, value lives in the cashback rate | = Customizable card design + ₹250 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | · ₹360,000 | ₹200,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI Cashback
- 5% cashback on ALL online spends (not just listed merchants), capped ₹4,000 per statement cycle (₹2,000 online + ₹2,000 offline sub-caps, effective 1 Apr 2026)
- 1% cashback on offline spends
- Auto-credited within 2 days of statement
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
HDFC Pixel
- 3% cashback on 2 chosen merchants (Swiggy/Zomato/Uber/Amazon/etc.)
- 1% on other spends
- Lifetime free
- Mobile-first app experience
- Dynamic CVV for security
FAQ
›SBI Cashback vs HDFC Pixel: which is better?
HDFC Pixel wins on more dimensions (4 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 SBI Cashback for online shopping, HDFC Pixel for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
SBI Cashback: No welcome bonus, value lives in the cashback rate. HDFC Pixel: Customizable card design + ₹250 voucher.