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Unsecured credit card
The standard credit card. No deposit required — bank extends credit based purely on your creditworthiness. Most cards in your wallet are this type.
No depositScore 700+
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Secured card
Backed by a fixed deposit (FD) you keep with the bank. Limit usually 80-100% of the FD. Designed for first-timers or those rebuilding after defaults.
FD-backedAny score
⚡
Charge card
Looks like a credit card, but you must pay the full balance every month. No interest, no minimum-payment trap — but no flexibility either. Typically high-end (AmEx).
100% due monthlyNo revolving
💰
Prepaid card
Not actually credit — you load money onto it first, then spend it. Useful for travel, gifting, kids. Doesn't build credit history because there's no borrowing.
Load-then-spendNo credit
🤝
Co-branded card
A card jointly issued by a bank and a brand (Amazon Pay ICICI, Flipkart Axis, IndianOil HDFC). Higher rewards on the brand's products, normal rewards elsewhere.
Brand-loyalBoost rewards
🏢
Business card
Issued to companies for business expenses. Higher limits, expense management tools, but the company is liable — not you personally (usually).
For companiesExpense tools