Wells Fargo Active Cash vs. Freedom Flex Credit Card Comparison

Q: Do either of the cards have an annual fee?

Both cards offer the benefit of having no annual fee .

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Chase Freedom Flex® Card both offer enticing rewards and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash stands out for its simplicity and high cash back rate, making it an excellent choice for straightforward, unlimited rewards. But the Freedom Flex should not be overlooked, especially if you value rotating bonus categories that could potentially boost your cash back in specific areas.

Both cards are strong contenders, but the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card's unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases and absence of an annual fee give it a slight edge for those who prefer a no-fuss rewards structure.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Chase Freedom Flex® Card

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

3.6/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable
19.74% – 28.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 12 months on purchases
0% intro APR for 15 months
Intro Offer
Earn $200 Cash Back
Earn a $200 bonus
Rewards Summary
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards
Earn 1–5% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 12 months on balance transfers
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
3% of the amount of each balance transfer
3% of the amount of each transfer (minimum $5)
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670–850 (good to excellent)
Penalty APR
None
Up to 29.99% variable
Not sure?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a simple, yet effective rewards structure with unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it a strong choice for those who prefer a no-fuss cash back card.
The Freedom Flex, on the other hand, provides the potential for greater rewards in rotating bonus categories, which may appeal to users who are willing to track and activate these categories.
With both cards offering a $0 annual fee and similar introductory APR offers, the better card for you depends on whether you value simplicity and consistent rewards (Wells Fargo Active Cash) or the potential for higher rewards in specific categories (Chase Freedom Flex).

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you value simplicity and efficiency in your credit card rewards. With a flat 2% cash rewards rate on all purchases and no annual fee, this card is a workhorse for everyday spending without the need to track rotating categories or spending caps.

You might prefer the Freedom Flex if you are adept at maximizing credit card rewards and don't mind keeping track of bonus categories. If the Freedom Flex offers higher rewards rates in categories where you frequently spend, it could yield more value than a flat-rate cash back card.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you prefer straightforward cash back, the Wells Fargo Active Cash might appeal with its unlimited 2% rewards. Alternatively, the Chase Freedom Flex could be attractive for its rotating bonus categories.

Regular APR: Wells Fargo Active Cash

The 19.74% starting variable APR of the Chase Freedom Flex is higher than the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card's starting APR of 19.49%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card and the Chase Freedom Flex Card offer the benefit of a $0 annual fee.

Introductory 0% APRs: Wells Fargo Active Cash

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, with a balance transfer fee of 3% (min $5). The Chase Freedom Flex Card does not have a similar offer.

Rewards: Freedom Flex

The Freedom Flex is better for users who maximize spending in its rotating categories and bonus rewards on travel, dining, and drugstores. The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases, appealing for its simplicity.

However, the potential value from the Chase Freedom Flex's varied rewards rates, especially in bonus categories, can surpass the flat rate of the Wells Fargo Active Cash if you align your spending accordingly.

Welcome Offers: Wells Fargo Active Cash

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is better for welcome offers, featuring a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the Freedom Flex cards cater to people with good to excellent credit scores.

Penalties and Fees: Tie

Both the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Freedom Flex cards impose up to $40 for late payments, charge either $10 or 5% for cash advances (whichever is greater), and have a 3% foreign transaction fee. Neither card has a penalty APR.

Issuer Satisfaction: Fredom Flex

Chase has a user satisfaction rating of 4.1, slightly higher than Wells Fargo's rating of 4.0.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks. The Wells Fargo Active Cash includes Visa Signature Concierge and up to $600 cell phone protection. The Chase Freedom Flex offers a complimentary three-month DashPass subscription.

Rewards Comparison

Category	Wells Fargo Active Cash	Chase Freedom Flex
Travel	2%	5% if purchased through portal
Dining	2%	3%
Drugstores	2%	3%
Quarterly Bonus Categories	2%	5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate/1% thereafter
All Other Purchases	2%	1%

Redeeming Rewards

Both the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Student Chrome offer various redemption options, including statement credits, direct deposits to bank accounts and gift cards. Importantly, your rewards do not expire, providing peace of mind that you can use them when it's most convenient for you.

Methodology

MoneyGeek's ranking process evaluates credit cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash and Chase Freedom Flex across various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score.

FAQ: Wells Fargo Active Cash vs. Freedom Flex Card

What are the cash back rewards for each card?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers 2% on all purchases, while the Freedom Flex has 5% on rotating categories.

Do either of the cards have an annual fee?

Both cards offer the benefit of having no annual fee.

What are the introductory offers for these cards?

The Wells Fargo Active Cash has a $200 bonus; the Freedom Flex offers 5% cash back in bonus categories.

How do the APRs compare between the two cards?

Both cards offer 0% intro APR, putting them among our best zero-interest cards.

Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?

Wells Fargo Active Cash charges a 3% fee; Chase Freedom Flex has no foreign transaction fees.

All information about the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex® Card