Difference Between Debit Cards: RuPay, Visa and Master Card

Normally, when you get a savings account, the bank will provide a debit card. Most times, the debit cards are named RuPay, Visa, or Mastercard. What do they actually mean? These are not banks, but rather payment networks that take care of all your transactions. Each network has a set of features that come with their own perks and restrictions. Here is a simple comparison to understand the Difference Between Debit Cards and help you decide which one to choose.

Difference Between Debit Cards:

RuPay: Own Payment Network of India

Launched by: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
Best for: Domestic users who wish speedy and cheaper processing
Key Features:

Mainly operates in India
Includes lower transaction charges to banks, which could eventually result in lower charges to users
Networked to a great number of ATMs and POS machines in India
Parties to UPI and BHIM integration
Drawback: Limited to usage outside India

Visa: Global Acceptance with Rewards

Launched In: USA
Best for: People who travel internationally and use the net

Key Features:

Massive acceptance: more than 200 countries around the globe

Offers a wide range of benefits including purchase protection, travel benefits, rewards points (depending on use of card)

Awesome feats in fraud detection and customer support
Drawback: It may charge more annual or transaction fees than RuPay.

Mastercard: International Utility with Offers

Headquartered In: USA
Best For: Globally used lifestyle benefits
Exclusive Features:

Same worldwide acceptability as with Visa

Another perk is the availability of discounts on dining, movies, and travel

Provides with fraud protection and card security features
Drawback: Like Visa, may come with additional costs

Which One Should You Choose?

RuPay: For domestic use and government benefits.

Visa or Mastercard: For international use or travel.

Mastercard: For lifestyle rewards and global purchases.

ALSO READ: 5 Common Credit Card Myths You Should Stop Believing

Ultimately, the features of the debit card network should depend on how and where you are going to use it. RuPay might be the ideal one when it comes to local users with budget constraints, but Visa and Mastercard provide better, if not the most comprehensive, features around the globe. Thus, make sure to verify your bank where you can enjoy card-specific benefits first before arrival at the decision.