Compare Prepaid Cards

We can help you to compare the best prepaid cards available in the UK so that you get the flexibility of spending on a credit or debit card without the commitment. Whatever your financial situation we can help you find the pre paid card that gives you the best deal.
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White EagleWhite Eagle Freedom Eagle Cash Card - Prepaid Mastercard£9.99£0£0.50 / 2.75%£0.99 / 1.5%Post Office: £0.99 / 2%
Paypoint: 3%
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Advanced Payment Solutions Financial LtdAdvanced Payment Solutions Financial Ltd cashplus Prepaid Gold MasterCard (Premier)£29.99£0free£0.99Post Office: free
Epay: £2
Advanced Payment Solutions Financial Ltd cashplus Prepaid Gold MasterCard (Premier)Continue
 No monthly fee - enjoy unlimited use of the Gold Card with free purchase transactions both online and in-store, in the UK.
O2 MoneyO2 Money Cash Manager£0£0freefreeDebit Card: free
SMS: free
Paypoint: free
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Exclusive to O2 customers only.
VirginVirgin Prepaid Mastercard Pay Monthly£9.95£4.75free£1.50Debit Card: free
Post Office: free
Paypoint: 2.75%
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ClearCashClearCash iCount£4.50£9.99free£0.50Post Office: free
Paypoint: 3%
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BreadBread Prepaid MasterCard£7.50£02%£1.50Post Office: free
Paypoint: 3%
Bread Prepaid MasterCardContinue
 It's now much easier to get a BREAD Card! Even if you cannot verify your details electronically as before.
Advanced Payment Solutions Financial LtdAdvanced Payment Solutions Financial Ltd cashplus Prepaid Gold MasterCard (Activeplus)£9.95£4.95free£0.99Post Office: free
Epay: £2
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 The prepaid card that can help you build your credit rating and offer free purchase protection
Aspinall FoundationAspinall Foundation Maestro Prepaid Card£0£0£0.50£2Debit Card: £0.50
Post Office: £0.50
Aspinall Foundation Maestro Prepaid CardContinue
 When applying for this card applicants must deposit a minimum of £10. This amount is not a charge but will remain on the card until you use it.
White EagleWhite Eagle Prepaid Maestro Card£4.95£3.95free£0.95Paypoint: 3%White Eagle Prepaid Maestro CardContinue
Prepaid Financial ServicesPrepaid Financial Services Prepaid Sterling Card£8.95£1free£1 / 1.5%Debit Card: £1
Post Office: 3%
SMS: £1
Payzone: 3%
Prepaid Financial Services Prepaid Sterling CardContinue
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What are Prepaid Cards and How Do They Work?

We explain all you need to know about choosing and using prepaid cards.

What are prepaid cards?

Prepaid cards look just like regular credit and debit cards, with a card number, magnetic strip and chip. They can also be used to make purchases and withdraw cash just as you would with a regular credit or debit card too.

However, there is one major difference; as prepaid cards aren't linked to a bank account or credit facility there is absolutely no risk that you can go overdrawn or run up any debt as you can only spend the balance you have available.

How do they work?

You top up your prepaid card with cash just as you would a pay-as-you-go mobile phone or prepaid gift card. Then, when you come to make a purchase or withdraw cash from an ATM the value of your transaction is automatically deducted from your card balance.  Once you've used up all the credit loaded on your card you won't be able to make any further purchases until you next top up.

What are the advantages?

Prepaid cards are becoming an increasingly popular means of spending and for good reason. Some of the benefits they provide are:

What are the disadvantages?

The main disadvantage of using a prepaid card rather than a debit or credit card is that most providers levy a number of charges that can make these cards a more expensive option for spending.  For this reason, choosing a card that is going to provide you with value for money is a must. 

For more information on the different costs associated with spending on a prepaid card click here.

Additionally, many prepaid card providers place restrictions on the way you can spend on your card.  In particular, many do not allow you to make pre-approved transactions such as those used by pay-at-the-pump petrol stations, car hire firms and during any other purchase for goods or services that requires an initial authorisation for funds to be made before the full value of the transaction is known.  As such it's important to familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions of any card you're interested in before you apply so as to make sure that it can be used to make payment in the way you need it to.

Where can I use a prepaid card?

Most prepaid cards can be used to make purchases online, over the telephone, by mail order and in shops, basically anywhere you would usually spend with a credit or debit card. You can also use them to withdraw cash at ATMs.

How do I load cash on to a prepaid card?

This will differ depending on which provider supplies your card. However, most prepaid cards can be loaded with cash either directly from your back account using an online transfer or in person at a bank, Post Office or PayPoint retailer.

Are prepaid cards secure?

One of the distinct benefits of prepaid cards is that they are not linked to a bank account or credit facility. This means that should a fraudster get hold of your card details there is a finite amount of damage they can do as they can only withdraw the cash you have credited on to your card and nothing more. 

Additionally, most prepaid cards will be chip and pin enabled. This means that, just as with credit and debit cards, anyone using your card to make a purchase or withdraw cash will need to enter a secure code before the transaction is authorised, again making them a secure way to spend.

If you discover your prepaid card is missing you will simply need to contact your card provider and they will place a block on the card so that it can't be used by anyone else.  Some providers will also compensate you for any lost credit, although this isn't standard practice for all providers.

Do prepaid cards improve your credit rating?

Prepaid cards aren't in any way linked to your credit report so unfortunately it is not possible to improve your credit rating with careful spending and good financial practice, although this is of course a good idea anyway!

Click here to find out how to choose the best prepaid card for your cirumstances.

A-Z Prepaid Card Issuers

View our full A to Z list of all prepaid card companies.
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