Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Amex Business Gold vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is ideal for businesses with variable spending in categories like advertising and shipping, as it automatically maximizes rewards on your top two expense areas each billing cycle. Terms Apply.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: This is a great option for those looking to build or rebuild their credit history while earning a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
American Express® Business Gold Card Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "111", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Versatile Business Tool" } ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the American Express® Business Gold Card (See Rates & Fees).
- The card automatically optimizes rewards based on your business's top spending categories each month.
- It offers flexible purchasing power that can adapt to your business's changing needs. Terms Apply.
- Cardholders gain access to valuable travel benefits and protections. Terms Apply.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
- A generous Welcome Offer is available for new Card Members. Terms Apply.
- Points can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, offering flexible redemption options.
- Provides purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection on eligible items. Terms Apply.
Cons
- The card has a high annual fee that requires significant spending in bonus categories to offset.
- Adding employee cards to the account incurs extra fees.
- Airport lounge access is more limited compared to other premium business cards.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3058", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint": "1.5% Flat Cash Back"} ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card(See Rates & Fees).
- It offers a competitive cash back rewards rate, which is uncommon for a secured card designed for building credit.
- You may be able to graduate to an unsecured version of the card and get your security deposit back without closing your account.
- The card offers a pre-approval process that won’t hurt your credit score and automatic reviews for a higher credit line.
Pros
- Offers flexible redemption options for your cash back rewards.
- Includes a user-friendly mobile app to help manage your account.
Cons
- Requires a security deposit to open the account.
- Carries a high interest rate for purchases and balance transfers.
- Approval isn't guaranteed, and graduating to an unsecured card may take time.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards vs American Express® Business Gold Card
Categories
Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Capital One Quicksilver Secured, depends entirely on your financial profile and goals. One card is a premium tool for established businesses, while the other is designed for individuals building their credit history.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is best for business owners and growing companies that need a versatile tool with flexible spending categories. It is designed for businesses with variable expenses that can take advantage of premium benefits.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. It stands out by offering rewards, a feature not always common among secured cards.
Redemption
American Express® Business Gold Card: This card earns points that offer great flexibility, allowing you to transfer them to airline and hotel partners, book travel directly, or redeem them for statement credits and gift cards.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which you can redeem in any amount as either a statement credit or a check.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is an ultimate financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your wallet.
- Test drive a credit card: This feature lets you simulate potential earnings from a new card using your actual spending data, so you can see the value before you apply.
- Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: Kudos will match a better welcome offer if you find one within three months of your application.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards by shopping with partner merchants through Kudos.
- Personalized recommendations: Receive card recommendations based on your unique spending history to maximize your rewards.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?
The American Express® Business Gold Card is ideally suited for growing businesses with variable expenses, as its rewards structure automatically adapts to your top two spending categories each billing cycle. Companies that spend heavily in areas like U.S. advertising, shipping, or at U.S. gas stations can earn 4X points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually, then 1X point per dollar. Ultimately, it’s a premium card for business owners who can maximize these flexible rewards to easily offset the $375 annual fee. Terms Apply.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals who are looking to build or rebuild their credit history. This card is a strong fit for someone who wants to earn a flat 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases while demonstrating responsible credit use, all without paying an annual fee. Ideally, the cardholder is someone who plans to pay their balance in full each month to avoid the high interest rate and eventually graduate to an unsecured card.
Alternatives to Consider
After reviewing this Amex Business Gold vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured comparison, you might find that neither option is quite right for your wallet. Fortunately, the credit card market is vast, and other alternatives could be a perfect match for your financial goals.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Review your credit - Most card applications require a credit check, so know where you stand beforehand.
- Check issuer rules - Some issuers have restrictions on how many cards you can have or how often you can apply.
- Assess your finances - Ensure you can comfortably manage the card's requirements without financial strain.
Application Strategy
- Time your application - Apply before a period of high spending to help meet any Welcome Offer requirements.
- Look for preapproval options - Some issuers, like Capital One, let you check your eligibility without impacting your credit score.
- Match the card to your goal - Choose a card that aligns with your objective, whether it's earning premium business rewards or building your credit history.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a business card and a secured card?
A business credit card is designed for business-related expenses and often includes rewards tailored to business spending. In contrast, a secured card requires a cash deposit as collateral and is primarily used to build or rebuild your credit history.
Do I need a business to apply for the American Express® Business Gold Card?
While you don't need a formal corporation, you generally need some form of business activity, such as freelancing or selling goods online, to qualify for a business card. Issuers will ask for details about your business, like its revenue and structure, during the application process.
How does a secured credit card like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured work?
A secured card requires a refundable security deposit, which typically sets your credit limit. By making on-time payments, you demonstrate responsible credit use to the credit bureaus, which can help improve your credit score over time.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.













.webp)
.webp)



.webp)



