Head to head 
Citi Simplicity Card vs. PayPal Cashback Mastercard
On the criteria below, PayPal Cashback Mastercard wins 1 of 3. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Citi Simplicity Card
Citi
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Synchrony
At a glance
PayPal Cashback Mastercard wins 1 of 3 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
PayPal Cashback Mastercard leads on earning ceiling, while Citi Simplicity Card only ties the rest.
Who wins what
0 vs 1 (2 tie)- First-year math Tie
Both cards land within $25 of each other after the annual fee.
- Annual fee Tie
Same annual fee.
- Earning ceiling PayPal Cashback Mastercard
PayPal Cashback Mastercard earns more on its best category (3× vs 0×).
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- Free
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- —
- —
- First-year net
- +$0
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- —
- 3×
- Top categories
- —
- PayPal Purchases
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- No
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3.00%
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- —
- PayPal Cash Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.