Credit Card Comparison: DBS Live Fresh vs UOB EVOL vs OCBC FRANK

Denise Bay

Denise Bay

Last updated 24 November, 2021

Choices are never easy. That’s why, we do the math, so you don’t have to. Compare This, a SingSaver series, is here to help make decisions a little easier for you.


Cashback credit cards are not created equal no matter how similar they may seem. Learn more about the similarities and differences between DBS Live Fresh, UOB EVOL and OCBC FRANK to figure out which one will help you rack up the most rewards.

 

New to the world of credit cards? Well, cashback credit cards are perhaps the most straightforward types of credit cards that exist on the market – perfect for credit card beginners. We will be looking at DBS Live Fresh vs UOB EVOL vs OCBC FRANK in this article, three almost-identical cashback credit cards that are likely to grab the attention of young adults, Gen-Zs and millennials alike. 

DBS Live Fresh vs UOB EVOL vs OCBC FRANK

Credit card  Key benefits
DBS Live Fresh 6% cashback on local and overseas shopping spend and transport spend (including online gaming purchases & SimplyGo rides)

0.3% unlimited cashback on all other spend

Earn 1.6% p.a. or more with DBS Multiplier Account

Total cashback cap per month: S$70 (for shopping and transport); no cap for all other spend
UOB EVOL 8% cashback on online spend

8% cashback on mobile contactless spend via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Fitbit Pay

0.3% cashback on all other spend

Total cashback cap per month: S$60
OCBC FRANK 6% cashback on all online purchases

6% cashback when you make contactless payments in-store with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay

0.3% cashback all other spend

Total cashback cap per month: S$75 

What these cashback credit cards have in common 

Foremost, DBS Live Fresh, UOB EVOL and OCBC FRANK are similar in that they require cardholders to: 

(i) earn an annual income of at least S$30,000 (Singapore Citizen/ PR); and 

(ii) spend at least S$800 monthly in order to earn the advertised cashback 

The cashback that you earn from charging your expenses to either of these cards are also automatically credited into your card account to offset your bill. The ease of use should be a plus point for many since you literally do not need to lift a finger to enjoy your cashback! 

DBS Live Fresh, UOB EVOL and OCBC FRANK also offer sign-up bonuses for new cardholders – something you definitely want to consider if you are looking to sign up for a new credit card. 

How these cashback credit cards differ 

While DBS Live Fresh, UOB EVOL and OCBC FRANK have certain common attributes, these cashback credit cards have different cashback workings and perks in store for their cardmembers, making each credit card unique in its own right. 

Depending on your lifestyle and spending habits, one credit card may be more suitable for you than another. Read on to learn more about DBS Live Fresh vs UOB EVOL vs OCBC FRANK. The easy-to-digest nuggets of information will come in handy when it’s time for you to pick the best cashback credit card that suits you!

Comparison #1: Cashback workings

  DBS Live Fresh UOB EVOL OCBC FRANK
Cashback mechanism 6% cashback on shopping spend and transport spend (including online gaming purchases & SimplyGo rides)

0.3% unlimited cashback on all other spend 

Min. monthly spend of S$800 required to earn bonus cashback
8% cashback on online spend

8% cashback on mobile contactless spend via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Fitbit Pay

0.3% cashback on all other spend

Min. S$600 spend per statement month to earn 8% cashback
6% cashback on all online purchases

6% cashback when you make contactless payments in-store with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay

0.3% cashback all other spend

Min. monthly spend of S$600 required to earn bonus cashback
Total cashback cap per month 

S$70 – split into S$50 cap on eligible shopping spend (online or in-store), S$20 cap on eligible transport spend

No cap on all other spend

S$60 — split into S$20 on online spend, S$20 on mobile contactless spend, and S$20 on all other spend S$75 – split into $25 cap on online (or in-app) purchases, S$25 cap on in-store mobile payments, and S$25 cap on all other spend

DBS Live Fresh, UOB EVOL and OCBC FRANK are rather different when it comes to their cashback rates and categories.

If you primarily do your shopping online, zoom in on OCBC FRANK. This cashback credit card has a higher cashback cap on online purchases compared to the other two cards. 

To maximise the amount of cashback you can earn, be sure to study your spending habits as these three cashback credit cards all have a cap on the total amount of cashback you are eligible to earn per month – some more limiting than others!

Comparison #2: Annual fee

  DBS Live Fresh UOB EVOL OCBC FRANK
Annual fee S$196.20 (first year fee waiver) S$192.60 (first year fee waiver) S$80 (from third year onwards)  

A nice quirk of UOB EVOL is that it offers annual fee waivers for subsequent years so long as you make a min. of three transactions every month.

Comparison #3: Additional perks

  DBS Live Fresh UOB EVOL OCBC FRANK
Exclusive privileges Fresh dining, shopping, travel, sustainable and lifestyle deals

Earn 1.6% p.a. or more with DBS Multiplier Account when you credit salary & spend on your card, with no minimum amount
Gain access to over 1,000 deals at eco-friendly merchants

Annual fee waivers for subsequent years so long as you make a min. of three transactions every month

Earn up to 2.50% p.a. interest with UOB One Account
Gain access to over 200 deals on the STACK marketplace

New OCBC FRANK cardmembers can choose between two designs – Obsidian (FRK2020) and Vortex (PRF0002)

Free supplementary card for first two years, S$40 a year thereafter

Automatic annual fee waiver with min. spend of S$10,000 in a year, starting  starting from the month after your FRANK Credit Card was issued (Note: S$0 annual fees for the first two years)

All three cashback credit cards have plenty of deals and promotions available to cardmembers. However, if you are extra savvy with your money and would like to take advantage of higher interest rates earned on your savings (if you aren’t already using a high interest savings account), definitely consider pairing the DBS Live Fresh with the DBS Multiplier Account or the UOB EVOL with the UOB One Account. 

Both savings accounts offer savers like you and I a much better deal than traditional, basic savings accounts that only let customers ‘enjoy’ 0.05% p.a. on their hard-earned savings.

Conclusion: Which one should you choose?

DBS Live Fresh, UOB EVOL and OCBC FRANK are all great options for earning generous cashback on your purchases. But again, there is a catch associated with these credit cards that offer higher cashback rates: (i) minimum spend and (ii) cashback cap. 

S$600 - S$800 minimum spend requirement: This is rather attainable even if you aren’t a big spender by any means. The trick is to consolidate your spending across categories, such as transportation, meals, entertainment, in-store and online shopping, groceries and mobile phone bills. 

(Psst, another easy way is to volunteer to pay first whenever possible, say, when you are out chilling with your friends.)

Choose UOB EVOL: That’s if you like the sound of earning high cashback on online shopping and convenience of mobile contactless payments, without category restrictions.

This applies regardless of whether you are purchasing pet supplies, stocking up on groceries, snagging shopping deals online, paying for meals and drinks, going to the movies, or even booking travel online when the world’s in a much better place.  

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🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Applying for multiple products means more Cash Quest Chances! Plus, download the SingSaver App and log in with the same email used during product application to earn 20 additional chances! Valid till 22 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

UOB Credit Card Welcome Offer: Receive a Samsonite EVOA Z Spinner 25” Exp (worth S$730) or up to 58,000 miles or 20% cashback when you apply for select UOB credit cards and fulfil the minimum spend requirements. Valid till 31 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

Choose DBS Live Fresh: DBS Live Fresh could be the right fit for you if you would like a card for your daily expenditures. Plus, there's no pressure to meet the monthly minimum spend requirement since you will still get 0.3% unlimited cashback on all eligible spend with no cap.

DBS/POSB Credit Card Welcome Gift: Receive up to S$150 cashback or 85,000 miles when you apply for select DBS credit cards and fulfil the relevant promotion criteria. T&Cs apply.

DBS Live Fresh

Choose OCBC FRANK: If you want to earn the highest amount of cashback on your online and contactless mobile spending combined (i.e. S$50), OCBC FRANK is the one for you.

OCBC FRANK

Read these next:
Best Cashback Credit Cards In Singapore
Best Online Shopping Credit Cards in Singapore
DBS/POSB Credit Card Promotions and Deals
OCBC FRANK Revamp: 5 Reasons To Sign Up For This Newly Relaunched Card
Credit Card Comparison: UOB One vs CIMB Visa Signature vs BOC Family

 

While Denise has a thing for travel, K-dramas, 0% sugar bbt (with boba!), Japanese cuisine and flat white, her curious nature means all sorts of random tabs are open on her phone 24/7. She doesn’t like to pay full price for anything, too.

FINANCIAL TIP:

Use a personal loan to consolidate your outstanding debt at a lower interest rate!

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