Market Share by Credit Card Network

Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are the four major credit card networks. Among these four companies, Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted card networks in the world, while American Express and Discover function as both card issuers and networks.

The Four Major Credit Card Companies Compared

A credit card network's primary role is to process credit card and debit card transactions between the banks that issue cards on that network and the merchants who accept those cards as payment. This includes setting up payment systems and charging merchants interchange fees for processing those transactions.

Credit card networks also provide certain benefits, such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranties, among others. However, credit card issuers ultimately decide which network benefits to include on their credit cards.

You can learn more about the biggest credit card companies and major credit cards on WalletHub.

Discover is not a Visa or a Mastercard. Discover is a completely separate company that operates its own card network, and it also differs from Visa and Mastercard by actually issuing many of the credit cards on its network. Visa and Mastercard aren't card issuers, so the cards on their networks come from lots of different banks and credit unions.

However, Discover is similar to Visa, Mastercard and American Express in the sense that all four are...

The best credit card companies are American Express and Capital One, based on customer satisfaction. American Express ranks first in the latest J.D. Power Credit Card Satisfaction Study, and Capital One isn't far behind, as both companies have some of the best credit cards according to WalletHub.

Some of the factors the J.D. Power study used to measure customer satisfaction include credit card terms, communication, rewards, benefits and services, and problem resolution. Below, you will find the...

American Express isn't a Visa or a Mastercard. American Express, Visa and Mastercard are three of the four major card networks, but American Express also extends credit and issue cards directly to consumers.

A credit card never has two networks, so you'll never see an American Express Visa card or an American Express Mastercard. Furthermore, lots of the cards on the Amex network are actually issued by American Express itself. Visa and Mastercard, on the other hand,...

Yes, you can use your credit card in Canada, but you'll have better luck with some types of cards than others. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card networks, and you should be able to use their cards at any merchants that take credit cards in Canada. American Express cards aren't accepted everywhere in Canada, but they work at over 110,000 places. Fortunately, you can check where American Express cards are accepted in major Canadian cities before you...

Discover cards are issued by Discover Bank, which is now owned by Capital One. Capital One also operates the Discover Global Network, which includes Discover, Diners Club International, and the Pulse electronic funds transfer network.

Note that even though Discover Financial Services was acquired by Capital One in May 2025 and now operates under Capital One's ownership, there have been no immediate changes for Discover customers.

Discover still provides credit cards, banking services and...

Amex cards are special because they offer some of the best rewards, bonuses and travel benefits on the market. American Express also is known for its first-class customer service, and it's unique because the company both issues credit cards and operates as a card network.

Why Amex Cards Are Special

The cards often have rewards

American Express offers a large selection of rewards cards, from travel to cash back to cards that are co-branded...

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (see details, rates & fees) is a Mastercard. That means you can use your Capital One Quicksilver (see details, rates & fees) card at millions of merchant locations in more than 210 countries and territories, wherever payments through Mastercard are accepted.

Things to Know About the Capital One Quicksilver (see details, rates & fees) Card

• Card acceptance: The Capital One Quicksilver (see details, rates & fees) is accepted by millions of retailers in over 210 countries and territories. Almost every merchant that takes credit cards accepts Mastercard.
• No foreign transaction fees: On top of the Capital One Quicksilver (see details, rates & fees)'s...

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a Mastercard. That means you can use your Capital One Platinum at nearly 11 million merchants nationwide and abroad in more than 200 countries and territories. But keep in mind that networks are subject to change. Online applicants can see the network logo at the top of the application form.

Just note that it's more worthwhile to compare individual credit card offers than to focus on getting a card from a particular network....

Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a Visa, not a Mastercard. You can use your Chase Freedom Unlimited Card at nearly 11 million merchants that accept Visa nationwide, and you can use it abroad in more than 200 countries and territories.

There are a few differences between Visa and Mastercard credit cards, such as the network-level benefits they offer, but those differences are relatively small. The two card networks have a lot in common, including extensive worldwide acceptance. As a result, it's...