Market Share by Credit Card Network

The four major credit card networks are Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted card networks in the world, but neither company issues its own cards, unlike American Express and Discover, which both issue credit cards directly and also serve as networks.

The Four Major Credit Card Companies Compared

A credit card network's primary role is to process transactions between the banks that issue cards on that network and the merchants that accept them 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. However, credit card issuers ultimately decide which network benefits to include on their cards.

You can learn more about the largest credit card companies and major credit cards here 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...

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, travel perks and bonuses on the market. American Express is also known for 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 with...

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

...

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a Mastercard, not a Visa. You can use your Capital One Platinum at nearly 11 million merchants that accept Mastercard nationwide, plus abroad in more than 200 countries and territories.

There are a few relatively small differences between Visa and Mastercard credit cards, such as the network-level benefits they offer. But the two card networks have a lot in common, including extensive worldwide acceptance. Because the features the networks offer are so similar, it's better...

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

There are a few relatively small differences between Visa and Mastercard credit cards, such as the network-level benefits they offer. But the two card networks have a lot in common, including extensive worldwide acceptance. Because the features the networks offer are so similar, it's better...