UOB One vs. UOB EVOL Credit Card Comparison 2022

While UOB One Card and UOB EVOL Card both come from the same issuer, they're quite different in terms of rebate rates and cashback structures. In fact, even as both offer highly competitive rewards, each caters to a very different type of spender. We've reviewed exactly how these cards compare across rates, perks and fees below, providing insights that will help you determine which better fits your needs.

  • Details of rebate system & structure
  • General & boosted cashback rates
  • Minimum spend requirements & monthly rewards caps
  • Maximum potential annual earnings
Comparison of Perks & Privileges
  • Travel insurance offerings
  • Current petrol promotions & savings
  • SimplyGo & mobile pay compatibility
  • Extra rebate programmes & card-specific privileges
Comparison of Fees & Requirements
  • Minimum age & minimum income requirements
  • Annual fees, spend-based waivers & sign-on bonuses
  • Foreign transaction fees

Overview: UOB One Card vs. UOB EVOL Card

United Overseas Bank (UOB) offers several of the most competitive cashback cards in Singapore, including both UOB One Card and UOB EVOL Card (recently updated from the YOLO Card). While both are strong options, each caters to a different type of user.

UOB One Card provides flat cashback on a quarterly basis that works best for consistent household budgets of around S$2,000 a month. The UOB EVOL earns monthly cashback on online spend and mobile contactless payments, maxing out those rewards well before the card's minimum spend requirement of S$600 a month. This makes the EVOL a better choice for young adults.

UOB One vs. UOB EVOL

UOB One CardUOB EVOL Card
RatesMin SpendS$500 / S$1k / S$2k per moS$600 per mo
Rebate Boosts
  • S$500/mo spend: 3.33% + 1% SP bills, +5% on selected merchants
  • S$1k/mo spend: 3.33% + 1% SP bills, +5% on selected merchants
  • S$2k/mo spend: 3.33% + 1% SP bills, +6.67% on selected merchants
  • 8% on online spend (dining, entertainment, shopping)
  • 8% on mobile spend (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
Earnings Cap
  • S$500/mo spend: S$12.50
  • S$1k/mo spend: S$25
  • S$2k/mo spend: S$66.67
  • S$60
PerksPetrol SavingsUp to 22.66% fuel savings at SPC, 21.15% at ShellUp to 20% fuel savings at SPC, 14% at Shell
CompatibilitySimplyGo & Mobile Pay CompatibleSimplyGo & Mobile Pay Compatible
Card PrivilegesUOB SMART$, UOB Travel & Dining Advisor, Rewards+ on UOB TMRWUOB SMART$, UOB Dining & Lifestyle Deals, Rewards+ on UOB TMRW
FeesAnnual FeeS$194.40S$192.60
Waiver OptionWaived for 1 yearWaived for 1 year, no annual fees if min. 3 transactions per month for 12 consecutive months
More details apply. See cards' terms and conditions for full explanations

Rewards Rates: UOB One Card vs. UOB EVOL Card

Both UOB One Card and UOB EVOL Card are great cashback options, but for very different types of spend. The contrast is obvious starting with the basic rewards structure of each card.

UOB One Card is a flat rebate card working on a quarterly system. You must hit a set minimum spend 3 months in a row to access cashback rates across the entire period. Users who spend at least S$2,000 per month get S$200 in rebates for the quarter, which translates to an effective cashback rate of 5%. This makes UOB One Card a great option for consistent spenders with moderate budgets, especially those spending for a household or looking for an everyday card.

Comparison Table: Cashback Rewards

FeatureUOB One CardUOB EVOL Card
Rebate StructureQuarterly SystemMonthly System
Rate StructureFlat Rebate + Category BoostsCategory Boosts
Base Rate0.03%0.30%
Min. Spend Req.S$500, S$1k or S$2kS$600
Boosts
  • Min. S$500/mo spend: 3.33%
  • Min. S$1k/mo spend: 3.33%
  • Min. S$2k/mo spend: 3.33%
  • Bonus: +1% on SP bills, +5% on selected merchants for $500-1k spend, +6.67% for 2k spend
  • 8% on online spend
  • 8% on contactless mobile payments
Mo. Rewards Cap
  • Min. S$500/mo spend: S$12.50
  • Min. S$1k/mo spend: S$25
  • Min. S$2k/mo spend: S$66.67
SP, Grab & UOB Travel boosts do not count towards cap
  • Online: S$20
  • Mobile Pay: S$20
  • Other: S$20
Max Annual EarningsS$800+S$720
Additional details apply. See card websites for a further breakdown of information

UOB EVOL Card, on the other hand, is geared towards younger users. Rebates are awarded on a month-to-month basis rather than once per quarter, and there's a relatively low S$600 minimum spend requirement. You can earn an impressive 8% cashback on any online purchases as well as any transactions where you pay using Apply Pay, Google Pay or a similar contactless mobile pay platform.

Rebates are capped at just S$60/month, S$20 of which is set aside for the low base rate of 0.3%, but the high 8% rate on the online and mobile pay categories means that you can max out the rewards with just a S$250 spend in each of those two areas. That's actually lower than the S$600 total that you're required to spend each month in order to earn any rewards in the first place with the UOB EVOL Card.

Overall, more established individuals looking for a top-earning everyday card might prefer UOB One Card, while young adults are likely to find UOB EVOL Card a better fit with their budgets and digital methods of spending.

Perks & Privileges: UOB One Card vs. UOB EVOL Card

Given they're both issued by UOB, it's not especially surprising that UOB One Card and UOB EVOL Card have fairly similar perks. Both offer special petrol savings and dining & lifestyle discounts. Both are also SimplyGo compatible and can be used for contactless payments.

But perhaps their best shared feature is access to the UOB SMART$ Rebate Programme, which allows cardholders to earn a bonus rebate in the form of SMART$ that can be spent at specific merchants. SMART$ do not replace cashback earnings–consumers earn both simultaneously. SMART$ can then be redeemed to offset future purchases, although they expire within 6 months from the date they're earned.

Comparison Table: Card Perks & Privileges

FeatureUOB One CardUOB EVOL Card
Travel InsuranceS$500k Personal Accident; S$50k Medical, Evac & Repatriationnone
Petrol SavingsUp to 22.66% fuel savings at SPC, 21.15% at ShellUp to 20% fuel savings at SPC, 14% at Shell
Transit PerksSimplyGo CompatibleSimplyGo Compatible
Mobile PayGoogle Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, UOB Mighty & moreGoogle Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, UOB Mighty & more
Card PrivilegesUOB SMART$ Rebate Programme, UOB Travel Advisor, UOB Dining AdvisorUOB SMART$ Rebate Programme, UOB Dining & Lifestyle Deals, UOB Travel Insider, EVOL social events
Additional details apply. See card websites for a further breakdown of information

UOB EVOL Card used to have a few extra perks suited to young adults. When it was known as UOB YOLO, this card offered extra discounts to UOB-hosted club events, which often featured well-known DJs. It also granted access to curated entertainment deals at bars and lounges. Today, those perks seem to have been replaced on the EVOL Card with a new menu of discounts to eco-friendly, sustainable brands.

Fees, Promos & Requirements: UOB One Card vs. UOB EVOL Card

UOB One Card and UOB EVOL Card also have fairly similar fee structures. Both charge an annual fee of S$192.6, waived the 1st year. This averages out to a cost of about S$16/month. As such, it's essential to pick the option that better fits your lifestyle.

If you spend about S$600/month, for example, you'll earn just S$12.50 with UOB One Card (vs. up to S$48 with UOB EVOL Card), and end up gaining very little after the fee. Either way, however, you may be able to call in and request a fee-waiver after the 1st year if you've consistently paid your bills and your account is in good standing.

Your ultimate goal should be to identify which credit card offers the higher cashback potential, given your spend behaviour. If you're an adult with a stable budget, UOB One makes for a great everyday card; if you're a younger spender, consider UOB EVOL Card.

Comparison Table: Requirements, Promos & Fees

FeatureUOB One CardUOB EVOL Card
Minimum Age21 yo21 yo
Minimum Income
  • SG & PR: 30000
  • Foreigners: 40000
  • SG & PR: 30000
  • Foreigners: 40000
Annual FeeS$194.40S$192.60
Waiver OptionWaived for 1 yearWaived for 1 year, no annual fees if min. 3 transactions per month for 12 consecutive months
Sign-on Bonus
FX Fee3.25%3.25%
Additional details apply. See card websites for a further breakdown of information

Comparison to Similar Rebate Credit Cards

UOB One Card and UOB EVOL Card are both quite competitive, but there are several alternative rebate cards worth considering. We've reviewed these options in detail below.

OCBC 365: No-Fee Cashback on Essentials

  • Annual fee: S$192.6, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$10,000 annual spend
  • 6% rebate on dining & online food delivery
  • 3% rebate on groceries, land transport, recurring bills & online travel
  • Free travel insurance, Visa Signature Privileges
If you're an average spender looking for an everyday card–but don't want to pay a fee–OCBC 365 Card may be right for you. Cardholders earn a competitive 6% rebate on dining and online food delivery, and 3% on groceries, land transport (including Grab and Gojek), online travel bookings and even recurring bills. There's a S$800 minimum spend requirement, which is slightly higher than UOB EVOL Card's, but it also has a higher rewards cap at S$80/month.


OCBC 365 Card is more closely aligned with UOB One Card, as both work well for daily spending. OCBC 365 Card stands apart by boosting rewards by category, however, and operates on a monthly rather than quarterly system. For this reason, it may be a better match for those with higher dining spend as well as for individuals who are less likely to spend S$2k every month. Finally, OCBC 365 Card's S$192.6 annual fee is waived for 2 full years, and subsequently with just S$10k annual spend (about S$833/month).

  • Stand-Out: High travel & dining cashback plus exclusive travel deals
  • Promotions:
  • Read Our Full Review
  • Annual fee: S$192.6, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$10,000 annual spend
  • 6% rebate on dining & online food delivery
  • 3% rebate on groceries, land transport, recurring bills & online travel
  • Free travel insurance, Visa Signature Privileges
If you're an average spender looking for an everyday card–but don't want to pay a fee–OCBC 365 Card may be right for you. Cardholders earn a competitive 6% rebate on dining and online food delivery, and 3% on groceries, land transport (including Grab and Gojek), online travel bookings and even recurring bills. There's a S$800 minimum spend requirement, which is slightly higher than UOB EVOL Card's, but it also has a higher rewards cap at S$80/month.


OCBC 365 Card is more closely aligned with UOB One Card, as both work well for daily spending. OCBC 365 Card stands apart by boosting rewards by category, however, and operates on a monthly rather than quarterly system. For this reason, it may be a better match for those with higher dining spend as well as for individuals who are less likely to spend S$2k every month. Finally, OCBC 365 Card's S$192.6 annual fee is waived for 2 full years, and subsequently with just S$10k annual spend (about S$833/month).

DBS Live Fresh: Boosts for Online & Mobile Pay

  • Up to 5% rebates on online & contactless spend, additional 5% green cashback
  • Promotions:
  • Enter the promo code 150CASH and spend a minimum of S$800 within 60 days of card approval to be eligible
  • Read Our Full Review
  • Annual fee: S$128.4, 1-year waiver
  • 5% rebate on online spend & contactless purchases
  • All-in-one card with SimplyGo functionality
If you're a modern spender and want to earn straightforward cashback on nearly all of your spend, you may want to consider DBS Live Fresh Card. Cardholders earn a flat 5% rebate on all online and contactless purchases, regardless of location, spend category or merchant. In order to access these rates, consumers must meet a S$600 minimum spend requirement. This is quite a bit easier to achieve than the S$2k/month required by UOB One to earn the same rate. The S$60/month earnings cap is still quite low, but individuals with slightly lower budgets who want to earn a high rate on nearly all of their purchases should definitely consider DBS Live Fresh Card.
  • Stand-Out: Up to 5% rebates on online & contactless spend, additional 5% green cashback
  • Promotions:
  • Enter the promo code 150CASH and spend a minimum of S$800 within 60 days of card approval to be eligible
  • Read Our Full Review
  • Annual fee: S$128.4, 1-year waiver
  • 5% rebate on online spend & contactless purchases
  • All-in-one card with SimplyGo functionality
If you're a modern spender and want to earn straightforward cashback on nearly all of your spend, you may want to consider DBS Live Fresh Card. Cardholders earn a flat 5% rebate on all online and contactless purchases, regardless of location, spend category or merchant. In order to access these rates, consumers must meet a S$600 minimum spend requirement. This is quite a bit easier to achieve than the S$2k/month required by UOB One to earn the same rate. The S$60/month earnings cap is still quite low, but individuals with slightly lower budgets who want to earn a high rate on nearly all of their purchases should definitely consider DBS Live Fresh Card.

OCBC Frank: No-Fee Rebates for Young Adults

OCBC FRANK Credit Card
OCBC FRANK Credit Card
  • 6% rebate on FX, online, and mobile purchases after just S$600 monthly spend
  • Promotions:
  • Read Our Full Review
  • Annual fee: S$80.0, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$10,000 annual spend
  • 6% rebate on online spend
  • 5% weekend rebate on local entertainment & select cafes (3% weekdays)
OCBC Frank Card is a great option for younger spenders with low or variable budgets. Cardholders who spend as little as S$400 offline can earn up to 6% rebate online, plus 5% on local entertainment and at select cafes on the weekend (3% on weekdays). While OCBC Frank Card's rates are a bit lower and carry more category and weekend restrictions than UOB EVOL, it does have a lower minimum spend requirement and offers a fee waiver with S$10k annual spend. As a result, OCBC Frank Card is a better option for young adults who spend less than S$600.
OCBC FRANK Credit Card
OCBC FRANK Credit Card
  • Stand-Out: 6% rebate on FX, online, and mobile purchases after just S$600 monthly spend
  • Promotions:
  • Read Our Full Review
  • Annual fee: S$80.0, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$10,000 annual spend
  • 6% rebate on online spend
  • 5% weekend rebate on local entertainment & select cafes (3% weekdays)
OCBC Frank Card is a great option for younger spenders with low or variable budgets. Cardholders who spend as little as S$400 offline can earn up to 6% rebate online, plus 5% on local entertainment and at select cafes on the weekend (3% on weekdays). While OCBC Frank Card's rates are a bit lower and carry more category and weekend restrictions than UOB EVOL, it does have a lower minimum spend requirement and offers a fee waiver with S$10k annual spend. As a result, OCBC Frank Card is a better option for young adults who spend less than S$600.

Cashback Credit Card Comparison Tables

Credit CardMin. SpendRebatesCap
Citi Cash Back S$800
  • 8% dining, groceries & petrol
S$80/mo
Citi SMRT N/A
  • Up to 5% groceries, fast food, movies, coffee & online
S$50/mo
DBS Live Fresh S$600
  • 5% online & contactless
S$60/mo
OCBC 365 S$800
  • 6% dining & food delivery
  • 3% groceries, transport, online travel, bills
S$80/mo
OCBC Frank S$600
  • 6% online purchases
  • 5% wknd local entertainment & select cafes (3% wkdays)
S$75/mo
POSB Everyday Varies
  • 15% online food delivery & catering
  • 5% dining & select groceries
  • 3% personal care at Watsons, 1% recurring bills
Varies
UOB One S$500-S$2k
  • Up to 3.33% flat rebate
S$100+/mo
UOB EVOL S$600
  • Up to 8% online spend, mobile contactless spend
  • 0.3% all other spend
S$60/mo
Citi SMRT rebates are merchant-restricted. OCBC Frank's minimum refers to offline spend only. POSB Everyday Card's minimum is a Personalised Spend Goal set by the bank and varies by consumer; its rebates are primarily merchant-restricted and its earnings cap varies according to promotions
Credit CardTravel InsPetrol SavingsCard Perks
Citi Cash Back Coverage up to S$1MUp to 20.88% fuel savings at Esso & ShellCiti World Privileges, Citi Gourmet Pleasures
Citi SMRT N/AUp to 20.88% fuel savings at Esso & ShellCiti World Privileges, Citi Gourmet Pleasures
DBS Live Fresh N/AUp to 14% fuel savings at Esso#FreshDropFriday Sweeps
OCBC 365 Coverage up to S$500kUp to 22.1% savings at Caltex, 20.2% at Esso, 26.8% at Sinopec and 5% cashback at all other petrol stationsVisa Concierge & Luxury Hotels
OCBC Frank N/AUp to 23% fuel savings at Sinopec, 16% at Caltex, 14% at EssoFrank Hot Deals
POSB Everyday N/AUp to 20.1% + 2% fuel savings at SPCPOSB Merchant Deals
UOB One Coverage up to S$500kUp to 22.66% fuel savings at SPC, 21.15% at ShellUOB SMART$, UOB Travel & Dining Advisors
UOB EVOL N/AUp to 20% fuel savings at SPC, 14% at ShellUOB SMART$, Mighty app offers
Travel insurance refers to free travel accident coverage for the principal cardholder
Credit CardAnnual FeeSpend WaiverPromotion
Citi Cash Back S$194.40Waived for 1 year
Citi SMRT Back S$194.40Waived for 2 years
DBS Live Fresh S$194.40Waived for 1 year
OCBC 365 S$194.40Waived for 2 years with min spend of S$10,000/year
OCBC Frank S$80Waived 2 years, & subsequently with S$10,000 annual spend
POSB Everyday S$192.60Waived for 1 year
UOB One S$194.40Waived for 1 year
UOB EVOL S$192.60Waived for 1 year, no annual fees if min. 3 transactions per month for 12 consecutive months
Waivers and bonuses subject to change. See card websites for further details

Learn More About Finding the Best Credit Card for You

Zoryana Melesh

Zoryana is a Senior Research Analyst at ValueChampion, who focuses on evaluating credit cards, savings and fixed deposits in Singapore. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MPA in International Finance and Economic Policy, both from Columbia University. Prior to joining ValueChampion, Zoryana worked in treasury management consulting.

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