Some Good Virtual Card Providers to Check Out
There are quite a few companies offering virtual cards now. Some are great if you just want an extra layer of security for online shopping. Others are better suited if you’re traveling a lot or running a small business. Honestly, there’s no perfect “one size fits all” here—it really depends on what you need.
Here are a few I think are worth looking into:
Privacy.com
If you mostly shop online and want to protect your real card details, Privacy.com is a strong choice.
You can create a virtual card for each merchant, which means even if one store gets hacked, the damage stops there.
Also, you can set spending limits—like if you only want Netflix taking $15 a month and not a penny more, you can make that happen.
It’s free for basic users, which… feels pretty fair.
Small catch: right now, it’s mostly available in the U.S. Maybe they’ll expand, but no guarantees.
Revolut
If you’re the type who’s always booking flights, shopping on foreign sites, or just generally globe-trotting (or wish you were), Revolut’s virtual cards are awesome.
You can hold multiple currencies in one place, and the app is one of the smoother ones out there.
They even offer disposable virtual cards that regenerate after each purchase—basically like shredding your card number after every use.
You do need a Revolut account though.
And while there’s a free version, some of the fancier features are locked behind paid plans.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise is all about transparency with fees.
If you’ve ever been burned by terrible exchange rates (and who hasn’t?), Wise gives you the real ones—the ones you actually see on Google.
Their virtual debit card is super handy for freelancers, remote workers, or honestly anyone tired of paying hidden fees.
One small thing: even though the fees are low, they’re not zero. So it’s great for frequent use, maybe less so for tiny occasional purchases.
Capital One Eno
If you already have a Capital One credit card, good news: you can use Eno to create virtual cards easily.
It’s pretty neat—Eno automatically generates a new card number for each store you buy from. That way, if one merchant gets hacked, your real card info stays safe.
No extra fees either, which is nice.
But again, this only works if you’re already a Capital One customer.
Payoneer
Payoneer is kind of the go-to for freelancers and small businesses.
You can create virtual prepaid cards in different currencies, making it super easy to get paid from clients around the world—or spend online without getting slammed by conversion fees.
The fee structure isn’t the simplest (you’ll want to read the fine print), but if you’re handling international payments, it’s a pretty solid option.
Quick Thought
If you just want simple protection for random online shopping, I’d start with Privacy.com.
If you travel a lot or work internationally, Wise or Revolut are probably better bets.
And if you already have a Capital One credit card, honestly, Eno is a no-brainer.
It’s really just about picking the one that fits the way you spend.