Life Money Money Planning Get Better at Managing Your Credit Cards (and Credit Card Debt) With These Smart Tools Swipe fearlessly. By Kate Rockwood Kate Rockwood Kate Rockwood is a writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience in print and digital media. Highlights: * Worked at Chicago Sun-Times as a fact-checker and then an online editor from 2005-2007 * Worked as senior editor at Fast Company from 2008 - 2011 * Worked as senior editor at O, the Oprah Magazine from 2011 - 2013 * Worked as senior content director for Imagination Publishing from 2013- 2015 Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on August 6, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Credit cards can be good, and credit cards can be bad—in many cases, it's all in how you use the card. Still, some credit cards rise above the rest, with rewards, perks, services, fees, and rates that set them apart. Beyond the cards themselves, there are also many services and apps that make using a credit card easier, either by helping people stay on top of payments, offering money-saving tips, and more. As part of the Real Simple Smart Money Awards, we're highlighting the best credit cards and tools for managing them of 2020 with the help of a panel of judges. There's a service for everyone, from first-time credit card holders to those trying to escape credit card debt. Read on for the best credit cards and credit card services, or click here to see the other 2020 Real Simple Smart Money Award winners. How to Better Understand Your Credit Card—and Figure Out Which One Is Right for You 01 of 03 Tally meettally.com Best for: paying down debt and starting an emergency fund What it is: Tally syncs all your credit cards, then takes over prioritizing payments. It tackles high-interest debts first and makes sure bills are paid on time. It also sends reminders to help you avoid late fees. Why we love it: Tally nudges you toward better saving and spending habits. "Far too many Americans are awash in debt and don't know how to dig themselves out. Tally is a great solution," says judge Lynnette Khalfani-Cox. RELATED: How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt 02 of 03 Petal petalcard.com Best for: 20-somethings who want to build their credit rating What it is: The Petal Visa is an excellent first credit card—and you're approved based on your income if you don't have credit history. Why we love it: It's a chicken-and- egg conundrum: How do you build good credit if you don't have a credit card...because you don't have good credit? Petal is the answer, and it doesn't even charge late fees. 03 of 03 Capital One's Eno capitalone.com Best for: keeping tabs on your credit account What it is: Eno, a virtual assistant, combs through your credit card activity to find expiring free trials, possible double charges, and other opportunities to save. Some services are automatic; for others, you have to give the go-ahead to allow notifications. Why we love it: Most of us spend about as much time looking at our credit card statements as we do our grocery store receipts. Unsurprisingly, it can be easy to miss overcharges or signs of fraud. Through email and text alerts, Eno lets you know when something doesn't look right before it becomes a big problem. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit