Comparison

IB CardControl vs Upward CardControls

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

IB CardControl

Manage your debit and credit cards by instantly blocking or unblocking them. Receive real-time transaction alerts and set custom usage controls, including location-based restrictions and spending limits, to enhance security and prevent fraud.

Highlights
  • Block/unblock cards instantly
  • Real-time transaction alerts
  • Location-based transaction controls
  • Set spending limits
  • Monitor transactions by category
  • Define usage preferences
Read full description

CardControl allows you to block and unblock your card with the click of a button. When the card is "on" transactions are allowed. When “off,” purchases or withdrawals are restricted. CardControl protects your card by sending transaction alerts and enabling you to define when, where and how your cards are used. Set your preferences to monitor and manage your cards. Alerts Enable Safe, Secure Card Usage Real-time alerts for PIN and signature transactions keep you informed of your card usage to quickly detect unauthorized or fraudulent activity. Location-Based Controls and Alerts Restrict transactions to merchants near your location (using your phone’s GPS) or by region using city, state, country or zip code on an interactive map. Usage Controls and Alerts Set spending limits to decline transactions above your thresholds. Monitor activity by category such as gas stations and restaurants, and by type: in-store purchases, e-commerce transactions and ATM transactions.

About

Upward CardControls

Manage and protect your debit and credit cards with transaction alerts and customizable usage controls. Define when, where, and how your cards are used to monitor and safeguard your finances.

Highlights
  • Transaction alerts
  • Card usage controls
  • Customizable alert preferences
  • Monitor card activity
  • Manage debit and credit cards
Features
Read full description

Upward Credit Union's CardNav - CardControl puts you in control of your debit and credit card. Upward CardControl helps you protect your debit and credit cards by sending you transacation alerts and giving you’re the ability to define when, where and how your cards are used. Simply download the Upward CardControl app to your smartphone, then customize your alert preferences and usage settings to monitor and manage your cards.

Screenshots

IB CardControl4 screens
Upward CardControls4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Upward CardControls at 100% against IB CardControl's 50%. Upward CardControls also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.9). IB CardControl's advantage is iOS requirement (10.3 vs 14.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Upward CardControls holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of IB CardControl's written reviews are positive against 100% of Upward CardControls's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IB CardControl ships an update every 12 months, Upward CardControls every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
IB CardControl versus Upward CardControls: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIB CardControlUpward CardControls
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (9 ratings)4.7 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings910 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 months — betterEvery 13 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.3 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIndustrial Bank of WashingtonUpward Credit Union

Customer experience

IB CardControl

All ratings9 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Upward CardControls

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

IB CardControl

No in-app purchases

None

Upward CardControls

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IB CardControl free?
IB CardControl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Upward CardControls free?
Upward CardControls is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IB CardControl or Upward CardControls?
Upward CardControls is rated higher. IB CardControl averages 3.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Upward CardControls averages 4.7 from 10 ratings.
Do IB CardControl or Upward CardControls have ads?
Neither IB CardControl nor Upward CardControls shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IB CardControl or Upward CardControls?
IB CardControl ships an update every 12 months, and Upward CardControls every 13 months. Most recently, IB CardControl was updated on October 2, 2026 and Upward CardControls on October 10, 2026.

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