- HELOC cards charge 5–15% interest vs. 20%+ on traditional credit cards — the lower rate comes from using your home as collateral.
- Aven (Visa) wins on credit limits ($400K max), rewards simplicity (flat 2% cash back), and track record (6,000+ reviews).
- Trovy (Mastercard) wins on rates (starting at 5.69%), draw period length (10 years vs. 5), and no required upfront draw.
- Both cards put your home at risk — missed payments can ultimately lead to foreclosure.
- Neither is available in every state. Aven excludes 7; Trovy has its own exclusions.
What Is a HELOC Card, and How Is It Different From a Regular Credit Card?
A HELOC card charges roughly 7–15% interest — compared to the 20%+ average on a traditional credit card. That gap is why HELOC-backed credit cards are one of the fastest-growing product categories in home equity right now. Instead of wiring money from a traditional HELOC (home equity line of credit), these cards let you swipe, tap, or shop online using your home equity directly at the register.
Two fintech companies dominate this space: Aven and Trovy. Both offer HELOC cards with cash back rewards, fast digital applications, and rates far below unsecured credit cards. But they differ in meaningful ways — rates, credit limits, fee structures, rewards programs, and availability.
A HELOC card is a credit card backed by your home equity rather than your creditworthiness alone. Your lender approves a credit line based on your home's equity, and instead of drawing funds through wire transfers or checks, you access that credit line by swiping a card. Because the card is secured by your home, rates are significantly lower than traditional unsecured credit cards.
The average credit card interest rate is currently above 20% (Federal Reserve, March 2026). HELOC card rates typically range from about 5% to 15%, depending on your credit profile and the lender.
The trade-off is real: your home is collateral. Miss enough payments on a regular credit card, and your credit score takes a hit. Miss enough payments on a HELOC card, and foreclosure becomes a possibility. That risk is worth understanding before you apply.
Aven vs. Trovy: The Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how the two leading HELOC card providers stack up on the details that matter most:
| Feature | Aven (Visa) | Trovy (Mastercard) |
|---|---|---|
| Variable APR range | 7.99%–15.49% | 5.69%–13.24% |
| Cash back rewards | Unlimited 2% on all | 1.5% all; up to 3% top category |
| Max credit line | $400,000 | $100,000 |
| Draw period | 5 years | 10 years |
| Cash-out / BT fee | 2.5% | Up to 3% |
| Min. upfront draw | No (card product) | No |
| Fixed-rate option | Yes (Simple Loan) | Yes (FixedPay, $100+) |
| State availability | 43 states | Most states (varies) |
Where Aven Wins
Higher credit limits. Aven offers lines up to $400,000 in most states, with a $5,000 minimum. If you need to consolidate a large amount of debt or fund a major renovation, Aven gives you more room. Trovy caps at $100,000.
Simpler rewards structure. Aven pays a flat 2% cash back on every purchase — no categories to track, no rotating bonuses. For homeowners who plan to use the card regularly, that straightforward rate can add up. On $2,000 in monthly spending, that's $480 per year in cash back.
$2,000/month in spending × 2% cash back = $480/year in rewards. With Aven's flat rate, every purchase earns the same — no tracking, no rotating categories.
Low-rate guarantee. Aven promises to beat any competitor's HELOC rate offer or pay you $250. No other HELOC card provider currently offers this kind of rate-match guarantee.
Longer track record. Aven launched in 2022 and has issued more than $3 billion in credit lines, according to company disclosures. With over 6,000 Trustpilot reviews and an A+ BBB rating, there's a larger body of customer feedback to reference. Trovy is newer with fewer public reviews, though the ones that exist are overwhelmingly positive.
Where Trovy Wins
Lower APR range. Trovy's published rates start at 5.69% and cap at 13.24% — meaningfully lower than Aven's 7.99%–15.49% range. For a borrower carrying a $50,000 balance, the difference between a 6% and an 8% rate is roughly $1,000 per year in interest.
Longer draw period. Trovy offers a 10-year draw period, which is standard for traditional HELOCs. Aven's card has a 5-year draw period — half as long. A shorter draw period means you have less time to access new funds before you enter the repayment phase.
No minimum upfront draw. Trovy doesn't require you to take any money when you open the account. You only pay interest on what you actually use. This makes Trovy a strong fit as an emergency fund or standby credit line.
Category-based rewards bonus. While Trovy's base cash back rate (1.5%) is lower than Aven's flat 2%, Trovy automatically gives you up to 3% back in your highest spending category each month. If most of your spending falls into one category — like groceries or home improvement — Trovy's effective rewards rate could beat Aven's.
Upcoming 1Loan product. Trovy is rolling out a product called 1Loan that lets homeowners refinance their existing mortgage into a HELOC with redraw capability via the Trovy Card. Borrowing up to $2 million, with eligibility for self-employed and non-agency borrowers. This product is expected in early 2026 and could change the competitive landscape if it performs as advertised.
The Risks Both Cards Share
HELOC cards are not standard credit cards. Before you apply for either Aven or Trovy, understand these shared risks:
Every dollar you swipe is backed by your house. If you can't repay, foreclosure is the worst-case outcome. Both Aven and Trovy emphasize that foreclosure is a last resort — but the lien on your property is real and enforceable.
Both cards use variable APRs tied to the prime rate, currently 6.75% (Wall Street Journal, January 2026). If the Fed raises rates, your HELOC card rate moves up with it. Both providers offer fixed-rate conversion options for larger balances.
Studies show consumers tend to spend more with credit cards than with cash. When that card is tied to your home equity, the consequences are higher. Bankrate's 2026 review noted that convenience "could encourage irresponsible use of home equity." NerdWallet flagged similar concerns with Trovy.
Aven operates in 43 states but is not available in Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New York, or Utah — with $100K credit limits in eight additional states (NerdWallet, January 2026). Trovy has its own exclusions. Check both providers' websites before applying.
Who Should Choose Which Card?
Choose Aven if…
- You need a credit line above $100,000
- You prefer flat, simple cash back (2% on everything)
- You want a rate-match guarantee
- You value a larger customer review base
Choose Trovy if…
- Getting the lowest possible rate is your priority
- You want a longer draw period (10 yr vs. 5)
- You'd rather not take an upfront draw
- Your spending clusters in one category (3% beats 2%)
Consider Neither If…
- You tend to carry high credit card balances and struggle with repayment — putting your home behind that pattern is risky
- You don't have at least 15–20% equity
- You're in a state where neither provider operates
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
HELOC cards are still a new product category, but they solve a real problem: giving homeowners flexible, low-cost access to their equity without the friction of a traditional HELOC draw process. Aven and Trovy are the two most established players, and each has clear strengths.
Aven gives you higher limits, a simpler rewards program, and a proven track record. Trovy gives you lower rates, a longer draw period, and the flexibility of no upfront draw. Neither is universally better — it depends on how much you need to borrow, how you plan to use the card, and which rate and reward structure fits your spending patterns.
Before you apply, compare both offers side by side. Check your prequalified rate with each provider (it won't affect your credit score), and make sure you're comfortable with the fact that your home backs every transaction.
