I use virtual cards for many online purchases. They help me avoid sharing my real card number. They also let me stop subscriptions and limit fraud quickly. In this post I explain what a virtual card is, how I pick the best ones, and which seven I recommend for online shopping. I also include links to each provider so you can check features and fees yourself.
What is a virtual credit card and why I use one
A virtual credit card is a card number you use only online. It is linked to your real credit or debit account but hides your actual number from merchants. You can make a one-time number or a number that works for one merchant. This reduces the risk if a site is hacked or sells your data. Many providers let you freeze or delete the virtual number in seconds. I find that very useful when I try a new store.
How I chose these seven
I looked for services that offer easy virtual card creation, strong controls (like merchant locks or single-use numbers), mobile app tools, and clear fees. I also checked global availability and whether the provider is run by banks or trusted fintech firms. I used recent reviews and official product pages to make sure the features I list are current.
1) Privacy.com — focused on privacy and single-use cards
Privacy.com issues virtual cards that mask your real payment details. You can create a card for one merchant or for recurring use. You can also set limits and pause or close a card. I like Privacy.com when I shop from new or small merchants. Their site explains the merchant-lock and single-use options well.
Pros: good privacy controls, merchant locking, easy to pause cards.
Cons: US-focused; funding and rules vary by country.
Best for: people who want strict privacy controls for US-based cards.
2) Wise
The Wise app offers virtual cards tied to a multi-currency account. This is useful when I buy from overseas shops. Wise gives fair currency exchange and the app lets me freeze cards fast. I use Wise when I want to avoid poor exchange rates and extra bank fees.
Pros: multi-currency support, good exchange rates, app controls.
Cons: not every country supports all features; watch for local rules.
Best for: people who buy from foreign stores or travel often.
3) Revolut
Revolut issues virtual prepaid cards directly inside its app. You can create and destroy them in seconds. Revolut also offers disposable virtual cards that change numbers after each transaction for extra security.
Pros: instant creation, disposable card option, easy controls.
Cons: some advanced features are in paid tiers.
Best for: users who want a fast, app-based virtual card with simple setup.
4) Capital One Eno
If you already have a Capital One credit card, Eno can generate virtual card numbers that link to your account. Eno can create merchant-specific numbers and show you where each number is used. This keeps your real card number private while letting you keep credit card rewards.
Pros: keeps rewards and protections of your real card; good merchant controls.
Cons: only for Capital One cardholders.
Best for: Capital One customers who want virtual numbers and to keep rewards.
5) American Express
American Express offers virtual card numbers or tokenized numbers in partnership with digital wallets. This option can work for business and consumer cards depending on region and account type. Amex has begun rolling out more virtual features to allow online payments without exposing the real card number.
Pros: backed by Amex protections and benefits.
Cons: rollout may be limited by card type and country.
Best for: Amex cardholders who want extra online protection and to keep card perks.
6) Banks
Some banks now offer their own virtual card numbers. For example, Citi and other large banks provide single-use or merchant-specific numbers. These tools let you keep bank-level protections while hiding your real number.
Pros: integrated with existing cards and protections.
Cons: availability depends on issuer and card type.
Best for: people who prefer bank-backed virtual numbers.
7) Business and expense-focused virtual cards
Several fintech platforms such as Extend offer virtual card stacks for teams and expense control. These are good if you want to issue many virtual cards for subscriptions, contractors, or one-off vendors. Some business virtual card systems integrate with accounting software, making expense tracking easier.
Pros: easy expense control and reporting.
Cons: often aimed at businesses, not individuals.
Best for: small businesses and freelancers who need many virtual numbers.
How to pick the right virtual card for you
Think about the following in this order: where you live, whether you need multi-currency support, if you want single-use or merchant-specific numbers, and whether you need business features. If you already have a credit card with virtual options, try that first. It usually keeps your existing protections and rewards. If privacy is the top priority, a provider like Privacy.com may be best. If you buy from foreign stores a lot, a Wise card may save you money.
Common uses and quick tips I use
I use virtual cards for trial subscriptions, new online stores, and marketplace purchases where I don’t know the seller. I also use them for recurring services when I want to make canceling easy: I create a card, set it for the merchant, and delete it if I need to stop billing.
A few short tips:
- Create a single-use card for one-off purchases.
- Use merchant-locked numbers for subscriptions so only that merchant can charge you.
- Keep one trusted card for regular subscriptions so you don’t lose all autopay setups if you close a number.
Security and limits to know
Virtual cards reduce fraud risk, but they are not a full replacement for safe habits. You still need strong passwords and two-factor authentication on accounts. Also, some virtual cards act like prepaid debit cards and may lack certain consumer protections found with full credit cards. Always check the provider’s support pages before trusting them with larger purchases.
Final thoughts
Virtual cards make online shopping safer and simpler. I use a mix: a privacy-first provider for risky merchants, a multi-currency card for foreign shops, and bank-issued virtual numbers for high-value buys that need card benefits. Your choice depends on where you live, the stores you use, and whether you want business features.
