Barq Cards: Barq Platinum & mada Prepaid Cards, Fees and Alternatives
Barq is a Saudi digital wallet offering Barq Platinum and Barq mada prepaid cards. It is a fintech payment service regulated by SAMA, targeting Saudi residents who want a digital-first prepaid card for everyday spending. Barq integrates with mobile payment platforms and supports contactless and online transactions. Both cards are listed on Giraffy with a SAR 0 annual fee and a 0.00% international transaction fee — the only cards among the 50 Saudi prepaid cards Giraffy tracks with no foreign transaction fee (the next lowest are travel cards at 1.00%). Barq's cards are prepaid, not credit cards: you spend money you have loaded into the wallet.
Live offers
- Barq Platinum Card
- Barq mada card
| Provider | Barq |
|---|---|
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Provider type | SAMA-regulated digital wallet (not a bank) |
| Products | Barq Platinum Card, Barq mada Card |
| Annual fee | SAR 0 (both cards) |
| International transaction fee | 0.00% (both cards) |
| Cash withdrawal fee | SAR 0 (mada card); SAR 30 (Platinum, also abroad) |
| Card replacement fee | SAR 50 |
| Alternatives | STC Pay, urpay, Tweeq |
Best for
- Saudi residents looking for a digital fintech prepaid card alternative
- Card spending abroad or in foreign currencies online — 0.00% international transaction fee listed
- Cash withdrawals without a fee on the Barq mada card
Not ideal for
- Users who need a full banking relationship or international transfer capabilities
- Anyone looking for a credit card or rewards — Barq's cards are prepaid with no listed reward rate
Barq Platinum and Barq mada prepaid cards
Barq's two prepaid cards, as listed on Giraffy.
- Annual fee: SAR 0 on both cards
- International transaction fee: 0.00% on both cards
- Cash withdrawals: SAR 0 with the mada card; SAR 30 with the Platinum card (also SAR 30 abroad)
- Card replacement: SAR 50
- No reward rate or welcome bonus listed
Best for: Low-cost spending in Saudi Arabia and abroad from a topped-up wallet.
Compare prepaid cards in Barq in Saudi Arabia: 2 live plans compared
Barq vs alternatives
Barq vs STC Pay
Saudi Arabia's leading mobile wallet. Barq vs STC Pay: STC Pay has wider brand recognition and Classic, Platinum and Signature cards, all listed with a 2.00% international transaction fee and SAR 28.75 cash withdrawals. Barq's cards list 0.00% and SAR 0 annual fees.
Barq vs tiqmo
Another app-first wallet with a SAR 0 prepaid card. Barq vs tiqmo: tiqmo Platinum lists a 2.00% reward rate but a 1.70% international transaction fee and SAR 75 cash withdrawals; Barq lists no reward rate, 0.00% abroad and SAR 0–30 withdrawals.
Barq in Barq in Saudi Arabia: 2 live plans compared — FAQ
What is Barq in Saudi Arabia?
Barq is a SAMA-regulated digital wallet offering Platinum and mada prepaid cards for everyday payments.
Is Barq a bank?
No. Barq is a digital wallet, not a bank: you load money into the app and spend it with a Barq Platinum or Barq mada prepaid card. For a full current account, compare bank accounts in Saudi Arabia on Giraffy.
Does Barq offer a credit card?
Giraffy lists two Barq cards and both are prepaid, not credit cards: Barq Platinum and Barq mada, each with a SAR 0 annual fee. You can only spend the balance you have loaded.
Does the Barq card charge fees abroad?
Both Barq cards are listed with a 0.00% international transaction fee. Cash withdrawals cost SAR 30 with the Platinum card, at home or abroad, and SAR 0 with the mada card.