Card Depot vs Raise (GCX): Who Really Gives You Better Savings?
Raise is now GCX (gcx.app). Here's how Card Depot compares on real savings, reliability, and support.
4.8 stars with 1,562+ reviews on Trustpilot
As seen on
Why Some Shoppers Prefer Card Depot Over Raise
Raise, now GCX, is a peer-to-peer marketplace: your card comes from an individual reseller, and its marketplace charges a 10% buyer fee. Card Depot sells verified stock, charges buyers no fees, and backs every card with a 100-day guarantee.
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| Feature |
|
Raise (GCX) |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8 stars | 1.7 stars |
| Buyer Fees | None | 10% buyer fee |
| Your Real Discount | The discount shown is what you keep | A listed 10% is about 9% after the fee |
| How Cards Are Sourced | Verified stock, bought in bulk | Peer-to-peer marketplace |
| Delivery Speed | Instant | Not always instant |
| Guarantee | 100-day | 90-day |
| Live Support | Yes | Chatbot only, ~7-day replies |
| Help With Redemption | Yes | Little to none |
* Comparison reflects publicly available information and internal checks as of 07/06/2026. Raise and GCX are trademarks of their owner and are not affiliated with Card Depot.
On Raise, the listed discount isn't the discount you get
Raise's marketplace adds a 10% buyer fee. At Card Depot there are no buyer fees, so the discount you see is the discount you keep.
A card listed at 10% off on Raise's marketplace.
Listed discount
10%
Raise buyer fee
-10% of discount
Your real discount
~9%
The catch with Raise Cash Back
Raise Cash Back looks good on the surface. The fine print:
- It is Raise credit, not real money, and cannot be withdrawn.
- It can only be spent on another Raise order, which locks you in.
- You get no further discount on that credit, so your original purchase was never discounted by the full amount advertised.
- It expires. Use it or lose it.
Card Depot gives you the discount up front, on the card you are buying, with nothing to claw back later.
What makes Card Depot Better than Raise?
Key advantages you get only with Card Depot
- No buyer fees, the discount you see is the discount you keep
- Verified stock, not a card from a random reseller who could have kept the code
- Instant digital delivery
- A 100-day, replacement-backed guarantee
- Live chat support and real help with redemption
- Advanced card verification and identity check
What Our Customers Say
4.8 stars with 1,562+ reviews on Trustpilot
It's extremely easy to buy gift cards at Card Depot and not to be worried about being defrauded. Bought it twice already. Will come back again in the future.
I was nervous about this as this was the first time I had ever used any service like this. I bought a carnival Line Cruise card and within an hour of receiving it I made a reservation with Carnival Cruise using the card I just bought and it worked perfectly, no issues. I will definitely 100% buy these cards every single time I go on any Cruise or need them for any other service.
I was skeptical at first. But the site is legit and the cards come through very quick after verifying id. Better interface than most other gift card resellers. Wish they had a better sorting though...
Before I purchased the gift cards I read a lot of reviews, I'm skeptical about these kinds of sites, being burned by once before ( did not loose any money) . After reading the reviews I only found one that concerned me and it was related to my purchase, but after making the purchase and going thru the identity process, everything went seamless, easy peasy, had no problems using the gift card (Carnival). support answered any and all questions and concerns I had before purchasing! Would highly recommend to anyone!
I was skeptical about this site because it required identity verification. Once it was confirmed and I made a purchase for southwest egift cards, I got a phone call from customer service to verify my order. A couple of minutes later, I got an email with my gift cards. I will definitely be back. What a great experience!
I read good things about this company before purchasing, but was still skeptical given the questionable reputation of some of their competitors. However, the entire process was incredibly easy, the gift cards arrived quickly, and I had absolutely no issues. Was very happy/relieved at the end of the day. Would use again.
I thought I got a scam website but it's not! I got my gift card quickly and I was so excited!! Discount and easy to navigate!
Bought two cards, first time purchase. I received the codes within 15 minutes and immediately redeemed them fearing it could be a scam. They worked exactly as expected and there were no issues. I will buy more from Card Depot
At first I was thinking "what's the catch", but everything was straightforward and smooth. No hidden fees. They do a great job at confirming your identity if you are a first-time buyer on their website. I would definitely recommend.
I was skeptical of buying gift cards from you because there is so many grifters out there. But I was happy with all the protections you provided and how quickly I received my cards. Thank you!
At first I was reluctant to use Card Depot. The drivers license and they scan your face side to side. I decided to give it a shot. Immediately after I had placed my order, they call me to make sure I wasn't being scammed or pressured to buy what I was buying (it was a significant dollar value). I came to appreciate the entire process for making sure I was who I said I was and making sure my purchase was not due to a scam. I received my cards immediately after the call and used them immediately as well. I highly recommend Card Depot and will be using them many times going forward.
Questions & Answers
-
Is Raise (GCX) legit and safe?
Raise, now GCX, is an established marketplace, but because cards come from individual sellers, reliability varies, and its Trustpilot rating is just 1.7. Card Depot sells verified stock, checks every card, and backs it with a 100-day guarantee. -
Why did Raise become GCX?
Raise rebranded to GCX in 2024 and now operates at gcx.app, which is why you see both names. -
Does Raise charge a buyer fee?
Yes. Its marketplace charges a 10% buyer fee, so a listed 10% discount nets you closer to 9%. Card Depot charges buyers no fees. -
Is Raise Cash Back a real discount?
Not exactly. It is Raise credit, not withdrawable cash, only usable on another Raise order, with no further discount on that credit, and it expires. Card Depot gives the discount up front on the card you buy. -
How is Card Depot different from Raise (GCX)?
Card Depot is not peer-to-peer. We buy verified stock in bulk and sell it directly, with no buyer fees, instant delivery, live support, and a 100-day guarantee. -
Do Card Depot gift cards expire?
No, our gift cards never expire. It is still smart to use them before a merchant changes pricing or runs out of stock. -
Why do I have to verify my identity (KYC)?
Like every gift card marketplace, we verify identity so a stolen credit card can't be used to buy. It takes 1-5 minutes, once, and your account is then permanently verified.
Buying cards in bulk?
Whether you are incentivizing employees, building your business, building a house, or planning for your wedding day, Card Depot is here to help you save.
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