system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What is the difference between Visa, Mastercard and a credit card and how do the way of payments differ?
gpt
Visa and Mastercard are both companies that facilitate electronic payments between consumers using a card, merchants, and banks.  Mastercard issues credit cards (a card that works like a small loan, that you normally pay off by the end of the month or accrue interest) and also debit cards (a card that works more like cash, in that it immediately takes the money out of your bank account).  VISA technically does not issue cards, but rather licenses their name to financial institutions like your bank or credit union, and facilitates the transaction.