June 1, 2023
*Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated June 1, 2023 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
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The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our top pick: It reports your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), provides the opportunity to get your security deposit back after demonstrating responsible card usage, charges a $0 annual fee and earns cash back rewards.
If you have fair or poor credit (typically a credit score less than 580), your credit card options may be limited. Most cards with travel rewards programs and stylish perks and benefits are reserved for people with good to excellent credit. Still, there are credit cards for people with bad credit that have solid rewards rates, reasonable APRs and $0 annual fees.
Some of the best credit cards for bad credit are secured cards. These cards require a security deposit as collateral for your card’s credit line but also tend to come with more reasonable fees than unsecured credit cards for bad credit. Using your card responsibly can help you improve your credit score to the point where you may be eligible for an unsecured card with an outstanding rewards program.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,500
Why we picked this card: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card hits everything you’d want in a card for poor/limited credit: a $0 annual fee, credit bureau reporting and cash back on every purchase. Plus, after seven months, Discover will begin monthly reviews of your account to see if you qualify to get your deposit back and graduate to an unsecured card.
Pros and cons:
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the top cards around if you need to rebuild your credit. It’s accessible with a $200 minimum deposit, and Discover is clear on when your account will be reviewed for the chance to upgrade to an unsecured card. Plus, it earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. And Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,500
Why we picked this card: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card hits everything you’d want in a card for poor/limited credit: a $0 annual fee, credit bureau reporting and cash back on every purchase. Plus, after seven months, Discover will begin monthly reviews of your account to see if you qualify to get your deposit back and graduate to an unsecured card.
Pros and cons:
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the top cards around if you need to rebuild your credit. It’s accessible with a $200 minimum deposit, and Discover is clear on when your account will be reviewed for the chance to upgrade to an unsecured card. Plus, it earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. And Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Minimum deposit: No deposit
Credit limit: $300 to $2,000
Why we picked this card: The AvantCard Credit Card is a solid option if you want to improve your fair/poor/limited credit with the help of a card that doesn’t require a security deposit.
Pros and cons:
If you don’t want to tie up money in a security deposit, and you’re willing to pay a $59 annual fee, the AvantCard Credit Card is an unsecured card worth considering. However, the card does come with a high APR of 29.99% (variable). Additionally, the card is not available to residents of Colorado, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.
Minimum deposit: No deposit
Credit limit: $300 to $2,000
Why we picked this card: The AvantCard Credit Card is a solid option if you want to improve your fair/poor/limited credit with the help of a card that doesn’t require a security deposit.
Pros and cons:
If you don’t want to tie up money in a security deposit, and you’re willing to pay a $59 annual fee, the AvantCard Credit Card is an unsecured card worth considering. However, the card does come with a high APR of 29.99% (variable). Additionally, the card is not available to residents of Colorado, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card may be your best option if you’re worried that your credit is too bad to get approved even for a secured card, since it doesn’t require a credit check when you apply.
Pros and cons:
Since the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t require a credit check when you apply, it’s a solid option for those whose credit is too bad to get approved for a traditional card or even a secured card.
Additionally, the card does not require a bank account for approval. You will, however, have to provide some personal financial information, such as your annual income, monthly housing payment and housing payment type.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card charges a $35 annual fee and has a regular APR of 22.39% (variable). The card also requires a refundable security deposit ranging from $200 to $3,000.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $3,000
Why we picked this card: The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card may be your best option if you’re worried that your credit is too bad to get approved even for a secured card, since it doesn’t require a credit check when you apply.
Pros and cons:
Since the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t require a credit check when you apply, it’s a solid option for those whose credit is too bad to get approved for a traditional card or even a secured card.
Additionally, the card does not require a bank account for approval. You will, however, have to provide some personal financial information, such as your annual income, monthly housing payment and housing payment type.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card charges a $35 annual fee and has a regular APR of 22.39% (variable). The card also requires a refundable security deposit ranging from $200 to $3,000.
Minimum deposit: $100
Credit limit: $100 to $1,000
Why we picked this card: The Amazon Secured Card has a lower minimum deposit than many secured cards, which can be helpful if you’re struggling to put together a $200 or $300 deposit. Plus, you may be able to graduate to an unsecured card after using this card responsibly for 12 months.
Pros and cons:
If you shop frequently at Amazon.com and want to build credit, the Amazon Secured Card might be what you’re looking for. Plus, for consumers who want to avoid the $200 minimum deposit many secured cards require, the Amazon Secured Card is accessible with a deposit as low as $100. Lastly, the card also offers an opportunity to earn 2% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and more, with an eligible Prime membership.
Minimum deposit: $100
Credit limit: $100 to $1,000
Why we picked this card: The Amazon Secured Card has a lower minimum deposit than many secured cards, which can be helpful if you’re struggling to put together a $200 or $300 deposit. Plus, you may be able to graduate to an unsecured card after using this card responsibly for 12 months.
Pros and cons:
If you shop frequently at Amazon.com and want to build credit, the Amazon Secured Card might be what you’re looking for. Plus, for consumers who want to avoid the $200 minimum deposit many secured cards require, the Amazon Secured Card is accessible with a deposit as low as $100. Lastly, the card also offers an opportunity to earn 2% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and more, with an eligible Prime membership.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,500
Why we picked this card: It’s rare to find a card intended for those with poor/limited credit that offers an intro APR on balance transfers — but the Discover it® Secured Credit Card does just that.
Pros and cons:
If you have a large amount of high-interest credit card debt that you want to transfer, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card may be the way to go. This card offers a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers (then a 27.99% Variable APR applies) and charges a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 to $2,500
Why we picked this card: It’s rare to find a card intended for those with poor/limited credit that offers an intro APR on balance transfers — but the Discover it® Secured Credit Card does just that.
Pros and cons:
If you have a large amount of high-interest credit card debt that you want to transfer, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card may be the way to go. This card offers a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers (then a 27.99% Variable APR applies) and charges a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.
Minimum deposit: $49, $99 or $200
Credit limit: $200 minimum, See terms for maximum credit limit
Why we picked this card: Typically, when you get a secured credit card, you must submit a deposit in the amount of your desired credit limit. But the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card offers the chance to get a $200 starting credit limit with a $49, $99 or $200 deposit. Just know, you aren’t guaranteed to get the lower deposit amounts.
Pros and cons:
If you want to use a secured card to help build your credit without submitting a large deposit upfront, the $0-annual-fee Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a good fit — as long as you qualify for the lower deposit amount.
Additionally, after six months of demonstrating responsible card usage, Capital One will review your eligibility for an increased credit limit.
The card does, however, come with a relatively high purchase APR of 29.99% (Variable), and there is no rewards program.
Minimum deposit: $49, $99 or $200
Credit limit: $200 minimum, See terms for maximum credit limit
Why we picked this card: Typically, when you get a secured credit card, you must submit a deposit in the amount of your desired credit limit. But the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card offers the chance to get a $200 starting credit limit with a $49, $99 or $200 deposit. Just know, you aren’t guaranteed to get the lower deposit amounts.
Pros and cons:
If you want to use a secured card to help build your credit without submitting a large deposit upfront, the $0-annual-fee Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card could be a good fit — as long as you qualify for the lower deposit amount.
Additionally, after six months of demonstrating responsible card usage, Capital One will review your eligibility for an increased credit limit.
The card does, however, come with a relatively high purchase APR of 29.99% (Variable), and there is no rewards program.
Minimum deposit: No deposit
Credit limit: $300 – $5,000 credit limits
Why we picked this card: If you’d rather use your “Cash Score” to determine your eligibility instead of your credit score, the Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card could be a good fit.
Pros and cons:
If you have bad credit, it can be difficult to get approved for an unsecured card. The Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card uses Cash Score technology derived through analysis of banking and bill payment patterns, rather than relying on traditional credit scores to determine creditworthiness. This card also reports to the three major credit bureaus, comes with no annual fee and offers rewards on some purchases.
Minimum deposit: No deposit
Credit limit: $300 – $5,000 credit limits
Why we picked this card: If you’d rather use your “Cash Score” to determine your eligibility instead of your credit score, the Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card could be a good fit.
Pros and cons:
If you have bad credit, it can be difficult to get approved for an unsecured card. The Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card uses Cash Score technology derived through analysis of banking and bill payment patterns, rather than relying on traditional credit scores to determine creditworthiness. This card also reports to the three major credit bureaus, comes with no annual fee and offers rewards on some purchases.
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Credit limit: $1,000 minimum
Why we picked this card: Out of the few available secured credit cards for businesses, the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card is one of the simplest cards. It has a $0 annual fee and flat rewards rate, which makes it easy to rack up rewards on business purchases while building credit. Plus, Bank of America will automatically review your account to see if you can transition to an unsecured credit card.
Pros and cons:
This card is best for small business owners who want to build their business credit history with a card that can become an unsecured credit card later on. The minimum deposit is $1,000, which is pretty steep for a secured credit card — so keep that in mind when choosing a card for your business.
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Credit limit: $1,000 minimum
Why we picked this card: Out of the few available secured credit cards for businesses, the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card is one of the simplest cards. It has a $0 annual fee and flat rewards rate, which makes it easy to rack up rewards on business purchases while building credit. Plus, Bank of America will automatically review your account to see if you can transition to an unsecured credit card.
Pros and cons:
This card is best for small business owners who want to build their business credit history with a card that can become an unsecured credit card later on. The minimum deposit is $1,000, which is pretty steep for a secured credit card — so keep that in mind when choosing a card for your business.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 minimum, See terms for maximum credit limit
Why we picked this card: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a simple cash back rate on everyday purchases. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Pros and cons:
If you want to build credit while earning cash back at a competitive rate on every purchase, you may like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Additionally, the $0 annual fee card offers automatic credit line reviews starting at six months to determine if you qualify for a higher credit line.
Minimum deposit: $200
Credit limit: $200 minimum, See terms for maximum credit limit
Why we picked this card: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a simple cash back rate on everyday purchases. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Pros and cons:
If you want to build credit while earning cash back at a competitive rate on every purchase, you may like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Additionally, the $0 annual fee card offers automatic credit line reviews starting at six months to determine if you qualify for a higher credit line.
Most credit cards designed for those with bad credit come with high APRs and/or annual fees. This can make paying off your balance difficult, since so much of your monthly payment ends up going to interest or fees. That is one reason why it’s important to look for a credit card with a low interest rate and/or no annual fee. You should also take a look at the recommended credit of the card before you apply to to help ensure you’ll qualify. A card offering a rewards program or welcome offer is a plus too.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Regular APR | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
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on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner + Balance transfer
|
2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | 27.99% Variable APR | $0 |
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on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
AvantCard Credit Card
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on Avant's secure site |
No deposit
|
Non-rewards card | 29.99% | $59 |
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on Avant's secure site |
|
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
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on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
No credit check
|
None | 22.39% (variable) | $35 |
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on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
|
Amazon Secured Card
|
Store card
|
2% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and more, with an eligible Prime membership | 10.00% non-variable | $0 | |
|
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
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on Capital One's secure site |
Low deposit
|
Non-rewards Card | 29.99% (Variable) | $0 |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site |
|
Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card
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on Petal's secure site |
Unsecured
|
Earn 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants | Variable APR between 24.99% - 34.49% | $0 |
Apply Now
on Petal's secure site |
|
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card
Review Coming Soon
|
Business
|
unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases | 26.99% variable | $0 | Review Coming Soon |
|
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site |
Rewards
|
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) | 29.99% (Variable) | $0 |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site |
The credit scoring method most lenders use to determine your credit rating is the FICO Score, which can range from 300 to 850. Any FICO Score lower than 580 is considered a bad credit score. Another credit scoring model you may encounter is the VantageScore, which also ranges from 300 to 850. Any number below 600 on the VantageScore scale is considered poor.
FICO Score
| Credit rating | Credit score |
|---|---|
| Poor credit | 300 to 579 |
| Fair credit | 580 to 669 |
| Good credit | 670 to 739 |
| Very good credit | 740 to 799 |
| Exceptional credit | 800 to 850 |
VantageScore
| Credit rating | Credit score |
|---|---|
| Very poor credit | 300 to 499 |
| Poor credit | 500 to 600 |
| Fair credit | 601 to 660 |
| Good credit | 661 to 780 |
| Excellent credit | 781 to 850 |
One of the most attainable options for rebuilding your credit is a secured credit card. They differ from non-secured credit cards because they typically require a refundable minimum deposit that acts as your credit line.
Unsecured cards — which are more common — don’t require a security deposit, so their credit limits tend to be much higher since they’re not dependent on how much you put down. However, many unsecured credit cards designed for people with bad credit have expensive fees and bad terms, like no grace period.
Secured cards usually lack fees and are more transparent about their terms, making them the better choice for people with bad credit. Here’s how the two types of cards compare overall:
| Unsecured credit cards for bad credit | Secured credit cards | |
|---|---|---|
| Require a security deposit | ||
| Often come with high fees | ||
| Credit limit based on your deposit | ||
| Credit limit based on your credit history | ||
| Can earn rewards | ||
| Report payment history to credit bureaus |
Where to check if you’re prequalified:
If you are looking for a credit card but you have poor or limited credit, secured credit cards, gas credit cards and store credit cards tend to be easier to get approved for:
A secured credit card requires you to put down a refundable security deposit. Many credit card issuers will approve people with poor credit for a secured credit card since their initial security deposit serves as collateral for the credit line. Some secured credit cards give you the option to graduate to an unsecured card over time with responsible use.
Gas credit cards can help offset the cost of fuel by offering rewards at gas stations or a rewards structure that includes gas purchases. Many gas station-only cards are easier to get approved for, making them a good option for those with bad credit.
Store credit cards offer cash back rewards at select retailers. Store cards are often easier to get approved for by applicants with lower credit scores than general-use credit cards. Approval typically happens instantly and can be completed during your transaction. The Target REDcard™ Credit Card and Amazon Secured Card are two examples of store credit cards.
Ask the following when evaluating a credit card for bad credit:
Does it report to the credit bureaus?
Each credit bureau maintains a separate report of your credit history. Most credit card issuers will report your activity to the three major credit bureaus, but that’s not always the case. With some cards, your activity might only be reported to two out of three bureaus, for example. It’s best if you can get a card that reports to all three, because then no matter which credit report lenders pull when you apply for other credit products later, they’ll see your history of responsible spending and on-time payments.
Can I earn my deposit back?
If you get a secured card, a nice feature is the opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card with good behavior and get your deposit back. Some issuers offer automatic account reviews within a specified time period (e.g., starting at six months) to have your deposit refunded. Not all secured cards offer this, but many do.
Are the fees and other terms clear?
We typically recommend against unsecured cards targeted at people with bad credit because they may charge expensive fees and come with opaque terms. So, first, you want to make sure you’re clear on what you’re getting when you apply for a new card. And, second, you want to make sure any fees that you’re charged are reasonable. In many cases, building credit with a secured card that charges no annual fee is your best option. You’ll have to submit a deposit, but it can be more affordable in the long run.
You can repair your credit on your own with a little patience and grit. Here’s how:
Check your credit score and credit reports
There are several ways you can check your credit score for free without hurting it, including signing up for a free LendingTree account or creating an account directly with the credit bureau Experian.
We should note that Experian also offers Experian Boost, which allows payments that wouldn’t normally affect your credit score — such as utilities, eligible streaming services and your phone bill — to build positive credit history on your Experian report.
You’re also entitled to a free credit report every year from each of the three bureaus via annualcreditreport.com — and since the coronavirus pandemic, the bureaus have been offering free weekly reports (available until Dec. 31, 2023).
If you spot something inaccurate on your credit report, you can file a dispute to get it removed.Get a credit card and use it responsibly
Used poorly, a credit card can bury you in debt and drain your bank account due to interest charges. But used responsibly, it can be a powerful tool for showing lenders you’re trustworthy. Here’s how to do it right:
Avoid applying for too much credit
Getting a credit card that reports to the bureaus can help improve your credit score. But once you’ve obtained it, you should avoid applying for new credit too often, because doing so hurts your score the following ways:
How to build credit without a credit card
If you’re having trouble getting approved for a credit card because of your credit, don’t worry — you still have ways to build credit without one in the meantime.
1. Become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. Being an authorized user on a credit card means your name is attached to it, but you won’t be responsible for payments. Talk to someone you trust with a healthy credit history.
2. Get a credit builder loan. This is a type of small loan you make monthly payments on while the loan is held in a certificate of deposit (CD) or savings account. You can typically find them at small banks or credit unions.
3. Pay off other loans. Whether it’s student loans, personal loans or auto loans, making loan payments on time can help improve your credit score.
When you have bad credit and you’re looking for ways to rebuild, you need to be on high alert to avoid scams and predatory credit products. Be on the lookout for credit repair scams (a scam where someone tells you they can fix your credit quickly, or get negative information removed from your credit reports). You can take many steps to repair your credit on your own. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are legitimate nonprofit credit counselors who may be able to help.
Using a credit card for a year or more can be a good way to rebuild credit. However, you should also be wary of many credit products marketed to people with bad credit. These may be legitimate products, but can cost you money and cause frustration through expensive fees, high interest rates and opaque terms. We typically recommend avoiding unsecured cards for bad credit for these reasons.
Beware of fees such as:
Tip: Credit One, First PREMIER, Horizon Card Services and Total Visa are examples of companies that may offer credit products that you should steer clear of. Instead, opt for a secured card with clear terms and a low or no annual fee. Putting together the initial deposit amount might not be easy, but you’ll likely save money in the long run.When you have a bad credit score, using a credit card responsibly is one way to help rebuild your credit. And since your credit is not in the best shape, getting a credit card to rebuild your credit is one of the few affordable options you have since lenders will likely not consider you for a loan until your credit score rebounds. Lenders want to see that if they extend you credit, you’ll pay back what you borrow, and payment history is the most important factor affecting your credit score. To build a solid payment history, put a small recurring charge on your credit card (a Netflix or Spotify subscription, for example) and pay it off in full as soon as it posts to your account each month.
Yes, but your options are limited if you don’t have good credit. Furthermore, many unsecured credit cards geared toward people in the lower credit ranges are saddled with expensive fees. The AvantCard Credit Card and Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Credit Card are two more affordable options that are designed for people with lower credit scores and don’t require a security deposit. Building back your credit with one of those cards — or a secured credit card with a deposit — can help you get approved for other unsecured cards later on.
Most credit cards do not ask for detailed bank account information on the application itself. This means that it is possible to get a credit card without having a bank account. However, it may be difficult to regularly pay your credit card account each month without a bank account. You may consider a card like the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card, which does not do a credit check when you apply and allows you to fund your card via Western Union.
Closing a credit card can harm your credit score by impacting the overall age of your accounts and your credit utilization ratio. It is best to keep credit cards open as long as you handle your accounts responsibly by keeping balances low and making on-time payments.
No. Although some cards claim to offer “guaranteed approval,” there’s no such thing as a 100% guarantee. If you have bad credit, your best chance at approval is with a secured credit card. You could still be denied a secured credit card for a variety of reasons — your credit score might not reach an issuer’s minimum requirements, or you may not have a long enough credit history or meet an income requirement.
In selecting the best credit cards for bad credit, we opted for cards accessible to people with poor credit histories, but avoided any cards that hit cardholders with opaque terms and expensive fees.
Many of the cards on this list charge no annual fee; those that do come with an annual fee offer enough value to make the fee worth it in certain situations.
Finally, all of the cards on this list report activity to the credit bureaus, meaning using them responsibly can help improve your credit score.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Target REDcard™ Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
