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The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our pick for the best credit card for limited / poor credit, since it doesn’t require a credit score to apply, offers cash back and provides a path to graduate to an unsecured card.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Deposit Amount | Rewards Rate | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
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on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner
|
$200 to $2,500 | 1% - 2% cash back
| 27.24% Variable APR |
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on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card*
|
Unsecured credit card for bad credit
|
No deposit required | 1% - 10% cash back
| 28.99% - 30.99% | |
Amazon Secured Card*
|
Store card for bad credit
|
$100 to $1,000 | 2% cash back
2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
| 10.00% non-variable | |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
|
Travel rewards credit card for bad credit
|
Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get at least a $200 initial credit line | 1.5% - 5% Cash Back
| 29.74% (Variable) | |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
|
No annual fee credit card for bad credit
|
Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line | N/A | 29.74% (Variable) | |
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
|
Best student credit card for bad credit
|
1% - 8% cash back
| 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) | ||
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card*
|
Business credit card for bad credit
|
$1,000 to $10,000 | 1.5% cash back
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
| 27.49% variable | |
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card*
|
Gas card for bad credit
|
$300 to $5,000 | 1X - 4X points
| 29.24% | |
OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card
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on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
Credit card for bad credit with no credit check
|
$200 to $3,000 | 10% cash back
Up to 10% cash back rewards
| 28.99% (variable) |
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on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
To bring you the list of credit cards for bad credit, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
For credit-building cards in particular, we devote a large part of the score to features that help build credit — we want to help you locate cards that don’t cost a lot to own and provide help so you can upgrade to better card offers.
We calculate how much the average cardholder can save with the card on a yearly basis. If it’s a rewards card, we use U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and $300 in monthly spending (the typical starting credit limit for an introductory card) to calculate how much the average cardholder can earn in rewards. We then subtract fees — including annual fees and maintenance fees — from this amount.
We give points for features that help build credit, including reports to all three credit bureaus, regular account reviews for card upgrades and free credit score access. We take away points for features that can be costly to cardholders trying to build credit, such as security deposits, penalty APRs and late payment fees.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best credit card for building credit. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Credit limit: $200 to $2,500 (equal to your deposit)
Along with being our top overall pick for the best credit card for bad credit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is our top pick for the best secured credit card. That’s because it offers cash back rewards on every purchase, accepts applicants with limited / poor credit and provides features to help build your credit.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Credit limit: $300 to $5,000
If you’re struggling to get approved for a traditional credit card — but you don’t want to put down a security deposit — the Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card may be the best fit. Along with not requiring a security deposit, there’s a $0 annual fee or other maintenance fees. Plus, there’s no credit check to get approved.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Credit limit: $100 to $1,000 (equal to your deposit)
The Amazon Secured Card is the best store card for bad credit because you can earn a high 2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership (which runs $14.99 per month or $139 per year and $7.49 per month and $69 per year for students). Plus, there’s an extremely low 10.00% non-variable. That’s by far the lowest APR among the credit cards featured in this post.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Credit limit: Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get at least a $200 initial credit line
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an excellent cash back rate on purchases — and an even higher rate on hotel and car rentals booked through Capital One’s travel booking site. That’s a rarity among cards for limited / poor credit. Plus, there’s a $0 annual fee and a foreign transaction fee of none, which makes this card a good choice for international travel.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Credit limit: Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is the best $0 annual fee card for limited / poor credit because it offers excellent credit-building features and one of the lowest deposits possible for a secured credit card. You can put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line (just know that you aren’t guaranteed to get the lower deposit amounts).
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Credit limit: No security deposit required
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent tool to help students build credit while earning rewards. It has a high rewards rate on several common spending categories for students — while offering a $0 annual fee. Plus, you can earn $100 Cash Back when you spend $300 in the first three months.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Credit limit: $1,000 to $10,000 (equal to your deposit)
Out of the few secured credit cards for business, the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card offers one of the best values. There’s a $0 annual fee and no maintenance fees. You’ll also get a flat rewards rate on all purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Credit limit: $300 to $5,000 (equal to your deposit)
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card is an excellent gas card for those with bad credit, letting you earn 4X points on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery, 2X points at grocery stores and gas stations/EV charging stations, 1X on all other eligible purchases. You’ll also get additional benefits, including a $15 streaming service credit after 11 months of streaming purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Credit limit: $300 to $3,000 (equal to your deposit)
The OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card is a great option if you have bad credit and are looking for a card with no credit check. Along with offering strong credit-building features and a clear path to graduate to an unsecured credit card, applying only requires basic personal information, like your address and date of birth. After six months of on-time payments, OpenSky will assess your account to see if you’re eligible for a credit limit increase or upgrade to an unsecured card.
FICO, the credit score used by 90% of top lenders, considers a score ranging from 300 to 580 to be bad or poor. According to Experian, 16% of Americans fall within that range.
| Credit Score | Rating |
|---|---|
| 300-579 | Poor |
| 580-669 | Fair |
| 670-739 | Good |
| 740-799 | Very Good |
| 800-850 | Excellent |
FICO’s competitor, VantageScore, considers a range of 500 to 600 to be poor, and 300 to 499 to be very poor.
| Credit Score | Rating |
|---|---|
| 300-499 | Very Poor |
| 500-600 | Poor |
| 601-660 | Fair |
| 661-780 | Good |
| 781-850 | Excellent |
Your credit score is determined by the information that lenders give to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) in your credit reports. The five factors that make up this score are:
→ Learn more about bad credit scores.
When selecting a good credit card for bad credit, it’s best to find one that fits the following criteria:
To increase your likelihood of being approved for a credit card, you should first check to see if it accepts applicants with bad, poor or limited credit. Many credit card issuers include the type of credit that’s recommended for approval directly on their site.
But even if a card lists “bad” credit as its requirement, having a bad credit score doesn’t guarantee approval. That’s because banks typically take other factors into account when determining your eligibility, such as annual income, monthly bills and bankruptcies.
Make sure that the card reports your account activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. That way, when you pay on time each month and stay well below your credit limit, you can build a positive credit history over time.
You should avoid cards that charge pricey fees, like set-up fees and monthly maintenance fees. That said, while there are several cards available for bad credit that come with $0 annual fees, there are also decent cards that do charge annual fees (typically $59 or less).
High interest charges can become quite costly if you have to carry a balance on your card from month to month. While credit cards for bad credit typically charge a higher interest rate than those for people with good or excellent credit, you’ll want to make sure the APR isn’t through the roof. For context, the average credit card APR is 24.33% as of June 2025.
Several secured credit cards offer you the ability to graduate to an unsecured credit card after a period of time. Typically, you’ll need to have a record of consistent, on-time payments for at least half a year, though terms vary by credit card issuer. Your deposit will be refunded and you may be able to get credit line increases that aren’t based on depositing more cash. Plus, you can avoid a credit check from having to apply for an unsecured credit card.
Although you may feel like your credit card options are extremely limited, it’s important that you don’t settle for a card that’s loaded with fees and high interest rates. Instead, consider one of the following types of credit cards:
Secured credit cards for bad credit
If you have bad credit, your best bet will likely be a secured credit card. Unlike traditional credit cards, secured cards require a security deposit — usually starting at $200 — which will serve as your line of credit. The deposit essentially acts as collateral for the credit card company in case you don’t pay your bill. However, if you upgrade to an unsecured card or pay your balance in full and close your account, you’ll get your deposit back.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is currently our pick for the best secured card. It accepts applicants with limited / poor credit, requires a refundable security deposit ranging from $200 to $2,500 and even offers cash back on every purchase.
→ Learn more about how secured credit cards work.
Unsecured credit cards for bad credit
Unsecured credit cards for bad credit accept applicants with poor or limited credit without charging a security deposit. However, in lieu of the deposit, these cards often come with higher interest rates and may charge fees. Some cards charge more than $200 per year in fees, including set-up fees, annual fees and monthly maintenance fees. You should carefully scan the terms and conditions for such fees before you apply.
The Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card is currently our top pick for an unsecured credit card for bad credit.
Store credit cards for bad credit
Store cards or retail cards tend to be some of the easiest cards to qualify for. They usually have more relaxed credit requirements than traditional cards, and often come with rewards programs designed to get you to spend more than you normally would at the store — but also sky-high interest rates.
Our current top pick for a store credit card for bad credit is the Amazon Secured Card, which unlike most store credit cards has an extremely low 10.00% non-variable APR.
Student credit cards for bad credit
Student credit cards for bad credit offer an affordable way for students to build their credit. While most student cards require at least a limited credit history, there are options available for those with bad credit, including secured cards.
Our top pick for the best student credit card for bad credit, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, lets you earn cash back in popular spending categories while building your credit.
The two most common types of credit cards available if you have bad credit are secured and unsecured credit cards. Secured credit cards are often the best option for those with bad credit because they tend to be more affordable than unsecured cards, usually have little to no annual fee and some even offer rewards programs. They’re also more transparent about their terms, so you’re less likely to find surprise fees or interest on your billing statement.
Secured credit cards require you to put down a security deposit to act as your credit line. However, that deposit is refundable when you close your account in good standing or graduate to an unsecured credit card. Unsecured credit cards for bad credit don’t require a security deposit, but they often come with very low starting credit limits, and unlike secured cards, you can’t increase the limit by adding a larger deposit. Many unsecured credit cards for bad credit also come with expensive fees, high interest rates and bad terms. In some cases, you might end up paying more in fees than you would for a security deposit on a secured card.
| Secured credit cards for bad credit | Unsecured credit cards for bad credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Report activity to the credit bureaus | ||
| Can earn rewards | ||
| Require a security deposit | ||
| Often come with high fees | ||
| Credit limit based on your deposit (usually) | ||
| Credit limit based on your creditworthiness | ||
| Some don't require a credit check |
→ Learn more about the differences between secured cards and unsecured cards.
By using a credit card responsibly, you can improve your credit score over time. Following these steps can help you qualify for credit cards with better rewards programs, more benefits and lower APRs in the future:
| Credit score range | Average credit card utilization rate |
|---|---|
| 300 to 579 (deep subprime) | 75.7% |
| 580 to 619 (subprime) | 63.1% |
| 620 to 659 (near-prime) | 52.8% |
| 660 to 719 (prime) | 36.2% |
| 720 to 850 (super-prime) | 10.2% |
→ Learn more about how to build credit with a credit card.
Tip: There are several ways you can check your credit score for free without hurting it:
If you spot something inaccurate on your credit report, you can file a dispute to get it removed.
→ Learn more about how to build credit without a credit card.
As you improve your credit, you’ll qualify for cards with better rewards, lower interest rates and more favorable terms. Here are some options for you once your credit improves:
Upgrade to a different credit card with the same issuer
If you have a secured credit card, you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card after making a certain number of on-time payments. For example, after you’ve had the Discover it® Secured Credit Card for seven months, Discover will begin automatic account reviews to see if you qualify to get your deposit back and upgrade to their unsecured card. Some issuers also let you switch to a different credit card within your account without a hard inquiry or affecting your credit history length.
Keep your current credit card and apply for another with a different issuer
It’s always best to keep your credit cards open if possible. Closing a credit card can negatively impact your credit utilization ratio and average length of accounts, which are both major factors in your credit score. The best option is to set up a small recurring payment, such as a subscription, to keep the card active. Then, you can look for a card that fits your lifestyle, like a rewards credit card, which you now qualify for.
Tip: If you decide to have multiple credit cards, make sure you continue to make on-time payments to maintain a good credit score. You can set your payment due dates to be the same across cards to help with this.
Close your credit card and look for a new credit card with a different issuer
If your secured credit card doesn’t have an option to upgrade to an unsecured credit card, closing the card and opening a new one might be the best option so you can get your security deposit back.
If you have bad credit, the easiest credit cards to get approved for are typically secured cards, store cards, student cards or unsecured cards for bad credit.
The best credit card to build credit if you have bad credit is currently the Discover it® Secured Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee, rewards on every purchase and several great credit-building features — including monthly account reviews after seven months to see if you’re eligible to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
It’s likely you won’t qualify for a card with generous rewards, a 0% intro APR or robust benefits and protections. However, there are a number of credit cards specifically designed for those with bad, poor or limited credit. After using your card responsibly over time, you can build your credit and be eligible for a card with better features in the future.
You can get a balance transfer card with bad credit, though your options are limited. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is an excellent card for limited / poor credit that includes a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers, followed by a 27.24% Variable APR.
Applying for multiple credit cards at the same time can cause your credit score to drop, since you’ll have multiple hard pulls of your credit report. It can also present a red flag to potential issuers, as it can be (or at least could be seen as) a sign of financial problems. If you already have bad credit, it’s best to apply for and use just one credit card, so you don’t wind up in credit card debt or struggling to manage multiple cards.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be 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 Petal® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa® Credit Card, Amazon Secured Card, Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card, U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card and Amazon Store Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
