The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is the easiest credit card to get because it welcomes applicants who are just starting out or rebuilding their credit. Plus, it offers valuable cash back rewards, provides a clear path to transition to an unsecured card and charges a $0 annual fee.
Getting approved for a credit card can feel intimidating — especially if you’re new to credit or rebuilding after financial setbacks. The good news: there are cards designed specifically to help you start fresh. Using real LendingTree data and expert analysis, we’ve rounded up the easiest credit cards to get right now and how to use them to build a stronger financial future.
| Scenario | LendingTree's Recommendation |
|---|---|
| I have bad credit and want to rebuild | Discover it® Secured Credit Card |
| I want a card that doesn’t require a deposit | Capital One Platinum Credit Card |
| I’m new to credit and want to start building | Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card |
| I have fair credit and want a no-fee option | Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® |
| I’m a student who wants to build credit | Discover it® Student Cash Back |
| I shop frequently at Amazon | Amazon Secured Card |
| I run a small business | Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card |
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Regular APR | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner
|
1% - 2% cash back
| 26.74% Variable APR | Limited / Poor |
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
|
Unsecured
|
N/A | 29.49% (Variable) | Limited / Fair | |
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card*
|
No credit
|
N/A | N/A | Limited / Poor / Fair | |
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
on Upgrade's secure site Rates & Fees |
Fair credit
|
1.5% cash back
1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
| 14.99% - 29.99% APR | Fair |
on Upgrade's secure site Rates & Fees |
Discover it® Student Cash Back
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Student
|
1% - 5% cash back
| 16.74% - 25.74% Variable APR | Limited / Fair |
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Amazon Secured Card*
|
Store card
|
2% cash back
2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
| 10.00% non-variable | Limited / Poor | |
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card*
|
Business
|
1.5% cash back
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
| 26.99% variable | See website for details* |
We take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the easiest credit cards to get. We use an objective rating and ranking system that evaluates over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. All recommendations are made by LendingTree’s editorial team, completely independent of affiliate partnerships or compensation. Every card is selected based on its merit and ability to help people achieve their financial goals. We use the following criteria to make our picks:
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 spend (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.
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.What to know: Strong rewards and a clear path to upgrade
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the easiest cards to get because your refundable security deposit acts as your line of credit. This reduces the risk for the lender and makes the card more accessible, even if you have limited / poor credit. Beyond credit-building, it offers cash back rewards on every purchase and a generous welcome offer.
You can also check to see if you’re preapproved without impacting your credit score, and Discover automatically reviews your account after seven months to see if you qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
→ Read our full review of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
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.
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.What to know: Easy account management through the Capital One Mobile app and access to CreditWise® to monitor your score
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card stands out as the easiest unsecured credit card to get because it’s designed for people with limited / fair credit who want to build credit without putting down a deposit. It also offers automatic credit line reviews in as little as six months and includes helpful tools like CreditWise to track your progress and monitor your credit score.
→ Read our full review of the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.
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.
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.What to know: No hard inquiry and flexible deposit amounts
The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is a great choice for anyone starting from scratch because it skips the credit check entirely and lets you set your own spending limit based on the money you move into your account. That flexibility makes it more accessible than most secured cards, which often require larger, fixed deposits.
Plus, since you’re required to pay off your balance in full each month, you can build positive credit history without worrying about interest charges or debt piling up.
→ Read our full review of the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card.
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.
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.What to know: $0 annual fee, predictable monthly payments and cash back every time you pay
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® is one of the easiest credit cards to get with fair credit because it works differently from a traditional credit card, combining your purchases into an installment loan with fixed rates and terms at the end of each month. This structure can make it easier to manage debt, pay it off faster and know exactly what you’ll owe each month. You’ll also earn unlimited 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment.
→ Read our full review of the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®.
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.
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.What to know: Earn 5% back in quarterly rotating categories — and you don’t need a credit score to apply
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is the easiest student credit card to get because it doesn’t require a credit score to apply, making it ideal for first-time borrowers. It’s designed specifically for students who are just starting to build credit and want meaningful rewards along the way. Plus — for new card members — Discover matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. This effectively doubles your rewards on everyday spending like gas, dining and groceries.
→ Read our full review of the Discover it® Student Cash Back.
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.
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.What to know: Automatic account reviews after 12 months to see if you can upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back
The Amazon Secured Card is one of the easiest store credit cards to get because approval is based on a refundable security deposit rather than your credit history. As a secured card that can only be used on Amazon purchases, it carries lower risk for the issuer, which makes it more accessible to people building or rebuilding credit.
You can earn 2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, and responsible use may lead to an upgrade to the unsecured Amazon Prime Store Card over time.
→ Read our full review of the Amazon Secured Card.
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.
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.What to know: It offers helpful business tools, free credit score access and travel protections — perks rarely found on a secured card
The Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card is one of the easiest business credit cards to get because approval is based on a refundable security deposit rather than your credit history. That makes it accessible for business owners with less-than-perfect credit who want to start building business credit.
It’s also a practical choice — you’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and Bank of America periodically reviews your account to see if you qualify for an unsecured card upgrade. The required $1,000 deposit is higher than many personal secured cards, but it can help keep your credit utilization low, which supports faster credit growth.
→ Read our full review of the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or trying again after financial setbacks, there are cards designed to help you rebuild and move forward. Here’s what to look for and how to use these cards as a fresh start toward better credit.
If you’ve applied for a credit card and been denied, it doesn’t necessarily mean you did anything wrong. Card issuers use a mix of factors to decide who qualifies, including your credit score, income, payment history and how much debt you already carry.
Generally, cards for people with bad or limited credit have lower approval requirements. Secured credit cards are among the easiest to qualify for because your refundable deposit acts as a safety net for the lender. Others, like alternative-approval cards, review things like income or banking activity instead of relying solely on your credit score.
→ Understanding these differences can help you choose the right starting point — one that fits where you are today and helps you move toward better credit over time. If you’re not sure of your score, check it for free through LendingTree Spring.
The right card depends on your credit situation. If you’re new to credit or rebuilding, a secured card is often easiest to qualify for. If you already have fair credit, an unsecured card may offer better rewards and higher limits. Here’s how the two types compare:
| Secured credit card | Unsecured credit card | |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit required | Yes | No |
| Approval odds | Easier to qualify for, even with limited or poor credit | Usually requires fair to good credit |
| Credit reporting | Usually all three bureaus | Usually all three bureaus |
| Upgrade potential | Many offer a “graduation path” to an unsecured card | Some offer credit limit increases, but no graduation path needed |
Real-life examples:
→ See LendingTree’s guide on secured vs. unsecured credit cards.
Getting preapproved is one of the easiest ways to see your approval odds without hurting your credit score. Issuers do a soft credit pull during preapproval, so you can shop around confidently before you apply. When you officially apply, the lender performs a hard pull, which can cause a small, temporary dip in your score.
| Issuer | Preapproval offered | Required information |
|---|---|---|
![]() | Yes | Name, address, income, last four digits of SSN |
![]() | Yes | Name, birth date, last four digits of SSN |
![]() | Yes | Name, address, income, last four digits of SSN |
![]() | Yes | Name, email, address, last four digits of SSN |
![]() | Yes | Name, birth date, address, income, housing cost, student status, card benefit type |
![]() | Yes (members only) | Active duty status, income, housing cost |
![]() | Yes (mail offers only) | Offer code and ZIP code |
![]() | Yes | Name, address, last four digits of SSN, customer status |
Preapproval isn’t a guarantee of approval, but it can help you avoid applying for cards that don’t fit your profile. Use LendingTree’s Treequal tool to check if you’re prequalified for offers from multiple issuers.
→ See LendingTree’s top picks for preapproved credit cards.
It’s easy to feel lost when you’ve been denied a credit card — and online advice doesn’t always make things clearer. Let’s separate the facts from the myths about these cards so you can move forward with confidence.
Myth vs. Reality
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Instant approval means guaranteed approval. | “Instant” just means a fast decision — not automatic approval. Some applications still need review before you’re accepted. |
| Secured cards don’t build credit. | Secured cards can help build credit just like an unsecured card, as long as it reports to the major credit bureaus and you make on-time payments. The deposit doesn’t hold you back. |
| Applying for multiple cards boosts your chances. | Too many applications can lower your score. Each hard inquiry adds up, and lenders may view too many applications as a red flag. Use preapproval tools to check your chances without hurting your credit. |
Pro tip: If you’ve been denied recently, don’t get discouraged. Instead, focus on quality and not quantity. Apply only for cards that fit your credit range or offer preapproval. Each approval helps your credit grow, making the next step a little easier.
Getting approved for a credit card is about showing lenders that you can manage credit responsibly, even if you’re just starting out. Try these simple steps:
Building credit doesn’t stop once you get your first card. As you use it responsibly, you can move up to cards with higher limits, better rewards and lower fees. Upgrading isn’t automatic for everyone, but the path is straightforward. Here’s how that path typically looks:
Step 1: Start with a secured or student card
→ Make consistent, on-time payments to establish credit.
Step 2: Move up to an unsecured cash back card
→ Keep your balances low and your credit utilization under 30%.
Step 3: Level up to a rewards or travel card
→ Enjoy better rates, higher limits and premium perks.
Real-life example: Marcus opened a secured card to rebuild his credit after a few missed payments. After nine months of consistent on-time payments, he automatically qualified for an unsecured cash back card with a higher limit.
It’s completely normal to begin your credit journey with an easier-to-get card. What matters most isn’t where you start — it’s how you use it. With consistent on-time payments and smart habits, even a secured or beginner card can open the door to stronger credit and better rewards over time.
Most secured cards are available to those with poor or no credit. In general, FICO considers scores below 580 to fall in the “poor” range, which means you can often qualify even if your credit is limited or damaged.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is the easiest unsecured credit card to get because it’s designed for people with limited / fair credit who want to build credit without a security deposit.
Yes. Credit cards designed for beginners, like secured or student credit cards, are meant to help you build credit from scratch. Options, such as the Discover it® Secured Credit Card or Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, don’t require prior credit history to apply.
Secured cards are the best starting point if you have bad credit. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card and Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card are two widely available options that report to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion).
No legitimate credit card guarantees approval. However, preapproval tools like LendingTree’s TreeQual can show your approval odds with a soft credit pull — letting you apply confidently without hurting your score.
Most lenders review secured accounts after six to 12 months of on-time payments. If you’ve built a solid history and kept balances low, you may qualify to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit refunded.
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 Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, Amazon Secured Card, Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured credit card and Amazon Prime 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.