Using a credit card responsibly is a great way to build your credit. If your credit history is stopping you from getting approved for an unsecured card then a secured card is a great place to get started.
Purchase APR
30.74% (Variable)
Balance Transfer APR
30.74% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Limited, Bad
300 – 639
Rewards
1.5% – 5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply

View All Card Details
Critics' Overview
This card is a great choice if you are looking to boost your credit score and earn cash back. This no annual fee card requires a refundable deposit which will equal your maximum credit line. You will earn unlimited 1.5% cash back while building your credit.
Purchase APR & Balance Transfer APR
30.74% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Limited, Bad (300 – 639)
Card Details From Issuer
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you’re approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure site
Purchase APR
24.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$25 first year, then $35
Recommended Credit Score
New/Rebuilding
300 – 669*
Rewards
1%
1% Cash Back Rewards

View All Card Details
Critics' Overview
Earn cash back with the First Latitude Secured MasterCard® Credit Card while also building your score. With a $100 security deposit, you will be on your way to improving your credit for a small annual fee of $25 – $35. Cash back rewards will be earned as you make payments to your account and your credit line can be as high as $2,000 with your fully refundable security deposit.
Purchase APR
24.49% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
New/Rebuilding (300 – 669*)
Annual Fee
$25 first year, then $35
Card Details From Issuer
- 1% Cash Back Rewards
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required
- If approved, pay the $19.95 Program Fee and fund your Security Deposit to open your account
- Build Your Credit with Only a $100 Refundable Deposit
- Reports to All Three Major Credit Bureaus
- Credit Reporting Starts Immediately When Your Account is Opened – Just Pay Your Bill on Time and Continue Establishing Your Credit
- Easy-to-Use Mobile App
- Accepted Worldwide and Online
Apply Now
On Synovus Bank's Secure site
Recommended Credit Score
Poor – Average
300 – 687*

View All Card Details
Critics' Overview
Having less than perfect credit can make many things difficult and working to improve your credit can feel like an extremely daunting task. The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card helps build your credit history with your own money so you don’t have to worry about going into debt. There is no credit check to apply, no annual fees or interest charges and no minimum security deposit. Eligibility requirements apply. Read our in-depth Critical Analysis for the full terms and to learn more.
Purchase APR & Balance Transfer APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Poor – Average
300 – 687*
Card Details From Issuer
- Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.
- No credit check to apply, no annual fees or interest, and no minimum security deposit required. No stress! Additional terms apply.
- Use your secured Credit Builder card everywhere VISA is accepted, including on everyday purchases, such as gas and groceries.
- Help build your credit history with your own money. The money you move into the Credit Builder secured account is the amount you can spend on your card (no minimum deposit required!). Turn on Safer Credit Building and have your monthly balance automatically paid on time. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®.
- Increase your credit score by an average of 30 points, with regular, on-time payments.1
- Turn on transaction notifications to receive real-time transaction alerts. Then, use Chime’s instant in-app disable card feature to help prevent unauthorized activities.
- Live support 24/7 to assist you around the clock.
- Now you can use your Credit Builder card fee-free at over 60K+ in-network ATMs at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and more! Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at Moneypass ATMs in 7-Eleven locations, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATMs.
Apply Now
On Chime's Secure site
Purchase APR
28.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
10.99% Intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then 28.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
New/Rebuilding
300 – 669*
Cash Back
1% – 2%
Earn 2% Cash Back At Gas Stations And Restaurants On Up To $1,000 In Combined Purchases Each Quarter.
Earn 1% Unlimited Cash Back On All Other Purchases – Automatically
Intro Bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

View All Card Details
Updated November 1, 2023
Critics' Overview
This no annual fee secured card allows you to earn cash back while you build your credit history. The cash back you earn your first year will also be matched automatically and they begin reviewing your account after seven months to see if you are eligible to transition to an account without a security deposit.
Purchase APR
28.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
10.99% Intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then 28.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
New/Rebuilding
300 – 669*
Card Details From Issuer
- No credit score required to apply.
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
- Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Apply Now
On Discover's Secure site
Purchase APR
30.74% (Variable)
Balance Transfer APR
30.74% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Limited, Bad
300 – 639

View All Card Details
Critics' Overview
This card is a great fit for those who are looking to build their credit with no annual fee. To start, you will put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 and you will get a $200 initial credit line. This credit line will be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed.
Purchase APR & Balance Transfer APR
30.74% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Limited, Bad (300 – 639)
Card Details From Issuer
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you’re approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One’s mobile app
Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure site
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.