Best Credit Cards for Building Credit
Best for low-cost credit building
on Chime's secure site
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
No Credit History
Regular APR
N/A
Annual fee
None
Rewards rate
1.5%
View Details
- 1.5%Earn 1.5% cash back² on rotating categories with Chime+ status.³
A Chime® Checking Account is required to apply for the secured Chime Visa® Credit Card.
Credit building, stress-free.¹
Earn 1.5% cash back² on rotating categories with Chime+ status.³
SpotMe® on Credit.⁴
No interest⁵, no credit check.
Over 47,000 fee-free ATMs.⁶
Fee-free in-network cash deposits.⁷
¹On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.
²With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases.
³To be eligible for Chime+™ status you must receive a qualifying direct deposit to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 34 days. Certain products marketed as Chime+ benefits have additional eligibility requirements. While some Chime+ benefits may have associated fees, none of these fees are mandatory to access Chime+ benefits or to maintain Chime+ status. See Chime+ Terms and Conditions for details. CHIME+ is a Trademark of Chime Financial, Inc.
⁴SpotMe® eligibility requirements and limits apply. Overdraft only applies to credit card transactions and cash withdrawals. Limits range from $20-$200.
⁵Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply.
⁶Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
⁷Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.
The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
- 1.5%Earn 1.5% cash back² on rotating categories with Chime+ status.³
A Chime® Checking Account is required to apply for the secured Chime Visa® Credit Card.
Credit building, stress-free.¹
Earn 1.5% cash back² on rotating categories with Chime+ status.³
SpotMe® on Credit.⁴
No interest⁵, no credit check.
Over 47,000 fee-free ATMs.⁶
Fee-free in-network cash deposits.⁷
¹On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.
²With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases.
³To be eligible for Chime+™ status you must receive a qualifying direct deposit to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 34 days. Certain products marketed as Chime+ benefits have additional eligibility requirements. While some Chime+ benefits may have associated fees, none of these fees are mandatory to access Chime+ benefits or to maintain Chime+ status. See Chime+ Terms and Conditions for details. CHIME+ is a Trademark of Chime Financial, Inc.
⁴SpotMe® eligibility requirements and limits apply. Overdraft only applies to credit card transactions and cash withdrawals. Limits range from $20-$200.
⁵Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply.
⁶Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
⁷Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.
The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
No Credit History
Regular APR
28.99% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%
View Details
- 5%Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.5%Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
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 at least 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, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Top rated mobile app
- 5%Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.5%Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
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 at least 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, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Top rated mobile app
Best for average credit
Regular APR
28.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit score
No Credit History
Regular APR
28.99% (Variable)
Annual fee
$39
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%
View Details
- 5%Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.5%Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Alternatives: If you have fair credit and want to avoid an annual fee or a high APR, you might consider the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®. The Upgrade Cash has one of the more competitive cash back rates for a fair credit card and you could be eligible for one of the lowest credit card APRs on the market, depending on your credit history.
- Redeeming rewards is simple, helping you stay focused on your credit score — not a complicated rewards program.
- Cash back earnings don’t have any spending caps, rotating or tiered rewards to keep track of.
- Not the best choice for those not looking to boost their credit score.
- The flat rewards rate and lack of perks like annual statement credits could make it hard to offset the annual fee.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Top rated mobile app
- 5%Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.5%Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Alternatives: If you have fair credit and want to avoid an annual fee or a high APR, you might consider the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®. The Upgrade Cash has one of the more competitive cash back rates for a fair credit card and you could be eligible for one of the lowest credit card APRs on the market, depending on your credit history.
- Redeeming rewards is simple, helping you stay focused on your credit score — not a complicated rewards program.
- Cash back earnings don’t have any spending caps, rotating or tiered rewards to keep track of.
- Not the best choice for those not looking to boost their credit score.
- The flat rewards rate and lack of perks like annual statement credits could make it hard to offset the annual fee.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Top rated mobile app
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards Rate
N/A
Annual fee
$0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter.
Regular APR
27.49% APR Variable
Card Details
$0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter. Variable APR of 27.49%. Offer valid for new customers only.
With no credit check or prior credit required, anyone can start building credit. Fund your card with a minimum security deposit of $100 and use it anywhere Visa® is accepted in the U.S. Build credit by making on-time payments and maintaining a low credit utilization ratio. Every on-time payment helps build credit history.
If you don’t have the $100 security deposit today, consider a Credit Builder Account2 starting at $25 a month4. Consistent, on-time payments help you build credit and build savings to secure The secured Self Visa® Credit Card3.
1The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
2Credit Builder Accounts & Certificates of Deposit made/held by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval.
3Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria Subject to change.
4$25/mo, 24 mos, 15.92% APR; $35/mo, 24 mos, 15.69% APR; $48/mo, 24 mos, 15.51% APR; $150/mo, 24 mos, 15.82% APR. See self.inc/pricing
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards Rate
Up to 10%
Annual fee
$35
Regular APR
23.89% (variable)
Rewards
- Up to 10%Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
Card Details
Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
Start with just $200—secure your credit line with a refundable deposit
Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
We appreciate your feedback
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.