Top 5 Credit Cards for Bad or No Credit
Transparent terms, high-contrast design, and bigger type so it’s easy to compare and apply with confidence.
Quick Comparison
New to credit or rebuilding? Start with a secured card (refundable deposit), aim for $0 annual fee, and use pre-qualification to check odds without a hard pull.
Secured Card A
- Refundable deposit sets your limit; auto reviews to graduate.
- Free score monitoring and payment reminders.
- No hidden application fees.
Secured Card B
- Start with as little as $49 if you qualify.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Purchase protection & alerts.
Credit Builder Card
- Link bank; spend what you set aside.
- Great for thin files & gig income.
- Credit education inside the app.
Student Starter Card
- Cash back on groceries, gas, streaming.
- On-time payment bonuses by term.
- Lenient requirements for limited history.
Secured Card C
- Potential for higher limits over time.
- Custom alerts & autopay tools.
- Reports to all 3 bureaus*
| Card | Deposit | Annual Fee | APR (Var.) | Credit Needed | Reports To | Highlights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured Card A | $200–$3,000 | $0 | ~28.99% | No/Poor | Experian, Equifax, TransUnion | Auto reviews; free score | Apply |
| Secured Card B | $49–$200 | $0 | ~29.99% | No/Poor | Experian, Equifax, TransUnion | Low deposit; no FX fees | Apply |
| Credit Builder Card | $0 | $0–$99 | ~0%/26.99% | No/Thin | Experian, Equifax, TransUnion | No deposit; bank link | Apply |
| Student Starter Card | $0 | $0 | ~22.99–28.99% | Limited | Experian, Equifax, TransUnion | Student rewards | Apply |
| Secured Card C | $300–$5,000 | $35 | ~27.99% | No/Poor | Experian, Equifax, TransUnion | High limit path | Apply |
What New Cardholders Are Saying
“I started with a $200 deposit and set up autopay. Six months later, my score was up 70+ points and I graduated to unsecured.”
Rebuilding after medical bills
“Couldn’t swing $300 upfront—this let me start at $49 and still report monthly. Exactly what I needed.”
First card
“No deposit required. I treat it like debit—small purchases, pay in full. Got a limit increase after four months.”
Gig worker
Ready to Start Building Credit?
Choose the card that fits your situation—then keep balances low and pay on time.
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Credit Reporting: *Designed to report to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion; practices may vary by issuer/product.
Pre-Qualification: Soft inquiry for pre-qualification; full applications typically use a hard inquiry.