Best Credit Cards for Building Credit

400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts

80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months

Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics

Our editorial team and expert review board provide an unbiased analysis of the products we feature. Our comparison service is compensated by our credit card company partners, and may influence where or how products are featured on the site. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please note: The star-rating system on this page is based on our independent card scoring methodology and is not influenced by advertisers or card issuers. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.

Chime Card™

Our rating:4.2

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Recommended credit

(No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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Rewards rate

1.5%: Earn 1.5% cash back² on rotating categories with Chime+ status.³

Annual fee: None

Balance transfer intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: N/A

Recommended credit: (No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:4.2

Rating methodology

Cost of Membership: 5.0
Ease of Building Credit: 5.0
APR: 1.0
Features: 2.5

Highlights

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.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: None
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: N/A
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Our rating:4.2

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Recommended credit

(No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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Rewards rate

Card without rewards: This card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or points

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 29.74% variable

Recommended credit: (No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:4.2

Rating methodology

Cost of Membership: 5.0
Ease of Building Credit: 2.5
APR: 2.0
Features: 3.8

Highlights

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 at least 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

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $0
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 29.74% (Variable)
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Our rating:4.1

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Recommended credit

(No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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Rewards rate

2%: Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
1%: Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer intro APR: 10.99% intro APR for 6 months

Regular APR: 27.24% variable

Recommended credit: (No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:4.1

Rating methodology

Cost of Membership: 5.0
Ease of Building Credit: 3.3
APR: 1.3
Features: 2.5

Highlights

No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
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.
30 points or more—that’s how much you could increase your FICO® Credit Score on average after just six months of responsible use.
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.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on the dark web. Activate for free.
Terms and conditions apply.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $0
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 27.24% Variable APR
Intro Balance Transfers APR: 10.99% intro APR for 6 months

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card¹

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card<sup>1</sup>

Our rating:3.0

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Rewards rate

Card without rewards: This card doesn't offer cash back, miles, or points

Annual fee: $0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter.

Balance transfer intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 28.24% variable

Recommended credit: (No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:3.0

Rating methodology

Cost of Membership: 2.0
Ease of Building Credit: 3.0
APR: 2.0
Features: 3.8

Highlights

$0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter. Variable APR of 28.24%. 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 Bank, 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

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter.
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 28.24% APR Variable
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Our rating:3.5

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Rewards rate

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

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 29.74% variable

Recommended credit: (No Credit History) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:3.5

Rating methodology

Cost of Membership: 5.0
Ease of Building Credit: 1.5
APR: 2.0
Features: 5.0

Highlights

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

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $0
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 29.74% (Variable)
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Best Credit Cards for Building Credit

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Chime Card™

Rewards rate

Overall rating

Highlights

Rates & Fees

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Rewards rate

Overall rating

Highlights

Rates & Fees

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Rewards rate

Overall rating

Highlights

Rates & Fees

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card¹

Rewards rate

Overall rating

Highlights

Rates & Fees

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate

Overall rating

Highlights

Rates & Fees

Best Credit Cards for Building Credit

Why Trust CreditCards.com

Filter by

Issuers

Credit Range

Sort by

No cards match your current filters

Chime Card™

Rewards rate

At A Glance

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Rewards rate

At A Glance

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Rewards rate

At A Glance

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card1

Rewards rate

At A Glance

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate

At A Glance

The secured Self Visa® Credit Card¹