Credit Building Credit Cards - Reviews
Credit building credit cards are an ideal starting point if you’re looking to build or improve your credit score and expand your purchasing power down the road. The best credit cards to build credit regularly report on-time payments to the credit bureaus and offer value-adding incentives like cash back rewards, welcome offers and low APRs on purchases.
To make the most of your credit building card, look for one that fits your spending habits and payment management needs. Cash back credit-builder cards can help you save money by paying you back on the things you buy the most. Low interest cards with flex-pay and balance transfer options help you pay off debt and save on interest. Managed correctly, any of these credit building credit cards will help boost your credit score.
Our CreditCards.com experts reviewed hundreds of credit building card offers based on several factors. Annual fees, deposit and credit score requirements, interest rates, cash back rewards, flexible payment options, late payment forgiveness and credit reporting features are the criteria we used. In the reviews below, you can compare the best credit builder credit cards for 2021 and find expert recommendations based on your specific needs.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Last reviewed: October 12, 2022
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card makes credit building a breeze with a low stakes collateral investment that allows cardholders to build credit with minimal commitment.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Last reviewed: October 12, 2022
The Discover it Secured Credit Card is one of your best bets if you’re looking for a card to help you build credit – it doesn’t charge an annual fee, plus you can make a profit in the first year thanks to the card’s cash back program.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Last reviewed: October 26, 2022
If you want to build credit without a secured credit card, the Capital One Platinum credit card is worth a look for its valuable perks and features that make building credit easy with responsible use.
Navy Federal Credit Union® nRewards® Secured Credit Card
Last reviewed: October 12, 2022
The Navy Federal nRewards Secured Card rolls up savory features like low fees, unlimited flat-rate rewards and credit line upgrade reviews into one secured card for NFCU accountholders.
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: October 12, 2022
Though it offers lackluster rewards, the Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card is a solid option for credit-builders looking to minimize costs and get a chance at a higher than average credit limit.
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: October 10, 2022
The Petal 2 offers a low entry barrier and the opportunity to earn cash back and avoid fees while building your credit, but you could face a high APR.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Last reviewed: September 29, 2022
The Capital One QuicksilverOne card is one of our top choices for consumers trying to bolster their credit scores, thanks to a generous rewards program that offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase and easily makes up for the card’s annual fee.
Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: October 12, 2022
If you’re looking for an unsecured card that can help you build credit while earning rewards with no annual fee, the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa is a great choice, beating out plenty of competing unsecured credit-building cards.
Jasper Cash Back Mastercard®
Last reviewed: October 12, 2022
The Jasper Cash Back Mastercard charges no annual fee* and offers a chance at a high credit limit and decent baseline rewards. However, it doesn’t carry many distinguishing features that set it apart from other cards for people with fair credit.
*All information about the Jasper Cash Back Mastercard has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. The Jasper Cash Back Mastercard is no longer available through CreditCards.com.
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®
Last reviewed: November 8, 2022
The Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa is a practical credit building card with a better-than-most rewards program that offers several ways to earn cash back rewards and plenty of discounts. The high APR might give some pause, but if the balance is paid off in full each month, interest fees shouldn’t be a problem. See rates and fees
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Last reviewed: September 29, 2022
Boasting one of the best rewards rates available on a secured card, the Quicksilver Secured is a terrific starting point for credit-builders who don’t mind tying up money in a deposit. Unfortunately, though, its initial credit limit is a bit low.