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.
Credit One Bank® Wander™ Card
Last reviewed: July 12, 2022
While it’s far from the best travel card out there, the Credit One Wander card could be a good option for road-trippers who want to build credit without missing out on rewards.
All information about the Credit One Bank Wander Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
Last reviewed: June 29, 2022
The Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card lets you earn rewards while you build business credit. Best of all, there’s no annual fee.
Credit One Bank American Express® Card
Last reviewed: August 9, 2022
Despite its low cash back earning rate, the Credit One Bank American Express Card is a solid option for people who need to build their credit and won’t carry a balance, with relatively low annual fees and impressive cardholder perks. See rates and fees
Amazon Prime Secured Card
Last reviewed: June 29, 2022
The Amazon Prime Secured card’s $0 annual fee, low minimum deposit requirement and Prime member rewards make it a decent option for regular Amazon customers who are looking to build or rebuild their credit and don’t mind the inflexibility of a store card.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Rewards Visa with No Annual Fee
Last reviewed: August 9, 2022
Despite its higher-than-average APR, the Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa with No Annual Fee is a solid starter card for people with fairly good credit scores. See rates and fees
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card for Students
Last reviewed: August 1, 2022
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card for Students offers a generous rewards rate of up to 3% back with a $200 cash bonus offer.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Last reviewed: August 2, 2022
A good starter card for those who are new to credit, the Citi Secured Mastercard allows cardholders to jumpstart their credit history without committing to a high annual fee.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: August 1, 2022
With a relatively low APR and annual fee, the OpenSky Secured Visa credit card is a great card for those with bad to fair credit. You won’t earn any rewards, but you’ll keep additional charges to a minimum, and you can qualify for the card without a credit check.
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: August 8, 2022
The Mission Lane Visa card carries a lower cost than most unsecured cards for people with bad credit, so it could make sense if you want to build credit but can’t afford to tie up hundreds in a security deposit.
Avant Credit Card
Last reviewed: August 4, 2022
The Avant Credit Card is an affordable option if you’re looking for a credit-building card that doesn’t require you to tie up money in a deposit, carrying a reasonable annual fee and a chance at a higher-than-average starting credit limit.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Last reviewed: August 9, 2022
While this isn’t the best Visa card Credit One has to offer, the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa still offers cardholders a fairly good value. With a decent cash back rewards program and modest annual fee, this card may be the best option for customers with average credit who face more limited options. See rates and fees