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® Platinum Rewards Visa® with No Annual Fee
Last reviewed: March 27, 2025
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.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Last reviewed: May 7, 2024
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.
All information about the Citi Secured Mastercard has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The secured Self Visa® Credit Card1
Last reviewed: June 4, 2025
This secured card carries a low deposit requirement, a relatively low annual fee and a chance at an unsecured credit limit increase, so it’s a solid — if basic — starter card for building credit.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: April 7, 2025
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 substantial rewards, but you’ll keep additional charges to a minimum, and you can qualify for the card without a credit check.
Prosper® Card
Last reviewed: May 7, 2025
The Prosper Card can help you build credit and not much else. You won’t earn rewards and you won’t have many perks to find added value. It’s a good card if you want to keep things simple when learning the ropes of credit cards while you work your way toward better cards.
Avant Credit Card
Last reviewed: April 7, 2025
If you need to build credit but don’t want to tie up hundreds of dollars in a security deposit, the Avant Credit Card could be a good fit, offering a chance to improve your score or establish a solid credit foundation at a relatively low cost.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Last reviewed: March 27, 2025
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.
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
Last reviewed: April 7, 2025
If your primary goal is building credit (not earning rewards), there are plenty of lower-cost options available, even if you don’t want to put down a security deposit.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Last reviewed: October 30, 2024
Despite its high cost, the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit is a decent option if you want to improve your bad to fair credit without sacrificing rewards or tying up money in a security deposit.
All information about the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.
Destiny® Mastercard® with Instant Credit
Last reviewed: June 16, 2025
This card could work well if you need time to build up your credit score, but you could find a card with better rates and fees as well as perks.