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 Visa®
Last reviewed: January 30, 2023
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
Credit One Bank Wander® Card
Last reviewed: March 21, 2023
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.
Self - Credit Builder Account with Secured Visa® Credit Card
Last reviewed: March 21, 2023
This combination of a loan and secured credit card could prove useful as a one-two credit-building punch, but since you’ll essentially have to pay interest charges on your own money, it’s unlikely to be the most cost-effective credit-building option.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Last reviewed: January 30, 2023
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.
Total Visa® Card
Last reviewed: September 16, 2022
While the Total Visa doesn’t require a security deposit, cardholders will be buried in additional program fees.
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®
Last reviewed: January 3, 2023
Riddled with fees, including an extremely high variable APR, the Reflex Platinum Mastercard is best seen as a last resort and stopgap for credit-builders.
Indigo® Mastercard®
Last reviewed: March 8, 2023
The Indigo Mastercard is a pretty basic credit building card, offering a standard APR and credit limit with no rewards program. Unless you qualify for a lower annual fee, it’s probably not worth what it costs to own.
Milestone® Mastercard®
Last reviewed: January 3, 2023
Though it could be useful if you want to build credit without putting down a security deposit, the Milestone Mastercard’s high annual fee, high APR and bare-bones cardholder perks make it hard to recommend for most cardholders.
First Access Visa® Card
Last reviewed: January 25, 2023
Due to its gargantuan fees and APR, the First Access Visa Card is tough to recommend – even for cardholders with severely damaged credit.
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Last reviewed: January 3, 2023
The Surge Platinum Mastercard could get you a high credit limit and a chance at a credit limit increase in as little as six months, but the card’s inflated fees and APR make it a poor choice for most credit-builders.
USAA® Secured Visa Platinum® Card
Last reviewed: January 5, 2023
This affordable credit-builder card offers lower rates than many of its competitors and perks that are especially appealing to military families, including no foreign transaction fee and exclusive benefits for active duty service members. This offer is no longer available on our site.