The Best Credit Cards to Build Credit in 2026

In the world of credit reports and scores, it takes credit to build credit. To establish or rebuild your credit, you’ll need a quality account that shows up on your credit report. Here are some of the best credit card options to build credit and boost your financial health.

The Quicksilver Secured from Capital One offers a solid 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which is a nice perk for a secured card. You’ll need a security deposit of at least $200 to open an account, though you can deposit more to get a higher credit limit. The maximum credit limit for this card is between $1,000 and $3,000. This card has no annual fee.

Capital One will consider you for a higher credit limit after six months. Additionally, you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back with responsible use. Just be mindful of the 29.74% variable APR if you carry a balance from month to month.^{^}

Who is this card for?

This card may be best for someone looking for a secured cash back credit card with no annual fee.

The Chime Card lets you start building credit³ when you open your account, with no annual fees or interest charges.¹ Unlike other credit-building cards, the Chime Card uses the money in your account as your credit limit.⁴ You’ll see your Available balance and credit limit when you log into the Chime app.⁵

One huge benefit of using any of the Chime Card is that your rent payments can be automatically reported² to two of the three major credit bureaus, which can help you build credit. You can also activate Safer Credit Building to ensure your balance is paid automatically each month.⁴

One consideration of the Chime Card is that there’s no current option to upgrade to an unsecured card once your credit scores have increased.

If you want to get the most out of your Chime Card, set up a direct deposit of $200 or more, and you’ll be automatically enrolled in Chime+.^‡ Chime+ members earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on two rotating categories every three months.7 You’ll also get access to SpotMe^®,⁸ MyPay^®,⁹ and an increased 3.50% APY¹⁰ on your savings.

Who is this card for?

Chime Card is the ideal choice if you want to maximize your benefits without worrying about monthly or annual fees or interest payments.

The Discover it^® Secured Credit Card is a unique secured credit card offering cash back rewards on all purchases. Credit limits range from $200 to $2,500, and you’ll need a security deposit equal to your credit limit to open the account.

After six consecutive months of responsible use (including on-time payments and keeping your account in good standing), you may be eligible to receive your deposit back and be considered for a credit line increase or an upgrade to an unsecured card.

Cardholders earn 2% cash back on the first $1,000 combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each calendar quarter and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. At the end of your first year, you earn a cash back bonus that doubles your total first-year cash back.

That means you’ll earn 4% back on bonus purchases and 2% back everywhere else for the first year. While the card has no annual fee, you’ll have to pay a variable 27.24% APR if you carry a balance from month to month.

If you’re a frequent overseas traveler, you may find that fewer merchants accept Discover cards in different countries. In that case, you may be better suited to a Visa^® or Mastercard^®.^11,12

Who is this card for?

The Discover it Secured card is a solid choice if you want to maximize your cash back earnings on everyday purchases.

The Petal 1 card, issued by WebBank, is designed for those new to or rebuilding credit. The card uses a unique “Cash Score” that looks at your banking activity, not just your credit history, to determine eligibility.¹³ Petal 1 is not a secured credit card, so there’s no need to put down a deposit to open an account.¹⁴

There are two versions of the card: the standard Petal 1 card and the Petal 1 Rise card. The standard Petal 1 card has no annual fee, while the Petal 1 Rise has a $59 annual fee. Petal 1 cards have a maximum credit limit of $5,000.¹⁵

Both versions of the card offer 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants. Cash back can be redeemed for a statement credit, ACH transfer, or physical check.¹⁶

APR on the Petal 1 card ranges from 28.99% to 33.99%. There are no foreign transaction fees, which makes it a great card for frequent travelers.

Petal offers the Leap program, which rewards you for responsible credit card use by setting goals to help you learn responsible financial behavior. These goals include making on-time payments of at least 15% of your balance and not letting your credit score drop more than 50 points for six consecutive months.¹⁷ You can track your goal progress in real-time using the Petal app. If you meet both goals, you may be considered for a credit limit increase.¹⁸

Who is this card for?

The Petal 1 card is a good unsecured credit card if you want to build your credit while earning cash back on everyday purchases.

OpenSky, which is a division of Capital Bank, N.A., offers three secured cards designed to help you build credit. The OpenSky Plus Visa is the high-end offering. It has a minimum deposit requirement of $300, which may make it out of range for some. However, unlike the other two OpenSky cards, the Plus Visa has no annual fee.

Once you’ve opened an account, you will be eligible for a credit limit increase after six consecutive months of on-time payment. You can monitor your progress with free online access to your FICO score. The maximum credit limit for this account is $3,000.

Unlike some credit card issuers, OpenSky doesn’t have the option to upgrade to an unsecured card with responsible credit use. If you want to open an unsecured card once your credit has been boosted, you’ll need to apply with a different issuer.

The OpenSky Plus Visa has a 28.99% variable APR and offers up to 10% cash back on all purchases, including groceries, streaming services, and dining.^19,20

Who is this card for?

The OpenSky Plus Visa is a helpful card for anyone looking to build or rebuild their credit without paying an annual fee.

The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard has a $200 minimum deposit that you can pay immediately upon opening or spread out over the 90 days following your application. This makes it a great option if you are short on funds and would struggle to make a security deposit for another card.

The initial maximum deposit for this card is $2,000, and over time, the maximum credit limit is $5,000. The card has a 14.24% variable APR, which is much lower than many competitors.

While this card has plenty of pros, its biggest drawback is the $49 annual fee. If you initially deposit $200, your annual fee will be deducted from your available credit. In addition, First Progress doesn’t offer any unsecured cards, so you’ll have to switch providers if you want to upgrade once your credit score is boosted.^21,22

Who is this card for?

The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard is a good choice if you don’t have a security deposit upfront and prefer to pay it over time.

The Secured Card from Credit One Bank pays you interest on your security deposit, though the exact percentage is not specified. You’ll also earn 1% cash back on popular categories like gas, groceries, and select monthly bills. Keep in mind that credit card rewards aren’t paid on other types of transactions.

This is a simple credit card with no annual fee and a variable interest rate of 29.49% APR. Your credit limit will match your security deposit, which starts at a minimum of $200.²³ Credit One doesn’t specify the maximum credit limit on this card. Once you’ve noticed a credit score improvement, you can apply for one of Credit One’s unsecured cards.²⁴

Who is this card for?

This card may be right for someone looking to build credit with no annual fee and earn cash back in popular spending categories.

It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed by all the secured credit cards out there. Let’s break down what really matters when you’re picking a card to help build your credit history.

• Secured vs. unsecured: Most credit-builder cards are secured, which just means you provide a refundable security deposit that typically becomes your credit It’s easier to get approved for a secured credit card if your credit history is poor or nonexistent because it’s a lower risk for the lender – so it’s a great way to get started!
• Annual fees: Some credit cards charge you a yearly fee just for having the However, many great credit-builder cards have no annual fee.
• Reports to all three bureaus: This is a big one! You want a card that reports your payments to Experian, Equifax, and That’s how your good habits get noticed and help your score grow.

Getting the card is the first step – awesome! Now, let’s talk about how to use it to make your credit score shine. It’s simpler than you think.

• Pay on time, every time. This is the number one rule. Your payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score, so setting up automatic payments is a great way to stay on track.
• Keep your balance low. Try not to use more than 30% of your available credit. For example, on a card with a $300 limit, try to keep your balance below $90. This shows lenders you’re not over reliant on credit cards.
• Use it for small, regular purchases. You don’t need to make big purchases. Using your card for something small each month, like a streaming service or a tank of gas, and paying it off in full shows consistent, responsible activity.

Picking the right credit-builder card is a huge step toward your financial goals, and you should feel great about it! Remember, the journey to good credit is all about small, consistent habits. By choosing a card that fits your needs and using it responsibly, you’re building a foundation for a stronger financial future. You’ve got this!

Learn how to use a secured credit card responsibly to build credit and enjoy a brighter financial future.

When Reddit users talk about building credit, there’s surprising consensus across communities like r/CRedit and r/personalfinance: start small, stay consistent, and focus on habits before hacks.

In one r/CRedit thread, a user summed up the process simply:

“Get a secured credit card. You can deposit more to have a bigger credit line.” — r/CRedit

Another chimed in with a long-term mindset:

“The key is to not try to build credit fast but to do it naturally, ensuring that you have good financial habits as a foundation for using credit.” — r/CRedit

And in r/personalfinance, users emphasized that secured cards are a low-risk way to get started:

“Secured credit cards are a great, low-risk option. Typically, you put about $200 down to establish a credit limit, and then the card acts just like any other credit card, except that the deposit and the low credit limit make it far less risky than most.” — r/personalfinance

Reddit’s key advice: Build credit slowly and safely

The pattern is clear: build credit slowly and safely. You can start building credit with your own money, no credit check to apply, and no interest— all while developing the positive financial habits Reddit users say matter most. Chime just makes it easier to start.