April 22, 2026
Written by Catherine Hiles
Certified Financial Education Instructor®
Certified Financial Education Instructor®
Catherine Hiles, CFEI®, originally hails from the U.K. and currently resides in Ohio, where she writes about finance, parenting, pets, home improvement, and more. In her spare time, Catherine enjoys running, reading, and hanging out with her husband, two young children, and energetic dog.
Secured credit cards are a helpful tool for building credit, especially if you're just starting out or rebuilding.
Look for cards with no annual fee that report to all three major credit bureaus.
Using your card responsibly by paying your bill on time is often the most impactful step you can take.
The Chime® Card is a unique option with no annual fees, no interest, and perks like cash back and rent reporting.
If you're looking for the best credit cards to build credit, a secured credit card is often the most accessible starting point. You don't need a perfect credit history – just a refundable deposit and a commitment to paying on time.
Below, you'll find seven credit card options that can help you establish credit for the first time or rebuild after a setback.
Here's how the top credit-building cards compare:
Card | Annual fee | APR | Security deposit | Cash back | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chime Card | $0 | None1 | None – uses account balance2 | Up to 5% | No interest, no fees |
Quicksilver Secured from Capital One1 | $0 | 28.99% | $200 min | 1.5% on all purchases | Flat-rate cash back |
Discover it Secured3 | $0 | 26.49% | $200–$2,500 | 2% gas/restaurants, 1% all else – doubled first year | Maximizing rewards |
Petal 1 Family Visa®2 | $0 standard / $59 Rise | 28.99%–33.99% | None – unsecured | 2%–10% at select merchants | No deposit required |
OpenSky Plus Visa4 | $0 | 28.24% | $300 min | Up to 10% | FICO score access |
First Progress Prestige5 | $49 | 13.49% | $200 min | Up to 10% at select merchants + 1% on payments | Low APR |
Credit One Bank Secured6 | $0 | 29.74% | $200 min | 1% on gas, groceries, bills | Earning interest on deposit |
It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed by all the secured credit cards out there. Here's what really matters when you're picking a card to help build your credit history.
Secured vs. unsecured: Most credit-builder cards are secured, meaning you provide a refundable security deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. It's easier to get approved for a secured card if your credit history is limited or nonexistent. Unsecured options like the Petal 1 don't require a deposit but may have higher APRs.
Annual fees: Some credit cards charge you a yearly fee just for having the card. Many great credit-builder cards have no annual fee, so your deposit goes entirely toward your credit limit.
Reports to all three bureaus: You want a card that reports your payments to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. That's how your good habits get noticed and help your score grow.
Upgrade path: Some secured cards, like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured and Discover it Secured, may let you upgrade to an unsecured card after several months of responsible use. Others, like the OpenSky Plus Visa, don't offer that option.
The Quicksilver Secured from Capital One offers a solid 1.5% cash back7 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 months8, and you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back with responsible use. Just be mindful of the 28.99% variable APR9 if you carry a balance.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases | Maximum credit limit determined by credit history |
No annual fee | 28.99% interest rate |
Can convert to a non-secured version | |
Credit limits up to $3,000 |
Ideal 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 credit10 when you open your account, with no annual fees or interest charges11. Unlike other credit-building cards, the Chime Card uses the money in your account as your credit limit. You'll see your Available balance and credit limit when you log into the Chime app.
One huge benefit of using the Chime Card is that your rent payments can be automatically reported to two of the three major credit bureaus, which can help you build credit. You can also activate Safer Credit Building12 to ensure your balance is paid automatically each month.
One consideration 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 and you'll unlock Chime Plus13 or Chime Prime perks. Chime Prime members earn 5% cash back14 on a monthly selected category, while Chime Plus members earn 2% cash back15. You'll also get access to SpotMe®16, MyPay®17, and a 3.75% APY18 on your savings with Chime Prime.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
No annual fee or interest charges | No unsecured credit card options |
Up to 5% cash back | |
Can report rent payments to credit bureaus | |
Access to additional perks via Chime Prime | |
Fee-free cash withdrawals at more than 47,000 ATMs nationwide19 |
Ideal 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 $2,50020, and you'll need a security deposit equal to your credit limit to open the account.
After seven consecutive months21 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 back22 on all other purchases.
At the end of your first year, Discover doubles your total cash back23 – meaning 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 26.49% APR24 if you carry a balance.
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.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Earn cash back on all purchases | International merchants not as likely to accept Discover |
Cash back doubled for the first year | |
Eligible for a credit limit increase after seven months |
Ideal 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. Petal 1 is not a secured credit card, so there's no need to put down a deposit.
There are two versions: the standard Petal 1 card with no annual fee and the Petal 1 Rise with a $59 annual fee. Both have a maximum credit limit of $5,000 and offer 2% to 10% cash back25 at select merchants.
APR ranges from 28.99% to 33.99%26, and there are no foreign transaction fees – making it a strong option for frequent travelers.
Petal also offers the Leap program, which rewards responsible credit card use by setting goals like making on-time payments and maintaining your credit score. Meeting both goals for six consecutive months may qualify you for a credit limit increase.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Up to 10% cash back | Cash back is only paid for select merchants |
Participation in Leap program can lead to credit limit increase | High variable interest rates |
No security deposit required |
Ideal for: The Petal 1 card is a good unsecured option if you want to build credit while earning cash back without a deposit.
OpenSky, 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 with a minimum deposit requirement of $30027. Unlike the other two OpenSky cards, the Plus Visa has no annual fee.
You'll be eligible for a credit limit increase after six consecutive months of on-time payments, and you can monitor your progress with free online access to your FICO® score. The maximum credit limit is $3,000.
OpenSky doesn't offer the option to upgrade to an unsecured card – you'd need to apply with a different issuer once your credit improves. The card has a 28.24% variable APR28 and offers up to 10% cash back29 on purchases including groceries, streaming services, and dining.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
No annual fee | Minimum $300 security deposit |
Free online access to FICO score | No unsecured credit card options |
Up to 10% cash back on daily spending |
Ideal 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 or spread out over the 90 days following your application. This makes it a great option if you'd struggle to make a full security deposit upfront for another card.
The initial maximum deposit is $2,000, and over time, the maximum credit limit can reach $5,000. The card has a 13.49% variable APR30 – much lower than many competitors.
Cardholders can earn up to 10% cash back at select merchants, plus 1% cash back on payments31. The biggest drawback is the $49 annual fee32, and First Progress doesn't offer unsecured cards – so you'd need to switch providers to upgrade.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
No immediate funding required | $49 annual fee |
Low APR | No unsecured credit card options |
Up to 10% cash back at select merchants + 1% on payments |
Ideal 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 deposit33, though the exact percentage is not specified. You'll also earn 1% cash back34 on popular categories like gas, groceries, and select monthly bills.
This is a simple credit card with no annual fee and a variable interest rate of 29.74% APR35. Your credit limit matches your security deposit, starting at a minimum of $200. Once you've noticed a credit score improvement, you can apply for one of Credit One's unsecured cards.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
1% cash back on popular spending categories | Get cash back only on certain purchases |
Earn interest on your security deposit | $200 minimum security deposit |
No annual fee |
Ideal for: This card may be right for someone looking to build credit with no annual fee and earn cash back in popular spending categories.
Once you've got your card, here's how to use it to help your credit score grow.
Pay on time, every time: Your payment history is the biggest factor36 in your credit score. Setting up automatic payments is a great way to stay on track.
Keep your balance low: Try not to use more than 30%37 of your available credit. For example, on a card with a $300 limit, try to keep your balance below $90.
Use it for small, regular 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
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.
Any bank or financial institution may offer accounts with features that can help you build credit. Consider required security deposits, fees, and potential credit card rewards. Also, look out for helpful features, such as the ability to pay off your card balance automatically or with your security deposit.
You can build credit with your bank if you have a credit or loan account. Most borrowing-related accounts appear on your credit report. Following smart credit habits helps you build your credit score over time.
There's no perfect account for everyone's needs, but you'll likely find an account that's best for your credit-building goals. Consider features like security deposits and account fees so you can pick the best account to build credit for your unique situation.
Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
Chime is not FDIC-insured. The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. are the FDIC-insured members. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. FDIC deposit insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.
Chime Checkbook: While Chime doesn’t issue personal checkbooks to write checks, Chime Checkbook gives you the freedom to send checks to anyone, anytime, from anywhere. See your issuing bank’s Deposit Account Agreement for full Chime Checkbook details.
By clicking on some of the links above, you will leave the Chime website and be directed to a third-party website. The privacy practices of those third parties may differ from those of Chime. We recommend you review the privacy statements of those third party websites, as Chime is not responsible for those third parties' privacy or security practices.
Opinions, advice, services, or other information or content expressed or contributed here by customers, users, or others, are those of the respective author(s) or contributor(s) and do not necessarily state or reflect those of The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. (“Banks”). Banks are not responsible for the accuracy of any content provided by author(s) or contributor(s).
APPLE and the Apple Logo are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. GOOGLE PLAY and the Google Play Logo are registered trademarks of Google LLC. Third-party trademarks referenced for informational purposes only; no endorsements implied.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Chime does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. You should check with your legal, financial, or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Third-party trademarks referenced for informational purposes only; no endorsements implied.
Licenses
Chime Capital, LLC, Nationwide Multistate Licensing System ("NMLS") ID 2316451
Chime Payments, Inc., Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (“NMLS”) ID 2538752
Address: 101 California Street, Floor 5, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States.
No customer support available at HQ. Customer support details available on the website.
© 2013-2026 Chime Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.