Key takeaways
Some of the best credit card to build credit reports to all three major credit bureaus, charges no annual fees, and doesn't require a credit check to apply.
The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card reports to Experian®, Equifax®, and TransUnion® with no monthly fees and no minimum deposit (see disclosure 1) – while the Extra debit card reports to only two bureaus and costs 20–25 per month. (see disclosure 2)
In an Experian study, Chime® members who used Credit Builder – an earlier version of Chime Card – saw an average FICO® credit score 8 increase of 28 points after about eight months, and the top 10% saw a 71-point increase. Results aren't guaranteed. (see disclosure 3)
Finding the best credit card to build credit can feel overwhelming when you're just starting out. You want a card that actually helps your score – without draining your wallet in fees. Two popular options are the secured Chime Visa® Credit Card and the Extra debit card, and they take very different approaches to credit building.
This guide breaks down how each card works, what they cost, and which one could be the best card to build credit for your situation.
What makes a great credit-building card
When comparing credit-building cards, consider credit bureau reporting, costs, and eligibility requirements. Reporting to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion can help you establish payment history with all three major credit bureaus.
Review fees, interest rates, and deposit requirements. Monthly or annual fees add to the cost of using a card, while any required security deposit affects how much money you’ll need to get started. A secured credit card to build credit that charges 0% APR and no annual fee lets you focus entirely on building positive payment history – not on managing debt. Cards that require no minimum security deposit or offer flexible options make it easier to get started, especially when cash is tight.
Features like automatic payments can help you manage due dates, and credit monitoring tools can help you track changes over time. Consider how each card fits your budget, spending habits, and credit-building goals.
Secured credit card vs. debit card for building credit
Secured credit cards and credit-building debit cards both aim to help your score, but they work in fundamentally different ways. Understanding these differences can help you pick the right tool for your goals.
Many secured credit cards require a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. You make purchases against that limit and pay them off each month. The card issuer reports your payment history to the credit bureaus. Some secured cards also report credit utilization – the percentage of your limit you're using – though not all do.
A credit-building debit card connects to your existing bank account and uses your balance to determine your spending power. When you swipe the card, the company covers the purchase and debits your account shortly afterward, with the exact timing set by the card's repayment terms. Those transactions get reported as payments to the bureaus.
The key difference: credit-building debit cards may not report to all three bureaus. A secured credit card, like the Chime Card, often gives you broader bureau coverage and may help establish a path to credit growth.
How we compared these credit-building cards
No single credit-building card is the best choice for everyone. Different options may stand out depending on whether you prioritize low costs, credit bureau reporting, no credit check to apply, rewards, or how the card fits with your existing accounts. We evaluated Chime Card® and Extra using publicly available information and compared features that may matter when building credit.
Our comparison focused on:
Credit bureau reporting: Which of the three major credit bureaus – Experian®, Equifax®, and TransUnion® – receive account activity.
Fees and interest: Monthly and annual fees, APR, and other costs associated with using the card.
Deposit and account requirements: Whether you need a security deposit, checking account, or compatible external bank account to get started.
Credit check requirements: Whether applying requires a credit check.
Credit-building features: Tools such as automatic payments and other features designed to help establish positive payment history.
Rewards: Whether the card offers cash back, points, or other rewards and what requirements or fees may apply.
Card access and use: Where the card can be used and any limitations, including international availability.
Rather than declaring one card the best choice for everyone, we highlight how Chime Card and Extra differ so you can decide which features best fit your credit-building goals, budget, and everyday spending.
The secured Chime Visa Credit Card
The secured Chime Visa Credit Card – also known as Chime Card™ – is designed to help you build credit safely with everyday purchases. (see disclosure 4) It's a secured credit card backed your own funds, that are automatically transferred from your Chime Checking Account to your Secured Deposit Account and displayed as a single Available balance, so you're always spending what you already have.
How the secured Chime Visa Credit Card works
You'll need a Chime Checking Account to apply. (see disclosure 5) There's no credit check, so applying won't affect your score. Once approved, funds are automatically transferred from your Chime Checking Account to your Secured Deposit Account – that amount becomes your spending limit.
Use your Chime Card anywhere Visa® credit cards are accepted. Chime reports your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – so every on-time payment can help you establish a positive credit history.4
Key features of the secured Chime Visa Credit Card
0% APR† (see disclosure 6) – no interest charges on your purchases
No annual fee and no monthly maintenance fees
No minimum deposit (see disclosure 1) – you set your own spending limit and funds are automatically transferred from your Chime Checking Account
No credit check to apply – limited or no credit history won't count against you
Reports to all 3 bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Cash back rewards – earn up to 5% with qualifying direct deposits with Chime Prime™ or 2% with Chime Plus on a monthly spending category of your choice, on up to $1,500 per month in qualifying spend (see disclosure 7)
Safer Credit Building – automatic payments can help you avoid missing a due date (see disclosure 8)
Rent reporting and Experian Boost (see disclosure 9) (see disclosure 10) – get credit for the bills you already pay, like rent, utilities, and streaming services
Credit score growth – in an Experian study from September 2025, Chime members using Credit Builder, an earlier version of Chime Card, saw an average 28-point credit score increase after about eight months, and the top 10% saw a 71-point increase; results aren't guaranteed (see disclosure 3)
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
No credit check means applying won't hurt your score
No minimum deposit, (see disclosure 1) so you don't need a large lump sum to start
0% APR† (see disclosure 6) and no annual or monthly fees can help keep your costs low
Reports to all three major bureaus for maximum credit-building impact
Cash back rewards with Chime Prime (5%) or Chime Plus (2%) on a monthly selected category (see disclosure 7)
Safer Credit Building auto-pay can help avoid late payments (see disclosure 11)
Accepted anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted
Disadvantages
You need a Chime Checking Account to apply*
Your spending limit depends on the funds in your secured account
Cash back rewards require a qualifying direct deposit for Chime Prime or Chime Plus membership (see disclosure 12)
The Extra debit card
The Extra debit card (see disclosure 2) takes a different approach to credit building. Instead of functioning as a credit card, it connects to your existing bank account and reports your spending activity as payment history to help grow your score.
How the Extra debit card works
Extra connects to a bank account you already have – it works with over 10,000 banks. (see disclosure 2) The card uses your bank balance and other factors to determine your "Spend Power," which is essentially a line of credit issued through Lead Bank. (see disclosure 2) When you swipe your card, Extra covers the purchase and later debits your linked bank account, with the timing depending on your repayment program.
At the end of each month, Extra reports your payment activity – including both on-time and late payments – to the credit bureaus. This is how the card helps you build credit history over time.
Key features of the Extra debit card
Subscription plans – Credit Building costs $20 per month or $149 per year. Rewards and Credit Building costs $25 per month or $199 per year. (see disclosure 2)
Reports to 2 bureaus – Experian and Equifax only. Extra does not report to TransUnion. (see disclosure 2)
No credit check to apply
48-point average increase reported for a select group of members who started with scores of 650 or below and maintained good credit habits over 12 months (see disclosure 2)
Spend Power – your spending limit is determined by Extra based on your bank balance and other factors, using a line of credit from Lead Bank (see disclosure 2)
Rewards – earn up to 1% in points on the Rewards and Credit Building plan, redeemable for gift cards and merchandise (see disclosure 2)
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
No credit check to apply
Works with your existing bank account – no need to switch banks
Designed to limit overspending, though Spend Power is a line of credit you must repay
Rewards plan lets you earn points on everyday purchases (see disclosure 2)
Disadvantages
Monthly fees of 20–25 add up to 240–300 per year on monthly plans (see disclosure 2)
Reports to only two bureaus – missing TransUnion means gaps in your credit profile (see disclosure 2)
Spend Power is determined by Extra, so you may have less purchasing flexibility than with a secured credit card (see disclosure 2)
Rewards max out at 1% and can only be redeemed in Extra's store (see disclosure 2)
Chime vs. Extra: Side-by-side comparison
Here's how the secured Chime Visa Credit Card and the Extra debit card compare on the features that matter most for building credit.
Feature | Secured Chime Visa® Credit Card | Extra debit card (see disclosure 2) |
Card type | Secured credit card | Debit card with credit reporting |
Monthly fee | None | 20–25 per month (see disclosure 2) |
Annual fee | None | 149–199 per year (see disclosure 2) |
APR | 0%† (see disclosure 6) | None |
Minimum deposit | None (see disclosure 1) | None |
Credit check | None | None |
Bureau reporting | Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion | Experian and Equifax only (see disclosure 2) |
Cash back / rewards | Up to 5% with Chime Prime or 2% with Chime Plus | Up to 1% in points on Rewards plan (see disclosure 2) |
Average credit score increase | 28-point average; top 10% saw 71 points (Credit Builder, ~8 months; results vary) (see disclosure 3) | 48 points for a select group starting at 650 or below with good credit habits over 12 months (see disclosure 2) |
Requirements | Chime Checking Account (see disclosure 5) | Compatible bank account (see disclosure 2) |
Chime Card could be best if you:
Want your payments reported to all three major credit bureaus
Don't want to pay monthly or annual fees for credit building
Prefer a secured credit card with 0% APR† (see disclosure 6) and no minimum deposit (see disclosure 1)
Want to earn cash back rewards – up to 5% with Chime Prime or 2% with Chime Plus
Have a Chime Checking Account (see disclosure 5) or plan to open one
Extra could be best if you:
Want to build credit without opening a new bank account
Prefer using a debit card rather than a credit card
Don't mind paying a monthly subscription for credit-building services
How to choose the right card for your situation
The right card depends on your goals, your budget, and where you are in your credit journey. Here are some practical tips to help you decide.
If cost is your top priority: The Chime Card has a clear edge – you'll pay no monthly fees, no annual fees, and no interest.† (see disclosure 6) Extra's monthly subscription of 20–25 adds up to 240–300 per year on monthly plans. (see disclosure 2)
If maximum bureau coverage matters: The Chime Card reports to all three major bureaus. Extra only reports to Experian and Equifax, (see disclosure 2) so lenders or landlords who pull your TransUnion report won't see your Extra payment history.
If you don't want to switch accounts: Extra connects to your existing account. The Chime Card requires a Chime Checking Account, (see disclosure 5) but you can open one in minutes – and if eligible, you'll also get access to features like SpotMe® fee-free overdraft for debit card purchases and cash withdrawals (see disclosure 13) , MyPay™ line of credit as an advance before payday (see disclosure 14) , and high-yield savings.
If you're comparing rewards: Chime Prime members earn 5% cash back on a monthly category of their choice on up to $1500 in purchases, and Chime Plus members earn 2%. Extra's Rewards plan offers up to 1% in points for $25 per month or $199 per year. (see disclosure 2)
See how the Chime Card also compares to options from Capital One® and Discover®.
Build credit on your terms
Building credit doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. The right card can help you establish positive payment history, grow your score, and open doors to better financial opportunities – all without monthly fees or high interest rates.
The Chime Card can make it easier to build credit with everyday purchases, no credit check to apply, and reporting to all three major bureaus. It's a straightforward path to credit progress.
Third-party brands and companies are mentioned for informational purposes only. Chime® does not sponsor, endorse, or partner with any of these brands or companies, and they do not sponsor or endorse Chime.