Eric Rosenberg, CFEI®, is a financial writer, speaker, and consultant based in Ventura, California. He is an expert in topics including banking, credit cards, investing, cryptocurrency, insurance, real estate, and business finance. He has professional experience as a bank manager and nearly a decade in corporate finance and accounting. His work has appeared in many online publications, including Business Insider, Nerdwallet, Investopedia, and U.S. News & World Report. You can connect with him and learn more at EricRosenberg.com.
Key takeaways
While secured credit cards are recommended for building credit, they usually require a security deposit that equals your credit limit.
You can find credit cards with no deposit required, even with a less-than-ideal credit score, although you'll need to do some research to find one.
Some alternate ways to build credit include becoming an authorized user or using unsecured credit cards responsibly.
Chime CardTM is similar to a secured credit card but doesn't require a security deposit,1 has no annual fees,2 and charges no interest.
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. Third party information is accurate as of February 2026 and may change after the publication date of this article.
To determine the best credit cards with no deposit, Chime's finance writers considered various criteria, including annual fees, APR, card benefits, and the amount of credit history required to apply. We then applied our knowledge of the credit card industry to find appropriate credit cards for these ranking factors.
Whether you're just starting your credit journey or rebuilding your score after taking a hit, getting a new credit-building card can help you along the way. However, secured credit cards, which are often recommended for building credit, usually require a refundable security deposit.
It can be challenging to find a credit card with no security deposit requirement while building or rebuilding credit, but it's definitely not impossible. Here's a look at the best credit cards with no deposit requirements and what you need to know to get started.
What types of credit cards don't require deposits?
Many credit cards don't require security deposits, but you'll generally need a good credit score to qualify. If you have fair credit, you may still find some cards without a security deposit. Cards in this category are called unsecured credit cards.
Unsecured cards can come with rewards, annual fees, and generally have interest rates. Premium rewards credit cards generally don't require any security deposit, but you'll often need a good to excellent credit score to qualify. Some cards, like travel rewards cards, also carry annual fees.
Lower credit scores can limit you to cards with higher interest rates and yearly fees. Regardless of your credit, read the terms and conditions closely so you're not surprised by unexpected costs.
Secured vs. unsecured credit cards
Not sure about the difference between secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards? Let's explore these terms so you know what they mean.
Unsecured credit cards don't require collateral or a security deposit. The credit card company issues the cards based on your credit history. If you don't pay the card as agreed, you may notice a decrease in your credit score.
Secured credit cards usually require the cardholder to put down a deposit, typically equal to the card's credit limit. You could lose your deposit if you don't make on-time payments. If you make prompt payments, you'll get your deposit back when you close the account.
3 best credit cards with no minimum deposit requirement
Here are three cards you may want to consider if you're looking for a credit card with no minimum security deposit.
Chime CardTM
If your primary goal is to avoid interest3 and fees,2 you should know about Chime Card. This unique secured credit card can help you build credit4 without a long-term security deposit.1
When you sign up for Chime Card, you'll also get a Chime Checking Account.5 Money added to that account automatically transfers to a Secured Deposit Account and acts as your Chime Card credit limit.6 If you turn on the Safer Credit Building4 feature, the funds acting as your credit limit are automatically used to pay your balance.
When you've reached your credit limit, transactions with the card are denied, and no additional fees are incurred. Your on-time payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus, Experian®, Equifax®, and Transunion®, helping you build a positive credit history.
As an added bonus, you'll earn 1.5% cash back rewards on rotating categories7 when you enroll in direct deposit and activate Chime+ membership.8
Pros
Cons
No credit check requirement
No unsecured card options
No annual fee or interest charges3
Unlimited 1.5% cash back7 with Chime Card
Access to additional perks8 via Chime+
Fee-free cash withdrawals at more than 47,000 ATMs nationwide9
Who is this card for?
Chime Card is a good choice if you want to build credit without paying fees or putting down a security deposit – plus, with a qualifying direct deposit you can earn cash back on eligible purchases! If you want to safely build credit with on-time payments, learn more about Chime Card.
OneMain Financial® BrightWay® Mastercard®
The OneMain Financial BrightWay Mastercard is an unsecured credit card for people building or rebuilding their credit. While the card features 1% cash back on standard purchases, it also carries an annual fee and a relatively high interest rate. The card's interest rate starts at 35.99%, and the annual fee can be as high as $89.
However, you can unlock rewards by making on-time payments for at least six months. Rewards include a credit limit increase and an APR decrease. These rewards will appear in your account automatically once you reach your milestone. However, OneMain Financial is only issuing a limited number of cards currently, and you'll need an access code to apply.10
Pros
Cons
1% cash back on standard purchases
35.99% variable APR
Access a credit limit increase or an APR decrease after six months
Annual fee up to $89
Earn regular rewards for on-time payments
Access code needed to apply
Who is this card for?
The BrightWay Mastercard could be a good option if you practice responsible financial behavior, like making on-time payments, and want to earn rewards for reaching financial milestones.
Credit One® Platinum Visa® For Rebuilding Credit
The Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit from Credit One is an unsecured credit card with a 29.74% variable rate APR. It has a $75 annual fee for the first year. After that, the annual fee increases to $99, which is billed at $8.25 per month.
This card offers 1% back on eligible purchases from gas stations, grocery stores, and telecom service providers (cell phone, internet, cable, and satellite TV). Take time to weigh the benefits of the rewards compared to the yearly fee and interest rate.11
Pros
Cons
1% cash back on eligible purchases
29.74% variable APR
Regular account reviews for credit line increase opportunities
Annual fee up to $99
Who is this card for?
The Credit One Platinum Visa is ideal if you are trying to rebuild and boost your credit score rather than starting from scratch, and don't mind paying an annual fee.
Other ways to use credit cards to build or rebuild your credit
Many credit cards for people new to credit or with bad credit require a deposit. Therefore, it takes a little research to find credit cards with no deposit when building credit.
However, there are other ways to build credit if you are open to options outside of no-deposit credit cards. Let's dive into some of the top ways to build credit.
Become an authorized user
Ask a trusted family member with good credit whether they will add you as an authorized user to help you build credit. As an authorized user, the credit card issuer will report account activity to the credit bureaus, just as they do for the primary account holder.
If the primary owner keeps the balance low and always pays on time, you can see your credit score increase over time as an authorized user. However, if the primary account holder has a high balance or misses payments, it can harm your credit score, so make sure you trust them to handle their account well.
Authorized users also have the same ability to spend money using the account as the account's owner. This poses a risk to the primary account holder, so you'll likely only find a close relative, such as a parent or grandparent, willing to add you as an authorized user.
Work on building your credit with unsecured cards
While it may sound counterintuitive, one of the best ways to build credit is with an unsecured credit card. As long as you keep the balance low and pay it off in full by the monthly due date, it can help your credit, and you won't pay any interest.
If you don't have a lot of savings or just want to keep your cash in the bank instead of using it as a credit card security deposit, you'll want to find an unsecured credit card designed for building or rebuilding credit.
Build or rebuild your credit with care
When you're looking for a credit card account with no deposit, you have options – even if you have bad credit. Make sure you understand the costs and fees before signing up for any new card, and always keep your balances low and pay your card on time to build credit.
Some student credit cards require a deposit, but that's not a universal rule. Some are unsecured, meaning they don't require a deposit. If you are considering a credit card designed for students, be sure to read the specific details of that card.
What do I need to qualify for a credit card with no deposit?
Most credit card companies review your credit report, credit score, and monthly income compared to your debts, known as your debt-to-income ratio, when approving credit card applications. Higher credit scores and a lower debt-to-income ratio improve your approval odds without a security deposit.
What's the easiest credit card to get?
Secured credit cards are often available without a credit check, which can make them easier to obtain. If you're looking for a card with no credit check, consider Chime Card.
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