The Home Trust Secured Visa is a secured credit card with a competitive interest rate, no annual fee, and the potential to help you build credit. It’s well worth a look if you want to get your credit back on track, but there are several other options available too. Keep reading to compare five alternatives to the Home Trust Secured Visa credit card and find the option that suits your needs.
How does the Home Trust Secured Visa compare?
With a Home Trust Secured Visa, your credit limit is determined by the amount you provide as a security deposit—anywhere from $500 to $10,000. Once your card has been issued, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. You can also add it to your Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay digital wallet.
In standard form, the card has no annual fee and charges interest at 19.99%. But if you’d prefer a lower rate, you can choose to pay a $59 annual fee and get an interest rate of 14.9%.
Each month, Home Trust reports your account and payment activity to the Equifax and TransUnion credit bureaus. So if you make on-time payments and attempt to use less than 30% of your available credit, you can build credit.
Which is easier to apply for: secured credit cards or cash advance apps?
Cash advance apps offer a faster and easier application process. You can apply online or via a mobile app by providing your personal information and contact details, and typically linking your bank account. And if you’re happy to pay a fee, you can get instant access to a cash advance.
You’ll need to provide similar information to apply for a secured credit card, but you’ll also need to provide a security deposit and submit to a credit check. The time it takes for your application to be processed and your card mailed out to you could be as much as 15 business days.
How much can I borrow?
With a secured credit card, your credit limit is set based on the amount of your security deposit. The Home Trust Secured Visa credit card offers a maximum credit limit of $10,000, as does the Secured Neo Mastercard, while the Capital One Guaranteed Secured Mastercard offers a maximum limit of $2,500.
Cash advance apps have smaller maximum loan amounts. You can borrow up to $750 with Bree, or up to $250 with Nyble and KOHO Cover.
Which costs more?
Cash advance apps are generally a more affordable option than secured credit cards. They don’t require you to provide a security deposit, and if you don’t mind waiting up to three business days to get your funds, they have low or no fees. However, you may need to pay a monthly subscription fee of roughly $2 – $12 if you want an instant transfer.
With a secured credit card, you’ll need to provide an upfront deposit to set your credit limit. You’ll usually be charged interest ranging from 19.99% to 29.99% on purchases, but you can avoid interest charges by paying your card’s balance off in full during the interest-free grace period. And while you can get the Home Trust Secured Visa with no annual fee, some cards have annual fees of close to $100.
Which provides more flexible repayments?
Cash advance apps offer more flexible repayments than secured credit cards. Depending on the app you choose, you may be able to repay your advance at any time or roll over your repayment to your next pay cycle.
With a secured credit card, you’ll need to make at least the minimum monthly payment to ensure that your credit score doesn’t take a hit. And if you want to avoid being charged interest on your purchases, you’ll need to pay them off during your card’s interest-free grace period.
Is it faster to borrow from a secured credit card or cash advance app?
It’s faster to borrow from a cash advance app. These apps offer instant access to funds, typically by e-Transfer, but usually for an additional fee. If you don’t want to pay this fee, it can take up to three business days to get funded.
Meanwhile, if you apply for a secured credit card, you’ll need to wait for your application to be processed and your card mailed out to you. This means it could take anywhere from 2 to 15 business days to get your card, though some providers offer virtual cards so that you don’t have to receive your physical card before you can start spending.
Can I rebuild my credit?
Yes, you can. A secured credit card is one of several simple but legit steps you can take to improve your credit. By taking care not to utilize too much of your credit limit, and by always making on-time payments, you can improve your credit score.
Other ways you can rebuild your credit include:
- Paying down any other debts you have.
- Paying your rent, mortgage and utility bills on time.
- Disputing any inaccurate information in your credit report.
- Avoiding making multiple applications for credit in a short period of time.
Bottom line
From other secured credit cards to cash advance apps, there are several options available if you’re searching for alternatives to the Home Trust Secured Visa credit card. Whether you need a small loan or you want to rebuild your credit, compare a range of options to find the best fit for your financial situation.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
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