9.4 Excellent
Fee | From $20 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $50 |
Fee | From $20 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $50 |
If you’ve heard of Self, you’re likely aware of its reputation for credit-building tools like credit-builder loans, rent reporting, and secured credit options.
But if Self isn’t right for you, we’ve rounded up other credit-building apps. Many offer similar products like credit-building loans and rent reporting, but a few have entirely different tactics.
9.4 Excellent
Fee | From $20 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $50 |
Fee | From $20 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $50 |
10 Excellent
Fee | $0 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Fee | $0 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Fee | From $28 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Fee | From $28 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
8.8 Great
Fee | $14.99. per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $1 |
Fee | $14.99. per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $1 |
9 Excellent
Fee | From $0 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Fee | From $0 per month |
---|---|
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
Self is a credit-building app that helps users improve their credit score through accessible credit-builder loans, rent and utility reporting, and more. Its credit-building loans require monthly payments into a locked savings account, with funds returned at the term’s end minus fees. Self reports your credit-building loan payments to all three credit bureaus.
It also offers free rent reporting, and for a premium, Self adds utility and phone bill reporting, credit monitoring, and a Lookback option to report up to two years of past payments. It also provides secured card options, but that may require a hard credit check. For some products, you’ll have to watch for monthly or annual fees, administrative fees, and credit score requirements.
Choosing the right app for building credit ultimately depends on your specific financial goals. While Self is a popular choice, our top alternatives may better fit your needs, whether you’re looking for no hard credit checks, budgeting assistance, or subscription-based credit-building.
For more comparisons, check out our comprehensive guide on credit-building options.
The Chime Credit Builder Card can help you build credit without charging interest and doesn’t require a deposit or monthly fee.
Top alternatives to Kikoff for easy credit-building include Self, Cleo, Grow Credit, Fizz and One Finance.
The best credit-building apps include Self Credit Builder, Step, Fizz, Cred.ai, Cleo, Grow Credit and Credit Karma Credit Builder.
Lexington Law is a credit repair company, but it carries a poor reputation.
Kikoff offers several credit-building products, including a secured card with no monthly fee, no interest charges and a low minimum deposit.
The Cleo Credit Builder card is best for anyone looking to build credit without a credit check or high interest rates.
Prepaid credit cards are secured cards that work like debit cards to avoid APR and build credit. Top options include Step, Current, Varo and more.
The Extra debit card is a debit card that builds credit without charging interest like traditional credit cards do. Review Extra’s features, fees and more.
Step banking accounts help kids and teens learn to manage their money while building their credit scores.