Apps Like Self: Alternatives to Build Credit

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.

5 apps like Self for building credit

• Alternative for most similar to Self: Kikoff Secured Credit Card
• Alternative for flexible credit-builder loans: CreditStrong
• Alternative for all-in-one finance app: Cleo Credit Builder Card
• Alternative for a secured card with 0% APR: Chime Card™
• Alternative for building credit with subscription payments: Grow Credit

Finder Score	Fee	Minimum deposit to open	Requirements	Credit Bureaus
Alternative for most similar to Self
9.4 Excellent Kikoff Secured Credit Card	9.4 Excellent	From $20 per month	$50	Must have Kikoff account and external bank account.	Equifax, Experian, TransUnion	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Self offers various credit-building options, but so does Kikoff. It provides credit-builder loans, a revolving line of credit, dispute tools, and rent reporting services. It's a great pick if you need multiple ways to build credit all on one app. However, some features are state-restricted, monthly fees may apply, and only the Kikoff Secured Credit Card reports to all three major bureaus. Pros & cons Pros Multiple credit-building options Credit-builder loans Rent reporting and dispute tools No hard credit check Cons Limited customer support options Only one product reports to three bureaus Some products are state-restricted
Alternative for flexible credit-builder loans
Not scored yet CreditStrong	Not scored yet	From $15 per month	$0	You must be 18 years old and a permanent US resident with a valid SSN or ITIN. You also need a checking account, debit card, or prepaid card, a mobile number and an email.	Equifax, Experian, TransUnion	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Credit Strong offers almost too many credit-builder loans to count, letting you choose from a variety of flexible terms and a payment period that works for you. However, Credit Strong charges APR and administrative fees, with the exact cost depending on the loan you choose. But you receive your funds at the term's end, minus fees and interest. Pros & cons Pros Various terms and amounts to choose from No hard credit check Personal and business options Reports to three major credit bureaus Cons Charges APR as fee for service Administrative fees Pricing isn't always transparent Not available in Vermont or Wisconsin
Alternative for all-in-one finance app
8.8 Great Cleo Credit Builder Card	8.8 Great	$14.99. per month	$1	Requires bank account	Equifax, Experian, TransUnion	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Cleo offers a mix of budgeting and credit-building tools, making it an ideal pick for those new to credit who want financial guidance in a single app. Cleo includes the Credit Builder Card, a secured card with no interest charges that reports payments to all three major credit bureaus. Beyond credit-building, it provides insights into spending and savings, cashback rewards, budgeting tools, and an AI that roasts or praises your financial habits. But its Credit Builder subscription costs $14.99 per month. Pros & cons Pros Combines credit-building with budgeting tools Offers cash advances for users who qualify Cashback, budgeting, and AI chat Cons Credit Builder costs $14.99 per month Secured card must be fully paid each month
Alternative for a secured card with 0% APR
10 Excellent Chime Card™	10 Excellent	$0 per month	$0	Must have a Chime Checking Account	Equifax, Experian, TransUnion	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it The Chime Card is an accessible option for building credit with no interest or monthly fees, and it doesn't perform a hard credit check when you apply. This secured card helps you responsibly manage credit without interest charges. However, to get the card, you must have a Chime Checking account. Pros & cons Pros No hard credit check 0% APR No annual or monthly fees Cons Requires a Chime Checking Account Limited to users who receive direct deposits
Alternative for building credit with subscription payments
9 Excellent Grow Credit	9 Excellent	From $0 per month	$0	You need a bank account in good standing (60 to 90 days history), an email, phone number, a valid SSN, US permanent residency, and be at least 18 years old.	Equifax, Experian, TransUnion	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you want to boost your credit score with subscriptions you already pay for, this app is worth considering. Grow Credit helps you build credit by paying subscription services like Netflix or Spotify through its app. It offers three plans, each allowing a different number of subscriptions. The base plan, called Build, is free for the first 12 months and lets you report up to $17 in monthly subscriptions. Grow Credit also reports to all three major credit bureaus. Pros & cons Pros Build plan free for the first year Simple and automated credit-building process Compatible with 100+ subscriptions Reports to three major bureaus Cons Limited to subscription payments only Build plan $2.99 monthly after first year

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How Self compares

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.

Bottom line

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.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Bethany Hickey

Banking editor

Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

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