Our pick for a low deposit: Self Visa® Credit Card
from $100
Security deposit
- Apply with any credit score
- Pair with a Credit Builder Account to build your credit score and savings
- Low annual fee for a secured card
Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn how we make money.
Compare the lowest deposit secured credit cards
Rebuild your credit without breaking the bank.
Secured Card Guides
Managing Money In A Crisis
Weekly tips sent straight to your inbox
A secured credit card can be incredibly helpful if you’re looking to improve your credit score. But to get one, you have to put down a security deposit — and that can put a crimp in your savings.
While secured credit cards with no security deposit exist, the tradeoff is usually lower spending limits and a higher difficulty getting accepted. Fortunately, a secured credit card doesn’t have to cost much if you pick the right one.
Secured credit cards with low or no deposit minimum
Closer look: How much will I have to pay for a deposit?
Below are a few secured cards and their associated deposits. Between these three cards, the required security deposit ranges from $49 and $200.
Capital One® Secured Mastercard®
580
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
26.99%
variable
Purchase APR
Purchase APR
From $49
Min. deposit
Min. deposit
With the Capital One® Secured Mastercard®, you may qualify to deposit only $49 or $99 and still get a $200 credit line. This makes Mastercard’s offering one of the lowest deposit secured credit cards available. After you pay your bill on time for the first five months, you’ll automatically qualify for a higher credit line.
- Upfront cost. $49, $99 or $200, depending on your credit.
- No annual fee. You wont pay anything to own the card.
- Various minimum deposits. Depending on your credit, you will make a cash deposit of $49, $99 or $200 to activate your card.
- Get an upgrade with timely payments. After you make your first five monthly payments on time, you will get a higher credit line.
- Platinum Mastercard perks. Get purchase benefits, travel insurance, roadside assistance and more.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit required | $49, $99 or $200 |
| Purchase APR | 26.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 26.99% variable |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 580 |
Justice Federal Credit Union (JFCU) VISA Classic Secured Card
300
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
0%
intro
Purchase APR
Purchase APR
From $100
Min. deposit
Min. deposit
The Justice Federal Credit Union (JFCU) VISA Classic Secured Card requires a relatively low $100 minimum deposit. It also offers an intro APR, which is rare for secured credit cards. You’ll get a 0% intro APR on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances for the first 6 months. On top of that, you won’t pay fees for balance transfers.
To apply for the card, you need to be a member of the Justice Federal Credit Union. If you don’t meet the criteria to become a member, you can satisfy that requirement by joining one of the credit unions affiliate organizations. Furthermore, you will need to make a $5 deposit to open a Justice FCU savings account.
- Upfront cost. $130, includes security deposit, typical affiliate organization membership fee and Justice FCU deposit.
- No annual fee.
- Intro APR. 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances.
- No balance transfer fees.
- Late-fee leniency. You are only assessed a late fee when you pay 10 or more days after your payment due date.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit required | Starting at $100 |
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 6 months (then from 16.9% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 6 months (then 16.9% variable) |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 300 |
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
580
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
22.49%
variable
Purchase APR
Purchase APR
From $200
Min. deposit
Min. deposit
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a solid secured card that requires only a $200 minimum deposit. It’s not loaded with features, but it does include Mastercard benefits such as travel benefits and purchase protection.
- Upfront cost. $200.
- No annual fee.
- Mastercard perks. Get purchase benefits, travel insurance, roadside assistance and more.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit required | Starting at $200 |
| Purchase APR | 22.49% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 22.49% variable |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 580 |
The information about Citi® Secured Mastercard® has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Bottom line
The security deposit you put down for a secured card doesn’t have to wipe out your bank account. Even a $50 deposit secured credit card can help you rebuild your credit if you spend responsibly and pay off your balance at the end of each month. Check out our full secured credit card guide to learn more about how to use secured credit cards.
Frequently asked questions about secured cards
More guides on Finder
-
Copper Banking review
This digital checking account teaches your teen healthy money habits through interactive quizzes and an intuitive mobile app.
-
Varo Savings Account Review
Learn how this high-interest account can boost your savings goals.
-
3 true credit card horror stories and advice on how to survive
Three real people share their real experiences and credit card horror stories of 2020.
-
Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card review
Build your credit with this unsecured credit card.
-
Best holiday loans for bad credit
Compare 6 lenders offering loans that you can qualify for with a credit score under 580.
-
Chase First Banking review
A bank account for kids that helps your child develop healthy money habits early on. Powered by Greenlight.
-
Nationwide Advantage checking review
The Nationwide Advantage checking account offers a decent APY and no fees.
-
Nationwide Interest Checking account review
No minimum balance is required, but the APY isn’t competitive with other online banks.
-
Tree removal financing with credit cards
If you need to remove a tree from your property, consider paying with plastic.
-
Best credit cards for young professionals
Earn rewards on travel, dining, public transportation and other categories you spend the most in.
Ask an Expert
What would you consider to be the best secured card for someone who has no bank account and a card that require no credit check to ensure getting approved?
Hi Larry,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
As a comparison website, we are not permitted to provide specific recommendations. However, I can help you by providing you options.
As of now, we don’t have a list of secured credit cards for a person who doesn’t have a bank account. Nevertheless, we have a page that lists secured credit card providers that don’t require a credit check. Please go to this page.
On that page, you will see a list of secured credit cards that don’t require a credit check. On the same list, you will read about their description to help you know more about their offer. You can directly get in touch with your chosen provider and ask them if they require a bank account.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I was inquiring about the DCU secured card and was told by their representative they had a minimum deposit of $300, is this true?
Hi Ray,
Thanks for getting in touch. As it says on this page, The deposit for this secured card works a little differently from other secured cards. Your deposit isn’t held separately as collateral. You borrow against your savings account, so this card acts more like a debit or checking card. Your deposit isn’t held and then returned after closing the account; it’s always available.
You need to have at least $5 in your account, and then however much you have up to your credit limit is how much you can put on the card. For example, if your limit is $300, you’d need at least $300 in your account, which includes the minimum $5.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
What would be the best card to gain better credit standing overall? Does any card in particular provided more credit worthiness?
Thanks in advance,
-Mike
Hi Mike,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
Credit card providers will carefully consider any “bad credit” details – such as late payments or defaults – that are listed on your credit report. So, if you want to apply for a credit card to help improve your credit rating, sticking to basic options can improve your chances of getting approval.
Another option is to consider credit cards with no annual fee or a low standard interest rate. These kinds of cards can help keep the cost of the account down and make it easier for you to avoid late payments, defaults and other problems that lead to bad credit.
Cheers,
Joel