Safely build credit : Current Credit Building Card
- No credit check required to apply
- Earn redeemable points while you shop
- No monthly fees or minimum deposit
- Build credit plus earn up to 4.00% APY
- FDIC insured
Narrow down top unsecured and secured credit cards with no or low security deposit requirements. For an even closer comparison, tick the Compare box on up to four options to see features side by side.
Most secured cards require at least a $200 opening deposit. And if you’re looking for a no deposit card, you’d be looking at a traditional, unsecured credit card. Although secured credit cards without deposit requirements are rare, there are secured cards that don’t require cash upfront — and don’t check your credit score, either.
Often called debit-credit cards, these nifty secured cards are backed by a bank account instead of a cash deposit. But if those aren’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of low deposit secured cards to consider.
While rare, some secured credit cards don’t require a security deposit. Instead of a security deposit, they require you to link an existing bank account to back the card. The account’s balance is what sets your spending limit.
Current Credit Building Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | Up to 7% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | New to credit |
Varo Believe Secured Credit Card
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | None |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Step Black Card
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | Up to 8% cash back |
Annual fee | $99 |
Minimum credit score | New to credit |
Most traditional secured credit cards require at least $200 to open, but you’ve still got other options that accept lower amounts or simply require setting up direct deposit.
Chime Credit Builder Visa® Secured Credit Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | None |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | None |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | New to credit |
Cleo Credit Builder card
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | Up to 7% cash back |
Annual fee | See terms |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Discover it® Secured
Finder score
Welcome Offer | Other |
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Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Self Visa® Credit Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | None |
Annual fee | $25 |
Minimum credit score | 300 |
Yes, they can — provided the bank or fintech reports to the credit bureaus and you make payments on time they’re a good option if you want to improve your credit. The plus side of secured cards backed by a bank account is that your account balance determines your credit limit, and your credit utilization ratio isn’t reported to the credit bureaus, but your payment history is.
Most credit-building cards, like Fizz and Current, offer autopay to help with timely payments. Secured credit cards also tend to have less stringent credit score requirements when applying, and many debit-credit cards don’t check your credit history. If your goal is to build your credit score, get a card that reports to all three major credit bureaus, as this will help maximize your chances of recovery.
Second chance credit cards are designed for those with lower credit scores who can’t qualify for other cards. These are traditional unsecured credit cards, so they won’t require a cash deposit but have less stringent credit score requirements.
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Finder score
Welcome Offer | $200 |
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Rewards | Up to 1.5% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 600 |
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | Up to 1% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 to $99 |
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Finder score
Welcome Offer | n/a |
---|---|
Rewards | Up to 10% cash back |
Annual fee | $0 |
Minimum credit score | 550 |
Nothing is guaranteed with credit cards. Even if a provider states they won’t check your credit score, they’re still likely to look at other factors, such as your income, other debts and work history, to be sure you can repay the card.
While no credit check cards are likely to have a higher approval rate than those that require good credit, you’ll still have to meet some other requirements to be approved.
A variety of secured, unsecured and unique credit card options are available for those of all credit types and lifestyles. Rewards, travel and second-chance credit cards are abundant, and for more options, compare the best credit cards.
Our top picks can help you build your credit without paying sky-high fees.
If you’re looking for a secured card, you won’t find many differences between these card accepted in 200+ countries.
Here’s a little-known fact: Not all secured credit cards are created equal. Compare secured credit cards that report to all three major credit bureaus.
Learn more about the UGET25 promotion for the UNITY Visa Secured credit card.
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?
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.
The deposit for DCU Visa Platinum secured credit 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