5 Best Secured Credit Cards To Build Credit (May 2022 Update)

A secured credit card is designed for those with less than perfect credit. A security deposit is required, but the card can be used just like a traditional credit card. Your payments are reported to the credit bureaus, helping you build your credit. Here are some of the best secured credits available today.

If you have poor (or nonexistent) credit, a secured card may be the best method for you to get a new credit card and begin to build a good credit history. Secured cards require a deposit, usually in the same amount as the line of credit — so a card with a $200 limit typically would require a $200 deposit.

Most secured cards also charge an annual fee. There are, however, a few that do not charge an annual fee, and we begin our list of the top secured card offers with a no fee option.

The Best Secured Credit Cards

Secured Sable ONE Credit Card—Editor’s Pick

The Secured Sable ONE Credit Card is among a handful of new fintech companies to enter the secured credit card space. The result is a no annual fee secured card with 1% to 2% cash back. Such favorable terms were unthinkable just a few years ago.

Arguably the best part of Sable, however, is its banking integration. In addition to a secured card, applicants receive a Sable debit card and bank account. (The actual bank behind Sable is Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC). With the linked debit card, you can easily decide how much credit you want on the secured card with easy transfers via the app.

There is no credit check to apply, ideal for international students and others with no U.S. credit history, and you can graduated to an unsecured card in as little as four months. Sable currently reports payments to Equifax and Experian.

• Credit Check: No
• Fees: None
• Cash Back: Up to 2%
• International Applicants:  Apply as a non-citizen with your passport and visa instead–no SSN or U.S. credit history required
• Credit: Get access to unsecured credit in as little as 4 months

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Capital One Platinum Secured—Editor’s Pick

The Capital One Platinum Secured is our Editor’s Pick for several reasons. First, it doesn’t charge an annual fee. That alone sets it apart from many other secured cards. Second, the refundable security deposit can be as low as $49. Capital One requires a security deposit of $49, $99 or $200 based on a review of your credit history. In return, you’ll get an initial line of credit of $200. You can choose to deposit more than $200 to increase your credit limit.

Capital One offers another excellent feature. Once you’ve had the card for as little as six months, Capital One will automatically consider your account for a higher credit limit. In addition, Capital One monitors how you are handling the account. As you make on-time payments, you may be able to earn back your refundable deposit as a statement credit.

The card reports payments and balance to all three major credit bureaus. It also offers features such as email and text alerts, automatic bill pay, a balance transfer, autopay, and 24/7 customer support.

• Annual Fee: $0
• Regular APR: 26.99% (as of June 7, 2021)
• Security Deposit: $49, $99 or $200, based on credit worthiness
• Starting Credit Limit: $200 and automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months.
• Credit Reporting: Payments reported to all 3 major credit bureaus

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Chime Credit Builder Visa® Secured Credit Card—Editor’s Pick

Yes, this is our third Editor’s Pick, but for good reason. First, the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Secured Credit Card charges no annual fee. It’s linked to the Chime Spending Account that is also free and comes with a free debit card. And you can easily set your credit limit on the secured card based on the amount you have in the Spending Account.

The card reports to all three major credit bureaus.

• No annual fee or interest charges
• No credit check required to apply
• No minimum security deposit
• A Chime Spending Account (also free) is required

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OpenSky(R) Secured Visa(R) Credit Card

The OpenSky(R) Secured Visa(R) Credit Card is designed to help build credit. It doesn’t require a credit check and you cannot be declined for having bad credit. There is an annual fee, but it’s just $35. The card is accepted worldwide and the minimum security deposit is $200.

The online application takes just 5 minutes. The security deposit is of course refundable. The card reports to all 3 major credit bureaus, so making on-time payments will improve your credit score. It also comes with a mobile app to track your account.

• No credit check necessary to apply.
• The refundable* deposit you provide becomes your credit line limit on your Visa card.
• Choose it yourself, from as low as $200.
• OpenSky reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
• *View our Cardholder Agreement located at the bottom of the application page for details of the card.

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Self Secured Visa Credit Card

We’ve included the Self Secured Visa Credit Card because it combines a secured card with a credit builder loan. First, however, a warning–the fees are high. With a credit builder loan, you take out a loan for the sole purpose of building your credit. The lender puts the loan proceeds in a savings account that you do not have access to until you’ve paid the loan in full. In the case of Self, the APR is around 16%.

Of course, most secured cards have high interest rates as well. The difference is that you can avoid the finance charges by paying your balance in full each month. With a credit builder loan, you cannot. Still, it does force you to “save” by requiring the monthly payment. So it can be a good option for those who are having a hard time staying on track.

With Self, you need to first set up a credit builder loan. Then you can apply for the secured card once you’ve made 3 monthly payments on time.

• No credit check.
• No credit history required.
• Start with a credit builder account that reports to all 3 credit bureaus.
• Make at least 3 monthly payments on time, have $100 or more in savings progress in your account, and be in good standing.** You’ll automatically be eligible for the Self Visa® Credit Card, without a credit check.
• Your savings progress from your Credit Builder Account acts as your refundable security deposit.

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Secured Credit Card with Cash Back Rewards

If you still haven’t found what you want, there is another option. There’s one secured card that charges no annual fee. It also offers cash back on purchases, something unusual for secured cards. You earn 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, up to $1,000 spent each quarter. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. And after 8 months, you are automatically considered for a traditional credit card.

So what is this mystery card? You can get all of the details about this card here.

How a Secured Credit Card Works

To the outside world, secured credit cards work just like any other credit card. Most are either on the Visa or Mastercard network and are accepted anywhere traditional credit cards are accepted. In fact, one cannot tell from the face of a credit card whether it’s a secured card.

There are, however, some important differences behind the scenes. Unlike an unsecured credit card, a secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit. The amount of the deposit usually is equal to the amount of the credit limit. Security deposits and credit limits typically range from about $200 to $2,000, although a few cards offer lower options.

The credit card company typically holds the security deposit in an FDIC-insured back account. While the account is active, the card is used just like a traditional card. Charges are made to the card. If they are paid in full each month, no interest is charged. If the balance is not paid in full, the credit card company will charge interest on the unpaid balance.

Here it’s important to understand that the security deposit is not used to pay the monthly credit card bill. When the account is closed, the security deposit is refunded.

Credit card issuers report monthly payments on the card to one or more of the major credit bureaus. Continue to make on-time monthly payments, avoid charging too close to your credit limit, and pay the card in full each month, will allow you to establish a solid credit history, bump up your FICO® score, and, eventually, move to an unsecured card.

Secured Credit Card Alternatives

There are several cards designed to improve your credit that do not require a security deposit. The most interesting option is the Extra debit card. While secured cards work like a debit card, typically, debit cards do not help you improve your credit. Extra is different. It’s the only debit card we know of that can help you build your credit. Read our Extra card review for more details.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

A secured credit card can be a reasonable way to repair or build your credit. Look for a card that charges no annual fee or at least a reasonable fee. Also avoid secured cards with high interest rates, unless you plan to pay off your card in full each month.