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CompareCards says issuers are providing such generous deals, they're virtually irresistible for those willing to switch.
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Those who always pay their balances in full and on time will usually come out ahead.
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The offers on the credit card landscape are constantly changing which is great news for consumers.
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In the future, the companies that will thrive are those able to give customers exactly what they want, the way they want it, when they want it.
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CompareCards was one of three sites that met all the criteria.
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Credit Cards for Poor Credit
- Even with poor credit, you can still get a credit card.
- These cards are ideal if you are looking to build or rebuild your credit or if you’re starting from a low credit score.
- Read our independent ratings and reviews and apply with our secure online application process
See offers from our partners below.
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CompareCards is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). CompareCards does not include all credit cards available in the marketplace.
- Reports to Credit Bureaus Build Credit When Used Responsibly
- Minimum Deposit $49, $99, or $200
- Regular Purchase APR 30.74% (Variable)
- Annual Fee $0
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- Reports to Credit Bureaus Build Credit When Used Responsibly
- Minimum Deposit $49, $99, or $200
- Regular Purchase APR 30.74% (Variable)
- Annual Fee $0
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
See additional details for Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Apply Online Fast and easy application process
- No Hidden Fees No deposit required and no penalty APR
- Regular APR 30.24%
- Annual Fee $59
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- Apply Online Fast and easy application process
- No Hidden Fees No deposit required and no penalty APR
- Regular APR 30.24%
- Annual Fee $59
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- Fast and easy application process
- No deposit required
- No hidden fees
- No penalty APR
- Report to all three major credit bureaus
- Zero fraud liability for unauthorized charges
- Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank, member FDIC
- Disclosure: If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.00
- Late Fee up to $39
- Checking your eligibility does not affect your credit score
See additional details for AvantCard Credit Card
- No Security Deposit All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit
- Easy Access 24/7 access to your account, even on mobile!
- Build Credit Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Annual Fee See terms
- Credit Needed Good/Fair/Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- No Security Deposit All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit
- Easy Access 24/7 access to your account, even on mobile!
- Build Credit Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Annual Fee See terms
- Credit Needed Good/Fair/Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit
- 24/7 access to your account, even on mobile!
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Less than perfect credit is okay, even with a prior bankruptcy!
See additional details for Destiny Mastercard®
- Mastercard Benefits Accepted Worldwide and $0 Fraud Liability
- Mobile Access Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
- Build Credit Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- Annual Fee See terms
- Credit Needed Good/Fair
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- Mastercard Benefits Accepted Worldwide and $0 Fraud Liability
- Mobile Access Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
- Build Credit Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- Annual Fee See terms
- Credit Needed Good/Fair
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- Greater access to credit than before - $700 credit limit
- Get a Mastercard accepted online, in store and in app
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- $0 liability for unauthorized use
- Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
See additional details for Milestone Mastercard®
- Build your credit history Your direct deposit sets how much you could spend, spend up to that amount, and have your monthly balance automatically paid with your direct deposit.
- Annual Fee $0
- Interest & fee free cash withdrawals Interest & fee free cash withdrawals at 60K+ ATMs at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and more.
- Annual Fee $0
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Visa®
- Build your credit history Your direct deposit sets how much you could spend, spend up to that amount, and have your monthly balance automatically paid with your direct deposit.
- Annual Fee $0
- Interest & fee free cash withdrawals Interest & fee free cash withdrawals at 60K+ ATMs at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and more.
- Annual Fee $0
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Visa®
Highlights
- No annual fees or interest,* no credit check to apply, and no minimum security deposit required3
- Help increase credit score by an average of 30 points1
- View and track your FICO® Score right in the Chime app. FICO Scores are used by 90% of top lenders
- Use everywhere VISA is accepted on everyday purchases, such as gas and groceries, and have these purchases count towards building credit via on-time payments
- Build credit history with your own money - your direct deposit sets how much you could spend, spend up to that amount, and have your monthly balance automatically paid with your direct deposit.
- Instant disable card in-app and real-time transaction alerts to prevent fraudulent activities, 24/7 support to assist you around the clock.
- Interest and fee-free˜ cash withdrawals at 60K+ ATMs at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and more.
- Apply for a Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card once you sign up for a Chime Checking Account and receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more2. See www.chime.com to learn more.
- Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
- *No interest: Out of network ATM withdrawal fees may apply. See here for details.1 Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.2 To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.3 Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.ATM Disclosure: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
See additional details for Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
- Improve Your Credit Score Free Credit Bureau Reporting
- Credit Line $200 - $2,000 Credit Line*
- Regular Purchase APR 15.24% (V)
- Annual Fee $49
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- Improve Your Credit Score Free Credit Bureau Reporting
- Credit Line $200 - $2,000 Credit Line*
- Regular Purchase APR 15.24% (V)
- Annual Fee $49
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
- Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
- Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- No minimum credit score required for approval!
- ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
See additional details for First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- Credit Line Upon approval, you’ll have an initial credit line based on your $200 -$3,000 deposit - It’s up to you!
- Fraud Liability $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges.
- Worldwide Acceptance Use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- Annual Fee $36 for first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- Credit Line Upon approval, you’ll have an initial credit line based on your $200 -$3,000 deposit - It’s up to you!
- Fraud Liability $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges.
- Worldwide Acceptance Use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- Annual Fee $36 for first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- Choose your own credit line based on how much money you want to put down as a security deposit.
- Initial deposits can be from $200 to $3,000. You can increase your credit line at any time by adding additional money to your security deposit, up to $3,000.
- After 9 months, we review your account for a credit line increase. No additional deposit required!
- Secured Credit Cards are great for people looking to build or rebuild credit and are available to people with all kinds of credit backgrounds.
- Unlike a debit card or a pre-paid card, it helps build your credit history. We report your payment history to all three major credit-reporting agencies.
- Get your FICO® Credit Score for free each month.
- Fraud coverage if your card is lost or stolen. Access your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get help staying on track with available Auto Pay and account alerts.
- Card issued by Merrick Bank, Member FDIC.
See additional details for Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
- Purchase APR 22.64% (variable)
- Build Credit Build credit quickly. OpenSky reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
- Credit Line $200 - $3,000 Credit Line*
- Annual Fee $35
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Visa®
- Purchase APR 22.64% (variable)
- Build Credit Build credit quickly. OpenSky reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
- Credit Line $200 - $3,000 Credit Line*
- Annual Fee $35
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Visa®
Highlights
- No credit check to apply and find out instantly if you are approved
- OpenSky gives everyone an opportunity to improve their credit with an 85% average approval rate for the past 5 years
- Get considered for a credit line increase after 6 months, with no additional deposit required
- You could be eligible for the OpenSky Gold Unsecured Card after as few as 6 months
- Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus monthly, unlike a prepaid or debit card
- View your FICO® Score through your OpenSky account, an easy way to stay on top of your credit
- Nearly half of OpenSky cardholders who make on-time payments improve their FICO score 30+ points in the first 3 months
- Your refundable* deposit, as low as $200, becomes your OpenSky Visa credit limit
- Easy application, apply in less than 5 minutes right from your mobile device
- Offer flexible payment due dates which allow you to choose any available due date that fits your payment schedule
- *View the cardholder agreement
See additional details for OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Rewards Rate 1% Cash Back on eligible purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services. Terms Apply.
- Purchase APR 29.24% Variable
- Build Credit This unsecured card requires no deposit and can help build your credit
- Annual Fee $75/$99
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
- Rewards Rate 1% Cash Back on eligible purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services. Terms Apply.
- Purchase APR 29.24% Variable
- Build Credit This unsecured card requires no deposit and can help build your credit
- Annual Fee $75/$99
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
Highlights
- See if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services, terms apply
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Automatic reviews for credit line increase opportunities
- Looking to rebuild credit? We report to the major credit bureaus monthly
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
- This unsecured card requires no deposit and can help build your credit
- Choose your monthly payment due date for added convenience, terms apply
- Never miss an account update with customizable text and email alerts
- Manage your account on-the-go with the Credit One Bank mobile app
- Show off your personality by selecting from a variety of card designs, a fee may apply
See additional details for Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
- Rewards Rate 1% Cash Back
- Monthly Fee None 1st year, $8.25 after
- Activation Fee $95*
- Annual Fee $75.00 1st year, $48.00 after*
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
- Rewards Rate 1% Cash Back
- Monthly Fee None 1st year, $8.25 after
- Activation Fee $95*
- Annual Fee $75.00 1st year, $48.00 after*
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
Highlights
- Earn 1% cash back rewards^^ on payments made to your Revvi Credit Card
- Perfect credit not required
- $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
- Checking account required
- Opportunity to request credit limit increase after twelve months, fee applies
- *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
- ^^See Revvi Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
See additional details for Revvi Card
- Improve Your Credit Score Free Credit Bureau Reporting
- Credit Line $200 - $2,000 Credit Line
- Regular Purchase APR 19.24% (V)
- Annual Fee $39
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- Improve Your Credit Score Free Credit Bureau Reporting
- Credit Line $200 - $2,000 Credit Line
- Regular Purchase APR 19.24% (V)
- Annual Fee $39
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
- Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
- Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- No minimum credit score required for approval!
- ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
See additional details for First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- Get Approved Fast Quick and Easy Secure Online Application
- Rewards Rate 1% Cash Back
- Ongoing Purchase APR 35.99%*
- Annual Fee $75.00 1st year, $48.00 after*
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
- Get Approved Fast Quick and Easy Secure Online Application
- Rewards Rate 1% Cash Back
- Ongoing Purchase APR 35.99%*
- Annual Fee $75.00 1st year, $48.00 after*
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
Highlights
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your First Access Credit Card
- Checking Account Required
- $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
- No security deposit, simply pay a one-time $95 program fee to open your account.*
- User friendly Mobile App.
- *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
- See First Access Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
See additional details for First Access VISA® Credit Card
- Improve Your Credit Score Free Credit Bureau Reporting
- Credit Line $200 - $2,000 Credit Line*
- Regular Purchase APR 25.24% (V)
- Annual Fee $29
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
- Improve Your Credit Score Free Credit Bureau Reporting
- Credit Line $200 - $2,000 Credit Line*
- Regular Purchase APR 25.24% (V)
- Annual Fee $29
- Credit Needed Poor/Limited
- Card Brand Mastercard®
Highlights
- Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
- Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- No minimum credit score required for approval!
- ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
See additional details for First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
- Same Day Approval Get a Response in Seconds
- Build Your Credit Reports to all Three Major Credit Bureaus
- Regular Purchase APR 35.99%*
- Annual Fee $75.00 1st year, $48.00 after*
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
- Same Day Approval Get a Response in Seconds
- Build Your Credit Reports to all Three Major Credit Bureaus
- Regular Purchase APR 35.99%*
- Annual Fee $75.00 1st year, $48.00 after*
- Credit Needed Fair/Poor
- Card Brand Visa®
Highlights
- Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your Total Credit Card
- Checking Account Required
- $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
- No security deposit, simply pay a one-time $95 program fee to open your account.*
- User friendly Mobile App.
- *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
- See Total Card Visa Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
See additional details for Total VISA® Credit Card
*General Disclaimer: See the online credit card application for details about terms and conditions. We make every effort to maintain accurate information. However, all credit card information is presented without warranty. To confirm terms and conditions, click the "Apply Now" button and review info on the secure credit card terms page.
Credit Cards for Bad Credit History
So called “bad credit” credit cards are especially designed credit cards for people with bad credit, low credit, or no credit history. They can be easier to obtain compared with other credit cards because they typically offer cards with limited scrutiny of your finances, debts, and poor credit history.
Some bad credit credit cards require that the cardholder make a payment deposit into their card account which is then used as collateral or security against any charges to the card. This is a standard prepayment process, and you basically set your own credit limit based on how much money you keep in your account. But there are even some that require no security deposit or prepayment – although these cards usually make money from cardholders by charging high interest rates and fees due to the reduced creditworthiness of the cardholder.
For most people, the best credit card for bad credit will be one that charges reasonable fees in exchange for helpful features like online bill paying and financial management tools. Study the menu of fees to see how much you can expect to pay for using the card in the way to which you are accustomed. Another key fact area to consider will be whether or not the credit card company reports to the major credit bureaus on a regular basis. This type of regular reporting is the major building block toward credit report. After taking these aspects into consideration, pick a card that suits you and use it to build up your poor credit score by making on-time payments with all creditors and keeping account balances low relative to the credit limit. This may allow you to later successfully apply for a traditional credit card with a lower rate and fewer monthly fees and charges.
Disclaimer: FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator of the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.
