Along with offering cash back on every purchase and an intro APR on balance transfers, the $0-annual-fee Discover it® Secured Credit Card provides the opportunity to qualify to get your deposit back in as little as seven months. Plus, no credit score is needed to apply.
If you’re just starting out on your credit journey, a credit card can serve as a great tool to help build your credit profile. But without an established credit history, you may feel limited as to which credit cards you could be approved for.
The good news is there are several credit cards available to individuals with limited or no credit that help them build credit through responsible usage. The best credit cards for people with no credit offer valuable benefits, like no annual fees, cash back rewards and low APR offers — so there’s no need to settle for a card with abundant fees and overly confusing terms.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Chance to graduate to an unsecured card: After seven months, Discover will start conducting monthly account reviews
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is the best card for individuals with poor/limited credit who want to boost their credit profiles with the help of a secured card. After you’ve had the card for seven months, Discover will begin conducting monthly account reviews to see if you’re eligible to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit refunded. It also has a $0 annual fee and earns a solid cash back rate.
And if you have high interest credit card debt that you want to transfer to a card with a lower interest rate, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers a 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers (after that, a regular 27.49% Variable APR). For purchases, there’s a 27.49% Variable APR.
You should also note that the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has the following late fee: None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41. That said, when trying to build credit, it’s important to pay your bill on time each month.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
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Automatic credit line reviews: Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
If you’re looking to build your credit profile with the help of an unsecured credit card, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a solid choice. It is a $0-annual-fee card that helps build your credit through responsible use and automatically considers cardholders for a credit line increase in as little as six months.
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is designed for individuals with fair/limited credit, which Capital One describes as those who have defaulted on a loan in the past five years or those who have had a credit card or other credit for less than three years.
After demonstrating responsible usage, you may be able to request a product change to a Capital One card that offers rewards, like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card or Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
No credit check required: No bank account needed for approval
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is designed for individuals with poor/limited credit. If you’re unable to get approved for a traditional or secured card that requires a review of your credit history, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card may be your best option. It doesn’t require a credit check for approval and offers a credit limit ranging from $200 to $3,000, depending on your security deposit.
Just know that while cardholders aren’t obligated to have a bank account for approval (which some secured cards require), you will have to provide some financial information, including your annual income, monthly housing payment and housing payment type.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards: 1% to 5% cash back
The no-annual-fee Discover it® Student Cash Back is designed for students with fair/limited credit who want to build a solid credit history while also earning a generous cash back rate in popular spending categories. It offers an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and there’s no credit score required to apply.
And if you need to finance a large purchase, like a laptop or school books, you can do so without incurring interest charges for half a year.
We should note, though, that to apply for this card, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have a U.S. address, have a Social Security number and show proof of education.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Rewards: 1.5% cash back
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good option for individuals with fair/limited credit who want the opportunity to earn cash back.
This card offers a flat, elevated cash back rate on every purchase — plus, customers can automatically be considered for a credit line increase in as little as six months.
In addition, after using your Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card to demonstrate responsible card usage and build a relationship with Capital One, you may be eligible to get a card like Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards for Good Credit. It offers the same cash back rate, but with a $0 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Maximum credit limit: $5,000
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card has a maximum credit limit of $5,000, which is very generous for a credit card designed for limited / poor credit. (Most other cards for bad credit have a credit limit of $1,000 to $3,000.) Plus, it has a generous cash back rate in customizable categories.
You can earn 5% cash back on two of the below categories of your choice:
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards: 2% back on Amazon.com
The Amazon Secured Card is the best store credit card for no history because it earns a solid rewards rate on Amazon purchases online or in store (though a Prime membership is required for that rate). With responsible use, the card may be eligible to convert to an unsecured card.
This card is a good choice for people with poor/limited credit who frequently shop at Amazon.com. Amazon also provides complimentary access to your credit score through the TransUnion CreditView™ Dashboard. And if you need to carry a balance on your card from month to month, the 10% APR is much lower than many credit cards for people with no credit history.
Plus, after 12 months, you may become eligible to opt in to additional features and higher rewards on your Amazon purchases. In addition, when you activate this feature, you’ll receive your deposit back as the card converts to unsecured.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
No credit check required: You’ll just need a Chime checking account to apply
The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is a unique option for those looking to build or establish credit, because it doesn’t operate like a regular credit card. You’ll transfer over an amount from your Chime checking account that’ll serve as your line of credit — payments will be taken from this amount. You won’t be charged any fees or interest, and your payment history will be reported to the three major credit bureaus.
However, you’ll need to be a Chime customer with a Chime checking account before you can apply for this card.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card*
|
Winner
|
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. | 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | 27.49% Variable APR | |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Building credit
|
N/A | Non-rewards Card | 29.99% (Variable) |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
Secured
|
N/A | Earn up to 10% cash back* on everyday purchases | 25.14% (variable) |
Apply Now
on Capital Bank, N.A.'s secure site |
|
Discover it® Student Cash Back*
|
Student
|
Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. | Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR | |
|
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Rewards
|
N/A | 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) | 29.99% (Variable) |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card*
Learn More
on ABOC's secure site |
Highest credit limit
|
N/A | 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in purchases per quarter in the two categories of your choosing, 2% cash back on purchases in one everyday category of your choice, 1% back on other purchases | 29.74% |
Learn More
on ABOC's secure site |
|
Amazon Secured Card*
|
Store card
|
N/A | 2% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership | 10.00% non-variable | |
|
Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Apply Now
on The Bancorp Bank's secure site |
No interest or fees
|
N/A | Non-rewards card | N/A |
Apply Now
on The Bancorp Bank's secure site |
When you don’t have experience with credit, it can be a challenge to get approved for the best credit cards. Still, there are a few types of credit cards that generally offer easier approval for people with no credit history. These cards help you build credit history and solid financial habits before graduating to other cards with more attractive rewards, benefits and interest rates.
When searching for a credit card for individuals with no credit, you should look for the following features:
It’s important that the credit card reports your credit activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — on a monthly basis. That way, your responsible card usage, including paying your bill on time and keeping your credit utilization low, will help improve your credit score.
The average credit card interest rate in America is 24.56% as of December 2023, but it can be much higher for people with bad credit. The best strategy is to pay off your credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges. But when you can’t, having a credit card with a low APR minimizes the amount of interest you’ll pay.
Avoiding fees is key to improving your finances. However, some subprime cards have fees that eat up big portions of the credit limit. Choose a credit card that waives typical fees that other cards charge, like annual fees and foreign transaction fees.
Many credit cards automatically review your credit history to determine if you’re eligible for an increase in your credit limit. Higher limits allow you to make larger purchases and can lower your utilization ratio if you resist the temptation to overspend.
Earning rewards on your purchases is an added bonus as you build your credit. You may be able to earn cash back, points or miles that can help offset the cost of everyday purchases.
Credit card perks vary widely, but they can be even more valuable than earning rewards. Look for purchase and travel protections, credit monitoring tools and other benefits that add value to your card.
Follow these steps when you’re ready to apply for a new credit card designed for those with limited or no credit history.
If you want to build your credit without having a credit history, there are several steps that you should take. Some impact your credit right away, while others take time to establish.
Yes, it is possible to apply for a credit card with no income. Even if you don’t have a job yourself, if you have access to another person’s income, you can be approved. In some cases, you’ll need a cosigner in order for your application to be approved.
Yes, you can apply for a credit card without a job. People who are retired, receive unemployment benefits or have access to shared household income can qualify for a credit card, even though they’re not working.
The best credit cards for people with no credit depends on what other features they want. There are many cards to choose from, so compare their features before applying. Compare and contrast their annual fees, security deposit requirements, rewards, interest rates and other features to find the best card for your situation.
The easiest credit cards for people with no credit tend to be secured credit cards. Card issuers require a deposit equal to your credit limit, so there’s little risk of loss. When comparing secured cards, avoid cards with excessive fees that can eat up your credit limit.
If you don’t have an established credit history, you can build credit in several ways. Getting a secured card, store card or gas card is a good start. Other options include becoming an authorized user on someone else’s card or applying for a self-lender loan.
To select the best card for each of these categories, our credit card experts compared traditional cards and secured cards designed for individuals with poor, limited and fair credit on LendingTree.com and issuer sites.
Along with the credit requirements, we based our top picks on factors like rewards rates, annual fees, interest rates and more. We also considered the benefits offered by each card, as well as the ability to build your credit profile with responsible card usage.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above 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
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, Discover it® Student Cash Back, U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card and Amazon Secured Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
