Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
A secured card is not a punishment, it is the fastest legal way back into the credit system., Every card below reports to the three bureaus, and we sorted them by what actually separates them: deposit size, annual fee, and whether a credit check can keep you out in the first place.
Lowest deposit floor
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Regular APR28.99% variableCapital One, checked 09/17/2026
Annual Fee$0
Rewards RateNone
Minimum Deposit$49, $99 or $200based on creditworthiness
Credit CheckNone
How to ApplyOnline, through Capital One
Good to KnowNo minimum published credit score
Card details
- Minimum Deposit: $49, $99 or $200. Credit Check: None.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards Rate: None
- Regular APR 28.99% variable — Capital One, checked 09/17/2026
Requirements
- No minimum published credit score
- Deposit paid online or by phone, in installments of $20 or more
- Card carries no visible "secured" marking
- How to apply: Online, through Capital One
- See the full fact sheet
Our take
The deposit can start as low as $49, the lowest floor in this list, which matters more than the APR for someone rebuilding from very little.
someone who needs the lowest possible deposit
Best for rewards while rebuilding
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Regular APR28.99% variableCapital One, checked 09/17/2026
Annual Fee$0
Rewards Rate1.5% flat, 5% on hotels and cars via Capital One Travel
Minimum Deposit$200up to $3,000, based on creditworthiness
Credit CheckNone
How to ApplyOnline, through Capital One
Good to KnowUpgrades to the unsecured Quicksilver card with responsible use
Card details
- Minimum Deposit: $200. Credit Check: None.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards Rate: 1.5% flat, 5% on hotels and cars via Capital One Travel
- Regular APR 28.99% variable — Capital One, checked 09/17/2026
Requirements
- Refundable security deposit sets the credit line
- Rewards accrue from the first purchase, secured or not
- Reports to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
- Eligibility: Upgrades to the unsecured Quicksilver card with responsible use
- How to apply: Online, through Capital One
- See the full fact sheet
Our take
The only card on this list that pays cash back while the deposit is still sitting there, with a defined upgrade path the Platinum Secured does not have.
someone who wants cash back while they rebuild
No credit check at all
OpenSky Plus Secured Visa Credit Card
Regular APR28.24% variableNerdWallet card data, checked 09/17/2026
Annual Fee$0
Rewards Rate1% to 10% cash back on select categories
Minimum Deposit$300up to $3,000, your deposit sets your limit
Credit CheckNone, no credit check of any kind
How to ApplyOnline, through OpenSky
Good to KnowIdentity verification only, no credit history required
Card details
- Minimum Deposit: $300. Credit Check: None, no credit check of any kind.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards Rate: 1% to 10% cash back on select categories
- Regular APR 28.24% variable — NerdWallet card data, checked 09/17/2026
Requirements
- No credit check at all, only identity verification
- Deposit is fully refundable when the account closes at zero balance
- Reports to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion monthly
- Eligibility: Identity verification only, no credit history required
- How to apply: Online, through OpenSky
- See the full fact sheet
Our take
The one door that opens even after a real credit event, since OpenSky skips the credit check entirely and asks only for proof of identity.
someone who cannot pass a credit check right now
No hard credit check
Self Visa Credit Card
Regular APR27.49% variableSelf, checked 09/17/2026
Annual Fee$0 first year, $25 after
Rewards RateNone
Minimum Deposit$100can be funded from a Self Credit Builder Account
Credit CheckNo hard inquiry to apply
How to ApplyOnline, through Self
Good to KnowEligibility often tied to progress in a Self Credit Builder Account
Card details
- Minimum Deposit: $100. Credit Check: No hard inquiry to apply.
- Annual Fee: $0 first year, $25 after
- Rewards Rate: None
- Regular APR 27.49% variable — Self, checked 09/17/2026
Requirements
- Deposit can come from a debit card, bank account, or Self savings progress
- No hard credit pull to apply
- Reports monthly to all three bureaus
- Eligibility: Eligibility often tied to progress in a Self Credit Builder Account
- How to apply: Online, through Self
- See the full fact sheet
Our take
Built for people already using Self to save toward a deposit, so it fits best as a second step, not a first move.
someone already building savings through Self
No fixed deposit
Current Build Card
Regular APR0%, no interest chargedCurrent, checked 09/17/2026
Annual Fee$0
Rewards Rate1 point per dollar on eligible purchases
Minimum DepositNo minimumas low as $1, your Current account balance is your spending limit
Credit CheckNo credit check
How to ApplyMobile app only (iOS or Android)
Good to KnowRequires opening a Current bank account first, no desktop application
Card details
- Minimum Deposit: No minimum. Credit Check: No credit check.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards Rate: 1 point per dollar on eligible purchases
- Regular APR 0%, no interest charged — Current, checked 09/17/2026
Requirements
- No security deposit, your account balance is your limit
- Application and account management happen only in the Current app
- Reports monthly to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
- Eligibility: Requires opening a Current bank account first, no desktop application
- How to apply: Mobile app only (iOS or Android)
- See the full fact sheet
Our take
The cheapest entry point on paper, no deposit and no interest, but only if opening a full banking account through an app works for you.
someone who wants to start with $0 down, from a phone
Lowest ongoing APR
DCU Visa Platinum Secured Credit Card
Regular APR15.00% variableDCU, checked 09/17/2026
Annual Fee$0
Rewards RateNone
Minimum DepositSet by your savings pledgesecured by a DCU savings account
Credit CheckNone published
How to ApplyOnline, DCU membership required first
Good to KnowDCU membership required, through employer, family, or a partner organization
Card details
- Minimum Deposit: Set by your savings pledge. Credit Check: None published.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards Rate: None
- Regular APR 15.00% variable — DCU, checked 09/17/2026
Requirements
- Requires becoming a DCU member before applying
- Credit line is secured by a pledged savings account
- Lowest ongoing APR of any card in this list
- Eligibility: DCU membership required, through employer, family, or a partner organization
- How to apply: Online, DCU membership required first
- See the full fact sheet
Our take
The lowest interest rate here by a wide margin, worth the extra step of joining the credit union if you plan to carry any balance.