Getting a secured credit card is one of the best ways to boost your credit.
Whether you're applying for your first credit card, new to the U.S. credit system and hoping to build credit, or trying to rebuild your credit after previous financial blunders, the options below can bring you closer to your goal.
Best Secured Credit Cards
- Best overall: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
- Best for low security deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Best for restaurants: U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card
- Best for travel rewards: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for choosing your own bonus categories: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- Best welcome offer: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Best for no credit check: Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card
Featured Secured Credit Cards
$0
N/A
29.74% Variable
N/A
Limited, No History
- Earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limits
- You can get approved for this card with limited credit
- Ability to increase credit line and potential to improve credit score with responsible use
- No welcome bonus
- Because it’s a secured credit card, you’ll have to put down a security deposit for your initial credit line
- High APR if you carry a balance
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice if you're new to credit cards and working on building your credit history and score. It's a rare secured credit card that offers decent rewards, but you'll have to put down a deposit after you're approved to secure your credit line.
Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- 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
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
$0
N/A
27.24% Variable APR
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match®
New/Rebuilding
- Offers cash-back rewards, which isn't a given for secured credit cards
- Discover matches cash back after your first account year
- Other secured cards let you start with lower minimum security deposits
- You must fund the security deposit from a bank account
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is worth considering if you're new to credit or are working on rebuilding your score, since it's unlikely you'll be approved for any of the best credit cards on the market. It's unique because it earns strong rewards when most other secured credit cards do not.
Discover it Secured Card- No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
- Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Raise your credit score by 30+ points.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
- Terms and conditions apply.
$0
None
No Credit History, Poor
- No credit check required for approval
- No annual fee
- Build credit with responsible use
- No welcome bonus or rewards
- Requires a Chime checking account
- No ability to carry a balance
If you have a problematic credit history or none at all, the card offers a way to get the functionality of a credit card without having to undergo a standard credit check. The card can help you build credit by reporting activity on your account to the major credit bureaus. However, it doesn't earn rewards and can't be converted to an unsecured card, so it may not be your best option. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa- No credit check required for approval
- No annual fee
- No welcome bonus or rewards
- Requires a Chime checking account
- No ability to carry a balance
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card: Best Secured Card Overall
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card might not look exciting at first glance, but it's a surprisingly valuable product available to those new to the world of credit.
First, you'll earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked through the US Bank Rewards Travel Center. The bonus cash you can earn is uncapped.
You'll also get 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined spending each quarter in two categories you choose across fast food, home utilities, TV/internet/streaming, department stores, cell phone providers, electronic stores, sporting goods stores, gyms/fitness centers, ground transportation, movie theaters, furniture stores, and select clothing stores.
Additionally, you can receive 2% cash back on eligible purchases in your choice of one of the following categories: Grocery stores and grocery delivery, restaurants, and gas stations/EV charging stations. You'll earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Read our U.S. Bank Cash Plus Secured credit card review
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for Low Security Deposit Requirement
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card allows you to open an account with a $200 credit line for as little as $49 down. You can also put down a larger security deposit to increase your credit line up to a maximum of $1,000.
Capital One will also evaluate your repayment history and may offer you an upgrade to the unsecured Capital One Platinum Card, which allows you to reclaim your security deposit.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card comes with a few perks like $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges, CreditWise, Card Lock, 24/7 customer service, and AutoPay features.
Read our Capital One Platinum Secured credit card review
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card: Best for Dining Rewards
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card is likely your best bet for a meaningful return on spending if you eat out regularly.
You'll earn 4 points per dollar on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. You'll also get 2 points per dollar at grocery stores, gas stations/EV charging, and for eligible streaming services, which include popular platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube TV, and many more.
You'll receive 1 point per dollar for everything else. The points you earn with this card can be redeemed for a flat 1 cent each — meaning this card effectively earns 4% back on dining.
One other benefit of this card (which is excellent for a no-annual-fee credit card) is its annual streaming credit. For each 12-month period that you make a qualifying streaming purchase, you'll automatically receive a $15 credit on your account.
Read our U.S. Bank altitude Go Visa Secured card review
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Travel Rewards
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card might appear to underdeliver when it comes to earning rewards for everyday spending, especially compared to the other cards on this list.
You'll get 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through the Capital One Travel Portal and a flat 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
However, this card has a secret ability that others do not: You can turn the cash back you earn into valuable Capital One miles at a rate of 1 mile per cent.
The key is to also have a Capital One miles-earning card such as the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Per Business Insider's points and miles valuations, Capital One miles are worth 1.7 cents each when you transfer them to airline and hotel loyalty programs like British Airways and Air Canada Aeroplan.
If your future goals include travel, refrain from cashing out the rewards you earn with this card. Once your credit score is around 700, open a Capital One miles-earning card and combine your rewards. You may instantly have enough for a free trip to just about anywhere.
Read our Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards credit card review
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card: Best for Choosing Your Own Bonus Categories
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, similar to the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card, allows you to choose your own bonus categories.
You'll earn 3% cash back from one of the following categories: Gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, and home improvement/furnishings — extremely practical bonus categories for most people.
You can change your bonus category once per calendar month, so if you anticipate spending a lot on home furnishings in the coming month, you can prepare for it. You'll also get 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on everything else.
You can further boost your rewards if you're also a member of Bank of America Preferred Rewards. For those with a certain amount of assets in a Bank of America or Merrill account, you could earn between 25% and 75% more cash back — bringing your potential rewards up to a whopping 5.25%.
Note: This card's 3% and 2% bonus categories are only valid on up to $2,500 in total spending each quarter. Once you reach $2,500 in spending, you'll earn 1% cash back.
Read our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card review
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best First-Year Bonus
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a pretty straightforward cash-back card with few bonus categories that are easy to track.
It earns a simple 2% back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1% back). You'll earn 1% cash back on everything else.
This card is exceptionally valuable during the first year of card membership, however. Discover will match all the cash back you earn during your first 12 months. That means you'll earn up to 4% cash back at gas stations and restaurants and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
If much of your everyday spending doesn't fall into the bonus categories of the other credit cards on this list, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is the clear winner for you, as you'll earn no less than 2% back during your first 12 months.
Additionally, Discover will begin automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and have your deposit returned.
Read our Discover it Secured credit card review
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for No Credit Check
The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card offers a way for consumers with low or no credit to enjoy the functionality of a credit card without undergoing a standard credit check.
The card helps users build credit by reporting card activity to major credit bureaus. However, it doesn't earn rewards and can't be converted to an unsecured card, so it isn't a great fit for someone who's hoping to build a relationship with a larger issuer up front.
You'll have to have a Chime® Checking Account and put down a cash deposit in order to get and use the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card.
You can pay down your balance from your security deposit, which makes this card stand out from other secured cards. However, you'll effectively lower your spending limit unless you top up your account balance afterward.
Read more about this card in our Chime Credit Builder card review.
What Are Secured Credit Cards, and How Do They Work?
Secured credit cards are designed for people with low or no credit who put down a cash deposit as security. The deposit guarantees that the cardholder will repay whatever they charge to the credit card.
Secured credit cards tend to lack flashy ongoing benefits and high earning rates. Instead, they serve just one primary purpose: to help people with poor (or no) credit get on their financial feet.
Let's examine the best secured credit cards available to help you decide which is best for your lifestyle and future credit card goals.
Secured Credit Card Consumer Insights
In addition to compiling feedback from our credit card experts, we reviewed customer feedback from popular forums like Reddit to see what everyday cardholders have to say.
U.S. Bank: Friendly Customer Service
Several Redditors recommend U.S. Bank for its friendly, accessible customer service and for offering several credit cards designed for people with poor credit. This recommendation aligns with our recommendations of the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card.
Best Secured Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
A secured credit card is a card that banks will extend to customers who have little to no credit history — or to those who have made mistakes with credit in the past and are trying to repair their credit. If you're just beginning your credit journey, or if you're trying to rebuild, a secured credit card may be the only card you qualify for.
You can demonstrate good credit habits by using a secured credit card responsibly: making payments on time, keeping balances low, and managing credit wisely. Card activity is reported to credit bureaus, so responsible and consistent usage will improve your credit score over time.
Secured credit cards can help you build your credit history, as long as you use them responsibly. That means paying your bill on time and not spending more than you can afford. Secured cards report your account and activity to the major credit bureaus, meaning they will show up on your credit report and factor into your credit score calculation.
A good secured credit card is one that successfully helps you improve your credit score. You'll need to "secure" your line of credit by putting down a deposit, but as long as you pay off your balance, you'll be showing the credit card issuer that you can be responsible with a line of credit. A good secured credit card may also offer other perks, like rewards on your spending.
Yes, many issuers allow you to upgrade from a secured to an unsecured credit card after demonstrating responsible use and building a positive credit history. This typically involves a review of your credit and payment history.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Secured Credit Cards
With little exception, secured credit cards do not provide ongoing benefits that are worth mentioning, since their primary function is to help consumers build credit.
The approval requirements are also extremely similar across the board. Therefore, we chose the best credit cards based on each card's earning rate and rewards currency.
Many secured credit cards come with no return whatsoever for spending. The cards on our list not only earn rewards, but they also rival — and even outperform — some of the best no-annual-fee cash back credit cards on the market.
Here's a full breakdown of how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
