Best secured credit cards of 2024

Build or rebuild your credit with a secured card. Get matched to credit cards from our partners based on your unique credit profile.

Get higher approval odds

Great option if you’re having trouble getting approved for a credit card.

Set your credit limit

Control your spending by only depositing as much as you feel comfortable with.

Upgrade in the future

Build your credit, then upgrade to an unsecured card with the same card issuer.

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Annual fee

Some credit cards have an annual fee you'll pay when you first receive the card and at each cardholder anniversary. Take the cost of an annual fee into account when considering which card will benefit you the most over the course of a year.

Annual percentage rate (APR)

he APR on credit cards is simply the interest rate the card issuer charges when you don't pay off your balance in full each month—it doesn't include the card's annual fees or other fees you may be charged for using your card. There are several types of APR that can apply to credit cards including purchase, balance transfer and cash advance.

Minimum security deposit

Many credit cards for bad credit include secured credit cards. A secured card generally requires you to make a refundable security deposit that will become your credit limit. The standard deposit is $200.

Credit limit

Your credit limit is how much you’re able to spend with your card and will be assigned after you’re approved for a card. Cards for bad credit applicants generally have low credit limits, but some allow you to qualify for a higher credit limit over time by making on-time payments every month.

Credit One Bank® Secured Card

Intro bonus:

N/A*

Rewards:

1% (cash back)

Ongoing APR:

29.74% Variable

Annual Fee:

$0

Advertiser Disclosure: The offers that appear on this site are from third party companies ("our partners") from which Experian Consumer Services receives compensation. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order the products appear on this site. The offers on the site do not represent all available financial services, companies, or products.

Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any offer.

*For complete information, see the offer terms and conditions on the issuer or partner's website. Once you click apply you will be directed to the issuer or partner's website where you may review the terms and conditions of the offer before applying. We show a summary, not the full legal terms – and before applying you should understand the full terms of the offer as stated by the issuer or partner itself. While Experian Consumer Services uses reasonable efforts to present the most accurate information, all offer information is presented without warranty.

Experian websites have been designed to support modern, up-to-date internet browsers. Experian does not support Internet Explorer. If you are currently using a non-supported browser your experience may not be optimal, you may experience rendering issues, and you may be exposed to potential security risks. It is recommended that you upgrade to the most recent browser version.

Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.

How to choose a secured credit card

1

Look for 3-bureau reporting

Build your credit with a card that reports to all 3 credit bureaus.

2

Check the minimum deposit

At least $200 is usually required to open a secured credit card.

3

Watch out for fees

If it has an annual fee, see if it offers other perks, like rewards.

4

Consider upgrade potential

Switch to an unsecured card once your credit improves.

Start with your FICO® ScoreΘ and see card offers matched to your credit profile.

Get started for free

ΘCredit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than FICO® Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more.

Frequently asked questions

A secured credit card is a credit card that requires an initial security deposit as part of the application process. Because of this security deposit they have very high approval rates and can help people with bad credit get approved for a credit card to improve their credit.

For those who have less-than-perfect credit or very little credit history, secured cards offer a way to reduce risk to lenders by requiring a deposit to secure the credit line. Your deposit generally determines the card's credit limit. However, you can't skip your payment and expect the security deposit to cover it. The issuer uses the deposit only as a last resort, in the event a cardholder stops paying their bill entirely and defaults on the account.

Some secured credit cards let you choose your credit limit during the application process. Credit limits generally start at $200 but may go as high as $3,000. When you apply for a secured card, you pay the deposit and any other fees using debit or electronic transfer.

If you eventually pay off and close your account or upgrade your secured card to an unsecured credit card, you'll get the security deposit back, less any outstanding balance and fees.

Using a secured credit card responsibly can help you build credit or improve your credit score. In order for you to build credit with a secured card, you need to make sure that the card issuer reports to at least one of the three credit bureaus. It's pretty standard for secured cards to report to all three credit bureaus.

If you upgrade your account to an unsecured credit card from the same card issuer or if you close your secured credit card account in good standing then you can get your security deposit back.

The main difference between secured and unsecured credit cards is that secured cards require you to send the card issuer a refundable deposit when you open your account. This security deposit acts as a failsafe for the issuer if you fail to pay your bill, giving them less risk to take in approving you for a card. Beyond the security deposit, both secured and unsecured cards work the same way. You can make purchases up to your credit limit, pay them off and repeat the cycle.

This will be dependent on the issuer but secured credit cards generally require you to deposit at least $200. Select credit cards allow you to deposit less money and will still give you the standard $200 credit limit. However this depends on your creditworthiness.

Unsecured credit cards for people with poor credit exist, but they typically impose high interest rates and fees. Becoming an authorized user on a family member's or close friend's credit card can help improve your credit score, but isn't always possible. A secured credit card is generally a better option when building credit is your primary goal.

Secured credit cards have several benefits:

  • Secured credit cards can be used in any situation where you'd use an unsecured credit card; no one will know the card is secured.
  • You'll have more flexibility in how you pay for purchases, including the ability to pay over time.
  • Credit cards provide more protection from fraudulent purchases than debit cards and may offer purchase protections as well.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of a secured card is that it can help improve your credit. If you show responsible payment habits, you could get approved for a higher credit limit, which can reduce your credit utilization ratio and further boost your credit score. As your credit score improves, you're more likely to qualify for an unsecured credit card, either from your secured card issuer or another company.

There's no hard-and-fast rule for how quickly you can build credit with a secured credit card. The best approach is to use your card for small purchases and pay off your balance every month. A history of on-time payments will do the most to help your credit score, so take care not to miss a due date.

Before you apply for a secured credit card, check that the card issuer reports your payment history to at least one consumer credit bureau—Experian, TransUnion or Equifax—but better yet, all three. Unless your payment history gets reported, it won't help build your credit score.

Assuming you make all your payments on time, some secured credit card issuers will raise your credit limit after a certain period. Others will offer the option to upgrade to an unsecured credit card.

Once you graduate to an unsecured card, don't rush to close your secured credit card. Closing an account reduces both your available credit and the average age of your credit accounts. This can negatively affect your credit score, so it's best to keep the account open even if you don't plan to use it. You can put a regular, small purchase on the card and pay it off each month to keep it active.

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