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.
Business Insider's credit card experts reviewed many different credit cards designed for people with bad credit to bring you this short list of our top picks. None of our recommendations charge annual fees, and all help you build credit as long as you responsibly pay what you owe on time each month.
These are the best secured credit cards you can get in April 2025.
Best Secured Credit Cards of April 2025
| Best for | Card | Annual Fee |
| Best overall | U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card | $0 |
| Best for low security deposit | Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for foodies | U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card | $0 |
| Best for travelers | Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for custom bonus categories | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card | $0 |
| Best welcome offer | Discover it® Secured Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for no credit check | Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card | $0 |
Check for Secured Credit Card Offers
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card: Best Secured Credit Card Overall
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card might not look exciting at first glance, but it's a surprisingly valuable card available to those new to the world of credit.
This no-annual-fee card earns generous rewards where most secured cards do not. Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories you choose. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center. Earn 2% cash back on eligible purchases in your choice of one everyday category (like gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery stores and restaurants). 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 Secured Credit Card for Low Security Deposit
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 additional perks like $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges, CreditWise, Card Lock, 24/7 customer service, and AutoPay features.
$0
N/A
29.74% variable
N/A
Average, Fair and Limited
- Automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- No annual fee
- No extra benefits and no rewards
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is worth considering if you're new to credit or trying to improve your credit score. While it doesn't earn rewards or offer many benefits, it could be a good stepping stone in your credit journey — and you won't pay an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Platinum Card- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
- 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 from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
- Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card: Best Secured Credit Card for Foodies
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card is likely your best bet for a meaningful return on spending if you regularly dine out and order pickup or delivery meals.
Cardholders can earn generous rewards on everyday expenses: Earn 4 points per dollar on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery. Earn 2 points per dollar at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations and EV charging stations. Earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
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 Secured Visa® Card review
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best Secured Card for Travelers
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. This is great if you regularly travel for work or leisure, especially if you prepay work expenses and get reimbursed.
You can convert the cash back earned from this card into valuable Capital One miles at a rate of 1 mile per cent. You can use these rewards as statement credits to pay down what you owe.
If you want to use rewards from this card for future travel, save them until your credit is strong enough for you to open a Capital One miles-earning card such as the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. After that, you can combine your rewards from the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card with your new card.
You can then use your rewards to book flights, cruises, and other travel through Capital One transfer partners or the Capital One travel portal. 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.
$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
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card: Best for Custom Bonus Categories
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card allows you to choose your own bonus categories for rewards.
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, for example, you can earn bonus points by changing your category beforehand.
You'll also earn 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 Secured Credit Card for a First-Year Bonus
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a straightforward cash back card with several 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 particularly valuable during the first year of card membership. 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.
$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 Credit 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.
- 30 points or more—that’s how much you could increase your FICO Credit Score on average after just six months of responsible use.
- 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.
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best Secured Card 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 the card 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.
This card stands out from other secured cards because you can pay down your balance from your security deposit. However, you'll effectively lower your spending limit unless you top up your account balance afterward.
$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
Secured Credit Card Basics
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.
How Do Secured Credit Cards Work?
When you open a secured credit card account, you're required to deposit a sum of money. This deposit usually determines your credit limit. Essentially, you're borrowing against your own money, while also building your credit history.
Traditional, unsecured credit cards use undisclosed mathematical algorithms that rope in credit score, income, and payment history to determine your credit limit. Alternatively, your credit limit on a secured credit card will be how much you deposited. Credit card companies hold this money as collateral if you default on your credit card or rack up severe delinquencies.
Required Security Deposit
The deposit is typically refundable and varies from one card issuer to another. It's crucial to understand the terms associated with the deposit to ensure you're making a well-informed decision.
One determining factor of your credit score is the percentage of available credit you use, ideally under 30%. This number is also known as your credit utilization ratio. The higher the security deposit, the more you can use your card without putting your credit score at risk. You'll be able to get this back.
Assuming you make your payments on time, the credit card company will return your security deposit when you pay off your remaining balance and close out the card.
Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards occasionally share a product name, but they can have very different usages and limitations.
Secured Credit Cards
- Often do not require a credit check
- Accept applicants with low credit scores
- Require cash security deposit to set credit limit (within a specified range)
- Often charge higher interest than unsecured credit cards
Unsecured Credit Cards
- Typically require a good credit score at minimum, and prioritize applicants with excellent credit scores
- Issuer determines credit limit based on a number of internal considerations
- Interest rates vary based on the strength of your credit profile
Upgrading from a Secured Credit Card to an Unsecured Credit Card
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.
When and How to Upgrade Your Card
Upgrading to an unsecured credit card means your cash security deposit will be returned to you, and the upgrade is often considered a sign of improved credit health. The best issuers automatically upgrade secured cardholders to an unsecured product after a certain amount of time has passed, usually between six months to one year.
What to Expect When Upgrading From A Secured Credit Card
Transitioning to an unsecured card often comes with a higher credit limit and more benefits. However, it's important to maintain the disciplined habits you've developed; don't start carrying a balance.
Cardholder Reviews of Secured Credit Cards
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.
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 Secured Visa® Card.
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.
FAQs
How can a secured credit card help me build credit?
A secured credit card can help you build credit if you use it to demonstrate good credit habits. You can responsibly use a secured credit card by 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.
Do secured credit cards build credit?
Yes, 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.
What is a good secured credit card?
A good secured credit card can help you improve your credit score if you use it responsibly. 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.
How much should I deposit for a secured credit card?
The credit limit of a secured credit card typically depends on the amount of cash you leave with the issuer as a security deposit. Common minimum deposits start at $300. Choose an amount that you're comfortable with and that reflects your spending habits.
Are secured credit cards only for people with bad credit?
No, secured credit cards are also a good option for people with no credit history or for those looking to rebuild their credit.
Can I get my deposit back on a secured credit card?
Yes, the deposit on a secured credit card is typically refundable, provided that you've paid off your balance and closed your account in good standing.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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Chime® Disclosures:
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.
Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
Early Pay: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
Round Up: Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.
SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your physical Chime Visa® Debit Card or secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime's sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.
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.
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.
On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
Qualifying Direct Deposit: 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.
Save When You Get Paid: Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.
Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your selected Chime Account. Barcode and debit card cash deposits land in the Checking Account. Credit Builder card cash deposits first go through your Card Account and then land in your Secured Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.
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Maximum refund guarantee is provided by april or Column Tax. If you use april's service to prepare and file your return and you find an error in the tax preparation that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), you may use their service to amend that return at no additional charge. To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to differences or inaccuracies in data supplied by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, positions taken on your return that are contrary to law, or changes in federal or state tax laws. See here for details. If you use Column Tax's service, Column Tax will reimburse you for up to $250 if you are able to pay less federal or state income tax or receive a larger federal or state income tax return by using another tax return preparation provider. Eligibility requirements apply. See terms for details.
If the april tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, april will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000. See april terms for details. If interest and/or a penalty is imposed by the IRS as a result of a computational error by Column Tax, you may be entitled to up to $10,000 reimbursement by Column Tax. See Column Tax terms for details.
There are no fees required to use this product. Chime does not require you to deposit your refund into your Chime Account to qualify for free tax filing. Certain costs may be incurred if you decide to obtain other optional financial products offered in relation to your tax filing. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may impose penalties or other charges depending on your personal tax situation. If the april tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, april will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000. See april terms for details. If interest and/or a penalty is imposed by the IRS as a result of a computational error by Column Tax, you may be entitled to up to $10,000 reimbursement by Column Tax. See Column Tax terms for details.
Chime does not guarantee timing of refund. Six day refund estimate is based on 2023 tax year filing data. Refund timing estimates are dependent upon timing of complete tax return submission and when the IRS submits your refund.
