Are secured credit cards worth it?

Yes, secured credit cards are worth it if you have limited or bad credit, want to build credit and can afford to put up a security deposit. Secured cards often have $0 annual fees, rewards and high approval odds, and getting one can be a great option to help you improve your credit score if you pay the bills on time.

When a Secured Credit Card Is Worth It

• When you have limited or bad credit. Secured credit cards are good for people with bad or limited credit because they are easy to get, thanks to the collateral requirement that reduces the risk for the issuer. Some secured cards don’t even require a credit check when you apply. On the other hand, people with higher credit scores can get cards with no deposit requirement, better rewards and/or lower interest rates.
• When you are looking to build credit. The primary purpose of a secured credit card is to build credit. If that is your main objective and you want an easy credit card to get, these cards are much more cost-effective than unsecured alternatives for bad credit.
• When you can afford the security deposit. A secured card requires a security deposit, which is usually a minimum of $200 to $300, to open the account. The amount of this deposit usually becomes your credit limit. You won’t have access to your deposit again until you close the account with a $0 balance or upgrade to an unsecured card.
• When you know you can pay on time. Making late payments hurts your credit score, which defeats the purpose of using a secured card. Ideally, you should not only pay on time each month, but also pay your balance in full. That way, you will build your credit as efficiently as possible while avoiding interest charges.

It’s worth noting that there are also unsecured credit cards for bad credit, and it’s fair to wonder whether secured cards are worth it compared to them. In general, these unsecured cards often have expensive, non-refundable annual fees (while secured cards often have $0 annual fees), and their APRs tend to be higher because of the lack of collateral. However, some unsecured credit cards for people with no credit may be better than their secured card alternatives.