Lisa Cahill, Credit Cards Moderator
@lisacahill
The best cheap credit card is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it offers a $0 annual fee, a low introductory APR, and 2% cash rewards on purchases. So the card is cheap to own and highly rewarding.
Best Cheap Credit Cards of 2026
What Is a Cheap Credit Card?
A cheap credit card is a credit card that saves you money through a lack of annual and monthly fees, low APRs, lucrative rewards, or a combination of the three. Below, you can learn more about these different facets.
No annual or monthly fees: With no membership fees, you don’t have to pay anything just to keep your credit card account open.
Low APRs: The average credit card APR on a new credit card in 2026 is 22.35%, according to WalletHub’s Credit Card Landscape Report. In contrast, the cheapest credit card APRs hover more around 10%, and many credit cards even offer an introductory 0% APR for a year or longer.
Rewards: Many credit cards offer cash back, points or miles that return part of every dollar you spend. This essentially makes your purchases cheaper.
Keep in mind that you won’t owe any interest on your credit card purchases if you pay your balance in full every month. Therefore, the way to make your credit card as cheap as possible is to get a card with no annual fee and rewards, then always pay in full by your due date. You should also avoid cash advances, which trigger costly fees and interest without a grace period.
Credit Score Needed for Cheap Credit Cards
Overall, the cheapest credit cards – those with no annual fee, good ongoing rewards and long 0% APR offers – are reserved for people with good credit or better.
If you don’t qualify, one of the cheapest credit cards for limited credit history is the Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card, which has a $0 annual fee. Similarly, one of the best cheap credit cards for bad credit is the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee and great rewards.
You can learn more about the best low-interest credit cards and the best credit cards with no annual fees here on WalletHub.
Hannah Gray, Member
@hannah_gray_att
Discover cards are pretty good. No annual or foreign fees, and you can usually get a 0% intro APR! You’ve got to love the first-year rewards bonus too.
Nathan WW, Member
@nward_nlt
Anything with no annual fee and rewards will be cheap as long as you avoid interest. Interest won’t ever be cheap, unless you get a 0% intro APR. My favorite cheap cards are Wells Fargo Active Cash and Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Michael CC, Member
@mchen_design
Depends on your credit score:
Bad Credit - Discover it Secured
No Credit - Petal 2
Fair Credit - Citi Double Cash
Good/Excellent: Freedom Unlimited / Active Cash
People also ask
What credit card has a $2,000 credit limit for bad credit?
The opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card is one of the best credit cards with a $2,000 credit limit for bad credit. You can get a $2,000 credit limit by placing a security deposit of the same amount, and you won't have to pay an annual fee or undergo a credit check when you apply.
Credit Cards With $2,000 Credit Limits for Bad Credit
| Card Type | Card Name |
| Secured Credit Card | U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card |
What is the $750 welcome bonus credit card?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see details, rates & fees) is the best credit card for a $750 welcome bonus. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see details, rates & fees) offers 75,000 bonus miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, equal to $750 in travel.
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You need to have good or excellent credit to qualify for the best credit card sign-up bonuses. You can sign up for a free WalletHub account to see where you stand. You'll get access to your latest credit score and report, updated daily, along with personalized credit advice and 24/7 credit monitoring.
read full answer by Chip Lupo, Credit Card WriterHow do I get a $500 credit card limit with bad credit?
You can get a $500 credit card limit with bad credit by opening a secured credit card account and putting down a $500 security deposit. The credit limit on a secured card typically matches the amount of your security deposit, and most secured cards require a refundable deposit of at least $200-$300. A bad credit score will make it difficult to get a $500 credit card limit without placing a $500 deposit.
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read full answer by Jane Cogli, WalletHub Credit Card AdvisorDid we answer your question?
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