What are the best credit cards for a 500 credit score?

Yes, you can get a credit card with a 500 credit score, though your options will be limited to secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards for bad credit. The best credit card for a 500 credit score is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. It offers 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, has a $0 annual fee, and reports to all three major credit bureaus. There’s also a $200 minimum security deposit.... read full answer

In general, secured cards are the safest option with a 500 credit score, as they’re less expensive and give you higher odds of approval than unsecured cards for bad credit. Some secured cards won’t even check your credit when you apply. Still, it’s important to note that no credit card guarantees approval.

Credit Cards You Can Get with a 500 Credit Score

A credit card can go a long way toward rebuilding bad credit if you manage the account responsibly. That means paying your bill on time every month and keeping your spending in check. Additionally, you can sign up for a free WalletHub account and get free daily credit score updates, along with personalized credit-improvement guidance.

Yes, you can get an unsecured credit card with a 500 credit score, but you will likely end up with high fees, high interest rates, and a low credit limit. The best unsecured credit card to get with a 500 credit score is the Credit One Visa card.

The Credit One Visa offers a $300 starting credit limit, the potential for automatic credit line increases, and an annual fee of $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after. Cardholders earn rewards on select purchases, too.... read full answer

Still, the odds of getting approved for a decent unsecured credit card are higher with a credit score of at least 640. And the higher your credit score is, the better your chances of getting an unsecured card with good terms will be.

Unsecured Credit Cards to Get with a 500 Credit Score

While Credit One Visa may be the best unsecured credit card for people with a 500 credit score, it’s still not the most attractive option overall. People with bad credit who are in the market for a credit card should look into applying for a secured card instead. Most secured cards come with $0 annual fees, and some cards, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, give rewards on purchases.

Secured cards are also easier to get than unsecured cards because you’ll have to pay a security deposit, usually $200 at a minimum, to open the account. The amount of your deposit determines your credit limit in most cases, and you can increase your limit by adding more money to your deposit. Your deposit is fully refundable when you close the account in good standing.

One of the easiest unsecured cards to get approved for is the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit. You can get approved for it even with bad credit. This card offers a $300 starting spending limit. And you can use it wherever Visa is accepted.

Easiest Unsecured Credit Cards to Get Approved For

The easiest unsecured credit cards to get generally work best for minor emergencies. You will only receive a small amount of spending power, after all.... read full answer

Unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit also tend to be very expensive, charging lots of fees and high interest rates. So, if you don’t need a small emergency loan, the best course of action is to improve your credit inexpensively with a secured card. Secured cards are cheaper than unsecured cards, build credit just as effectively, and offer the closest thing you’ll find to guaranteed approval.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's complete list of the year’s easiest credit cards to get approved for​.