Can I get an unsecured credit card with a 500 credit score?

One of the best credit cards for a credit score under 500 is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. This card has a $0 annual fee and gives 1.5 - 5% cash back on purchases.

Secured cards generally provide the best opportunity for someone with a credit score under 500 to rebuild their credit standing. That is because these cards offer good approval odds and monthly reporting to the … read full answermajor credit bureaus.

Here are some of the best credit cards for a credit score under 500:

When used responsibly, the right credit card for a credit score under 500 can put you on the path to good credit. The key is to pay your bill on time every month.

For more tips, check out our guide on how to rebuild credit. You can also get personalized credit-improvement advice and credit card suggestions with a free WalletHub account.

You need a credit score of at least 550 to get an unsecured credit card. The higher your credit score is, the more unsecured credit card offers will be available and the better your chances of getting approved will be.

Best Unsecured Credit Cards for a 550 Credit Score

What to Do if Your Credit Score is Below 550

If your credit score is below the 550 threshold needed to get a good unsecured card, you’d be much better off applying for a secured card such as the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card or the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. They’re easier to get than unsecured cards because you’re putting up your own money, typically a minimum deposit of $200, to secure the account.

For people with bad credit who are set on getting an unsecured card, remember that unsecured credit cards for bad credit do not require a security deposit to open an account. As such, they typically come with low credit limits, high fees and high interest rates.

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​.