Best Secured Credit Cards to Build Credit

Secured credit cards have both pros and cons, just like any other type of credit card, but the advantages of secured cards ultimately outweigh the disadvantages. Most importantly, secured credit cards are inexpensive, easy to get, and capable of helping you improve your credit score

Pros and Cons of Secured Credit Cards

One of the biggest pros of secured credit cards is that they're available to customers with poor or limited credit. Secured cards also report account activity to the major credit bureaus just like unsecured cards do. This means cardholders can begin to rebuild or establish credit by using the card responsibly. In addition, secured cards usually have lower fees than unsecured credit cards for people with less-than-good credit.

Among the biggest cons of secured credit cards is the fact that cardholders need $200+ to spare for a refundable security deposit. These funds usually don't accrue interest while securing the account, either. Plus, your credit limit equals the amount of your refundable deposit, so you won't be able to borrow money for expenses you cannot already afford.

It's also worth noting that secured card approval is not guaranteed, although the odds are far higher than with an unsecured card.

Bottom Line: Is a Secured Credit Card Worth it?

Yes, a secured credit card is worth it if your objective is to establish or rebuild credit and you make timely payments every month. When used responsibly, secured credit cards have far more pros than cons.

After all, it's better to place a refundable deposit that you'll get back upon closing your account with a $0 balance than it is to pay expensive, non-refundable fees. Such fees are all too common among unsecured credit cards for bad credit in particular. Secured and unsecured cards also appear no different on credit reports.

If you're looking for long-term financing or an abundance of rewards, however, a secured credit card may not be for you. But it might be a necessary stepping stone for you to get the credit card you really want.

Just remember that even though secured cards are the easiest credit cards to get, you'll still need some kind of income to be approved. A major negative on your credit report such as non-discharged bankruptcy may also prevent you from qualifying.

Yes. Secured credit cards help build credit if you keep them in good standing by paying the monthly bill on time, because all major secured cards report to 1-3 major credit bureaus each month. Using a secured credit card responsibly is actually one of the best ways to build credit because secured cards are relatively inexpensive and easy to get, and there is no difference between using a secured credit card versus an unsecured card as far as building credit is concerned.

If you use a secured credit card irresponsibly, maxing it out or missing payments, you'll have negative information on your credit report. That can lead to a bad credit score. But on the flip side, responsible use of a secured card builds credit just as well as any unsecured card. The only difference between a secured card and an unsecured card is that secured cards require a security deposit and give you a credit limit equal to that deposit. Secured and unsecured cards look the same, both physically and on credit reports.

How Secured Cards Build Credit

• All major secured credit cards report to 1-3 of the major credit bureaus on a monthly basis.
• Secured credit cards report information about your payment history, balance, spending limit and more to the credit bureaus each month.
• The information secured cards report to the bureaus contributes to your credit history.
• Responsible use of a secured card results in positive information being reported, helping to cover up past mistakes or build out a thin file.
• The key to building credit with a secured card is to never miss a due date, or to just never use your card. As long as your account is open and in good standing, you're in good shape.
• Keeping your statement balance below 30% of your credit limit will help you build credit faster with a secured card.

Secured cards are the best credit cards to use if building credit is your main objective. And they're particularly useful for rebuilding credit after mistakes. Not only do secured cards report to the credit bureaus, but they also approve even applicants with bad credit. Some don't even do a credit check. And secured cards are known for low fees. The high approval odds and low fees are all because of the refundable security deposit.

But just because all major secured credit cards can help you build credit does not mean they're equally attractive. They differ in several important areas, including their annual fees, minimum deposit requirements and rewards. It's important to shop around and pick the best card for you.

To learn more, check out our guide on how secured cards work and our editors' picks for the best secured credit card offers.

The best secured credit card that reports to all 3 bureaus is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month, giving cardholders the opportunity to build credit. Capital One Quicksilver Secured also has a $0 annual fee, rewards cardholders with 1.5 - 5% cash back on purchases, and requires a minimum deposit of $200.

Best Secured Credit Cards That Report to All Three Credit Bureaus

It's important to note that many secured credit cards report to all three major credit bureaus. You can usually find out if a card reports before you apply by contacting the issuer directly or checking the terms online to see if they include that information. People looking to get a secured credit card should also consider the minimum deposit, recurring fees, and any rewards the card includes in addition to which credit bureaus the issuer reports to. You can compare our editors' picks for the best secured credit card offers on WalletHub.

Yes, you can put $10,000 on some secured credit cards. For example, the Chime Credit Card allows customers to put down a deposit of $200* to $10,000, in return for a spending limit equal to their deposit amount.

Secured Credit Cards That Let You Deposit $10,000 or More

A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires you to put down a security deposit to secure the credit line. The amount of the security deposit typically becomes your credit limit, and you can use the card like a regular credit card to make purchases and build your credit history. Secured credit cards have a minimum deposit requirement, often as low as $200 to $300, and have a maximum deposit set by the issuer. The deposit is fully refundable when you close the account with a $0 balance.

It's worth considering that if you have a high income that allows you to put down $10,000 on a secured card, you may have luck qualifying for an unsecured card that won't tie up your cash until you close the account. To find the best card for your situation, you can compare credit cards on WalletHub.

There are plenty of banks and credit unions that offer secured credit cards, including Bank of America, Capital One, and Citibank.

Major Banks That Offer Secured Credit Cards

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Citibank
• USAA 
• U.S. Bank
• Truist Bank 
• PNC Bank 

A number of smaller banks and credit unions offer secured credit cards, too. They include Capital Bank, First Progress, and Applied Bank, among others. The major banks that do not offer secured cards are American Express, Barclays, Chase, and Synchrony Bank.

Keep in mind that it's not a secured credit card's issuer that really matters. Your goal should be to find the card with the lowest possible annual fee, no matter who offers it. And you can achieve that goal by comparing secured credit cards using WalletHub's free comparison tool. You can also try our free CardAdvisor to get a personalized recommendation based on your answers to a few simple questions.

No, there is no American Express secured credit card at the moment. American Express only offers unsecured credit cards, which do not require the cardholder to put down a refundable deposit in order to open the account. However, there are several secured credit cards from other issuers to consider.

Some of the Best Secured Credit Cards

Keep in mind that, with secured cards, the deposit usually serves as the spending limit on the card, and the issuer can keep the deposit if the cardholder fails to repay what they owe. As a result, secured credit cards are relatively easy to get approved for.

Ultimately, it is worth noting that using a secured card responsibly can help you eventually build your credit to the point where you can qualify for a credit card from American Express.

The best secured credit card for bad credit is Discover it® Secured Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee, rewards you with 1 - 2% cash back on purchases, doubles the rewards you've earned after the first year, and accepts people with bad credit. The Discover it Secured Credit Card's main approval requirements are being 18+ years old and having enough income to afford monthly bill payments, plus a refundable security deposit of $200 or more.

Most secured credit cards are open to applicants with bad credit. The more lenient approval requirements are due to the fact that your security deposit will act as collateral for your credit limit. There are several secured credit cards that people with bad credit might want to consider.

Best Secured Credit Cards for Bad Credit:

• Best Overall: Discover it® Secured Credit Card$0 annual fee. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 spent each quarter combined), and 1% back on all other purchases. Minimum deposit of $200.
• No Credit Check: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card$35 annual fee. Minimum deposit of $200.
• Low Deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card$0 annual fee. Minimum deposit of $49, $99 or $200 (depending on factors such as income, debt, and creditworthiness) in exchange for a starting credit line of $200.
• Cash Back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card$0 annual fee. Earn 5% cash back on two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 each quarter), 5% back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked in the Rewards Travel Center, 2% back on your choice of one everyday category (like gas stations, EV charging stations, grocery stores or restaurants) and 1% back on all other purchases. Minimum deposit of $300.

In general, secured credit cards are the best type of credit card for people with bad credit. Secured cards offer the highest approval odds of any credit cards, and they tend to be a lot cheaper in the long run than unsecured cards for bad credit.

You just have to make sure to pay your bill on time and preferably in full, every month. If you do that, your credit should steadily improve. And that should help you qualify for a credit card upgrade sooner than you might think.

Most secured credit cards require a deposit of at least $200. And the minimum deposit required is always a good place to start. Simply opening an account is the most important thing at this point, as it will allow you to begin rebuilding your credit. In other words, depositing the minimum lets you get started right away without having to worry about giving up too much cash.

Plus, the beauty of using a secured credit card is that you can add to your deposit over time. That gives you a higher spending limit, which allows you to improve your credit utilization and boost your credit score. In general, the more available credit you have, the more favorably credit scores treat you. Just bear in mind that most secured credit card issuers won't allow your total deposit to exceed $5,000.

The main difference between a secured credit card and an unsecured credit card is that secured cards require you to place a refundable security deposit when you open your account. Apart from this security deposit, secured and unsecured credit cards aren't necessarily better or worse for your credit. The amount of this deposit typically serves as the credit limit for the secured card, which means you have to pre-pay for purchases with a secured card. You'll usually have to put down the deposit when you apply, and you'll get it back when you close your account or upgrade to an unsecured credit card. Unsecured credit cards, on the other hand, give access to a credit line that isn't “secured” with a deposit.

There is no difference between secured and unsecured credit cards when it comes to building credit. All major secured cards report account information to the major credit bureaus on a monthly basis, just like unsecured cards. In fact, you can't tell secured and unsecured cards apart on a credit report. So as long as you use either type of card responsibly, your credit score will improve.

Below, you can get a better feel for the differences and similarities between secured and unsecured credit cards by seeing how they compare in several important categories.

Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Cards: Key Differences

Approval Odds of Secured Credit Cards vs Unsecured Credit Cards

Secured credit cards are easier to get approved for than unsecured cards. Because you're technically pre-funding your credit line with a secured credit card, you can't spend more than you can afford to repay. The deposit is held in an account by the card issuer, so if you don't pay your bills, the deposit is used to cover the cost. That's why secured credit cards are able to offer nearly-guaranteed approval to people with bad credit, while charging very reasonable fees. That being said, secured credit cards are real credit cards – they have interest rates, and you have to pay your monthly bill on time.

In contrast, unsecured credit cards tend to be harder to get, because the card issuer takes on a lot more risk by extending an unsecured credit line. In other words, you can spend more on an unsecured card than you can afford to repay. There are unsecured credit cards for people of all credit levels, but if you have bad credit, you're likely to pay high non-refundable fees for a very small line of unsecured credit.

Choosing Between Secured & Unsecured Credit Cards

Overall, the toughest decision between secured and unsecured credit cards comes when you have damaged credit. With bad credit, it's harder to get approved for an unsecured credit card, and the unsecured options available to people with bad credit are far less attractive.

If you have limited, fair, good or excellent credit, you should be able to start with a solid unsecured card. If you've got bad credit and the flexibility to choose either a secured credit card or an unsecured one, always go secured. It will cost you a lot less in the long run and help you build credit just the same. You can check your credit score for free on WalletHub to see where you stand.

No, you cannot get a secured credit card with no deposit. In fact, having to place a security deposit is the only thing that's unique about secured credit cards. Apart from that, there are no other differences between secured and unsecured credit cards. You can, however, get a secured card with a low deposit. Plus, there are some credit cards with no deposit for people with bad credit. But they tend to be more expensive in the long run, thanks to high fees that you don't get back.

Here are some of the best secured credit cards with low deposits:

Any of these cards will help you rebuild your credit if you use it responsibly. That means paying your credit card bill on time and in full every month, and keeping your credit utilization below 30%.

Finally, it's worth noting that although you can't get a secured credit card without a security deposit, you may still get your deposit back after a while without closing the account. After months of responsible use, your card's issuer may offer to refund your deposit. They may graduate you to a better offer or give you an unsecured line of credit on your existing account.