0% Credit Cards for Bad Credit
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best credit card for bad credit.
Given that 0% APR credit cards for people with bad credit are neither available now nor likely to be available anytime soon, we’ll highlight the best overall credit cards for bad credit below. They can help you build the good credit needed to qualify for a worthwhile 0% credit card down the line.
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit of 2021:
- Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card
- Bank of America® Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Secured Mastercard® from Capital One
- Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One Secured Mastercard® from Capital One

- No annual fee
- Unlike a prepaid card, there is regular reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus
- Accepted at millions of locations worldwide
- Make the minimum required security deposit and you'll get an initial credit line of $200. Plus, deposit more money before your account opens to get a higher credit line
- Access to an authorized bank account is required to make your $49, $99 or $200 refundable security deposit
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- We will monitor your account, and as you use it responsibly by doing things like making on-time payments, you may be able to earn back your deposit as a statement credit
- Easily manage your account 24/7 with online access, by phone or using our mobile app
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSecured Mastercard® from Capital One
Discover it® Secured Credit Card Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
- Using your secured credit card will build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, prepaid and debit cards can’t do that.
- Establish your credit line by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200 after being approved. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 8 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® Secured Credit Card
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit

- Pre-qualify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Fraud protection for stolen or lost cards
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheIndigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

- No credit check necessary to apply. OpenSky believes in giving an opportunity to everyone.
- The refundable* deposit you provide becomes your credit line limit on your Visa card. Choose it yourself, from as low as $200.
- Build credit quickly. OpenSky reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
- 99% of our customers who started without a credit score earned a credit score record with the credit bureaus in as little as 6 months.
- We have a Facebook community of people just like you; there is a forum for shared experiences, and insights from others on our Facebook Fan page. (Search “OpenSky Card” in Facebook.)
- *View our Cardholder Agreement located at the bottom of the application page for details of the card
- See More Details & Reviews About TheOpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Surge Mastercard® Credit Card Surge Mastercard® Credit Card

- See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from TransUnion* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Checking Account Required
- $0 monthly fee for the first 12 months. $10.00 per month starting the second year, waived for those with a $750 credit limit
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSurge Mastercard® Credit Card
Milestone® Mastercard® - Less Than Perfect Credit Considered Milestone® Mastercard® - Less Than Perfect Credit Considered

- Prequalify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Protection from fraud if your card is stolen
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- Disclaimers: *Dependent on credit worthiness
- See More Details & Reviews About TheMilestone® Mastercard® - Less Than Perfect Credit Considered
Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card

- Better than Prepaid...Go with a Secured Card! Load One Time - Keep On Using
- Absolutely No Credit Check or Minimum Credit Score Required
- Automatic Reporting to All Three National Credit Bureaus
- 9.99% Low Fixed APR - Your Rate Won’t Go Up Even if You Are Late
- Activate Today with a $200 Minimum Deposit - Maximum $1,000. Increase Your Credit Limit up to $5,000 by Adding Additional Deposits Anytime
- See More Details & Reviews About TheApplied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card
Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card Applied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card

- Fast and Easy Application and Approval Process! Click “Apply Now” to apply online
- Reports to All Three Major Credit Bureaus
- Access Additional Credit with On-Time Payments and Responsible Usage
- Fixed APR and Manageable Monthly Payments
- A true Unsecured EMV enabled (chip) Visa Credit card that does not require perfect credit for approval.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheApplied Bank® Unsecured Classic Visa® Card
Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card

- Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services. Terms apply.
- See if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
- Track your progress with free online access to your Experian credit score, terms apply
- Looking to rebuild credit? We report to the major credit bureaus monthly
- Accounts are automatically reviewed for credit line increase opportunities
- Make paying your bill easier with the ability to choose your payment due date, terms apply
- Stay in-the-know with customizable account alerts via email and text
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCredit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card
Destiny Mastercard® Destiny Mastercard®

- All the benefits of a Mastercard, without a security deposit
- Keeping your account in good standing may help establish and/or improve your credit history
- Less than perfect credit is okay, even with a prior bankruptcy!
- Prequalify for a card today and it will not impact your credit score
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDestiny Mastercard®
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Editor’s Picks: Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Using your card responsibly will push you closer and closer to qualifying for a credit card with no interest in the beginning. Such cards usually require good credit or excellent credit for approval.
Best 5 Credit Cards for Bad Credit of 2021:
Credit Card | Best For | Annual Fee | APR |
Secured Mastercard® from Capital One | No Annual Fee | $0 | 26.99% (V) |
Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card | No Deposit | $0 - $99 | 17.99% - 23.99% (V) |
Bank of America® Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card | Cash Rewards | $0 | 23.99% (V) |
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | High Approval Rates | $35 | 17.39% (V) |
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit | Bad to Fair Credit | $0 - $99 | 24.9% |
You can track your credit improvement for free on WalletHub, with free daily updates to your credit score and report as well as customized advice.
Questions & Answers
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