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Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best credit card for bad credit
Credit cards for bad credit help people with credit scores from 300 to 639 rebuild their credit and save money. The best credit cards for bad credit have annual fees as low as $0, and some even give rewards equal to 1% cash back or more on purchases. Plus, all major credit cards for people with poor credit will report… show more… show more
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit (May 2022)
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Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

- No annual or monthly fees
- Starting credit line $200
- Great for credit-building
- No rewards
- Higher-than-average interest rate
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with our mobile app
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Secured Sable ONE Credit Card Secured Sable ONE Credit Card

- NEW! Get a dollar-for-dollar match on all cash back at the end of your first year with Sable Double Cash Bonus.
- Earn 2% cash back on everyday purchases at Amazon, Uber, Uber Eats, Whole Foods, Netflix, Spotify, and more! Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No membership fees
- High rewards rate
- Low regular APR
- Qualify with limited or no credit history
- No rewards bonus
- Foreign fee
- Requires security deposit
- Auto-review to unsecured card in as FAST as 4 months, 3X faster than anywhere else with Sable’s graduation promise.
- Up to $10,000 credit limit
- No credit check or US credit history required.
- No SSN required for non US citizens.
- Build US credit history FAST. Sable offers enhanced reporting on more data points than any other card so you can build your credit faster.
- Premium benefits like coverage in the event your covered cell phone is stolen or damaged (including cracked screens!), rental car insurance, and much more!
- Please see terms and conditions for additional details.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSecured Sable ONE Credit Card
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.
- No annual or monthly fees & No fees for account opening
- Up to 2% cash back
- First-year rewards doubled
- Relatively low minimum deposit
- High regular APR
- No credit score required to apply.*
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
- Using your secured credit card helps build a credit history with the three major credit bureaus. Generally, prepaid and debit cards can’t do that.
- Establish your credit line with your tax return by providing a refundable security deposit of at least $200. That means a $200 deposit for a $200 credit line. Or a $500 deposit for a $500 credit line. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit, and the security deposit equals your credit limit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 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.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- Click "APPLY NOW" to see rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheDiscover it® Secured Credit Card
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- Membership fees
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- 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
Surge Mastercard® Surge Mastercard®

- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- No balance transfers allowed
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score From Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 - $1,000* (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Free online account access 24/7
- 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 or $1,000 credit limit
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSurge Mastercard®
Total Visa® Card Total Visa® Card
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- $89 one-time program fee
- $75 annual fee for the first year
- $123 in fees starting year two
- High APR
- Checking Account Required
- Fast and easy application process; response provided in seconds
- A genuine Visa® card accepted by merchants nationwide across the USA and online
- Manageable monthly payments
- $300 credit limit (subject to available credit).
- Multiple card designs available
- Reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus
- See rates, fees, costs and limitations for additional details
- Offer not guaranteed; response provided in seconds.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheTotal Visa® Card
FIT Mastercard® FIT Mastercard®

- Qualify with limited or no credit history
- Does not require security deposit
- One-time fees
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- $400 credit limit doubles to $800! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Initial Credit Limit of $400.00* (Subject to available credit)
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Checking Account Required
- See More Details & Reviews About TheFIT Mastercard®
Destiny Mastercard® Destiny Mastercard®

- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- High membership fees
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- Greater access to credit than before - $500 credit limit
- 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®
Revvi Card Revvi Card

- Earn 1% cash back rewards^^ on payments made to your Revvi Credit Card
- Qualify with bad credit
- Does not require security deposit
- One-time fees
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- No balance transfers allowed
- Fast and easy application; response provided in seconds
- $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
- Build your credit score with on-time payments and keeping your balance below the credit limit
- Opportunity to request credit limit increase after twelve months, fee applies
- Checking account required
- Reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus
- Manageable monthly payments
- Perfect credit not required
- Easy-to-use mobile app for management on the go!
- *See rates, fees, costs & limitations, and rewards for complete offer and Revvi Rewards details^^
- See More Details & Reviews About TheRevvi Card
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

- Reasonable $35 annual fee
- $200 minimum deposit
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No credit check to apply and find out instantly if you are approved.
- OpenSky gives everyone an opportunity to improve their credit with an 85% average approval rate for the past 5 years
- Get considered for a credit line increase after 6 months, with no additional deposit required
- You could be eligible for the OpenSky Gold Unsecured Card after as few as 6 months
- Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus monthly, unlike a prepaid or debit card
- Nearly half of OpenSky cardholders who make on-time payments improve their FICO score 30+ points in the first 3 months
- Your refundable* deposit, as low as $200, becomes your OpenSky Visa credit limit
- Easy application, apply in less than 5 minutes right from your mobile device
- Offer flexible payment due dates which allow you to choose any available due date that fits your payment schedule
- * View the cardholder agreement
- See More Details & Reviews About TheOpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2022

Discover it® Secured Credit Card
The best credit card for bad credit is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee and gives up to 2% cash back on purchases. Cardholders earn 2% cash back on up to $1,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants each quarter, plus 1% back on all other purchases. Discover also doubles all the rewards earned the first year.
The Discover it Secured Credit Card does require a $200+ security deposit. But all of the very best bad-credit credit cards require a deposit, and very few credit cards for people with poor credit scores offer both rewards and no annual fee.
Amazon.com Secured Credit Card
The Amazon.com Secured Credit Card is the best store credit card for bad credit because it has a $0 annual fee and it can help you build credit with monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus. Plus, you can put down as little as $100 for the refundable security deposit, and Prime members will earn 2% back on purchases.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Credit card shoppers who want a credit card for bad credit with no credit check should get the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. With no credit check, even applicants with a very bad track record borrowing should have high approval odds. The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has a $35 annual fee and requires a refundable security deposit of at least $200.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
People with poor credit who want low fees and cash back rewards should strongly consider the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. Approved applicants will be required to place a refundable deposit of $200+, which will become their credit limit. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured card also has a $0 annual fee and rewards cardholders with 1.5 - 5% cash back on purchases.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
The best credit card for bad credit with no deposit is the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit. It charges an annual fee of $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after, in return for a $300 starting credit limit. It’s actually one of the cheapest unsecured credit cards for bad credit available right now.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
One of the best credit cards for bad credit is the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card because it has a $0 annual fee and rewards cardholders with 1 - 5% cash back on purchases. More specifically, you get 5% cash back on up to $2,000 spent each quarter in two categories combined. You get to choose the 5% categories from a list, which includes things like gas and groceries. You also get to choose a category for unlimited 2% cash back. And all other purchases get you 1% back.
Just remember that you have to activate new bonus categories each quarter in order to earn the bonus rewards. Plus, this card requires a refundable security deposit of at least $300.
In general, the best credit cards for bad credit are secured cards with no annual fee. That’s true for everyone with poor credit, except people who need a modest emergency loan. Even the best unsecured credit cards still charge an arm and a leg for a very small amount of borrowing power.
To help you find the right card for your needs, WalletHub’s editors compared hundreds of offers – both secured and unsecured – and selected the best credit cards for people with bad credit in the most popular categories. Below, you can see how the top cards compare as well as what each is best for.
Credit Cards for Bad Credit Comparison
Credit Card | Best For | Annual Fee |
---|---|---|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Overall | $0 |
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card | Cash Back | $0 |
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card | Bad or No Credit | $35 |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card | No Annual Fee | $0 |
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit | No Deposit | $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after |
Amazon.com Secured Credit Card | Store | $0 |
Below, you can learn more about the dos and don’ts of choosing a credit card at this important stage of your credit career.
How to Get a Credit Card with Bad Credit:
- Catch up on late payments. Many credit cards for bad credit won’t approve applicants with recent delinquencies. And there's no point in adding to your obligations if you don’t have your ducks in a row.
- Compare credit card fees. Low-cost credit improvement should be your top priority. One way to keep costs down is to find a card with low (or no) annual fees, monthly fees and one-time fees. Another is to always pay your bill in full, which will allow you to avoid interest charges.
- Focus on secured cards for high approval odds and low fees. Secured credit cards offer the highest chances of approval because they require you to place a security deposit that acts as your credit line. This deposit also prevents the need to charge fees, making secured cards the cheapest way to rebuild credit.
- Don’t assume secured means guaranteed approval. Secured cards offer the closest thing you can get to guaranteed approval, but most will still perform a credit check. And certain items on your credit report could disqualify you. If you want a secured card that doesn’t do a credit check, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a good option.
You won’t have to wonder how long it will take for your credit score to improve, either. You can actually watch it happen – likely in 12-18 months – on WalletHub.
Finally, if you’re still not sure which credit card will best meet your needs and ultimately take your credit to the next level at the lowest cost, we’ll highlight a notable option from each major credit card company below. That way, you won’t have to worry about missing out because you’ll know what all the big players bring to the table.
Popular Credit Cards for Bad Credit by Company
Credit Card Company | Card Name |
---|---|
American Express | American Express does not offer credit cards for people with bad credit |
Bank of America | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card |
Barclays | Barclays does not offer credit cards for people with bad credit |
Capital One | Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card |
Chase | Chase does not offer credit cards for people with bad credit |
Citi | Citi does not offer credit cards for people with bad credit |
Discover | Discover it® Secured Credit Card |
First Premier | First PREMIER® Bank Mastercard Credit Card |
Mastercard | Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit |
U.S. Bank | Harley-Davidson® Secured Credit Card |
Visa | OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card |
Wells Fargo | Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card |
Methodology for Picking the Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
To select the best credit cards for people with bad credit scores, WalletHub’s editors regularly compare more than 1,500 credit card offers based primarily on their approval requirements, credit-bureau-reporting practices, and fees. Rewards, interest rates, and security-deposit requirements are also key factors for certain categories.
People with poor credit scores have varying needs and financial circumstances, so WalletHub’s editors select the best cards for different use cases. Although some cards are from WalletHub partners, best-card selections are made purely based on expected cardholder savings.
About the author
John Kiernan has covered the credit card industry for more than 10 years as a writer and editor for WalletHub. His work has been featured by major media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times and has been cited by industry regulators such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Read Full Author Bio
Credit Cards for Bad Credit FAQ
Comparing credit cards for bad credit can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.show more
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- How can people improve their credit scores using a credit card for bad credit?
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Ph.D., CMA, Associate Professor, School of Accountancy, Auburn University at Montgomery
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Ph.D., Lecturer in Economics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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CFP® - Explainer In Chief, President, American Private Wealth and Professor, Finance & Wealth Management, Suffolk University & Bentley University
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J.D., MBA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Management, Sacred Heart University, John F. Welch College of Business
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