5 Best Secured Credit Cards [March 2026]

Poor credit isn't uncommon. According to Experian, one of the three major credit reporting bureaus, 14.9% of Americans have a FICO score of 579 or less as of 2025. And millions of people may be credit invisible, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, meaning they have no established credit.

If you find yourself in one of these groups, you might need credit someday. Secured credit cards are one path to helping with that.

A secured credit card can help you build credit, with responsible use, but they often come with drawbacks like annual fees or low credit limits (and that's to say nothing of security deposits). But they can be a good option for many, and we'll recommend the best secured credit cards we've found here.

How a secured credit card works

A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit that typically becomes your spending limit. From there, you use it like any other credit card. This type of card differs from an unsecured credit card, which doesn't require a deposit, and can be a good option for first-time cardholders or people with damaged or limited credit.

As you make on-time payments, secured card issuers report your activity to the credit bureaus, which can help build your credit over time. If you close the account, you get your deposit back. And as your credit improves, you may be able to upgrade to an unsecured card.

Secured cards can, but don't always, offer perks like cash back rewards, intro APRs, or travel benefits. When comparing cards, weigh such benefits against drawbacks like fees, APR, security deposit requirements, mobile apps, and issuer reputations.

Compare the best secured credit cards March 2026

Credit Card	Excellent for	Security deposit range	Annual Fee
Discover it® Secured Credit Card 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Earning rewards on gas	$200 - $2,500	$0
Quicksilver Secured from Capital One 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Potentially higher credit limits	$200 - $3,000	$0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card 4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Earning flexible cash back	$200 - $5,000	$0
opensky Secured Visa® 3.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Avoiding a credit check	$200 - $3,000	$35
Chime Card™ 4.2 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	No minimum security deposit	None	$0

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it^® Secured Credit Card is a rare secured card that offers rewards. Plus, with no credit score needed to apply, anyone looking to build credit could be a fit. We most recommend this card to people who spend at least some of their income on gas, as so many of us do, and want to be rewarded for it.

A secured card offers a great opportunity to learn how credit card rewards work, and this one's earning structure is a good mix of uncomplicated while still requiring just a bit of practice planning. Plus, Discover rewards are easier to understand than most, and you can redeem them for a few cash equivalents (including some of our favorites, statement credits and gift cards).

Check out our Discover it Secured Credit Card review.

Quicksilver Secured from Capital One

If you're looking for a secured credit card with the potential to qualify for a higher credit line, consider the Capital One Quicksilver Secured. Not only does it earn rewards, like the Discover it Secured, but it also provides an above-average upper credit limit of $3,000.

Your credit limit, of course, depends on your security deposit and what you're approved for, so don't count on qualifying for that borrowing limit out of the gate. But if you don't qualify for the limit you hope for, don't fret. Capital One is somewhat unique in providing automatic credit line reviews every six months, so you could be bumped up to a higher limit after six months of having the card without having to deposit more cash.

But at least fair credit is recommended for this card, so it may not be a fit for as many people as other secured cards.

Check out our Capital One Quicksilver Secured review.

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card will sound familiar if you've heard of the issuer's popular customize-how-you-earn unsecured version of this card. The secured version earns 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and 1% on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you'll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.

Rewards credit cards don't usually let you decide which category you earn the most cash back in — it's more of a "get what you get" situation. So the fact that this secured card not only earns rewards but lets you cherry-pick how you earn is pretty remarkable.

This card also stands out for offering a high maximum credit limit of $5,000, which is very uncommon for secured credit cards. If you want the potential to borrow even more at a time than the Capital One Quicksilver Secured, consider the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured. But understand that borrowing more means opening yourself up to the potential of more debt, and make sure you're prepared for that responsibility.

opensky Secured Visa^®

If you have poor credit but you know you want to apply for a secured credit card, you do have options to avoid credit checks altogether. One of these options is the OpenSky Secured card, a popular choice for years now among bad-credit borrowers and people rebuilding their credit. The card is unique in that it doesn't require a credit check, but you can still use it to build credit. It reports your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus, so making your payments on time could still boost your credit.

But even though we like that the card is friendlier to people with no or low credit than most credit cards, secured or otherwise, we don't like that this comes at a literal cost. You'll pay an annual fee of $35 to keep the card, and the unsecured version you'd have to look forward to isn't as strong as the others on our list. Plus, rewards are pretty limited.

Check out our OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card review

Chime Card

Another outside-the-box card, the Chime Card¹ <p>The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.</p> doesn't earn rewards, but it also doesn't charge interest.² <p>Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.</p> So if you're curious about secured credit cards but nervous about what carrying a balance could do to your finances, you could consider this one. But even with this card, we don't recommend letting it go unpaid. Missing payments can still severely hurt your credit, as Chime reports to all three credit bureaus.}

This card requires you to have a Chime® Checking Account,³ <p class="">To apply for a Chime Card, Chime® Checking Account is required to apply.</p> so it's best if you already use Chime or want to. This is a great second-chance checking account if you're also working on building a stronger banking history, so we do think it's worth it. And in lieu of a predetermined spending limit, whatever you move from your Checking Account to your Chime Card is what you can spend.

Check out our Chime Card review.

How to build credit with a secured credit card

Just opening a secured credit card account won't build your credit automatically, but there are some simple things you can do to help your credit score improve over time:

• Choose a credit card issuer that does monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus.
• Always make your monthly payments on time. Late payments can have a negative impact on your credit bureau file.
• Don't spend so much that you fill up your entire line of credit. If you're spending a lot and only making minimum payments, you could use up a lot of your credit line and this could negatively impact your credit score.

If you keep your account in good standing, you may eventually be able to request a bigger line of credit from the credit card issuer, or you may even be able to convert your secured card to an unsecured card. Not all credit card companies have the perk of being able to convert your card, so if that is important to you be sure to read all the details of the card you're interested in before you apply.

Secured vs. unsecured credit cards

A secured credit card requires a security deposit, usually of at least a few hundred dollars, which is held in an account by the issuer and is used to secure the cardholder's line of credit. This security deposit is generally equal to the cardholder's credit limit and is refunded when the cardholder closes their account or upgrades to an unsecured card.

Unsecured credit cards are issued without a security deposit and are backed only by the cardholder's creditworthiness. Both types of cards can be found at a variety of financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, and both typically offer mobile and online banking.

The primary difference between secured and unsecured cards is the amount of risk that the issuer is taking on. With a secured card, the issuer has the security of a deposit to cover any losses due to the cardholder failing to make payments, while with an unsecured card there is no such guarantee if the cardholder fails to make payments. As such, secured cards usually have more lenient credit requirements than unsecured cards.

Secured cards can be useful for those with limited or no credit history, as they are easier to qualify for and can help to build or rebuild credit. On the other hand, unsecured cards offer more rewards and benefits and can be a great way to increase spending power as long as you can keep up with payments.

Here's a quick breakdown of the major differences between secured and unsecured cards.

Alternatives to secured credit cards

Secured credit cards are far from the only option for fair-credit, bad-credit, or no-credit borrowers. Here are a couple of alternatives to consider:

• Unsecured credit cards with more lenient requirements: There are some unsecured credit cards that have less-strict credit requirements. While these cards offer lower-tier rewards, if they offer rewards at all, those with poor but not terrible credit can still qualify.
• Personal loans: Personal loans provide access to funding without having to put down a deposit. Borrowers with poorer credit may still be able to qualify if they have a stable job and proof of income, but they may have to settle for higher interest rates.
• Become an authorized user on someone else's credit card: Becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card allows you to access a credit line without taking on any of the legal responsibilities associated with credit card ownership. This is a good way to help build credit, but it's important for authorized users to understand that the primary cardholder, who may be a relative or close friend, is ultimately responsible for repayment of the debt. Making sure you're able to pay any charges you make on the card will go a long way toward keeping this relationship a positive one.
• Credit building loans: Credit building loans are designed for people trying to build their credit from scratch. These loans may come with higher interest rates than other types of loans, but they also offer an opportunity to demonstrate responsible credit use and make payments on time.

FAQs

Bottom line

If you have bad credit or no credit at all, applying for a secured card is a great first step in building your credit history. Be sure to review all the details of potential cards when you apply, including any maintenance fees, foreign transaction fees, and cash advance fees.

To take full advantage of your new card, use it wisely and make all of your payments on time.

After several months of managing your account, you might be able to improve your credit score — you could even qualify for a higher credit limit or a traditional unsecured credit card.

No Hard Credit Check Required

Secured Self Visa^® Credit Card

4.1

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Secured Self Visa^® Credit Card

Apply Now

Current Offer

N/A

Annual Fee

$25 (waived first year)

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Accounts in good standing may be able to increase credit limit over time
• No hard credit check required
• Reports to the 3 major credit bureaus

Drawbacks

• No welcome bonus or spending rewards

Card Details

• $0 Intro annual fee for the first year, $25 thereafter ⁴ <p class="">*Intro Offer - $0 annual fee for new customers for the first year only; $25 annually thereafter. Other fees apply. Variable APR of 27.49% based on the Prime Rate. Rate may vary.</p>
• No hard credit check or credit score required
• Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus to build credit history
• Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in just 6 months—no extra deposit needed
• Monitor your credit progress with free access to your Credit Score. Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit - as low as $100.
• Use the secured Self Visa® Credit Card⁵ <p element-id="429" class="">Self is not a bank. The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC. Security deposit is returned upon account closure after settling outstanding balances. Qualification for the secured Self Visa Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility, including income and expense requirements and establishment of minimum $100 security interest. Criteria subject to change</p> anywhere Visa is accepted-in the US
• Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee for Lost/Stolen Cards with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy
• Add to your mobile wallet and make purchases using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay