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- $0 Intro annual fee for the first year, $25 thereafter 3 <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 Card4 <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
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Compare Today's Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit
| Credit Card | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Regular APR | Welcome Bonus | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
/images/2022/12/28/self-secured-visa-credit-card.jpg)
Apply Now
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card 4.1
|
N/A
|
$25 (waived first year)
|
27.49% (variable)
|
N/A
|
$100 |
/images/2023/10/17/current-build-card.jpg)
Apply Now
Current Build Visa® Credit Card 4.1
|
1X
Points
|
$0
|
0.00%
|
N/A
|
$0 |
Credit Cards for Bad Credit: What You Need to Know
Can a credit card help rebuild your credit?
Yes — using the right credit card responsibly can help rebuild your credit over time.
The best way to rebuild credit is to pay every bill on time and keep your balance low. Payment history and credit utilization are two of the biggest factors that affect your credit score. Since payment history makes up about 35% of your FICO score, making on-time payments can help improve your credit profile and open the door to better financial products.
What credit cards can you get with bad credit?
If you have bad credit, you may still qualify for secured cards or unsecured cards designed for credit rebuilding. These cards may have lower credit limits or higher fees, but they can help you establish a positive payment history and improve your credit over time.
What’s the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards?
A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. This makes them easier to qualify for if you have bad credit.
An unsecured credit card doesn’t require a deposit, but approval depends more on your credit history.
Both types can help build credit when used responsibly, and some secured cards allow you to upgrade to an unsecured card later.
Do credit cards for bad credit require a deposit?
Some do, but not all. Secured credit cards require a refundable deposit, which typically becomes your credit limit. However, there are also unsecured credit cards for bad credit that don’t require a deposit.
Will applying for a credit card hurt your credit score?
Applying for a credit card usually triggers a hard credit inquiry, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points. Some issuers offer prequalification with a soft credit check, which won’t impact your credit score.
Responsible use afterward — like paying on time — can help your score improve over time.
How fast can a credit card improve your credit score?
It depends on how you use the card. Paying on time and keeping your balance low can start helping your credit within a few months. Credit scores also factor in credit utilization, so experts often recommend using less than 30% of your available credit limit.
What credit score do you need to get a credit card?
Many traditional credit cards require good or excellent credit, but cards designed for rebuilding credit may approve applicants with fair, poor, or limited credit history. Your approval odds depend on factors like income, credit history, and existing debt.
- $0 Intro annual fee for the first year, $25 thereafter 3 <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 Card4 <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
How we chose these cards
FinanceBuzz evaluated a selection of cards from our partners, looking at various criteria including length of intro APR period, fees, and bonus offers. We did not review all cards in the category and compensation was considered when evaluating and ordering the cards.