Having a low credit score can make it hard to get approved for the best credit cards and other types of loans. Even if you do, you'll often have higher variable interest rates and less favorable loan terms than applicants with excellent credit.
To develop this guide, the Business Insider team evaluated dozens of cards designed to help you build healthy credit habits.
We evaluated common criteria such as how much you'll have to put down for a security deposit to establish your credit line. We also considered which cards for bad credit still earn rewards and offer opportunities to upgrade to a higher credit limit or an unsecured card.
Many issuers on this list provide automatic upgrades to unsecured credit cards for responsible use, making it easier to access better financial products over time. And none of our recommendations charge annual fees, which can help you save money toward rebuilding your credit.
These are the best credit cards for bad credit you can get right now, according to our personal finance experts.
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit of April 2025
| What It's For | Card | Annual Fee |
| Best for no security deposit | Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for drivers | Discover it® Secured Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for flat-rate cash back | Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for reward maximizers | U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card | $0 |
| Best for foodies | U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card | $0 |
| Best for low security deposit | Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card | $0 |
Check for Credit Card Offers for Bad Credit
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card: Best for No Security Deposit
The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is designed for people with limited credit history who want to avoid security deposits while still earning rewards.
This Visa credit card has no annual fee and no hidden fees, and earns rewards on all purchases. Cardholders may qualify for a credit limit of up to $10,000 based on their credit profile.
You'll initially earn 1% cash back on all purchases but graduate to earning 1.25% back after six on-time payments, then 1.5% back once you've made 12 on-time payments on your card.
This credit card also comes with a free app that helps you track your spending and set monthly budgets.
Read more in our Petal 2 Visa credit card review.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for Drivers
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the best secured credit cards on the market today. It doesn't have an annual fee, and you can earn generous rewards on everyday expenses.
Cardholders earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%), plus 1% back on all other purchases.
Better yet, first-year cardholders can double their rewards through the Discover CashBack Match® program. So if you earn the full 2% cash back on $1,000 for four quarters — $80 —Discover will match that amount at the end of your first year for a grand total of $160 in cash back.
Once you've reached your seventh month as a cardholder, Discover will automatically review your account history. If you've been responsible with your payments and card usage, Discover may upgrade you to an unsecured credit card and return your security deposit.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card also gives you a free FICO score on your monthly credit card bill, and you can use this information to monitor your score as you improve your credit over time.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back
The Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for people with fair credit or less than three years of credit history. This may include newcomers to the U.S., authorized users on someone else's credit card, or people who have defaulted on a loan in the past five years.
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a secured credit card that earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limits.
The required minimum security deposit is $200, which then becomes your credit limit. You may be approved for a higher credit line with a larger deposit with time and proven creditworthiness — after as little as six months of on-time payments in some cases.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card: Best for Reward Maximizers
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card is great for people who want to earn bonus rewards on their top expenses.
Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on select travel booked through U.S. Bank and on two categories of their choice (from a list of eligible categories, on up to $2,000 each quarter in combined purchases). They can also choose a 2% cash back category, and earn 1% on all other purchases.
And if you spend within your credit limit and consistently pay your bill on time, you may be able to automatically upgrade to the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.
The card requires a security deposit of $300 to $5,000, which becomes your credit limit.
Read more in our U.S. Bank Cash Plus Secured credit card review.
Pro tip: The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card shares most of the features of its big sibling, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, except it doesn't come with a welcome bonus and requires a security deposit.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card: Best for Foodies
If you spend a lot on dining, the no-annual-fee U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card is hard to beat.
Cardholders earn 4 points per dollar on takeout, food delivery, and dining, 2 points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, and gas stations (including EV charging), and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Each point is worth 1 cent toward travel, merchandise, gift cards, cash back, or statement credits through the card's online rewards portal.
The card also offers an automatic $15 credit each year when you pay for eligible streaming services for 11 consecutive calendar months.
With responsible use, you may be able to upgrade this card to the unsecured U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, which allows you to get back your security deposit of between $300 to $5,000.
Read more in our U.S. Bank Altitude Go secured credit card review.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for Low Security Deposit
If you don't want to put down a big security deposit, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is worth a look.
You can start with a $49, $99, or $200 security deposit to open your account (with a credit line of $200). You'll also have the option to increase your initial credit line by depositing more than the minimum amount, up to a maximum limit of $1,000.
The card doesn't earn rewards, but it doesn't have many fees either. After you show responsible use of your card over time, Capital One may consider upgrading you to the regular Capital One Platinum Card and return your security deposit.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card comes with a few perks like $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges, CreditWise, Card Lock, 24/7 customer service, and AutoPay features.
Why Get A Credit Card for Bad Credit?
Credit cards can boost your credit score if used responsibly. Credit card issuers report your financial activity to the three credit bureaus, so you can build credit with a credit card by paying off the outstanding balance on time in full each month.
Secured credit cards are specifically geared toward consumers with low credit. These cards are backed by a deposit of your own money, so there's less risk of default for the issuer and more incentive for you to pay them off so you can get your money back.
Many secured card issuers monitor your credit activity, and may automatically offer you an upgrade to an unsecured credit card with a history of responsible use.
This guide explores some of the best credit cards to consider if you have poor or low credit, whether you're starting from scratch or are working on rebuilding your credit.
Choosing The Right Credit Card for Bad Credit
Before you pick the best credit card for your situation, you must decide if you need a secured or unsecured credit card.
You'll also want to consider how and where you'll use the card. A rewards-earning credit card is ideal because you can earn a little something back from every purchase. But if that seems too complicated and you just want a basic card to help build your credit, that's fine too.
Using a card responsibly will help boost your credit over time since keeping your credit utilization low and making on-time payments are the two biggest factors used in calculating your credit score.
Once your finances are on track and your credit score keeps climbing, it's only a matter of time before you can get one of the best rewards credit cards offering bonus points and other enticing perks.
Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards are particularly easy to get approved for because you put up a cash deposit as collateral to get started. However, there are also unsecured credit cards for bad credit tailored to those looking to repair or build their credit.
Preapproval Credit Cards
If you're worried about not getting approved for a credit card because of a bad credit score, check out our guide to the best preapproved credit cards.
Many issuers will consider you for preapproval without performing a hard credit inquiry, which can slightly lower your credit score.
Getting preapproved for a credit card doesn't guarantee you'll get the card, but it gives you a decent idea of whether or not you'll be approved.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Having poor credit can make life much more challenging on the financial front. Knowing this, the Business Insider credit cards team evaluated dozens of products to ensure our recommendations improve your life in some way. Some common criteria we considered include:
Security deposit — Does this card require a security deposit? If it does, how much money do you have to put down in order to be approved?
Rewards — Most consumers with bad credit can't earn rewards for their spend, but some cards on this list offer cash back on every dollar you spend.
Upgrade to an unsecured credit card — Secured credit cards are meant to be a stepping stone to better financial products. Many issuers on this list offer automatic upgrades to non-secured credit cards once a cardholder has proven a consistent history of responsible usage.
Learn more about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
FAQs
Can I earn rewards on a credit card for bad credit?
Yes, you can earn rewards with many of the best credit cards for bad credit, either cash back or points that can be redeemed for various perks. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card earns double cash back in your first year as a cardholder, while the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card both earn generous rewards on bonus categories.
What should I look for in a credit card for bad credit?
When looking for a credit card designed for someone with bad credit, look for one that reports to all three major credit bureaus, charges reasonable fees, and offers manageable interest rates. If you're reviewing secured cards, consider how much cash you'll need to front for the security deposit, and whether you can automatically transition to an unsecured card with responsible use. Finally, compare any rewards or additional benefits that may add value.
What is the easiest credit card to get with bad credit?
The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is one of the easiest credit cards to get with poor credit, because the issuer considers a variety of financial factors beyond credit score alone when evaluating your application.
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