The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Thursday, September 24, 2026

11 Best Credit-Building Credit Cards (Sep. 2026)

Learn how secured, entry-level unsecured, and student cards work to help you establish credit with responsible payments.

Best Credit Building Credit Cards
Brittney Mayer

Writer: Brittney Mayer

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

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Identifying the best credit-building credit cards can be challenging with so many options available these days. Keep reading for our take on some of the best credit cards that can help you work your way to a healthy credit score.

In today’s world, having good credit is a bit like having a decent internet connection: while you can technically get by without it, it definitely makes many things a whole lot easier.

Of course, building good credit takes a bit more work than phoning up the cable company and asking for a bandwidth upgrade. Merely establishing enough credit to get a credit score requires six months, and reaching the top credit tiers can take years.

But — you have to start somewhere. For many consumers, the easiest first step is to open a credit card account; when used responsibly, one or two credit cards can both establish your credit profile and help you build respectable credit scores.

Secured | No/Limited Credit | Fair Credit | Bad Credit | Rewards | Student | Business

Best Secured Credit Cards to Build Credit

Available to almost any credit type — including people with bad credit or no credit history at all — secured credit cards require a deposit to open and keep the account active. That deposit serves as collateral, which helps reduce the issuer’s risk.

In many cases, that lower risk benefits both the issuer and the cardholder, as it allows for lower interest rates and fees. Some of our top-rated secured credit cards even come with purchase rewards that can help you save money while you build credit.

1

Secured Self Visa® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.2/5.0
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

  • The secured Self Visa® Credit Card* requires no credit check or minimum score.
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus to establish and build credit, with free access to your credit score.
  • Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit as low as $100.**
  • Deposits are returned upon account closure after settling outstanding balances.
  • *The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
  • **Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria subject to change.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR Variable APR of 27.49%
Annual Fee $0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter
Credit Needed None, Limited, Poor, Fair
2

opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.0/5.0
opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card Review

at Capital Bank N.A.'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
  • No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
  • Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
  • Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
  • Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
  • Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
  • Start with just $200—secure your credit line with a refundable deposit
  • Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
  • Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
  • More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
  • Join 2 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 23.89% (variable)
Annual Fee $35
Credit Needed No credit, Poor, Fair
3

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • 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 at least 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 Capital One's mobile app
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Limited, Bad

The deposit you make to open a secured credit card is just that: a deposit. It’s not a fee, which means you can get your deposit back simply by closing your account (provided it’s in good standing — i.e., you don’t have an outstanding balance). Of course, some secured cards do have annual fees, which are not refundable.

Your secured credit card may also be eligible to be automatically upgraded to an unsecured credit card when your credit profile improves. If your card is upgraded to an unsecured credit card, your full deposit will be refunded to you.

Best Credit-Building Cards for No/Limited Credit

Contrary to the common saying, “no news is good news,” having no credit profile, or a very limited one, is not good news to credit card issuers. Without a way to gauge your credit risk, they tend to assume the (almost) worst.

While finding a credit card without a credit score is likely easier than finding one with a poor credit score, your method will be similar: look for cards designed for your situation. A number of issuers offer entry-level unsecured cards designed for people who need to establish and build credit.

4

Secured Self Visa® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.2/5.0
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

  • The secured Self Visa® Credit Card* requires no credit check or minimum score.
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus to establish and build credit, with free access to your credit score.
  • Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit as low as $100.**
  • Deposits are returned upon account closure after settling outstanding balances.
  • *The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
  • **Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria subject to change.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR Variable APR of 27.49%
Annual Fee $0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter
Credit Needed None, Limited, Poor, Fair
5

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • 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 from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
  • Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
  • Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited
6

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.6/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
  • Build your credit with responsible card use
  • Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited

Once you’ve opened your first card, make sure you’re building credit in a smart way. Above all else, pay at least the minimum amount due before the due date every billing cycle.

Late payments that are made within 30 days of your due date won’t be reported to the credit bureaus, but they will usually come with pricey late fees. Payments more than 30-days late are considered delinquent and will be reported to the bureaus. Delinquent payments can knock dozens of points off of your credit scores.

Best Credit-Building Cards for Fair Credit

Although more than 1 in 10 consumers believe that you start out with a perfect credit score, that’s simply not the case. Perfect credit scores are certainly possible, but it can take years to build up enough positive payment history and credit profile length to reach that auspicious height.

Most consumers who are just starting out will have fair credit before they have good credit — but that’s OK. Fair credit opens up a few more doors than no credit at all, and you can easily use fair-credit card options to boost your score higher up the FICO food chain.

7

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • 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 from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
  • Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
  • Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited
8

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and you can use your cash back for any amount–get gift cards, cover purchases or redeem for cash. Plus, rewards don’t expire for the life of the account
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card usage
  • Enjoy unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help you monitor your credit profile with CreditWise from Capital One
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases with your SavorOne Card and enjoy exclusive access and cardholder perks
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Capital One SavorOne cardholders can pay with their rewards via PayPal Pay with Rewards and at Amazon.com
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $39
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited
9

Discover it® Student Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount.
  • No annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 6 months
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Fair/New to Credit

As your credit profile grows, you’ll want to pay attention to more than just your payment history (though that’s still 35% of your FICO Score). Those with the best credit scores also do well in the other factors that are considered in credit score calculations.

For example, you’ll want to keep an eye on your balances, as using a lot of your available credit can lower your credit score. And you should be careful to avoid opening too many new accounts, since hard inquiries and new accounts can impact your new credit and account age factors.

Best Credit-Building Cards for Bad Credit

Whether you made one mistake early in your credit journey, or have made several through the years, it doesn’t take much to wind up with a bad credit score.

On the bright side, there are plenty of credit card options available for bad credit — they’re just not always ideal. Unsecured credit cards for bad credit will tend to have higher rates and fees, while secured credit cards will require upfront deposits.

10

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • 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 at least 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 Capital One's mobile app
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Limited, Bad
11

Milestone® Mastercard®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 3.8/5.0
Milestone® Mastercard® Review

at Milestone Mastercard®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • Guaranteed $700 credit limit if approved.
  • Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
  • Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
  • Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
  • Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
  • Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
  • No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR See terms
Annual Fee See terms
Credit Needed Bad/Limited/Fair
12

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★ 3.0/5.0
PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card Review

at PREMIER Bankcard®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are for building credit.
  • Start building credit by keeping your balances low and paying all your bills on time each month.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
  • Credit Limit Increase Eligible after 12 months of consistent responsible account management.
  • We report monthly to the Consumer Reporting Agencies to help you build your credit.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR See Provider Website
Annual Fee See Provider Website
Credit Needed Fair/Poor

The best method for rebuilding a bad credit score will depend mostly on what’s dragging down your credit score in the first place. For instance, if high balances and maxed-out credit cards are at fault, then paying down your debts is the best way to boost your score.

At the same time, if late payments or defaulted credit accounts have done the damage, then your best option is likely to work on building a positive payment history and giving the negative items time to season; the older items become, the less impact they tend to have on your scores.

Best Rewards Credit Cards to Build Credit

As a country with about 648 million credit card accounts in Q1 2026, it’s easy to see that Americans love their credit cards. And credit card issuers love cardholders, so much so that the market is positively flooded with options for just about every credit type.

That abundance of options means that competition is fierce, which definitely works in consumers’ favor. For instance, even credit-building credit cards are competing for attention, which means you can find a number of options for earning solid purchase rewards while you build credit.

13

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $39
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited

14. SunTrust Secured Credit Card with Cash Rewards

The SunTrust Secured Credit Card with Cash Rewards has a lot going for it as a credit-building card, not the least of which is that it provides cash back on every purchase, plus bonus cash back on gas and grocery purchases.

SunTrust Secured Credit Card with Cash Rewards

  • Earn 2% cash back on up to $6,000 in combined gas and grocery purchases each year
  • Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Pay a $32 annual fee

Another great feature of the SunTrust Secured Credit Card is that it’s upgradable, which means SunTrust will automatically upgrade the account to an unsecured credit card when the cardholder has shown significant credit improvement.

One important thing to keep in mind when it comes to rewards credit cards is that rewards should never be a reason to spend more than you can afford to repay right away. Interest fees on carried balances will typically outweigh any potential rewards, making it a losing proposition.

You should also determine if paying an annual fee for a rewards card (versus a card with no annual fee but no rewards) is worth the extra cost. If you won’t actually earn enough rewards to offset the annual fee, you may want to reconsider your card choice.

Best Student Credit Cards to Build Credit

Because you need to be at least 18 years old to get a credit card — or 21 years old if you don’t have a cosigner or independent income — most students won’t have much of a credit history, if they have one at all.

Enter: the student credit card. Typically requiring proof of enrollment to qualify, student credit cards generally have flexible credit requirements, low fees, and even student-centered perks all designed to help students build good credit while in college.

15

Discover it® Student Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount.
  • No annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 6 months
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Fair/New to Credit
16

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.6/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
  • Build your credit with responsible card use
  • Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited
17

Discover it® Student Chrome

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 6 months
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Fair/New to Credit

Student credit cards can be a useful learning tool for young adults for several reasons, including their generally low fees. Just as importantly, the extra features they often include can make the process of learning to use credit a little easier.

For instance, most student credit cards won’t increase your APR if you make a late payment, and some cards will even waive your first late payment fee. Some options may also offer bonus rewards or incentives for positive credit behaviors, like a boost to your rewards rate for on-time payments.

Best Business Credit Cards to Build Credit

If building up a good consumer credit score sounds like a lot of work, it can pale in comparison to building business credit. You’ll need at least three business trade lines to even qualify for some business credit scores, let alone to reach a boast-worthy number.

Business credit cards are often a simple way to add to your business credit-building strategy. As with consumer credit cards, however, business cards will have specific credit requirements. Those looking to establish and build business credit should choose business credit cards with flexible credit requirements.

18

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

This card is currently not available.

Additional Disclosure: Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One.

The Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is an unsecured business credit card typically available to applicants with fair credit or better.

19. BBVA Secured Visa® Business Credit Card

The BBVA Secured Visa® Business Credit Card is available in select states and requires a minimum deposit of $500 to establish a credit line. You can increase your deposit — and, thus, your total credit line — at any time (in $100 increments).

BBVA Secured Visa® Business Credit Card

  • Earn bonus points in categories you select, including office supplies, utilities, and travel
  • Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Pay no annual fee the first year, then $40

The card also earns purchase rewards, waives the first year’s annual fee, and offers individual employee cards at no additional cost.

20. Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card

The Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card provides a business credit line of up to $25,000, equal to the amount of your initial deposit, and up to 10 employee cards.

Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card

  • Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase made with your card, redeemable as a statement credit or check
  • Access credit lines from $500 to $25,000
  • Pay $25 annual fee

Once you’ve grown your business credit profile and demonstrated positive payment behaviors, Wells Fargo may automatically upgrade your secured card to an unsecured credit card and refund your deposit.

Building business credit requires many of the same positive credit behaviors as building consumer credit, including always, always, always paying your debt on time and as agreed. Business credit scoring agencies also look at your outstanding balances, credit utilization, and the number of trade experiences.

More than your financial history is up for grabs in business credit scoring, however. Experian, for instance, also looks at your company’s public records and business demographics (age, size, etc.) when calculating your business credit score.

(The information related to Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)

Use Your New Card Responsibly to Build Credit

Over the last few decades, America’s economic and social landscapes have shifted dramatically. Analog is out, and we now have digital — well, digital everything. And it’s all five times as expensive.

So, while you could once get by without things like high-speed internet and a solid credit score, today’s world doesn’t make it so easy. Modern Americans usually need loans to get new cars and houses — and WiFi to get everything else.