Best Credit Cards for Low Credit Scores (Aug. 2026)

Finding the best credit cards for low credit scores doesn’t have to feel like an impossible task. In today’s market, credit cards exist for every credit score.

Those toward the bottom of the credit score ranks often find it hard to even get a credit card, let alone one with the features they want. But it’s not impossible to find a credit card that offers a low APR, valuable benefits, no annual fee, and even a rewards program.

Use the following links to choose a card for your score or one with the features you want most:

By Credit Score: No Credit | 350 – 500 | 500 – 600 | 600+
By Feature: Rewards | Student | No Annual Fee

Getting approved for a credit card when you have no credit at all might seem an insurmountable task. Here are two credit cards that offer an opportunity for those with limited or no credit history to speak of. Be aware that you will almost certainly receive a low initial credit limit, but with responsible card use, that can quickly change.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a full-featured credit card that comes with no annual fee. It has few frills, as you might expect, but Capital One is known for approving applicants who have zero credit history for this card. One thing you will need is an income, although it’s unclear how much you need to earn to qualify.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is issued on the Mastercard network, and it comes with a fairly high variable APR. That means you should try to pay your balance in full each month to avoid racking up interest charges. Even though you will likely have a low initial credit limit, you may be considered for a credit limit increase by making your first six payments on time.

Another option for those with no or limited credit is a secured credit card. A secured card uses funds placed into an account as a security deposit before the card is issued. The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card requires a deposit amount that is based on your creditworthiness.

This secured card then acts just like a credit card, allowing you to use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. There’s no annual fee, but it does have a high APR — we suggest you avoid this unnecessary expense and pay off the balance each billing cycle.

The best part about this card is you’ll be building a credit history since Capital One reports your payments and usage to the three major credit bureaus. That means if you make payments on time and use the card responsibly, you’ll soon reap the benefits.

When talking about credit scores, the majority of people are referring to the FICO credit scoring system which ranges from 300 to 850. The range is then broken into five categories: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Excellent.

A score of between 350 and 500 is, as you might guess, poor. Fortunately, there are still some cards designed for people with credit scores in this range.

Credit cards created for those with very poor credit scores are not where you’re going to find a lot of rewards or perks. Instead, what you’ll find with the Indigo® Mastercard® is a full-service card that’s designed to help you establish or rebuild your credit. This is an unsecured credit card, so no security deposit is required, and it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Your payment history is reported to the three major credit bureaus, so timely payments can help you build a positive credit history.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a great choice for anyone with a poor credit score. It is regularly ranked as one of the best secured credit card options available, thanks to its unique credit line and $0 annual fee.

In as little as six months, Capital One may periodically review your account to see whether you qualify to upgrade to an unsecured account, after which you’ll receive your deposit back. You must pay your monthly bill on time to be considered for credit limit increases and graduation to an unsecured card.

Having a credit score in the 500 to 600 range is still considered bad, but it shows you’re working your way up. Some card issuers want to help those they see as making improvements to their credit profiles. The subprime cards you’ll find here won’t have the premium perks or rewards of prime cards, but they’re good options for helping you along your credit-rebuilding journey.

While the unsecured Total Visa® Card is available to even those with poor, limited, or no credit, it’s probably not the right card for everyone. Sure, there’s no deposit required as with secured credit cards, but there is a program fee just to get started. And that’s on top of the first-year annual fee that gets deducted from your credit limit right away. If you decide to keep the card into the second year, another annual fee plus a monthly fee will apply.

Still, if this is your only way to get a full-service Visa card that can help you start building your credit, the cost might be worth it. Consider keeping this card for the first year while diligently making your payments on time. You know what you’ll be paying in fees, and if you use the card responsibly, you can probably develop a good enough credit history to qualify for a less punitive card a year down the road.

As with the previous card, the Milestone® Mastercard® is intended for those credit-challenged folks who don’t mind paying a fee for an unsecured full-service credit card.

As a card intended for credit building, the Milestone® Mastercard® does serve its purpose. Your payment history is reported to the three major credit bureaus, and if you keep the card for a year and make timely payments, you’re likely to improve your credit score enough to jump to a more attractive card.

Having a credit score greater than 600 places you into the range considered “fair” by many card issuers. That means your options for more attractive cards begin to improve.

You’ll start seeing cards that offer more competitive APRs, fewer fees, and even reward points. Here are a couple of cards you may want to consider.

This is an unsecured credit card for folks who still may have borderline credit scores but are working their way up the credit ladder. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited cash back in exchange for a small annual fee.

Paying your bill on time for a minimum of six months will qualify you to be considered for a higher credit limit. You’ll also get all of the benefits that come with being a Capital One cardholder, including virtual card numbers from Eno, fraud alerts, and tips for improving your credit history.

The Fortiva® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard is another card that provides cash back rewards on select purchases. It charges an annual fee, but that’s the case with most subprime credit cards.

This card can help you improve your credit when you make your payments on time and keep your balance relatively low compared to its limit. Those two actions have the largest influence on your credit scores, so maintaining your account in good standing over a long period can benefit your credit reports and scores.

The Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard gives people with low credit scores a chance to earn rewards without putting down a security deposit. Depending on the offer you receive, the card may earn 3% cash back on eligible gas, grocery, and utility purchases and 1% on other eligible purchases.

9

Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard

CardRates Expert Rating

Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard

4.5/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.5/5.0

at Aspire’ssecure website

Our Review »

• Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
• Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
• Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
• No security deposit
• Free Access to your Credit Score†
  *See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
  ** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry into your credit history (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
  † Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 36% Fixed

Annual Fee $85-$175 first year, $229 thereafter

Credit Needed Poor, Fair, or No Credit

It also provides online account tools, transaction alerts, and access to a free TransUnion VantageScore after the account has been open for 60 days. Aspire says checking whether you prequalify uses a soft credit inquiry, although accepting an offer results in a hard inquiry, and final approval isn’t guaranteed.

The tradeoff is cost. Its APR and fees can easily outweigh the rewards, so this card makes the most sense for someone who needs an unsecured option, receives favorable terms, and plans to pay the balance in full each month.

Students can have some of the biggest challenges getting a reasonable credit card because they usually have limited or no credit history. But students are also an attractive demographic for card issuers since it’s an opportunity to establish loyalty early on.

Student credit cards are a great way to begin building credit while taking advantage of the perks offered by some student cards.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back card is an ideal card for students who want to build credit and take advantage of rewards along the way. The incredible cash back rewards on certain categories each quarter make this feel like a premium rewards card.

If the cash back bonuses aren’t enough of an incentive, this card offers a reward in the form of statement credit for referring your friends if they’re approved. You can also track your FICO score for free on your monthly account statement, your mobile device, or online.

When you have a low credit score, rebuilding your credit means taking advantage of saving money wherever you can. Choosing a credit card with no annual fee is a great place to start. If you want a full-service credit card without the overhead, you don’t have to look very far.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a true starter card that gives you all the advantages of a Mastercard-branded credit card. The credit limit you receive upon being approved for the Capital One Platinum Credit Card depends on your actual credit history, but the company says it will give you access to a higher credit line after you make your first six payments on time.

The interest rate for this card is on the high side, so you should try to avoid carrying a balance. Still, as a credit builder with no annual fee, it’s a good choice for those with a low credit score.

Finding a card you can qualify for is only the first step. The answers below can help you compare your options, understand what happens when you apply, and use your new card to start moving your credit in the right direction.

What Credit Card Can I Get With a Low Credit Score?

Having a low credit score doesn’t automatically rule you out. Your options may include unsecured cards for fair or limited credit, secured cards, and a smaller selection of rewards cards designed for rebuilding credit.

Start by checking which credit range the issuer targets. Then compare the annual fee, monthly fees, security deposit, APR, and whether the issuer reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus. Approval is never guaranteed, and your income, debts, and recent applications may also affect the decision.

If possible, use an issuer’s prequalification tool before formally applying. Prequalification generally uses a soft credit inquiry, although it doesn’t guarantee final approval.

Is the Capital One Platinum a Good Card for a Low Credit Score?

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is our top recommendation for applicants with fair, limited, or less-than-perfect credit. It charges no annual fee and offers a straightforward way to build credit through responsible use.

What it doesn’t offer is rewards or a low introductory APR. That may sound disappointing, but avoiding an annual fee can be more valuable than earning rewards while you rebuild. Cardholders may also be automatically considered for a higher credit limit after demonstrating responsible account use.

One of our writers used the card personally and reviewed it for us to explain its strengths and limitations. Check whether you’re likely to qualify and review the current rates and terms before applying.

Watch on

Is a Secured or Unsecured Card Better for a Low Credit Score?

An unsecured card doesn’t require a refundable deposit, making it the more convenient choice if you can qualify without paying high fees. But approval may be harder when your credit score is especially low.

A secured credit card is often easier to qualify for because your refundable deposit usually secures the credit line. For example, a $200 deposit may provide a $200 starting limit. That money isn’t a fee, although the issuer may keep it if you fail to repay what you owe.

Feature	Secured Card	Unsecured Card
Security deposit	Usually required and refundable	Not required
Approval accessibility	Often easier with poor or no credit	Depends more heavily on qualifications
Starting limit	Often tied to the deposit	Set by the issuer
Potential costs	Deposit, plus possible fees	May carry annual or monthly fees
Best fit	Rebuilding when other options are limited	Applicants who qualify without costly fees

Neither type is automatically better. Compare the total fees, deposit, APR, credit-bureau reporting, and whether the secured card offers a path to an unsecured account. A low-cost secured card can be a better deal than an unsecured card loaded with annual and monthly fees.

Will Applying for a New Credit Card Hurt My Credit Score?

What Makes Up a FICO Score?

A credit card application affects the "new credit" category, but your FICO score considers several factors:

• Payment history
• Amounts owed
• Credit history length
• New credit
• Credit mix

A credit card application usually results in a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. Opening the account can also reduce the average age of your credit history.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid applying for a useful card. A new credit limit may eventually help your utilization ratio, and on-time payments can add positive information to your credit reports.

The bigger risk is submitting several credit card applications within a short period.

Check for prequalification first and apply selectively. One well-chosen card is more useful than several applications for cards you’re unlikely to get.

Should I Carry a Balance to Rebuild My Credit?

No. Carrying a balance doesn’t improve your credit score, and it can leave you paying interest unnecessarily. You can show responsible card use by making purchases and paying the statement balance in full by the due date.

At minimum, make every payment on time. Payment history is the largest component of a FICO Score, while using a large portion of your available credit can also work against you. The CFPB’s credit-building guidance recommends paying on time, keeping balances well below their limits, and avoiding too many applications.

If money is tight, making the minimum payment by the due date can protect your account from becoming late. But interest will continue to accrue, and a growing balance can raise your utilization. Pay more than the minimum whenever you can.

A new credit card won’t repair your score by itself. The progress comes from what you do next: Make a few affordable purchases, keep the balance low, and pay on time every month.

You don’t need to spend heavily, carry debt, or chase rewards to prove you can manage credit. Keep the account affordable and give your positive payment history time to grow. As your score improves, you may eventually qualify for cards with lower rates, better rewards, and fewer fees.