Credit Cards

Best credit cards for bad credit

Compare cards designed for damaged or limited credit history, including secured options that report to all three bureaus.

Best CardsCash BackTravelRewards

Showing 4 credit cards

Use filters to fine-tune your results.

See details, rates & fees
Best for Building Credit

Great for building credit

Secured Credit Builder Card

4.0Editor rating

Editorial score from our team. Consumer reviews are not available for this offer.

Rewards rate
1% cash back on payments
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
None
Min. deposit
$200 refundable
  • Refundable security deposit sets your credit line
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus
  • Automatic reviews for a potential upgrade path
Rewards
1% cash back on payments
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
27.49% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit score requirement
Limited / no history
Balance transfer fee
Not offered
Minimum deposit
$200 refundable

Benefits

  • Refundable security deposit sets your credit line
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus
  • Automatic reviews for a potential upgrade path
  • Free credit score access
  • No credit history required to apply
  • Deposit returned when the account closes in good standing

Redemption

Cash back is applied automatically as a statement credit.

Important terms

Rates, fees and rewards are set by the issuer and may change. Always review the issuer's current terms before applying. Approval is never guaranteed.

See details, rates & fees
Best for Beginners

Great for building a first credit file

Campus First Student Card

3.8Editor rating

Editorial score from our team. Consumer reviews are not available for this offer.

Rewards rate
1% – 3% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
$50
Estimated value
$50
  • Built for students with limited credit history
  • Cash back on dining, streaming and transit
  • No annual fee
Rewards
1% – 3% cash back
Welcome bonus
$50 after $100 in purchases in 3 months
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit score requirement
Limited / no history
Balance transfer fee
Not offered

Benefits

  • Built for students with limited credit history
  • Cash back on dining, streaming and transit
  • No annual fee
  • Credit education tools
  • Account alerts
  • Responsible-use reminders

Redemption

Statement credits in any amount.

Important terms

Rates, fees and rewards are set by the issuer and may change. Always review the issuer's current terms before applying. Approval is never guaranteed.

$30 welcome creditSee details, rates & fees

Great for rebuilding after setbacks

Rebuild Secured Card

3.7Editor rating

Editorial score from our team. Consumer reviews are not available for this offer.

Rewards rate
Up to 2% cash back on payments
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
$30 statement credit
Min. deposit
$200 refundable
  • Designed for applicants with damaged credit
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus
  • Refundable deposit sets your limit
Rewards
Up to 2% cash back on payments
Welcome bonus
$30 statement credit after first purchase
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
27.49% variable
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit score requirement
Bad (below 630)
Balance transfer fee
Not offered
Minimum deposit
$200 refundable

Benefits

  • Designed for applicants with damaged credit
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus
  • Refundable deposit sets your limit
  • Monthly credit education
  • Account alerts
  • Deposit increases allowed

Redemption

Cash back posts automatically as a statement credit.

Important terms

Rates, fees and rewards are set by the issuer and may change. Always review the issuer's current terms before applying. Approval is never guaranteed.

See details, rates & fees

Great for thin credit files

Open Path Unsecured Card

3.6Editor rating

Editorial score from our team. Consumer reviews are not available for this offer.

Rewards rate
1% cash back
Annual fee
$49
Welcome bonus
None
Estimated value
  • Unsecured card that reports to all three bureaus
  • Designed for limited or no credit history
  • Credit line increases after on-time payments
Rewards
1% cash back
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$49
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
29.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit score requirement
Limited / no history
Balance transfer fee
Not offered

Benefits

  • Unsecured card that reports to all three bureaus
  • Designed for limited or no credit history
  • Credit line increases after on-time payments
  • Credit monitoring tools
  • Payment reminders
  • Card freeze in the app

Redemption

Cash back posts as a statement credit.

Important terms

Rates, fees and rewards are set by the issuer and may change. Always review the issuer's current terms before applying. Approval is never guaranteed.