In the United States, a good credit score makes it easier to qualify for better credit cards, lower interest rates, rental approvals, and even job offers. On the flip side, poor credit can result in missed opportunities and higher costs when seeking car loans, mortgages, and more. 

If you have poor credit or are just getting started, now is the perfect time to build your credit. With modern technology, credit building is easier and more accessible than ever before.

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‍What are the top 7 credit-building apps in 2025?

1. Firstcard - Firstcard is a secured credit builder card and credit building platform that helps everyone build credit no matter who they are, where they are from, or their credit history. There’s 0% APR, no locked deposits, and no credit limit – what you deposit is what you can spend. Firstard reports to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and helps users build credit over time as they make on-time payments. Members can build credit, open a credit card and a bank account, earn cashback, and grow savings with up to 4% APY. On average, Firstcard has helped users with bad credit increase their score by 52+ points in just three months. There are no hard credit checks or SSN required for approval.

• Self - The Self Visa® Credit Card makes building credit simple and secure — backed by your own money and designed to help you grow your financial confidence one payment at a time. Every on-time payment helps build your credit history and could bring you closer to achieving your financial goals. Limited Time Only $0 Intro Annual Fee for the 1st Year with the secured Self Visa® Credit Card. No credit check, high approval rates, fast application!

• Kikoff - Kikoff helps people with little or no credit to improve credit score with a credit-building account that reports on-time payments to major credit bureaus without interest or late fees. You pay a low subscription (starting around ~$5/month) and make monthly payments on that account, which can help strengthen payment history and, over time, credit age — two of the biggest factors in your FICO® score.
• ‍Lexington Law - Lexington Law Firm has represented millions of people since 2004. Their app gives you 24/7 access to the credit repair process, allowing you to monitor progress, track disputes, and stay informed every step of the way. If you’re struggling with bad credit and want help, Lexington Law will analyze your credit reports and assist you in identifying inaccurate negative items that may be challenged with the bureaus and creditors, which could help improve your score.

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• Chime - offers the Chime Credit Builder Card, a secured credit card that builds your credit as you use it and make on-time payments. It reports to all three major bureaus and doesn’t charge interest or annual fees, and it doesn’t require a hard credit check to qualify. What separates Chime from many other apps is its integration into a broader digital banking experience. You can manage checking, saving, and credit building all in one app.
• Ava - The Ava credit build card helps users improve their credit score responsibly through a simple, easy-to-use platform. Your account may have a credit limit of up to $2,500. You can use your Spend Limit at 60+ Ava-approved online merchants (for example, Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime). With built-in progress tracking and goal setting, Ava turns credit building into a guided, manageable process.
• Dovly - Dovly AI Build is a credit-building feature within the Dovly app that helps users increase their credit scores fast — with no interest, no spending, and no hard credit check. It adds a $2,000 tradeline and reports monthly to Experian, targeting the key factors that drive 80% of your score: payment history and utilization. Most members see a 60-point boost in just one month, and it’s free with Dovly AI's Premium plan.

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What is a good credit score?

In the U.S. is the FICO® Score is widely used and ranges from 300 to 850. Scores are calculated based on factors such as payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, types of credit used, and new credit inquiries. A higher score indicates lower risk to lenders, which can lead to better loan terms and lower interest rates.

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FICO has five credit score ranges:

Poor — 300 to 579

Fair — 580 to 669

Good — 670 to 739

Very Good — 740 to 799

Excellent — 800 to 850

As shown above, a good credit score is anything above 670.

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How can I increase my credit score in 2025?

In 2025, there are many ways to build or improve your credit. One of the more convenient ways is through credit-building apps. These apps are designed with tools to make credit building quicker, safer, and easier than ever before. They provide a convenient solutions that help users to build, rebuild, and monitor their credit often while earning rewards.

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How Can a Credit-Building App Help Me Build Credit?

No matter your current credit score, a credit-building app can help you take control of your financial future and move closer to your goals. These apps support credit growth in several key ways:

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Credit reporting tools:

Some credit-building apps work by reporting new tradelines or alternative data to the credit bureaus. For example, Dovly AI Build adds a $2,000 tradeline to your credit file and reports monthly to Experian, focusing on the core factors that influence your score—payment history and utilization. Similarly, Experian Boost helps you build credit by including recurring payments like rent, utilities, and streaming services in your credit report. These tools give you credit for bills you already pay, helping improve your score without taking on new debt.

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Credit-building financial products:

Apps like Firstcard offer access to credit cards and bank accounts with built-in credit-building features. With Firstcard, users can apply with an ITIN, passport, or visa—no SSN or credit check required. Every purchase helps build credit when payments are made on time. These types of products make credit accessible to people who may be locked out of traditional systems.

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Credit monitoring and education:

Understanding your credit is just as important as building it. Platforms like myFICO allow you to view your full credit report from all three major bureaus and simulate how different actions, such as paying off debt or applying for new credit, could impact your score. Apps like Lexington Law go a step further by identifying inaccurate or negative items and managing the dispute process to help improve your credit over time. This combination of education and action provides a well-rounded approach to credit improvement.

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By using the right credit-building app, you gain tools to build, track, and protect your credit, no matter where you start.

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Other ways to build credit

Credit-building apps are incredibly helpful for boosting your credit but aren’t the only option. There are several alternative methods that can help improve your score and strengthen your credit profile over time.

• Add yourself as an authorized user: You can ask a family member or trusted friend to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. If the primary cardholder maintains a positive payment history and low balance, this activity can appear on your credit report and help raise your score.
• Pay off past-due balances: Unpaid bills that reach collections often lead to long-term damage to your credit report. Addressing outstanding debts as soon as possible may limit further harm and can contribute to long-term score improvement.
• Apply for a secured credit card: A secured credit card requires a cash deposit as collateral and works like a regular credit card while reporting your payments to the credit bureaus. Choosing the right card matters, which is why we created a guide to the 10 best secured credit cards in 2026 for building credit safely and effectively. A secured credit card, like Firstcard, requires a cash deposit as collateral. It operates like a regular credit card and reports monthly activity to the credit bureaus. Responsible use can help establish or rebuild your credit history over time.
• Review your credit reports and check for errors: Mistakes such as inaccurate balances, duplicate accounts, or outdated information may lower your score unfairly. You can access free credit reports weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com and submit disputes directly to the bureaus to correct inaccurate data.
• Use a credit builder card: A credit builder card is designed specifically for people with no credit or bad credit. These cards typically offer higher approval rates, low fees, and automatic reporting to the credit bureaus when you make on-time payments. Because features and costs vary, choosing the right one matters — which is why we created a comparison of the 3 best credit builder cards to help you find the option that fits your situation.
• Keep your credit utilization ratio low: Using too much of your available credit can negatively impact your score. Aim to keep your credit usage below 30% of your total limit to show that you can manage credit wisely.
• Work with a credit repair company: If your credit report contains errors or negative items that don’t belong to you, a credit repair service can help dispute them on your behalf. These companies review your credit reports, challenge inaccurate information with the bureaus, and track your progress over time. To help you choose a reputable provider, we created a guide to the 5 best credit repair companies based on transparency, pricing, and customer support.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you need to establish credit from scratch, rebuild your credit after setbacks, or improve your score, these credit-building apps provide the tools and support to help you take the next step. Firstcard, Self, Kikoff, Lexington Law, Ava, Dovly, and each offer unique tools to address your individual credit needs. By making the decision to improve your credit and choosing the right solution, you take an important step towards better credit and greater opportunities.