If you're starting from scratch, the Chase Freedom Rise and Discover it Secured are two of the most popular beginner credit cards. Both help you build credit. Both are issued by major banks. But they work very differently — and one might be a better fit for your situation.
Here's a side-by-side comparison. (For a broader survey of the secured card landscape, our Capital One Secured credit card review covers a third popular starter option.)
Card Features at a Glance
Chase Freedom Rise is an unsecured starter card. No security deposit required. Earns 1.5% cashback on all purchases. Designed for people with limited or no credit history. Typically requires a Chase checking or savings account.
Discover it Secured is a secured card. You put down a refundable deposit ($200–$2,500) that becomes your credit limit. Earns 2% cashback on gas and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter combined), 1% on everything else. Discover matches all the cashback you earn in your first year.
Approval Requirements
The Freedom Rise targets people with a thin credit file — meaning you have little or no credit history. Chase looks more favorably on applicants who already bank with them. There's no published minimum credit score, but most approvals are for people with no credit, not bad credit.
The Discover it Secured is easier to get if you have damaged credit. Because it's secured by your deposit, Discover takes on less risk. They approve people with credit scores below 600 and even those who've recently filed for bankruptcy.
Deposit and Credit Limit
Freedom Rise requires no deposit. Starting credit limits are usually $300–$500.
Discover it Secured requires a deposit equal to your credit limit. Put down $500, you get a $500 limit. The deposit is refundable when you close the account or graduate to an unsecured card.
If you don't have $200+ saved up, Freedom Rise is the practical winner. If you do have the cash, Discover gives you control over your credit limit. For a third option that earns flat-rate cash back on top of credit-building, our Capital One Quicksilver Secured review covers the 1.5% earning version.
Rewards and Cashback
Freedom Rise: flat 1.5% on everything. Simple.
Discover it Secured: 2% on gas and restaurants (capped), 1% elsewhere — plus a first-year cashback match. If you spend $200/month at gas stations and restaurants, that's roughly $48/year in extra rewards before the match.
For most beginner spenders, Discover earns more in year one because of the match.
Path to Better Cards
Both cards "graduate" to better products with responsible use:
- Freedom Rise users often get upgraded to the regular Chase Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex after 12 months.
- Discover it Secured automatically reviews your account at month 7. If you've made on-time payments and kept utilization low, they refund your deposit and convert you to an unsecured Discover it card.
Both report to all three credit bureaus, which is critical for building your credit score. Our broader playbook on how to build credit without going into debt walks through the debt-free habits that pair best with either card.
What If Neither Card Fits?
If you can't qualify for either the Freedom Rise (requires some banking history with Chase) or the Discover it Secured (requires $200+ for a deposit), Self's Credit Builder Account offers an alternative path forward — pairing a small secured credit card with a savings program that reports to all three bureaus, so you can start rebuilding immediately.
Which One Should You Pick?
- Pick Chase Freedom Rise if: You already bank with Chase, you have no credit history (not bad credit), and you don't have $200+ for a deposit.
- Pick Discover it Secured if: You have damaged credit, you can afford the deposit, and you want maximum cashback in year one.
The Bottom Line
Both cards are excellent starter options. Chase Freedom Rise wins on no-deposit convenience for credit newcomers. Discover it Secured wins on rewards and accessibility for people rebuilding from bad credit.
Whichever you pick, the strategy is the same: keep utilization under 30%, pay your statement in full every month, and never miss a due date. Do that for a year and you'll qualify for far better cards.
Learn more about secured credit card basics before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the key difference between Chase Freedom Rise and Discover it Secured? A: Chase Freedom Rise requires no deposit (unsecured). Discover it Secured requires a refundable deposit equal to your limit (secured). Freedom Rise is easier to qualify for if you have no credit. Discover is easier if you have bad credit.
Q: What deposit does Discover it Secured require? A: You choose your deposit between $200 and $2,500. That amount becomes your credit limit. The deposit is refundable when you close the card or graduate to an unsecured version, usually after 7+ months of on-time payments.
Q: Does Chase Freedom Rise require a deposit? A: No. Chase Freedom Rise is an unsecured card, so there's no deposit requirement. You get an initial credit limit of $300–$500 based on your creditworthiness. Having a Chase checking account improves your approval odds.
Q: Which card has better rewards, Freedom Rise or Discover it Secured? A: Discover it Secured earns 2% on gas and restaurants (capped at $1,000/quarter), plus a first-year match. Freedom Rise earns flat 1.5% on everything. Discover typically earns more in your first year, but Freedom Rise is simpler.
Q: Which card should I choose if I have bad credit? A: Discover it Secured is usually the better choice for damaged credit because it's secured by a deposit, making approval easier even for those with scores below 600. Chase Freedom Rise targets credit newcomers, not those rebuilding bad credit.
