March 22, 2026
The 10 Best Secured Credit Cards (2026)
Updated March 2026
Looking for the best secured credit card in 2026? If you're searching for the best secured credit card, you're likely looking for a high approval rate, no credit check, and a fast way to build your credit score.
A secured credit card can help you build credit, but not all secured credit cards work the same way. Some secured cards require a refundable security deposit. Others let you use your own money with no locked deposit. Some secured credit cards offer rewards, while others charge monthly or annual fees.
In this guide, we handpicked the 10 best secured credit cards for 2026 and compared their fees, required deposits, APRs, credit check requirements, and who each secured credit card is best for.
What Is a Secured Credit Card?
A secured credit card is a credit card that uses money you provide as "security" for the account. In many cases, that money becomes a refundable security deposit, and the deposit amount sets your credit limit.
Some modern "secured credit builder" cards work differently. They may not lock a deposit at all. Instead, the amount you add to the account becomes the amount you can spend, and you can withdraw unspent funds. Firstcard uses this approach and also has no minimum deposit requirement.
How Can a Secured Credit Card Help Me Build Credit?
If you have no credit or a low credit score, you may have trouble getting approved for a regular, unsecured credit card. A secured credit card is designed to solve this problem.
A secured credit card does not rely on your credit score alone. Instead, the card is backed by your own money, either through a refundable security deposit or a linked account balance. When you make on-time payments and keep your balance low, your secured credit card helps establish positive payment history on your credit report.
For people who have been denied a regular credit card, a secured credit card offers a realistic path forward. Not sure where your credit journey begins? Learn about what your credit score starts at as a first-time builder.
How to Pick the Best Secured Credit Card
Choosing the best secured credit card depends on more than just the deposit. When comparing a secured credit card, focus on these key factors:
- Total cost of the secured credit card. Do not look at the annual fee alone. Some secured credit cards charge monthly membership fees, subscription fees, or other hidden costs.
- Secured credit card deposit rules. Check the minimum deposit required and whether the deposit stays locked.
- APR and interest rates. If you plan to carry a balance, the APR matters. A high APR can become expensive over time.
- Credit check requirements. Many people choose a secured credit card to avoid a hard credit pull.
- Rewards and perks. Some secured credit cards offer cash back or other perks.
How to Apply for a Secured Credit Card
- Pick a card.
- Apply online and go through KYC (Know Your Customer) process.
- Subscribe to a plan or pay an annual fee (if required).
- Fund the deposit (if required).
- Activate the card.
- Set up autopay.
Pros and Cons of Secured Credit Cards
Pros
- Higher approval odds than many unsecured cards, since the issuer has collateral or a controlled spend model.
- Can help establish positive payment history when the issuer reports to bureaus.
- Can limit overspend risk when your limit equals your deposit.
Cons
- Many require upfront cash for a deposit, often $200 or more (varies by issuer).
- Fees can add up (annual fees or monthly memberships).
- Some secured cards have high APRs, so carrying a balance can get expensive fast.
Our Picks: The 10 Best Secured Credit Cards (March 2026)
Below are 10 options that people often consider for the best secured credit card in 2026. Each pick includes what makes it stand out, pros and cons, and who it fits best.
1) Firstcard
Why we picked it: Firstcard positions its card as a secured credit card with 0% APR and a subscription cost of $4.99/month, plus no minimum deposit requirement. There is also no credit check. Firstcard also accepts international and immigrant customers without an SSN. If you subscribe to a premium plan, you will also get unlimited 1% cashback.
Pros: 0% APR, no minimum deposit requirement, no credit check, reports to all three credit bureaus, 1% unlimited cashback.
Cons: The annual fee of $144 is on the higher end of credit builder cards.
Best for: People who want no interest and cashback rewards, and immigrants and internationals without an SSN.
2) Self
Why we picked it: We like Self because it offers a comprehensive credit-building ecosystem beyond just a secured credit card. With rent and utility reporting plus a credit-builder loan on top of the secured credit card, Self helps you build a stronger credit mix. Read our full Self Credit Builder Card review for a deeper dive.
Pros: Low minimum deposit ($100), no credit checks, reports to three credit bureaus, offers other credit-building products.
Cons: High APR (27.49%), no rewards, annual fee after year one ($25).
Best for: People who prefer a comprehensive suite of credit-building products, can pay in full each month, and feel fine with an annual fee later.
Self Visa® Credit Card
Start the path to financial freedom.
Fee
$25 (Intro annual fee for new customers (first year): $0)
APR
27.49%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$100
Credit Check
No
Cashback
N/A
Benefit
High approval rates
3) Ava
Why we picked it: Ava stands out because it doesn't require a hard credit check, a cash deposit, or charge interest so you can start building credit without upfront barriers. It reports your on-time payments to all three major credit bureaus. See our full Ava Credit Card Builder review for a detailed breakdown.
Pros: No APR (no interest), no minimum deposit requirements, reports to three credit bureaus.
Cons: No cashback, limited spend use case (subscription payments only).
Best for: People who prefer no interest and no minimum deposit requirement.
Ava Credit Builder Card
Ava gives you access to a suite of credit-building products including Credit Builder Card, Credit Builder Loan, and Rent Reporting. 74% of members seeing an increase in score in the first week.
Fee
$8/mo (annual) or $10/mo (monthly)
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
None
Benefit
Ava reports account activity weekly to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
4) Kikoff
Why we picked it: Kikoff is a strong choice for credit building because it lets you establish a positive payment history and a low utilization profile without a credit check, interest, or hidden fees. Check out our detailed Kikoff review for a closer look.
Pros: No credit check, no interest, low minimum deposit ($50), reports to three credit bureaus.
Cons: No cashback.
Best for: People who prefer a comprehensive suite of credit-building products and no interest.
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card works like a debit card & checking account and performs like a credit builder. Build credit with your everyday purchases.
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
Yes
Benefit
0% interest. No credit check.
Loan Amount
$750-$3,500
Term
12 months
Admin Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$5/month, $20/mo, $35/mo
Average Score Increase
+86 pts on average in a year
5) Current Build Card
Why we picked it: The Current Build Card is one of the most accessible credit builder cards available — it charges $0 in annual fees, 0% APR, requires no minimum deposit, and performs no credit check. It reports to all three bureaus and earns 1 point per dollar on dining and groceries. If total cost is your biggest concern, Current is hard to beat.
Pros: $0 annual fee, 0% APR, no minimum deposit, no credit check, reports to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, 1 point per dollar on dining and groceries.
Cons: Newer brand with less track record than established issuers.
Best for: People who want the absolute lowest-cost entry point into credit building with no fees whatsoever.
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee, 0% APR. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on dining and groceries. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on dining & groceries (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum, no APR
6) OpenSky
Why we picked it: OpenSky is designed for people who want to build or rebuild credit without a credit check. Approval is based on a refundable security deposit. According to OpenSky, users see an average credit score increase of 47 points within six months. Read our OpenSky credit card review for a full breakdown.
Pros: No credit check, minimum deposit $100-$300, rewards up to 10% (program-based).
Cons: High APR (23.89% to 28.24%).
Best for: People who value no credit check, low annual fee, and earning cashback while building credit.
7) Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Why we picked it: Discover it® Secured is one of the best secured credit cards because it helps users build credit while earning real rewards. It reviews accounts after about seven months to see if you qualify for an unsecured card.
Pros: No annual fee, trusted brand, generous cash back rewards.
Cons: Hard inquiry, deposit required (starts at $200).
Best for: People who value earning cash back rewards while building credit with a trusted brand.
8) Bank of America
Why we picked it: With no annual fee and access to Bank of America's full digital banking tools, the Bank of America secured credit card is an ideal choice for people who want stability and a big bank behind them.
Pros: No annual fee, up to $5,000 deposit (larger credit limit), big trusted bank.
Cons: High APR (24.49%), hard inquiry, no cash back.
Best for: People who prefer a large bank and want the option to set a higher secured limit.
9) Chime
Why we picked it: The Chime Card does not require a credit check, which makes it great for people with poor credit or limited credit history. Cardholders can earn 1.5% cash back on rotating categories like gas, groceries, dining, and utility bills.
Pros: No annual fees, no credit check, no interest, no minimum deposit required, 1.5% cash back on rotating categories.
Cons: Many features require qualifying direct deposits.
Best for: People who want to build credit while earning cashback and want a trusted big fintech brand.
10) Capital One
Why we picked it: The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card offers a simple, trusted way to build or rebuild credit with a major bank and no annual fee.
Pros: Flexible low deposit (choose between $49, $99, or $200), big bank.
Cons: High APR (28.99%), hard inquiry when you apply, no cash back.
Best for: Someone who wants a traditional issuer and hopes for a lower deposit requirement.
11) First Progress (Platinum Select Secured)
Why we picked it: The First Progress Secured Credit Card makes building or rebuilding credit straightforward and accessible. It reports to all three major credit bureaus and offers 1% cashback.
Pros: 1% cash back, no credit checks.
Cons: Annual fee ($39), lower APR relative to many secured cards (17.49%).
Best for: Someone who might carry a small balance and wants a lower APR, while still getting some cash back rewards.
FAQs
What is the best secured credit card if I want no credit check?
OpenSky, Chime, Firstcard, and Kikoff all advertise no credit check options. The best choice depends on whether you prefer no interest, low annual fee, or earning cash back.
Does a secured credit card require a $200 deposit?
Many do start at $200, such as Discover and Bank of America. But not all. Self lists a $100 deposit, and some models state no minimum deposit requirement such as Firstcard and Chime.
Will a secured card application hurt my score?
A hard inquiry can cause a small, temporary drop. All the secured credit cards we selected in this article do not perform a hard credit pull, so they will not hurt your credit score.
Which secured credit card has cash back?
Discover it® Secured has the most cash back rewards. Firstcard has unlimited 1% cashback with its Premium Plan. Chime advertises 1.5% cash back in rotating categories with eligibility requirements.
What is the best secured credit card if I worry about interest?
Focus on options that state no interest or 0% APR. Firstcard, Chime, Kikoff, and Ava all offer 0% APR.
Pair Your Secured Card With a Credit Builder Loan
A secured credit card builds revolving credit, but adding an installment account like a credit builder loan creates a stronger, more diverse credit profile. Credit scoring models reward having both types of credit on your report.
If you've been turned down for traditional personal loans, don't worry — credit builder loans are designed for people with no credit or bad credit and typically don't require a credit check. The Cheers Credit Builder Loan offers one of the lowest APRs in the market with no additional fees. Ava also provides a Credit Builder Loan alongside their card, letting you build both account types from a single platform.
Cheers Credit Builder Loan
AI-powered credit builder with accelerated reporting to all 3 bureaus, designed to make credit building simple and affordable.
Loan Amount
Multiple plans (starting at $24/mo)
Term
24 months
APR
12.15% (fixed)
Admin Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Credit Check
No
Average Score Increase
95% of users with fair credit see a 20+ point increase in just 2 months
Ava Credit Builder Loan
Ava gives you access to a suite of credit-building products including Credit Builder Card, Credit Builder Loan, and Rent Reporting. 74% of members seeing an increase in score in the first week.
Loan Amount
$300
Term
12 month
APR
0%
Admin Fee
Origination fee may apply in some states.
Monthly Fee
$8/mo (annual) or $10/mo (monthly)
Credit Check
No
Average Score Increase
74% of Ava members see a credit score improvement in less than 7 days
Final Take
If you want a traditional secured card with a refundable deposit and a big name issuer, Discover, Capital One, and Bank of America would be the best choice. If you want no credit check, OpenSky, Chime, Kikoff, and Firstcard focus on that angle. No matter which best secured credit card you choose, one habit does more than any feature: pay on time, every month.
Struggling with a low score? Here's how to get a credit card with bad credit.
Ma Qing - March 22, 2026
