The Varo Believe Card is a credit-builder product from Varo Bank, a fully digital bank. It's designed for people with no credit, thin credit, or damaged credit who want to build a score without the traditional hurdles of a secured card. Here's what you need to know before signing up. (For a wider survey of debt-free score-building options, see our guide on how to build credit without going into debt.)
Ava Credit Builder Card
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
What the Varo Believe Card Is
The Believe Card is a secured credit card, but it doesn't work like a classic secured card from Discover or Capital One. Instead of putting down a lump-sum security deposit, you link the card to a Varo Bank account and fund a Believe account with any amount you choose.
Your Believe balance acts as your credit limit. Purchases on the card draw from this balance, so you can't overspend or owe Varo money at the end of the month. For a side-by-side with a more traditional deposit-based competitor, our Capital One Secured credit card review covers the trade-offs of the lump-sum-deposit approach.
How It Builds Credit
Each month, Varo reports your card activity to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) as a secured credit line. Because you're using money you already have, your payments are essentially perfect by design — Varo pays the balance automatically from your Believe account.
Perfect payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score. Over time, the Believe Card builds a consistent, positive tradeline on your report.
What It Costs
Varo promotes the Believe Card as having:
- No annual fee.
- No interest (you can't carry a balance).
- No credit check to apply.
- No minimum security deposit.
That's a strong combination for anyone starting from zero. You do need a Varo Bank account to qualify, which means you'll be banking with Varo day to day.
Who It's Best For
The Varo Believe Card is a good fit if:
- You have no credit or bad credit.
- You're uncomfortable committing to a large lump-sum deposit.
- You want to avoid paying interest at all costs.
- You already bank with Varo or are willing to switch.
It's less useful if you want rewards, a high credit line, or a card from a traditional bank you can use internationally. If you want cash back rewards alongside credit building, our Capital One Quicksilver Secured review covers a deposit-based option that earns 1.5% on every purchase.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- No credit check, no interest, no annual fee.
- Fully digital, easy to sign up from your phone.
- Reports to all three credit bureaus.
- Flexible limit based on what you set aside.
Cons:
- Requires a Varo Bank account.
- No rewards.
- You can only spend what's in your Believe balance.
- Less history and reputation than Discover or Capital One secured cards.
How It Compares to Other Credit Builder Cards
The closest competitors are Chime Credit Builder, the Current Build Card, and the Self Visa. All of them use money you already have to build credit without interest.
If you want the most mature and well-reviewed option, Chime has the longest track record. If you already use Varo, the Believe Card is a natural fit. If you're torn, pick the one whose banking app you'll actually use day to day — consistency matters more than features.
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Varo Believe have any annual fees? No. The Varo Believe Card has no annual fee, no interest, and no minimum deposit. You only need a Varo Bank account to get started.
How long does it take to see credit score improvement with Varo Believe? Most users see their first score bump within 1-3 months of on-time use. Significant improvements (50-100+ points) typically take 6-12 months of consistent, perfect payment history.
Can I withdraw my Believe balance as cash? No. Your Believe balance is locked into the card account and can only be used for purchases. You can't withdraw it as cash.
Does Varo Believe report to all three credit bureaus? Yes. Varo reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so your payment history shows up everywhere lenders look.
What happens when I close my Varo account? If you close your account, you lose your Believe Card's reporting benefits. Keep your Varo account open (even if you don't use it daily) to preserve the account age and credit history.
The Bottom Line
The Varo Believe Card is a legitimate, safe way to build credit from zero. It won't earn you rewards, but it also won't charge you interest or fees.
