Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2026

Getting a credit card with bad credit can be difficult, but you still have options. The best credit cards for bad credit can give you access to credit while helping you establish a stronger payment history. Secured cards are often a good starting point because they require a refundable deposit, while some unsecured cards are available without one.

Below, we compare the top options based on fees, deposits, rewards, credit reporting, and credit-building potential.

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit: Our Top Picks

Credit Card	Best For	Type	Annual Fee	Deposit
Capital One Platinum Secured	Low-cost credit rebuilding	Secured	$0	$49, $99 or $200 minimum
Discover it® Secured	Rewards while rebuilding	Secured	$0	$49, $99 or $200 minimum
Capital One Quicksilver Secured	Cash back	Secured	$0	$200 minimum
Self Visa® Secured	Lower starting deposit	Secured	$0 first year, then $25	Starting at $100
OpenSky® Secured Visa®	Limited credit options	Secured	$35	Starting at $200

Terms, fees, deposit requirements, rewards and approval criteria can change. Always verify current terms with the issuer before applying.

1. Capital One Platinum Secured

Best for: Low-cost credit rebuilding

The Capital One Platinum Secured stands out for its $0 annual fee and flexible refundable deposit. Depending on creditworthiness, the required deposit can be $49, $99 or $200 for an initial credit line of at least $200.

Capital One reports the account to all three major credit bureaus. Responsible use may also lead to a higher credit limit without requiring an additional deposit, and the account may eventually be eligible for an upgrade.

Pros

• $0 annual fee
• Deposit can be less than the initial credit line
• Reports to three major credit bureaus
• Potential credit-line growth
• Potential upgrade to an unsecured card

Cons

• Requires a refundable deposit
• High variable APR
• No rewards program

Best for: Someone who wants a low-cost secured card from a major issuer while rebuilding credit.

2. Discover it® Secured

Best for: Rewards while rebuilding credit

Discover it® Secured combines credit-building features with cash-back rewards. The refundable deposit can start at $49, depending on creditworthiness, with a minimum $200 credit line.

There is no annual fee, and the card earns 5% cash back in rotating categories when activated, up to the applicable quarterly limit, plus 1% on other purchases. Discover reports the account to all three major credit bureaus and may review the account for an opportunity to return the deposit and transition to an unsecured card.

Pros

• $0 annual fee
• Cash-back rewards
• Refundable deposit
• Three-bureau reporting
• Potential upgrade opportunity

Cons

• Requires a deposit
• Rotating rewards require activation
• Approval is not guaranteed

Best for: Consumers who want rewards while rebuilding their credit.

3. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

Best for: Simple cash back

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card is designed for people who want a secured card without giving up rewards. It generally requires a $200 refundable security deposit.

The card offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, providing a simple rewards structure. Like other credit-building cards, responsible use can help establish positive credit history when the account is properly reported.

Pros

• $0 annual fee
• 1.5% cash back
• Refundable deposit
• Credit-building potential
• Potential credit-line growth

Cons

• Requires a security deposit
• High APR makes carrying a balance expensive
• Approval is not guaranteed

Best for: Someone who wants straightforward cash back while rebuilding credit.

4. Self Visa® Secured

Best for: Lower starting deposit

The Self Visa® Secured Credit Card can be useful if you want to start with a smaller deposit. The deposit can start at $100, although eligibility and account requirements apply.

The card is designed around credit building and reports account activity to the major credit bureaus. However, compare the complete fee structure before applying, including the annual fee after the first year and any other applicable charges.

Pros

• Lower potential starting deposit
• Designed for credit building
• Reports to major credit bureaus

Cons

• Annual fee after the first year
• Additional fees may apply
• No major rewards program

Best for: Consumers who prioritize a lower initial deposit.

5. OpenSky® Secured Visa®

Best for: Applicants who may struggle with traditional credit checks

OpenSky is notable because its secured card does not rely on a traditional credit check in the same way many conventional cards do. That can make it an option for consumers with particularly damaged credit.

The card generally requires a refundable deposit starting around $200 and reports to the three major credit bureaus.

The trade-off is cost. Compare its annual fee and other charges against lower-cost secured alternatives before applying.

Pros

• No traditional credit check
• Three-bureau reporting
• Refundable deposit
• Designed for credit rebuilding

Cons

• Annual fee
• Requires a deposit
• Other fees may apply

Best for: Applicants who have difficulty qualifying for traditional credit cards.

Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit

A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit. The deposit acts as collateral and may determine or influence your credit limit.

An unsecured credit card does not require a security deposit. However, cards designed for bad credit can sometimes charge higher fees or APRs.

For many consumers with bad credit, a low-fee secured card can be a better starting point than a fee-heavy unsecured card. The key is to compare the total cost, not simply whether a deposit is required.

How Do Credit Cards for Bad Credit Help Rebuild Credit?

The process is simple:

Open the card → use it responsibly → issuer reports activity → pay on time → keep balances manageable → build positive credit history.

Look for cards that report to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Three-bureau reporting gives your responsible account activity an opportunity to appear on all three major credit reports.

Remember, the security deposit itself does not build credit. Your payment and account management behavior does.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Bad Credit

Before applying, compare these five things:

1. Annual and Other Fees

A $0 annual fee can make a card much easier to keep long term. Also check for monthly, account-opening and other fees.

2. Security Deposit

Compare deposits carefully. A refundable $200 deposit is very different from a $200 nonrefundable fee.

3. APR

Bad-credit cards can have high APRs. If possible, pay your statement balance in full to avoid unnecessary interest.

4. Credit-Bureau Reporting

Choose a card that reports to all three major credit bureaus if your primary goal is rebuilding credit.

5. Upgrade or Credit-Line Growth

An eventual upgrade to an unsecured card or an opportunity for a higher credit limit can make a rebuilding card more useful over time.

Can You Get a Credit Card With a 500 Credit Score?

Possibly. A 500 FICO Score is generally considered Poor, but there is no universal minimum score for every bad-credit card.

A secured card may be worth considering because the refundable deposit reduces the issuer’s risk. However, no card guarantees approval. Issuers can also consider income, debt, credit history and other application information.

How to Use a Credit Card to Rebuild Credit

Getting approved is only the beginning.

• Pay every bill on time.
• Keep your balances manageable.
• Pay the statement balance in full when possible.
• Avoid applying for many cards at once.
• Monitor your credit reports for errors.

You do not need to carry a balance or pay interest to build credit.

For example, with a $500 credit limit, a $100 reported balance represents 20% utilization. Keeping spending affordable and paying the balance on time is more important than trying to maximize rewards.

What to Avoid With Bad Credit

Be especially careful with:

• Guaranteed-approval claims
• Extremely high annual or monthly fees
• Large account-opening fees
• Very small credit limits with expensive charges
• Multiple applications in a short period
• Cards that do not meaningfully report to major credit bureaus
• Carrying expensive debt simply to build credit

A card that is easy to obtain is not automatically a good card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best credit card for bad credit?

For many consumers, the best option is a low-fee secured card that reports to all three major credit bureaus. Capital One Platinum Secured and Discover it® Secured are strong examples because of their $0 annual fees and credit-building features.

What is the easiest credit card to get with bad credit?

There is no universally easiest card because approval depends on your individual profile. Secured cards can be easier for some applicants because the security deposit reduces the issuer’s risk.

Can I get a credit card with no credit check?

Some secured cards may not use a traditional credit check. However, no-credit-check does not mean guaranteed approval, and other eligibility requirements can still apply.

Do secured credit cards build credit?

Yes, they can. If the issuer reports the account and you pay on time, responsible account management can help establish positive credit history.

Does carrying a balance build credit?

No. You do not need to carry debt or pay interest to build credit. Paying your statement balance in full is generally preferable when you can afford to do so.

How long does it take to rebuild credit?

There is no guaranteed timeline. Some changes, such as reducing high utilization, can affect your credit profile sooner, while building a strong payment history takes consistent responsible behavior over time.

Final Verdict: Which Card Should You Choose?

The best credit cards for bad credit depend on what matters most to you:

• Want low ongoing costs? → Capital One Platinum Secured
• Want rewards while rebuilding? → Discover it® Secured
• Want simple cash back? → Capital One Quicksilver Secured
• Need a lower starting deposit? → Self Visa® Secured
• Have difficulty with traditional credit checks? → OpenSky® Secured Visa®

For most people rebuilding credit, the goal should not be to find the card with the easiest approval. Choose an affordable card, make payments on time, keep balances manageable, and give your credit profile time to improve.

Read Also:-Best Credit Cards for Rewards in 2026