Hear from our editors: Best starter credit cards of June 2026
Updated June 18, 2026
This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Written by: Gaby Lapera
Edited by: Matt Carney, Editor, Credit & Debt
Key Takeaway: The best first credit cards offer clear paths to establish and build credit without charging high fees. If you’re a student, it’s best to start your search with a student credit card. For others, you might set yourself up for better long-term success with a secured card than with an unsecured card, if you can afford the security deposit.
If you’re new to credit, your credit card options can be limited. Whether you’re a college student, a young professional or someone else who hasn’t yet had a chance to build credit, these starter credit cards can help you build credit from scratch with little in the way of fuss or fees.
- Best for encouraging good credit habits: Chase Freedom Rise®
- Best for rotating cash back categories: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best secured card for beginners: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Best for a limited credit history: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for cash back for students: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for encouraging good credit habits: Chase Freedom Rise®
Here’s why: This card encourages good credit habits by offering incentives for on-time payments, which are a key factor in your credit scores. Plus, it comes with decent rewards and doesn’t charge an annual fee.
Learn more about Chase Freedom Rise®.
Best for rotating cash back categories: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Here’s why: This is a good option for students, with a good rewards rate on rotating quarterly categories. Just remember: You have to activate the higher rewards rate every quarter.
Read more about Discover it® Student Cash Back.
Best secured card for beginners: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Here’s why: This secured card doesn’t have a ton of frills, but you might be able to put down a refundable security deposit as low as $49 for a starting credit line of $200. Plus, there’s no annual fee.
Learn more about the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card.
Best for a limited credit history: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Here’s why: Capital One says this card is for people with fair credit. You’ll have to pay a $39 annual fee, but the solid rewards rate can help offset that.
If you’re on the fence, learn more about Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Best for cash back for students: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Here’s why: This card is exclusively for students pursuing a higher education. If you qualify for the card, you’ll earn an unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and dining and 1% back on everything else.
Learn more about the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.
What is the best credit card for a beginner?
The best credit card for a beginner is the one that you can qualify for, even with limited credit history, and that will let you start building your credit. These starter cards may not be as impressive as some of the rewards cards you might qualify for once your credit is in better shape, but they’ll help you work toward that goal as long as you stay on top of your payments.
Make sure you pay your bill on time every month. Set up automatic payments or at least a reminder to ensure you don’t forget. If possible, pay the bill in full to avoid interest charges.
Also, keep your balance low relative to the card’s credit limit. Your credit utilization rate, which is the percentage of your limit you’re using at any given time, is an important factor in your credit health. The lower it is, the better.
How to choose your first credit card
Applying for a credit card can be daunting. But if you’re having trouble choosing a card, think about comparing the features that cards offer to help you decide. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding which card is right for you.
- Annual fee — Some beginner cards charge annual fees. Beginner cards generally don’t have a lot of bells and whistles, so look for cards that can justify the cost of this fee through enticing features like rewards, purchase protection or fraud coverage.
- APR — Beginner cards can have high APRs. If you plan to pay off your balance in full each month, you can avoid paying an expensive APR. But if you carry a balance, these charges can add up quickly.
- Rewards — Many beginner cards have no rewards. If you get a card that offers rewards, you’re likely trading off elsewhere — you may have to pay an annual fee, for example.
- Security deposit — If you’re considering a secured card, make sure you’re comfortable with the security deposit cost and requirements. It’s also a good idea to look for a card that will upgrade you to an unsecured card — and return your deposit — if you demonstrate positive credit behavior like paying your bills on time.
How to make the most of first credit cards
You likely won’t get a big sign-up bonus or elite benefits with your first credit card, but you’ll get an opportunity to learn healthy credit behaviors and establish your credit history. The sooner you start working on building your credit, the sooner you’ll be able to qualify for more-lucrative offerings with other credit card issuers or qualify for lower interest rates on other financial products like loans.
As you use your card, work on keeping your balance low by not using it for every purchase you make or by making multiple payments throughout the month. A credit utilization rate below 30% is generally a good thing for your credit scores. And the lower, the better.
Also, paying your bill on time every month is critical. Consider setting up automatic payments to avoid accidentally forgetting. And if you do miss a payment, pay as quickly as possible, because late payments are usually reported to the major credit bureaus once they’re 30 days late.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about the high interest rates on some of these cards, other than taking advantage of the grace period each month to avoid interest charges.
As you work on these aspects of your credit, you’ll be on the right path toward excellent credit health.
How we picked these cards
Getting a good credit card when you’re new to credit or have a limited credit history isn’t easy. As we researched the best first credit cards, we looked at various features, including fees, rewards and incentives designed specifically to help you build credit.
We also focused more on unsecured credit cards, which don’t require that you put down a security deposit in order to qualify. We still listed a secured card for people who are having a hard time getting an unsecured card, and we chose that one in particular because of its deposit requirements.
FAQs about starter credit cards
Is no credit the same as bad credit?
Having no credit is not the same as having bad credit — though sometimes it can feel similar when it comes to gaining access to financial products.
If you have no credit history, there’s no way to generate credit scores or reports for you, which could result in what’s called a “thin” credit file. Because there’s little to no credit history for lenders to see, it’s harder for them to decide whether lending you money is worth the risk.
When you have bad credit, lenders can see past your credit history, including any problems on your records that might make you a riskier bet in terms of lending. If you have bad credit, you may want to focus on raising your scores before applying for new products.
Does applying for a credit card hurt your credit if you don’t have credit?
Applying for a credit card can trigger a hard inquiry, which will temporarily cause your credit scores to drop a few points — regardless of whether your application is approved or denied.
It’s unclear how credit card applications affect people with no credit, but it’s wise to approach each new card application with caution.
How can a beginner build credit with a credit card?
To build credit with a credit card, start by using it for small, consistent purchases only, like groceries or gas station purchases. Then, be sure to pay your bill on time each month. These steps will help you establish a positive payment history while keeping your credit utilization low, allowing you to build credit over time.
How do you get credit with no credit history?
You have a few options to start building your credit from scratch, including being added to an existing credit account (say from a relative with good credit). You can also try to apply for a specific credit-building product or a credit card that’s typically easier to be approved for, like a secured card (which requires collateral) or a retail card. Check out the terms and conditions carefully before applying for any financial product — and remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to credit.
How long does it take to build credit history?
It typically takes at least three to six months to generate a credit score for the first time, and it can take even longer to build your scores into the good or excellent category.
Can you get a credit card if you never worked?
Having a job isn’t a prerequisite for qualifying for a credit card, but card issuers are required to check that you have the ability to repay your debts. If you have income without a job, lenders will take that into account when considering your application.
