Secured credit cards
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CK Editors’ Tips††: Not everyone is willing to pay a security deposit just for access to credit, but that doesn’t mean secured cards are less desirable than unsecured cards when you need to build credit. If you can afford to put down the deposit, these cards can help you work your way up to cards with more features.Read more
What to consider when choosing a secured credit card
Secured cards come with drawbacks, but they can also provide valuable features that you might not be able to find from unsecured credit cards for bad credit. When searching for a secured card, first try to focus on options with a minimum security deposit you can afford. We also recommend you look for cards that offer benefits for on-time payments, like the opportunity to raise your credit or to graduate to an unsecured card. The key is to turn your security deposit into an opportunity, not just a requirement for access to credit.
Secured cards come with drawbacks, but they can also provide valuable features that you might not be able to find from unsecured credit cards for bad credit. When searching for a secured card, first try to focus on options with a minimum security deposit you can afford. We also recommend you look for cards that offer benefits for on-time payments, like the opportunity to raise your credit or to graduate to an unsecured card. The key is to turn your security deposit into an opportunity, not just a requirement for access to credit.
How we picked the best secured credit cards
We chose the best secured credit cards with an eye toward both attainability and usefulness. Because these cards require you to put down a meaningful security deposit, we focused on options that either offered a low minimum deposit (to make it easier to open the card) or a high maximum deposit (to allow you to build credit faster). We also selected cards that feature some sort of bonus in addition to just access to credit. Read more about our methodology for picking the best credit cards.
Jump to editors’ picksWe chose the best secured credit cards with an eye toward both attainability and usefulness. Because these cards require you to put down a meaningful security deposit, we focused on options that either offered a low minimum deposit (to make it easier to open the card) or a high maximum deposit (to allow you to build credit faster). We also selected cards that feature some sort of bonus in addition to just access to credit. Read more about our methodology for picking the best credit cards.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR23.24% Variable
- Annual fee$0
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
23.24% Variable
Annual fee
$0
- The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
- Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
Great for building credit††
Great for building credit††
OpenSky® Secured Credit Visa® Card
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR17.64%*Variable
- Annual fee$35
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
17.64%* Variable
Annual fee
$35
- No credit check to apply and find out instantly if you are approved.
- OpenSky gives everyone an opportunity to improve their credit with an 85% average approval rate for the past 5 years
Great for building credit from scratch††
Great for building credit from scratch††
First Progress Platinum Select MasterCard® Secured Credit Card
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR14.24%*Variable
- Annual fee$39
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
14.24%* Variable
Annual fee
$39
- Receive Your Card More Quickly with New Expedited Processing Option
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Min. deposit$49, $99 or $200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR26.99% (Variable)
- Annual fee$0
Min. deposit
$49, $99 or $200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
26.99% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
Great for building credit from scratch††
Great for building credit from scratch††
First Progress Platinum Prestige MasterCard® Secured Credit Card
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR10.24%*Variable
- Annual fee$49
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
10.24%* Variable
Annual fee
$49
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
- Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $200 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
Great for establishing a credit history††
Great for establishing a credit history††
First Progress Platinum Elite MasterCard® Secured Credit Card
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR20.24%*Variable
- Annual fee$29
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
20.24%* Variable
Annual fee
$29
- Quick and Complete Online Application – No Credit Inquiry Required!
- Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card; Try our new Mobile App for Android users!
Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Visa®
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR17.70%*Variable
- Annual fee$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
17.70%* Variable
Annual fee
$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
- Put down $200, which becomes your credit line. Then, if you qualify, double your credit line to $400 without making another deposit.
- Double your $200 credit line by making at least your minimum payment on time each month for the first 7 months your account is open.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR23.24% Variable
- Annual fee$0
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
23.24% Variable
Annual fee
$0
- No credit score required to apply.*
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit with responsible use.
Capital One® Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR26.99% (Variable)
- Annual feeNone
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
26.99% (Variable)
Annual fee
None
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
Great for building credit††
Great for building credit††
Merrick Bank Secured Visa®
- Min. deposit$200Refundable
- Regular purchase APR17.70%*Variable
- Annual fee$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
17.70%* Variable
Annual fee
$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
- Choose your own credit line based on how much money you want to put down as a security deposit.
- Initial deposits can be from $200 to $3,000. You can increase your credit line at any time by adding additional money to your security deposit, up to $3,000.
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†† The opinions you read here come from our editorial team. Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors' opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when it’s posted.