Secured credit cards
We recommend these cards from our partners.
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.
Great for access to credit††
Great for access to credit††
First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$200RefundableRegular purchase APR
18.74%* VariableAnnual fee
$39Rewards rate
1%Cash back
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
18.74%* Variable
Annual fee
$39
Rewards rate
1% Cash back
- Build, Strengthen, Or Rebuild Your Credit Starting with a $200 Deposit.¹
- Get a First Progress Select Card and Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards!
Great for access to credit††
Great for access to credit††
OpenSky® Secured Credit Visa® Card
Min. deposit
$200RefundableRegular purchase APR
21.89%* VariableAnnual fee
$35
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
21.89%* Variable
Annual fee
$35
- No credit check to apply. Zero credit risk to apply!
- Extend your $200 credit line by getting considered for an unsecured credit line increase after 6 months - no additional deposit required!
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$49, $99 or $200RefundableRegular purchase APR
29.99% (Variable)Annual fee
$0
Min. deposit
$49, $99 or $200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
29.99% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0
- No credit score required to apply, but may be used if available
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Great for establishing a credit history††
Great for establishing a credit history††
First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$200RefundableRegular purchase APR
24.74%* VariableAnnual fee
$29
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
24.74%* Variable
Annual fee
$29
- Build, Strengthen, Or Rebuild Your Credit Starting with a $200 Deposit.¹
- No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
Great for access to credit††
Great for access to credit††
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$200RefundableRegular purchase APR
14.74%* VariableAnnual fee
$49Rewards rate
1%Cash back
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
14.74%* Variable
Annual fee
$49
Rewards rate
1% Cash back
- You Aren't Stuck with Bad Credit. Start Rebuilding with a First Progress Prestige Credit Card!¹
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments made to your First Progress Prestige Secured credit card account.
Great for access to credit††
Great for access to credit††
Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$200RefundableRegular purchase APR
21.95%* VariableAnnual fee
$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
21.95%* 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.
Great for credit limit increases††
Great for credit limit increases††
Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$200RefundableRegular purchase APR
21.95%* VariableAnnual fee
$36 the first year. Billed $3 per month thereafter
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
21.95%* 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
Great for building credit††
Great for building credit††
Assent Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$200RefundableRegular purchase APR
28.74%* VariableAnnual fee
$0
Min. deposit
$200 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
28.74%* Variable
Annual fee
$0
- Get started with a refundable deposit as low as $200 – No Credit Inquiry Required!
- Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card; Try our new Mobile App!
First Latitude Platinum Mastercard Secured Credit Card
Min. deposit
$100 refundable security depositRefundableRegular purchase APR
23.99%* VariableAnnual fee
$25 the first year, $35 subsequentlyRewards rate
1%Cash back
Min. deposit
$100 refundable security deposit Refundable
Regular purchase APR
23.99%* Variable
Annual fee
$25 the first year, $35 subsequently
Rewards rate
1% Cash back
- Overcome Poor Credit with First Latitude. Just $100 Can Brighten Your Credit Outlook!
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments made to your First Latitude Secured credit card account!
OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card
Min. deposit
$300RefundableRegular purchase APR
29.24%* VariableAnnual fee
$0
Min. deposit
$300 Refundable
Regular purchase APR
29.24%* Variable
Annual fee
$0
- No annual fee
- No credit check to apply. Find out instantly if you are approved- Zero credit risk to apply!
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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.