What Counts as Bad Credit?
A FICO score below 580 is considered “poor” credit. Scores between 580 and 669 are considered “fair.” If your score is in either range, traditional credit cards are usually off the table. But you still have good options for rebuilding your credit.
The best credit cards for bad credit either require a security deposit (secured cards) or are specifically designed for people with limited credit history. Used correctly, they report your on-time payments to the three major credit bureaus and help you build a positive credit history over time.
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2026
1. Discover it Secured Credit Card — Best Overall for Bad Credit
The Discover it Secured is the best card available for people rebuilding credit. It requires a minimum $200 security deposit, which becomes your credit limit. It earns 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations (up to $1,000 combined purchases per quarter) and 1% on everything else.
Annual fee: $0
Security deposit: Minimum $200
Graduation: After 7 months, Discover reviews your account for upgrade to an unsecured card and can return your deposit
Why it stands out: Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year. No other secured card offers this.
2. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card — Best for Low Deposit
The Capital One Platinum Secured allows some applicants to get a $200 credit limit with a deposit of only $49, $99, or $200 depending on creditworthiness. This makes it more accessible if cash is tight.
Annual fee: $0
Security deposit: $49, $99, or $200 for a $200 credit limit
Graduation: Capital One automatically reviews for a higher limit after six months
3. OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card — Best for No Credit Check
OpenSky does not require a credit check to apply. It also does not require a bank account — you fund the deposit by money order or wire transfer. It is one of the only cards available to people with no credit history at all or a history of serious delinquencies.
Annual fee: $35
Security deposit: $200 minimum
Best for: People who have been denied everywhere else or have a bankruptcy on their record
4. Chime Credit Builder Visa — Best for No Security Deposit
Chime Credit Builder is a secured card with a twist: there is no hard credit check and no minimum security deposit. You move money from your Chime spending account into a Credit Builder account, and that becomes your spending limit. Every purchase is paid from that balance, so there is no risk of carrying debt.
Annual fee: $0
Security deposit: None (you fund it yourself)
Best for: People who want to build credit with zero risk of interest charges
Note: Requires a Chime spending account with at least one qualifying deposit.
5. Credit One Bank Platinum Visa — Best Unsecured Option for Fair Credit
The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa is an unsecured card (no deposit required) for people with fair credit. It charges an annual fee and the APR is high, but it gives people in the 580 to 650 score range access to a traditional credit line.
Annual fee: $75 first year, $99 per year after ($8.25/month)
APR: High — pay in full to avoid interest
Cash back: 1% on eligible purchases
Best for: People who need an unsecured card and cannot qualify for a secured card (though secured cards are usually a better deal)
Secured vs. Unsecured Cards for Bad Credit
Secured cards require a cash deposit that serves as your credit limit. They are easier to qualify for and tend to have lower fees than unsecured cards for bad credit.
Unsecured cards for bad credit do not require a deposit but often come with high annual fees and very high interest rates. Unless you have a specific reason to avoid a security deposit, a secured card is almost always the better choice.
How to Use a Credit Card to Rebuild Your Score
The card itself does not rebuild your credit. Your behavior does. Follow these rules:
- Make one small purchase per month. A recurring bill (like a streaming subscription) is perfect.
- Pay the full balance every month before the due date. Never carry a balance. Never miss a payment.
- Keep your utilization below 10%. If your limit is $500, keep your balance below $50 when your statement closes.
- Do not apply for multiple cards at once. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Space applications at least six months apart.
With consistent on-time payments and low utilization, most people see meaningful credit score improvement within six to twelve months.
What Credit Score Do These Cards Help You Build Toward?
Using a secured card responsibly for 12 to 24 months typically lifts a 550 score to 650 to 680. That opens the door to standard credit cards, better loan rates, and approval for apartments without a co-signer.
At 670+, you can apply for cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash and start earning real rewards with no annual fee.
Bottom Line
The best credit card for bad credit in 2026 is the Discover it Secured — no annual fee, cash back rewards, and a clear path to an unsecured card. If you need the lowest possible deposit, the Capital One Platinum Secured is worth a look. If you have been denied everywhere and need a no-credit-check option, OpenSky delivers.
Whichever card you choose, the strategy is the same: pay on time, pay in full, keep utilization low, and give it time. Credit repair is slow, but it is reliable.