Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you apply through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Building credit takes time, but the right card makes it much easier. Whether you are starting from zero or recovering from past mistakes, there is a credit card designed to help you get there.
We rounded up the best credit cards for building credit in 2026. These cards are approachable, fair, and designed to help you build a strong score.
Information current as of May 2026.
Best Credit Cards for Building Credit 2026 at a Glance
| Card | Type | Annual Fee | Security Deposit | Reports to Bureaus | Earns Rewards? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Secured | Secured | $0 | $200 minimum | All 3 | Yes (2% / 1%) |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | Secured | $0 | $49–$200 | All 3 | No |
| OpenSky Secured Visa | Secured | $35 | $200 minimum | All 3 | No |
| Chime Credit Builder | Secured (no hard pull) | $0 | Amount you move in | All 3 | No |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student | Student | $0 | None | All 3 | 1.5% cash back |
| Petal 2 Visa | Unsecured / fair credit | $0 | None | All 3 | Up to 1.5% cash back |
| Credit One Bank Platinum Visa | Unsecured / fair credit | $75 first year | None | All 3 | 1% on select purchases |
1. Discover it Secured Credit Card
The Discover it Secured is the gold standard for credit builders. It is a secured card, meaning you put down a deposit that becomes your credit limit. But unlike most secured cards, this one earns real cash back: 2% at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter) and 1% on everything else.
After seven months, Discover automatically reviews your account to see if you qualify to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back. The card also comes with Discover’s Cashback Match in the first year, doubling all the cash back you earn.
Pros: Earns cash back. No annual fee. Automatic upgrade review. Reports to all three bureaus.
Cons: Requires a $200 deposit. Discover accepted less widely internationally.
Best for: Anyone building or rebuilding credit who wants to earn rewards while doing it.
2. Capital One Platinum Secured Card
The Capital One Platinum Secured has a flexible deposit structure that makes it easier to open. Depending on your creditworthiness, your required deposit may be as low as $49 or $99 for a $200 credit limit. That is a lower barrier to entry than most secured cards.
Capital One reviews your account for an upgrade to the unsecured Platinum card after six months of on-time payments. No annual fee. No frills. Just a clean tool for building credit.
Pros: Low minimum deposit possible. No annual fee. Fast upgrade path. Reports to all three bureaus.
Cons: No rewards. Higher deposit for some applicants.
Best for: People who want the lowest possible upfront cost on a secured card.
3. OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
The OpenSky Secured Visa is unique because it does not require a credit check to apply. That makes it accessible to people who have been denied elsewhere or who have very limited credit history. You simply provide the security deposit and you are approved.
The $35 annual fee is the main drawback, but for people who cannot get approved anywhere else, it is a small price to pay.
Pros: No credit check required. Approvals are nearly guaranteed with a deposit. Reports to all three bureaus.
Cons: $35 annual fee. No rewards. No automatic upgrade path.
Best for: People with very poor credit or no credit history who have been denied other cards.
4. Chime Credit Builder Visa
The Chime Credit Builder works differently from traditional secured cards. There is no minimum deposit and no hard credit inquiry. You move money from your Chime checking account into the Credit Builder account, and that money becomes your spending limit.
Chime reports your payments to all three bureaus. Because there is no minimum deposit, there is no hard pull, and there is no annual fee, this card removes every barrier to entry. The only requirement is a Chime checking account with a qualifying direct deposit.
Pros: No hard credit check. No annual fee. No minimum deposit. Reports to all three bureaus.
Cons: Requires Chime checking account. No rewards. Spending limited to what you move in.
Best for: People who want to start building credit with zero risk and no upfront cash requirement.
5. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Card
For college students, the Capital One Quicksilver Student card offers an unsecured card with 1.5% cash back on every purchase. No annual fee. No security deposit. You just need to be a student with limited credit history.
Capital One reviews you for upgrade to the standard Quicksilver card after demonstrating six months of responsible use.
Pros: No deposit. 1.5% cash back. No annual fee. Upgrade path. Good app.
Cons: Must be a student. Limited to modest credit limit at first.
Best for: College students building credit for the first time.
6. Petal 2 Visa Credit Card
The Petal 2 is designed for people with limited or no credit history. It uses a different approval model, looking at your income and bank account data instead of (or in addition to) your credit score. That gives people a chance even when traditional scoring works against them.
It starts at 1% cash back and increases to 1.5% after 12 on-time payments. There is no annual fee, no security deposit, and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros: No deposit. Rewards that grow over time. No annual fee. Alternative approval model.
Cons: High APR if you carry a balance. Limited acceptance with Visa network (not everywhere).
Best for: People who have been denied cards based on thin credit files but have steady income.
How to Build Credit Effectively
Opening the right card is just the beginning. Here is how to build a strong score as fast as possible:
Pay on Time, Every Time
Payment history is 35% of your credit score. It is the single biggest factor. One missed payment can set you back months. Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment so you never accidentally miss a due date.
Keep Your Balance Low
Credit utilization is 30% of your score. This is the ratio of your balance to your credit limit. Experts recommend keeping it below 30%, ideally below 10%. If your credit limit is $500, try to keep your balance under $150.
Do Not Apply for Too Many Cards at Once
Each application creates a hard inquiry that can lower your score temporarily. When you are building credit, stick to one card and focus on using it responsibly for at least six months before applying for another.
Keep Old Accounts Open
The length of your credit history matters. Even if you stop using a card, keeping the account open helps your average account age. Only close a card if it charges an annual fee you cannot justify.
Secured vs. Unsecured Cards: What Is the Difference?
| Feature | Secured Card | Unsecured Card |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit required | Yes | No |
| Credit check | Sometimes | Usually yes |
| Credit limit | Equal to deposit | Set by lender |
| Upgrade path | Often yes | N/A |
| Best for | No or poor credit | Fair to good credit |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build credit with a secured card?
Most people see meaningful improvement in their credit score within six to twelve months of responsible use. Paying on time and keeping your balance low are the two most important habits.
Can I get my security deposit back?
Yes. With most secured cards, you can get your deposit back when you upgrade to an unsecured card or close the account in good standing. Cards like Discover it Secured and Capital One Platinum Secured have clear upgrade paths.
Does a secured card affect your credit the same as a regular card?
Yes. Secured cards that report to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) affect your credit score in exactly the same way as unsecured cards.
What is the easiest credit card to get approved for?
The OpenSky Secured Visa and Chime Credit Builder have the most accessible approval requirements. OpenSky does not check your credit, and Chime does not do a hard pull at all.
Should I carry a balance to build credit?
No. This is a common myth. You do not need to carry a balance to build credit. In fact, carrying a high balance hurts your score by raising your utilization ratio. Use the card, then pay it off in full every month.