Credit Cards Explained

Secured Credit Cards

Secured credit cards are for people who need to establish or repair their credit ratings. Secured credit cards provide the freedom of regular credit cards while helping build up your credit rating.

 
)
See: Advertiser Disclosure & Editorial Disclosure. Some cards are Credit Cards Explained's partners.
Key Benefits
  • No annual fee.
  • No credit check to apply.
  • No minimum security deposit required³.
  • Chime Checking Account and $200² qualifying direct deposit required to apply.
Key Benefits
  • 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
  • Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
  • You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
  • Regular APR: 29.99% (Variable)
Key Benefits
  • 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
  • Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • Regular APR: 29.99% (Variable)
Key Benefits
  • Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Pay 6-months-on-time and apply to get a second credit card!
  • Get a fresh start! A discharged bankruptcy in your credit file will not cause you to be declined
  • See your VantageScore®+. Easy, Free Access to Credit
  • Receive your card more quickly with the new expedited processing option
  • User-friendly Mobile App
  • Accepted wherever Mastercard® is accepted
  • ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
APPLY NOW

On the Capital Bank N.A. Secure Website

Key Benefits
  • New feature! Earn up to 10% cash back* on everyday purchases
  • No credit check to apply. Zero credit risk to apply!
  • Looking to build or rebuild your credit? 2 out of 3 OpenSky cardholders increase their credit score by an average of 41 points in just 3 months
  • Get free monthly access to your FICO score in our mobile application
  • Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
  • Add to your mobile wallet and make purchases using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay
  • Fund your card with a low $200 refundable security deposit to get a $200 credit line
  • Apply in less than 5 minutes with our mobile first application
  • Choose the due date that fits your schedule with flexible payment dates
  • Fund your security deposit over 60 days with the option to make partial payments
  • Over 1.4 Million Cardholders Have Used OpenSky Secured Credit Card To Improve Their Credit
  • *See Rewards Terms and Conditions for more information
APPLY NOW

On the Mechanics Bank Secure Website

Key Benefits
  • Excellent opportunity for someone starting a credit history or for someone who has been turned down for a credit card.
  • No annual fee
  • Remember, late payments and going over the credit limit may damage your credit history.
  • See site for details
Key Benefits
  • 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
  • Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Pay 6-months-on-time and apply to get a second credit card!
  • Secured Cards are a great way to start establishing credit for people with low/no credit scores¹
  • Get a fresh start! A discharged bankruptcy in your credit file will not cause you to be declined
  • See your VantageScore®+. Easy, Free Access to Credit
  • Receive your card more quickly with the new expedited processing option
  • Accepted wherever Mastercard® is accepted
  • ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
Key Benefits
  • Better than Prepaid...Go with a Secured Card! Load One Time - Keep On Using
  • Absolutely No Credit Check or Minimum Credit Score Required
  • Automatic Reporting to All Three National Credit Bureaus
  • 9.99% Low Fixed APR - Your Rate Won’t Go Up Even if You Are Late
  • Activate Today with a $200 Minimum Deposit - Maximum $1,000
  • Increase Your Credit Limit up to $5,000 by Adding Additional Deposits Anytime
Key Benefits
  • 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
  • Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score.¹ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • Pay 6-months-on-time and apply to get a second credit card!
  • Secured Cards are a great way to start establishing credit for people with low/no credit scores¹
  • Get a fresh start! A discharged bankruptcy in your credit file will not cause you to be declined
  • See your VantageScore®+. Easy, Free Access to Credit
  • Receive your card more quickly with the new expedited processing option
  • Accepted wherever Mastercard® is accepted
  • ¹ Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
APPLY NOW

On the Navy Federal Credit Union Secure Website

Key Benefits
  • No annual fee
  • Earn rewards--1 point for every dollar spent with no limit
  • Low variable APR
  • Available to military service members and their families
  • *See site for details
About What Our Experts Say and the Bottom Line

Our experts review each card, in depth, to get to the bottom line: a clear idea of what each card is best for, how it may benefit you, and our take on the card’s primary features.