The 5 Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2025 [Find Your Special Offers]

Having bad credit doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Whether you’re rebuilding after financial hardship or starting fresh, using the right credit card can help you gain control of your finances and boost your credit score.

Read this guide to learn more about bad credit, how to find a good credit card even when you have bad credit, and how you can get on the road to credit score improvement so you can upgrade your credit cards.

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit: Overview

Do You Have a Bad Credit Score?

It’s easy to tell if you have bad credit. For one thing, it’s tough to get approved for new credit. If you’ve applied to credit cards only to be denied, your credit score might be lacking.

Bad credit is typically defined as a FICO score below 580 or a VantageScore below 600, which falls in the poor or fair credit range and makes it difficult to be approved for loans or credit cards.

It’s easy to get a free credit report. You can check directly with Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax or use tools from financial institutions, such as American Express, Chase, and Capital One.

How Bad Credit Can Hurt You

If you have bad credit, it can cost you in so many ways. You’re charged more for credit products, and getting back on track may seem daunting. Bad credit can lead to:

• Being denied for an apartment
• Being denied for employment
• Inability to finance a vehicle or high interest rates
• Higher insurance premiums in some states where credit is used as a factor to determine your insurance rates
• Problems getting a cell phone, such as larger down payments or required prepayments
• Inability to put utilities in your name or a requirement of a large deposit
• Higher interest rates if you’re able to qualify for a loan

Prequalifying for Credit Cards

Finding prequalified or preapproved offers is a great way to find out which cards you’re likely to be approved for without damaging your credit score. Credit card preapprovals use a soft pull on your credit, which doesn’t do anything to your credit score.

It’s only when you formally apply for a credit card that a hard pull happens. Although it shouldn’t significantly impact your credit score, it’s best to limit your hard pulls only to cards you know you’ll probably be approved for. That’s why using preapprovals or card matching is good for finding credit cards, especially when you have bad credit.

When you use a preapproval or card match to choose a credit card, you can limit the cards you see only to cards you’re likely to get, helping you preserve your credit score as well as you can.

What To Look For in a Credit Card for Bad Credit

Your credit card options may be limited if you have bad credit, but you should still be picky about which cards you apply for. We recommend prioritizing these factors when you shop for credit cards that can help you manage bad credit:

• No annual fee: If you consider nothing else, prioritize cards with no annual fee. You should only pay an annual fee when a card’s value exceeds the fee, and that’s far more likely to happen with a premium travel card than a card for bad credit. With no annual fee, you can maintain the credit card account — and your aged credit line that looks good on your credit report — for as long as you’d like without worrying about how much you’re getting out of it.
• Low security deposit: Many credit cards for bad credit are secured, which means you have to put down a security deposit. Security deposit amounts vary widely, and you could put down as little as $49 or a deposit in the neighborhood of $2,000 to get a larger credit line. Whatever the deposit, make sure it’s an amount you can afford to put aside for a minimum of 6 months, as you won’t get it back until your card is converted to an unsecured account.
• Reasonable credit limit: Credit cards for people with bad credit typically have low credit limits, and that’s not necessarily bad. It can rein in spending and limit your risk of going into debt. However, a low credit limit can hurt your credit utilization ratio, as spending 30% or more of your credit limit could lower your credit score. Look for credit limits that fit your spending or be prepared to adjust your credit card spending to less than 30% of your card’s credit limit.
• Credit bureau reporting: Using a credit card with bad credit is all about building a positive credit history, so make sure it counts. Look for a card that reports to all 3 credit bureaus so your on-time payments and responsible credit usage appear on your credit report.

5 Best Secured Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Even with bad credit, you can find a card to help you rebuild or build your credit history. A credit card can help you get back on track. Secured cards typically require a refundable security deposit that the credit card issuer holds to minimize risk. Often, security deposit amounts are the same as your credit limit.

Here are our recommendations for the best secured cards for bad credit.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (Best for a Low Security Deposit)

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Platinum Secured card helps you build or rebuild your credit score with tis credit builder perks.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

The Capital One Platinum Secured card helps you build or rebuild your credit score with tis credit builder perks.

Welcome Offer

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 29.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Bad (300-579)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card gives you the tools to control and build your credit with responsible use.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Automatic credit line reviews
• Raise your credit limit with a larger deposit
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Does not earn rewards
• Requires a security deposit

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 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

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 29.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Capital One Platinum Secured card is perfect for rebuilding or building your credit. There’s a $0 annual fee, and the security deposit could be as low as $49 with a $200 credit limit. The security deposit can be spread out over several payments. Your account will be reviewed for a higher limit after 6 months of on-time payments.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card (Best for Unlimited Cash-Back)

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured card has a $200 security deposit and $200 credit line, but its most compelling feature is cash-back. This secured card earns 1.5% cash-back on every purchase, so you can use it to earn rewards while you improve your credit. There’s no annual fee, and Capital One automatically reviews your account for a credit limit increase after 6 months of on-time payments.

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Secured Card (Best for Flexible Deposit and Credit Limit)

You can make a security deposit of $300 to $5,000 with the U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured card, and your credit limit will match the security deposit. This card has no annual fee and earns 5% cash-back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases in 2 categories of your choice each quarter, 2% cash-back on an everyday category, and 1% cash-back on all other eligible purchases.

BankAmericard^® Secured Credit Card (Best for Upgrade Potential)

With the Secured BankAmericard, you can build credit with a $200 to $5,000 security deposit and no annual fee. Your credit limit matches your deposit amount. After demonstrating responsible credit card use, you can graduate to an unsecured Bank of America card. You also get free access to your FICO credit score.

Citi^® Secured Mastercard^® (Best for Simple Credit Building)

Citi^® Secured Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A great option for those with little or no credit history and can help you build your credit.

Citi^® Secured Mastercard^®

A great option for those with little or no credit history and can help you build your credit.

Welcome Offer

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

26.74% Variable

Card Highlights

• 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.
• Use your card anywhere Mastercard^® is accepted – worldwide.
• A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
• Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
• With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
• Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 26.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

The Citi Secured card is a solid starter card for building or rebuilding your credit. It doesn’t earn rewards, but it has a $0 annual fee, and Citi reports your payment history to all 3 credit bureaus. With responsible use, you may be eligible to upgrade to an unsecured Citi card.

Next-Step Credit Cards

Once you’ve used your secured credit card responsibly by making on-time payments and keeping your balance low, you may be ready to move up to a better credit card. Issuers typically consider your account for an upgrade after 6 to 12 months of positive activity.

Take these steps if you’re ready to graduate to a better card:

• Check for upgrades with your current issuer. Capital One, Citi, Bank of America, and U.S. Bank typically upgrade secured cards to unsecured cards after several months of on-time payments.
• Use prequalification tools. Tools such as CardMatch check for new offers to prequalify you for card offers without affecting your credit score.
• Explore rewards cards: Once your credit improves, you may qualify for no-annual-fee rewards cards such as the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card or Chase Freedom Rise^®.

5 Things You Can Do Now To Improve Your Credit

• Review your credit report for mistakes. Chances are good that your credit report includes errors. Reviewing your credit report for errors is an excellent first step to improving your credit.
• Don’t close your oldest credit card. Credit age is one of the factors that make up your credit score. Keeping your oldest credit card active can help you maintain a long credit history, which is good for your credit score.
• Resolve delinquent accounts. If you’re late on bills, contact the creditor or collection agency to make payments.
• Set up automatic payments. If you have existing credit cards, set up automatic payments to be taken out of your bank account. On-time payment history is the most important factor in your credit score, and automated payments ensure you pay your bill on time.

Even if you’re not ready for a credit card, consider a credit builder loan or authorized user status on a family member’s card (with good payment history) to start building positive credit.

Final Thoughts

While there are limited credit card choices for consumers with bad credit, secured credit cards can offer a clear pathway to credit improvement and eventually qualifying for more rewarding credit cards.

Getting a secured credit card can help you build or rebuild your credit history if you pay on time every month and keep your credit utilization low.