Compare the listed card options in one place. Use the issuer links to check today’s fees and requirements before deciding whether to apply.
Read the card listRead online or save the PDF and spreadsheet. No email form.
These entries are a saved reference. Confirm the current fee, deposit terms and eligibility on the issuer’s page.
These are the ones that work when your file is empty. You give a refundable deposit, that becomes your limit, and the account reports to the bureaus every month like any other card. Ranked by which one gets you OUT of secured fastest — graduation to a real card and reporting to all three bureaus count most, deposit size counts least.
Lowest deposit
Open the application →Cash back rewards
Open the application →Cash back + graduation
Open the application →Thin credit files
Open the application →Category rewards
Open the application →High limit potential
Open the application →No fees, no APR
Open the application →No minimum deposit
Open the application →No credit check + no annual fee
Open the application →No credit check
Open the application →Credit builder combo
Open the application →International students
Open the application →No deposit required. Approval is not guaranteed, so use the soft-pull prequalify where it says yes — that checks your odds without an inquiry on your report.
Students only
Open the application →Students only
Open the application →Best starter unsecured
Open the application →NEW: No credit needed
Open the application →Fair credit with rewards
Open the application →Rebuild credit
Open the application →Prequal available
WATCH THE COST — annual fee up to $99
Open the application →Soft pull prequal
Open the application →Cash back for fair credit
WATCH THE COST — APR up to 35.99%
Open the application →Automatic double limit
WATCH THE COST — annual fee up to $72, APR up to 35.90%
Open the application →Prequal available
WATCH THE COST — annual fee up to $99, APR up to 35.90%
Open the application →High approval rate
WATCH THE COST — annual fee up to $125, APR up to 35.90%
Open the application →High approval rate
WATCH THE COST — annual fee up to $125, APR up to 35.90%
Open the application →Yes. You can read the entries and download either file without providing an email address.
No. The issuer decides whether to approve an application. Check its current eligibility requirements.
Use the issuer link for the card you are considering. The issuer’s current terms take precedence over this saved reference.
No. The Starter Card List is the free card resource. The Bank List is a separate paid research guide.
