7 Best Prepaid Credit Cards To Build Credit
Prepaid credit cards cannot help you build credit. The cards that come closest to prepaid cards are secured cards that require a deposit which sets your spending limit. We have listed the best ones to build credit this year.

Table of Contents
- 7 Credit Cards That Build Credit
- 1. Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
- 2. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- 3. SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards
- 4. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured
- 5. Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card
- 6. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- 7. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
- What Is a Prepaid Credit Card?
- Secured Credit Card vs Prepaid Credit Card
- FAQs
Prepaid credit cards to build credit don’t technically exist as these cards aren’t linked to a bank account. However, when talking about prepaid credit cards, people are often referring to secured credit cards as these cards require an upfront deposit and are designed to help you build credit. Most of them report to the major credit bureaus, and making on-time payments and staying below your credit utilization can help you build good credit.
We’ve rounded up the best secured credit cards to build credit, along with their rates, fees, and eligibility requirements.
7 Credit Cards That Build Credit
Lender | Scholaroo rating | Regular APR | Credit Score |
---|---|---|---|
![]() Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card Best for no fees and no interest Visit website | 0% | No minimum credit score | |
![]() Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card Great secured card with cash back rewards Visit website | 28.24% | No minimum credit score | |
![]() SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Great for travel Visit website | 17.24% | No minimum credit score | |
![]() First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Best for fast upgrades Visit website | 19.24% | N/A | |
![]() Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Best for low interest rates Visit website | 9.99% | N/A | |
![]() OpenSky® Secured Visa® Best for borrowers without a bank account Visit website | 22.64% | No minimum credit score | |
![]() Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Best overall Visit website | 30.49% | 580+ |

Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Best for no fees and no interest

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Great secured card with cash back rewards

SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards
Great for travel

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured
Best for fast upgrades

Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred®
Best for low interest rates

OpenSky® Secured Visa®
Best for borrowers without a bank account

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best overall
1. Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
2. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
3. SDFCU Savings Secured Platinum Rewards
4. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured
5. Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card
6. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
7. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
What Is a Prepaid Credit Card?
A prepaid credit card is a card that is loaded with funds by the cardholder. It functions like a debit card, allowing you to spend up to the amount you’ve preloaded.
It’s important to note that prepaid cards are not typically associated with credit building as they don’t involve borrowing or repaying funds. They are also not linked to a bank account.
Secured Credit Card vs Prepaid Credit Card
Secured credit cards and prepaid credit cards have their distinct roles. A secured credit card is typically used for building credit. It requires a security deposit that serves as your credit limit. Your usage is reported to the credit bureaus, affecting your credit score.
On the other hand, a prepaid card doesn’t require a credit check and won’t help build credit since it isn’t tied to a credit line. It’s more akin to a debit card, helping manage money without the risk of going into debt.
FAQs
Do prepaid credit cards help build credit?
No, prepaid cards typically do not help build credit. They function more like debit cards, allowing you to spend only the money you’ve loaded onto the card. They do not typically report to the credit bureaus, so they won’t help improve your credit score.
What is the quickest way to build credit?
The quickest way to build credit is to pay all your bills on time, keep your credit utilization low, and maintain a mix of credit types. Additionally, becoming an authorized user on a responsible person’s credit card account can help boost your score.
What debit cards help build credit?
Debit cards typically do not help build credit. They operate by allowing you to access and spend the money already in your bank account, and they do not involve borrowing money, so they do not influence your credit score.
What is the maximum limit on a prepaid credit card?
The maximum limit on a prepaid credit card can vary depending on the card provider, but some cards allow you to load up to $10,000. Remember, however, that these funds are not a credit line and will not directly contribute to building your credit score.