Student credit cards 7 August 2023

7 Best Secured Credit Cards With No Credit Check

Looking for a secured credit card with no credit check to help improve your credit score? Here are our top recommendations for August 2023.

Best Secured Credit Cards with No Credit Check 2023

Credit cards that don’t do a credit check can be attractive to consumers with low credit scores or no credit history, as applying won’t have an impact on their credit. But these cards typically come with high interest rates and fees – which may end up being an expensive form of credit.

However, some credit card companies advertise credit cards with no credit checks and no fees. These card issues look at other factors to evaluate your creditworthiness, like your bank account and employment history, instead of your FICO credit score.

We’ve rounded up the seven best secured credit cards that don’t require a credit check, along with their terms, requirements, and benefits.

Best Secured Credit Cards With No Credit Check

LenderScholaroo ratingRegular APRCredit Score

Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Great for building credit

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4.7/527.99%N/A

OpenSky® Secured Visa®

Best for no checking account

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4.5/522.64%N/A

Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card

Best for lowest interest rates

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4.3/5 9.99%N/A

Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa®

Best for no interest

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4.2/50%N/A

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured

Best for fast upgrades

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4.0/519.24%N/A

Savings Secured Platinum Rewards

Best for travel

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4.0/517.24%N/A

Capital One® Platinum Secured®

Best for low minimum security deposit

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3.9/530.49%N/A
Lender

Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Great for building credit

Scholaroo rating
4.7/5
Regular APR
27.99%
Credit Score
N/A
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Lender

OpenSky® Secured Visa®

Best for no checking account

Scholaroo rating
4.5/5
Regular APR
22.64%
Credit Score
N/A
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Lender

Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card

Best for lowest interest rates

Scholaroo rating
4.3/5
Regular APR
9.99%
Credit Score
N/A
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Lender

Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa®

Best for no interest

Scholaroo rating
4.2/5
Regular APR
0%
Credit Score
N/A
Visit website
Lender

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured

Best for fast upgrades

Scholaroo rating
4.0/5
Regular APR
19.24%
Credit Score
N/A
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Lender

Savings Secured Platinum Rewards

Best for travel

Scholaroo rating
4.0/5
Regular APR
17.24%
Credit Score
N/A
Visit website
Lender

Capital One® Platinum Secured®

Best for low minimum security deposit

Scholaroo rating
3.9/5
Regular APR
30.49%
Credit Score
N/A
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1. Discover It® Secured Credit Card

Great for building credit

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Discover It® Secured Credit Card

4.7
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR27.99%
Annual Fee$0
Rewards2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations up to $1,000 per quarter
Credit ScoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Discover It® Secured requires a minimum of $200 security deposit for the card and does not have a minimum credit requirement. It is an easy card to get approved for as long as the applicant meets the basic eligibility criteria. You can spend the amount equal to your security deposit with a maximum of $2,500 as a credit line. There is no annual fee charged and you can get decent cashback rewards by using this card.

This card offers 2% cash back at selected categories on spending a maximum of $1000 every quarter, and 1% is earned on all other purchases. There is also a cash back match at the end of the first year which doubles the amount of total cash back earned within that year. In 7 months, you may become eligible for an upgrade to an unsecured card with responsible card use. There is, however, a late fee associated with the card and this card may have limited acceptance abroad compared to other payment networks.

Pros

  • No minimum credit requirement
  • Cash back rewards
  • Dollar-for-dollar cash back match after first year
  • Lower than standard APR offer of 10.99% for the first 6 months

Cons

  • Charges a late fee of up to $41
  • Limited acceptance compared to other payment networks like Mastercard or Visa
  • Maximum credit limit of $2,500
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must have a bank account
  • Must pay a security deposit
  • Earn 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations up to purchases of $1,000 per quarter. All other purchases earn 1%
  • An intro bonus of an unlimited cashback match on all cash back you earn during the first year

2. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Best for no checking account

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OpenSky® Secured Visa®

4.5
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR22.64%
Annual Fee$35
RewardsN/A
Credit ScoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility Requirements

OpenSky® Secured Visa® is the best secured card for borrowers without a bank account or checking account. It requires no credit check and you can pay the bills for the card via Western Union and money orders. The credit line is set by the amount of security deposit you make and can be between $200 to $3000. The card also reports to all the major credit bureaus for building credit.

OpenSky® Secured Visa®, however, does not come with any rewards or cash back offers. Moreover, there is an annual fee of $35 and a foreign transaction fee of 3% associated with the card.

Pros

  • No checking account required before or after approval
  • No credit check
  • Credit card bill can be paid in multiple ways like through Western Union and money orders
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Annual fee of $35
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No rewards
  • Need to be a U.S. citizen
  • Need to be at least 18 years old
  • Need to pay a $200 security deposit

3. Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card

Best for lowest interest rates

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Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card

4.3
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR9.99%
Annual Fee$48
RewardsN/A
Credit ScoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility Requirements

Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® does not require a credit check or a minimum score. It is for people who want to build credit from scratch or improve their existing scores and reports to the three major credit bureaus.

The credit limit is set by the security deposit made by the borrower and it starts at $200 at minimum. The initial maximum credit limit on this card is $1,000 but can be increased up to $5,000 by making additional deposits after the application is approved.

It is the best card with the lowest fixed interest rate of 9.99% and there is no penalty rate charged either. There is a $48 annual fee associated with the Applied Bank® Secured Visa® credit card and $38 is charged for late payments.

Pros

  • Low fixed interest rates
  • No credit check
  • No penalty rate charged
  • Maximum credit limit is increased up to $5000 after approval
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Annual fee of $48
  • Late payment fee of $38
  • Pay a security deposit (minimum of $200)
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must be a U.S. citizen

4. Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

Best for no interest

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Chime® Credit Builder Secured Visa®

4.2
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR0%
Annual Fee$0
RewardsN/A
Credit ScoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility Requirements

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® is specifically for building credit. It requires no credit check to apply, has no annual fee, and does not charge interest. There are no minimum or maximum deposit limits on the card.

You will be required to open a Chime Checking Account with a $200 direct deposit to become eligible for the card. The amount you can spend on your card is the amount you transfer from your checking account to the Credit Builder Secured Account.

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® reports to all the major credit bureaus and the Visa payment network makes it a useful card for making foreign transactions or making purchases online due to wider acceptability worldwide. However, you won’t be able to enjoy any cash back offers or other rewards with this card.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • No interest charges
  • No credit check
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus
  • No pre-set maximum or minimum credit limits

Cons

  • Need to open a Chime checking account
  • No rewards
  • Must be 18 years old
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must have a Social Security Number
  • Must provide proof of ‌income

5. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Best for fast upgrades

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First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured

4.0
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR19.24%
Annual Fee$39
Rewards1% cash back on payments made to the card account
Credit ScoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

This is another no credit check secured credit card that can help people build credit. It reports to all three major credit bureaus and you can track the progress of your credit score for free through their mobile app. You can be upgraded to an unsecured credit card in as little as 6 months after responsibly using this card and improving your credit.

Your credit limit is equal to the amount you deposit in your card account, which can go up to a maximum of $2,000. There is also a 1% cash back reward offered on payments made to your First Progress Secured credit card account. Moreover, this card is widely acceptable locally and internationally due to its Mastercard Payment network.

First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured, however, does come with more fee types than many other secured credit cards. It charges an annual fee of $39 and there is a 3% charge on foreign transactions. There is also a late payment fee of $41 and a returned payment fee of up to $30 associated with the card.

Pros

  • No credit check
  • Monthly reporting to all three major credit reporting agencies
  • Mastercard has higher acceptability worldwide
  • 1% cash back on the payments made into the card account
  • Opportunity to upgrade to an unsecured credit card after six months

Cons

  • Charges $39 as annual fee
  • Returned payment fee of up to $30
  • Charges a late fee of up to $41
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
  • Minimum security deposit of $200
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must have a Social Security Number

Get a 1% cash back reward on payments made to your First Progress Secured credit card account

6. Savings Secured Platinum Rewards Credit Card

Best for travel

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Savings Secured Platinum Rewards

4.0
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR17.24%
Annual Fee$0
Rewards1x point for every dollar spent
Credit ScoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

The State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) offers its Savings Secured Platinum Rewards credit card to those individuals who have bad credit and need to improve it. It requires no credit check and you can get the card upon depositing a minimum amount of $250 in the SDFCU Savings account. There is no preset maximum credit limit for the card and you can use as much as you deposit in your savings account.

The Savings Secured Platinum Rewards charges no annual or foreign transaction fees, and it comes with various rewards for its holders. By using the card on purchases, you can earn a Flexpoints Reward point against every dollar spent. These points can be redeemed as cash back, or in the form of flight discounts, hotel stay discounts, gift cards, and directly on merchandise also.

You can avail of various travel-related safety benefits that this card brings like travel and emergency assistance services, lost luggage reimbursement, etc. Moreover, the Mastercard payment network makes it even a friendlier card to travel with as it is accepted globally.

Pros

  • No credit check
  • No annual fee
  • No balance transfer fee
  • No pre-set maximum credit limit
  • Great for travel associated benefits and discounts
  • Earn one point for every dollar you spend

Cons

  • Savings account required
  • No welcome bonus
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be at least 18 years old

Earn one point for every dollar you spend

7. Capital One® Platinum Secured® Credit Card

Best for low minimum security deposit

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Capital One® Platinum Secured®

3.9
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR30.49%
Annual Fee$0
RewardsN/A
Credit ScoreNo minimum credit score
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Capital One® Platinum Secured® is another secured credit card that requires no credit check to apply. To open an account, you are required to make a security deposit of a minimum of $49. The initial credit line for this card is a maximum of $200, which increases to a maximum of $1000 after approval upon making additional deposits.

Upon meeting the eligibility and application requirements, applicants can get approved within 60 seconds. This secured card has no annual or foreign transaction fees. Moreover, it reports to the three major credit bureaus which can help build credit with responsible use. Over time, after your credit score improves, you may become eligible to earn back your deposit and get upgraded to an unsecured credit card.

Capital One® Platinum Secured®, however, does not come with any rewards or bonuses and charges a late payment fee of up to $40. Its APR rates are also higher than many others.

Pros

  • Reports to the major credit bureaus
  • Quick approval process
  • No annual fee
  • Earn back your security deposit as a statement credit with responsible card use

Cons

  • Comes with a high APR
  • Late fees of up to $40
  • No rewards
  • Low maximum credit limit of $1000
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must have a checking or savings account
  • Must pay a security deposit between $49 and $200

Pay a refundable deposit starting at $49 to get an initial credit limit of $200

Why Do Some Secured Credit Cards Require Credit Checks?

A lot of people wonder why some secured credit cards require a credit check, as these cards use a security deposit as a credit limit. This means the bank has a way of covering the outstanding balance if you default on payments.

One point to note is that many secured credit cards allow for variable down payments that can result in credit lines in the thousands of dollars. Not everyone can receive the maximum credit line, however, even if they can make the deposit.

Credit card issuers are obligated to make sure that individuals can manage their bills before authorizing their application, as a large credit limit can lead to financial issues. To decide the maximum amount that can be allowed, a credit review is carried out.

Certain circumstances necessitate a credit check that has nothing to do with a person’s credit score. For example, United States financial institutions are mandated, according to the law, to authenticate the identity of anyone who is applying for a credit card, and credit reports can be a valuable aid in this procedure.

How To Choose the Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Getting a credit card can help you improve your credit. Here’s what to look for in cards designed for consumers with bad credit.

  • Reporting on-time payment behavior: Choose a card that reports to at least one credit bureau: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. However, it’s ideal if you can choose a card that reports to all three credit bureaus because consistent payments will show up on your credit report and can help improve your credit standing over time
  • Light on fees: Most bad credit card fees are high, like a yearly fee without any benefits. Look for a card that has low fees to make owning the card affordable
  • Ability to upgrade: Some cards let you “graduate” after making on-time payments for a few months. This helps if you don’t have to open another account, and also helps if opening a new line hurts your credit score

Can My Secured Credit Card Application Be Denied?

The benefit of a secured credit card is that it is a low-risk option for the credit card company. This means that almost anyone can be approved to get one, especially since the deposit amount is equivalent to the credit limit and the bank doesn’t need to worry about the cardholder being unable to pay.

However, though your credit score is a factor, there are a few other reasons why a credit card issuer may decline your secured credit card application. These may include but are not limited to, the risk of default, income level, employment status, and other financial obligations.

Here are some of the reasons why your application may be declined:

  • No bank account: Most banks require you to have an active U.S. checking account to open a credit card.
  • Residency requirements: Most credit card issuers require you to be a U.S. resident to qualify.
  • Income too low: Credit card companies are not allowed to issue credit cards to applicants who are deemed unable to afford the payments.
  • You are in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings: Most issuers won’t want to offer you credit if you’re in the middle of filing for bankruptcy as they risk being included in the proceedings.
  • You have a poor bank history: Although your credit report may not show old missed payments or defaults, banks have their own internal records. For e.g., if you’ve abused a card from them before or discharged their card during bankruptcy, they may reject your application.

FAQs

What are the easiest cards to get approved for?

The easiest cards to get are usually ones without credit checks. This is because there are fewer criteria you have to meet. Secured credit cards are easy to get because your credit line is backed by collateral. You can often input your information and see what cards you’re pre-approved for without impacting your credit score.

How long does it take to build my credit?

It can take some time to get good credit, but it depends on your situation and how you use your credit. It takes months to get a credit score if you start from scratch. It usually takes at least six months to generate a credit score if you don’t yet have one, and even longer to achieve a good or excellent credit score.

What is a bad credit score?

There are different credit scoring models and each lender may use a different one. Generally, a FICO score below 580 is considered very poor, while scores between 590 and 669 are considered fair.

Does a credit check hurt my credit score?

Soft credit checks don’t have any impact on your credit score. However, hard credit inquiries do. When you complete a pre-approval process for a credit card, it generally only triggers a soft credit check without any impact on your credit score. A full credit assessment will trigger a hard credit inquiry, and this may lead to a temporary dip in your score.

Can I get a secured credit card with no credit history?

You can get approved for a credit card with no credit history. There are credit cards designed for people with no credit, including student credit cards and secured credit cards. Keep an eye out for fees and interest rates when shopping for your first credit card, especially for cards designed for people with no credit history or a bad credit score.

Do they check credit for secured card?

This depends on the credit card issuer’s guidelines. In general, a bank needs to check your credit history when assessing your application for a credit card. Some credit cards take other factors into account like your employment history and bank account, instead of looking at your credit score.

What secured credit card can I use immediately?

Some secured credit cards that you can use immediately after approval include the Capital One Platinum Secured credit card and the Milestone® Mastercard®.