Best Credit Cards for No Credit [December 2024]

Credit cards provide the opportunity to build credit and earn rewards. Unfortunately, many of the best credit cards require a good credit score to qualify for them. For those who haven’t borrowed money before, securing a card with no credit can be a challenge.

The good news is there are several credit card offers available even to people with low credit scores or no credit at all. Here are some great options to consider so you can compare and find the best new credit card for you.

The best credit cards for no credit for December 2024

• Best for no fees and high credit limit: Petal^® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa^® Credit Card
• Best for a low security deposit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
• Best for no credit history: OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card
• Best for building credit: Discover it^® Secured Credit Card
• Best for simple cash back: Chase Freedom Rise^®
• Best for students: Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for small businesses: Capital One Spark Classic for Business

The best credit cards for no credit for December 2024

Petal^® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa^® Credit Card: Best for no fees and high credit limit

If you’re generally in good financial shape but don’t have a strong credit history, the Petal 1 Visa Card could be perfect for you. If you have a credit score, Petal will do a credit check. 

But if you don’t have a credit history, don’t worry — Petal has technology that will analyze your banking history to see how much money you make and how responsible you’ve been with paying bills. 

It then uses that data to approve you for a card with a credit limit between $300 and $5,000 (which is well above what many student and secured cards offer).

Recommended credit score: Fair

Why we like it:

• No fees: This card has a $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no security deposit required to open the account.
• Cashback rewards: This card offers 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants.
• Build your credit: Reports to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) so you can build credit over time.
• Budgeting tool: This card has a budget and credit score tracking mobile app, available for iOS and Android.

What we don’t like:

• No balance transfers or cash advances: This card does not allow balance transfers or cash advances, but this makes sense since this card is suited for those with a limited credit history.
• Cash back is limited: While users can earn 2% to 10% cash back, this only applies to select merchants. However, keep in mind that many cards that don’t require a strong credit history don’t offer rewards programs at all.

Other benefits include: Cardholders will have access to the mobile app and the ability to track spending in the Spending Planner. This can simplify creating a budget and help you monitor your credit utilization, which is a key component of your credit score. 

This will also allow you to learn more about credit score ranges and methods of building a solid credit history.

Get more details in our Petal 1 Visa Card review.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for a low security deposit

The Capital One Platinum Secured is unique among secured cards because most require a refundable deposit equal to your credit limit. For example, if you want a $200 credit limit, you need to put down a $200 deposit. 

But you may not have to do that with this card. The Capital One Platinum Secured provides a $200 credit limit, but depending on their credit history, some borrowers are allowed to put down deposits of only $49 or $99 instead of the full $200.

Recommended credit score: Bad, Poor

Why we like it:

• Automatic credit line reviews: Six months after opening your account, you can be considered for a higher credit limit. If approved, no additional deposit is required.
  
• Personalized payments: You’re able to pick your payment due date, allowing you more flexibility to fit it into your monthly budget.
• No annual fee: The Capital One Platinum Secured has a $0 annual fee.

What we don’t like:

• No rewards program: Like many secured credit cards, the Capital One Platinum Secured does not earn points or cash rewards.

Other benefits include: The student cards and the Petal 1 Visa Card are available only to a limited number of people — students or those with a strong banking history. But secured credit cards are available to virtually any borrower.

There is a big difference between secured and unsecured debt. With secured cards, lenders take no risks because you have to put down collateral in the form of a cash security deposit.  

Read our full Capital One Secured Credit Card review for more details.

OpenSky^® Secured Visa^® Credit Card: Best for no credit history

The OpenSky Secured Visa is designed for those looking to repair their credit or have no credit history. This secured credit card doesn’t require a credit check or even a checking account to be eligible.

Instead, you submit a refundable deposit between $200 and $3,000, which acts as your credit limit. Because you put down this deposit upfront, a credit check isn’t required.

Recommended credit score: Fair, Bad, Poor

Why we like it:

• No credit check to apply: If you’re getting denied for other cards because of bad credit, OpenSky could help — you can apply even if you have no credit at all. OpenSky won’t pull your credit when you apply for this card.
• Comes with standard Visa benefits: This card includes many of the benefits available with other Visa credit cards, such as worldwide acceptance and fraud protection.

What we don’t like:

• Has annual fee: The OpenSky Secured Visa has an $35, but that isn’t bad, considering the card doesn’t require a credit check.
• Foreign transaction fees: If you travel outside the country, you’ll be charged 3% of the amount you charge every time you use your card.

Other benefits include: You can establish or repair your credit by using this card responsibly. If you use this card for purchases you can afford and make on-time payments in full, you can build a positive credit history over time.

Read our full OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card review for more details.

Discover it^® Secured Credit Card: Best for building credit

The Discover it Secured doesn’t have strict credit requirements and provides opportunities to earn valuable cash back.

Recommended credit score: Bad

Why we like it:

• With a $0 annual fee, there’s no stress about staying a cardholder.
• Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
• You can earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• You don’t have to pay foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases.

What we don’t like:

• When you apply, you must make a minimum security deposit of at least $200. Fortunately, the deposit is refundable. If you want a higher credit limit, you can deposit up to $2,500 (in increments of $100).

Other benefits include:

• After seven months, Discover will conduct monthly account reviews to see if you qualify for an upgrade. If you qualify, you’ll receive your deposit back, and your card will be converted to an unsecured version.
• You can check your FICO credit score for free with Discover.

Read our full Discover it Secured review for more details.

Chase Freedom Rise^®: Best for simple cash back

The Chase Freedom Rise is a good choice if you want to build your credit history and start a banking relationship with Chase.

Recommended credit score: Fair, Bad

Why we like it:

• The $0 annual fee makes this a no-stress card.
• You can earn a $25 statement credit for enrolling in automatic payments within the first three months of account opening.
• You can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• If you have a Chase checking account with a balance of at least $250, you can improve your chances of being approved for the Chase Freedom Rise.

What we don’t like:

• The Chase Freedom Rise charges 3% foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases. That makes this a poor choice for international travel.

Other benefits include:

• Cash back earned on the Chase Freedom Rise can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits into eligible bank accounts, Amazon.com purchases, gift cards, and travel.

Read our full Chase Freedom Rise review for more details.

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for students

The Capital One Quicksilver Student makes sense for students who want to earn cash back and build their credit history.

Recommended credit score: Fair

Why we like it:

• The $0 annual fee is ideal for students who don’t want to worry about additional expenses.
• You can earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
• You can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• You don’t have to stress about foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases, including if you use your card abroad.

What we don’t like:

• Since it’s a student credit card, you must be attending a four-year university, community college, or other eligible higher education institution to qualify.

Other benefits include:

• Cardholders can access and take advantage of Capital One Entertainment, Capital One Travel, and Capital One Dining benefits.

Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Student review for more details.

Capital One Spark Classic for Business: Best for small businesses

The Capital One Spark Classic is a great small business card if you don’t have good credit and want to earn cash back on business purchases.

Recommended credit score: Fair

Why we like it:

• The annual fee is $0 for cardmembers.
• You can earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business, plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• You don’t have to pay foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases.

What we don’t like:

• The rewards rate is below average (around 1.5% cash back is average for rewards cards).

Other benefits include:

• You can access free employee cards with trackable spending features.

Read our full Capital One Spark Classic for Business review for more details.

How to get your first credit card

If you’re applying for a credit card for the first time, you can expect the process to take place entirely online (unless you’d prefer to mail in an application). Typically, you will need to provide some basic information when you submit your application for a card.

Some of the information you may be asked to provide when sending in your credit card application includes:

• Your name
• A U.S. mailing address
• Your Social Security number
• Your driver’s license number or other approved form of identification
• Bank account details (checking account and/or savings account)

Once you’ve submitted your application, you may get an instant decision, or it may take a few days for the credit card issuer to review your documentation. If you are declined, the credit card company will typically provide you with an explanation of the decision by mail.

What is the difference between an unsecured and a secured credit card?

On this list, you’ll notice that some of the credit cards are secured, and others aren’t. If you apply for one of the secured cards, you’ll need to put down a minimum security deposit equal to the line of credit given to you (unless you choose the Capital One Platinum Secured and qualify to make a smaller deposit).

Your deposit is refundable and is held in escrow by the credit card company, and you’ll use the card just like any other by charging on it and paying off your purchases each month. However, the deposit protects the lender because that money is there for them to seize if you fail to pay your bill.

If you pay as promised, eventually, you will get back the deposit you made, either when you close the account or if you qualify to have your card converted to an unsecured one after you’ve demonstrated responsible use of your credit line.

Unsecured cards don’t require any type of deposit, which means they present a greater risk for lenders who would have to take legal action to collect from you if you don’t pay as promised. Because of the added risk associated with nonpayment, unsecured cards can be harder to qualify for than secured ones. That said, there are some unsecured credit cards for bad credit.

How a credit card can help you improve your credit

Obtaining either a secured or an unsecured credit card can be very helpful in building credit. Responsible use of a credit card can raise your credit score, especially if you have no credit history at all.

There are several different ways using your credit card can help you improve your credit score, including:

• Develop a positive payment history. This is the most important determining factor in your credit score, as lenders want to see you’ve been responsible with paying your debt. If you pay your bill on time each month, this will be reported to the three major credit reporting agencies that prepare your credit report. The data on your payment history will then be used (along with other criteria) to assign you a credit score. Unfortunately, if you make late payments, that will also be reported and will hurt your score.
• Keep your credit card balance low. Credit utilization is the second most important factor that determines your credit score. It’s the amount of credit you use, versus what’s available to you. For example, if you have a $1,000 credit line and charge $300 in it, you’d be using 30% of your available credit. So 30% would be your utilization ratio. A lower ratio is better, so aim to keep balances to 30% or less of your available credit. And, contrary to popular belief, you can still build credit even if you pay off your card in full each month.
• Keep your old credit cards open. The length of your credit history is an important factor in your score, and older accounts help you to improve your score by showing a longer track record of good borrowing behavior. So once you open your first card, don’t close it if you don’t have to.
• Avoid applying for too many cards at once. Each credit application results in a hard inquiry on your credit report that can stay there for up to two years. Fewer inquiries are better in the eyes of the credit bureaus, so it’s best to space out your applications.

Four ways to build your credit score

If you are interested in building your credit, there are several ways to do it, including the following:

1. Become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. If you can’t qualify for a card on your own, see whether a trusted family member with good credit would be willing to name you as an authorized user on one of their cards. Essentially, this means that you are able to use a primary cardholder’s credit card account, and that account information will show up on your credit report. So if you and the primary cardholder make on-time payments, it could potentially build your credit score over time. However, missed and late payments will also show up on your credit report, so it’s important to behave responsibly as an authorized user. 
2. Apply for a secured credit card. A secured card can be a handy starter credit card when you have a limited credit history or no credit history. Many secured credit cards report monthly payments to the three credit bureaus, which could help you build credit over time with responsible use. 
3. Take out a credit-builder loan. Credit-builder loans work differently than traditional loans, but they can potentially help you improve your credit as you make on-time payments each month. These loans are typically small (less than $1,000), and once you’re approved, the lender will hold the total loan amount in a secured account. When you make monthly payments toward the loan balance, they’ll show up on your credit report. And once you’ve paid off that balance, you’ll get the full amount of money (plus interest, in some cases.) 
4. Use tools like Experian Boost. If you make regular monthly payments from a bank account, Experian Boost could be a good option for building your credit. It allows you to add your utility, cell phone, and streaming services payments to your Experian credit report. Positive payment history for those bills may result in a boost to your credit score. 

FAQs

Bottom line

There are many great credit cards available for people without a strong credit history. Because opening up a credit card can help you to build credit and work toward other personal finance goals, you might consider your options and apply for one if you don’t have any debt already and are eager to earn a good credit score. 

Then, use your card to make purchases and pay them back in full each month. This way, the potentially high interest rate on the credit card won’t cost you a penny, and you can build up a payment history to show lenders how reliable you are.

Methodology

In selecting these cards, we considered who would be most likely to need a card they can qualify for without credit, including students, those without Social Security numbers, and individuals who may have either a limited credit history or bad credit history.

We looked for different types of credit cards that would be easy for these individuals to qualify for, and that also offered other special features such as a rewards program or cardholder perks such as cell phone insurance or auto rental insurance.

The goal was to find credit cards that provide the best overall value in terms of cardholder benefits and either low or no fees, or fees justified by the features the card provides. We did not review all credit cards in the market, and this is not intended to be a complete list.

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Discover it^® Student Chrome

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Lucrative welcome offer
• Introductory low APR offer on purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

Drawbacks

• Limited international acceptance
• Spending cap on earnings
• Limited bonus categories

Card Details

• INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
• Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
• No credit score required to apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.49% - 26.49% applies. Rates as of December 12, 2024.
• Terms and conditions apply.