Repair Bad Credit with a Credit Builder

There are many reasons a person might need to rebuild credit. Unemployment, bankruptcy, illness, divorce or other circumstances can lead to problems with paying off the debt, which impacts your credit history. Or maybe you just have a short credit history. Having a low credit history - typically 620 or less - doesn't mean you can't get approved for a credit card. It just means you have to apply for the right one. There are many credit cards to apply when you are trying to improve credit history. And from all the variety you need a credit builder credit card.

BEST CREDIT BUILDER CARD

5
Loan Overall Rating
Any Credit
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Maximum Loan Amount
$750
Employment Required
Yes
Checking Account Required
No
  • No credit check
  • 0% APR and No hidden fees
  • Open your account in minutes
  • Bank-level security keeps your data safe

This offer is not available in Delaware and Indiana.

Best Cards for People Rebuilding Credit

4
Card Overall Rating
  • To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
  • Chime® Checking Account and $200 qualifying direct deposit required to apply. Eligibility requirements apply for Credit Builder metal card
  • Free credit building, no matter your credit history
  • No annual fees or interest3
  • No credit check to apply
  • No minimum security deposit required1
  • Whether it’s gas or groceries, all purchases can count towards building credit via on-time payment
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
  • View and track your FICO score right in the Chime app. FICO is the credit score used by 90% of lenders2
  • The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.
  • 1Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
  • 2Credit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than FICO® Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn More
  • 3Out of network ATM withdrawal fees may apply. See here for details.
Regular APR
0%
Annual Fee
$0
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Poor/Limited/No Credit
  • 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments
  • Choose your own fully-refundable credit line - $100 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score.1 Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • 1Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
  • *See Important Disclosures for complete offer details
Regular APR
24.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$25.00 for the first year, after that $35.00 annually*
Program Fee
See website for Details*
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
5
Loan Overall Rating
  • Build credit & Earn rewards.
  • Payment performance is reported monthly to TransUnion, Equifax, Experian, and Innovis.
  • Track your credit score every month.
  • Learn with courses and pick up useful skills.
  • Earn 1% back on loan offers. Up to $1,225.
  • 0% APR / $0 fees. Instant approval. No credit check.
Checking Account Required
No
Maximum Loan Amount
See terms
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
  • You don’t need good credit to apply.
  • Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
  • FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
5
Loan Overall Rating
Limited / No Credit
  • Choose a plan to build credit and savings at the same time!
  • Start with a Credit Builder Account that reports monthly payments to all 3 major credit bureaus*.
  • Sample loans: $25/mo, 24 mos, $9 admin fee, 15.92% APR; $35/mo, 24 mos, $9 admin fee, 15.97% APR; $48/mo, 24 mos, $9 admin fee, 15.72% APR; $150/mo, 24 mos, $9 admin fee, 15.88% APR. See self.inc/pricing
Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
See terms
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • You don’t need good credit to apply.
  • We help people with bad credit, every day.
  • Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
  • You can build or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
  • Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
  • FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
  • Build Credit with every bill you pay. With StellarFi, your bills are paid on time and reported to TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax®.
  • Build credit age by keeping your credit account open while you’re a StellarFi member.
  • Lower your credit utilization with StellarFi credit account optimization to reflect an ideal credit-to-debt ratio.
  • No credit check. No interest. No deposits.
  • Use StellarFi virtual cards to pay your bills, protect your privacy, and safeguard your real data.
Regular APR
0%
Annual Fee
See terms
Program Fee
$0
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • Everyone deserves a chance to build** credit: apply today!
  • PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are for building** credit.
  • Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month.
  • We'll provide you a manageable credit limit and manageable payments meant to help you stick to your budget.
  • FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
5
Loan Overall Rating
  • Get up to $250 quickly.277
  • Start building your credit today.278
  • It only takes 2 minutes.
  • Stay on top of your credit and identity.
  • No credit check required. No interest.279
  • Real-time alerts.
Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
$250
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Bad / Limited / No Credit
  • There’s no checking account required.
  • When you need assistance, our award-winning, U.S.-based Customer Service representatives are there to help.
  • After six months of responsible secured card use you may be eligible§ to apply for an unsecured PREMIER Bankcard Mastercard®.
  • §PREMIER Bankcard Mastercard® available upon invitation after you've been with PREMIER for six months and have kept your account in good standing (on-time payments and staying within credit limit).
  • If approved, make your first six monthly minimum payments on time and we may send you an offer to apply for an unsecured credit card. Some restrictions apply.§§
  • §§If you apply for the second account, which is unsecured, you will be approved if you can demonstrate the ability to pay your bills, meet our minimum income requirements, do not reside in New York or Wisconsin and are not covered under the Military Lending Act.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
The Self Visa® Credit Card
Compare now (16) »
4
Card Overall Rating
Limited / No Credit
  • Your next tool for building credit!
  • The Self Visa® Credit Card reports to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
  • Accounts in good standing may have opportunities to increase the credit limit over time.
  • Your Credit Builder Account savings progress secures your Self credit card and sets your limit.
  • Your card can be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted in the U.S.
  • No credit check or a hard pull.
Regular APR
33.74% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$35
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Poor/Limited/No Credit
  • Choose your own credit line - $200 to $2000 – based on your security deposit
  • Build your credit score.1 Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score required for approval!
  • 1Cardholders who keep their balance low and pay their credit card bill on time every month typically do see an increase in their credit score.
Regular APR
25.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$29
Program Fee
N/A
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes

Know your opportunities to build or rebuild credit

People often apply for wrong credit cards in their attempts to repair their credit. As a result their applications are denied and their credit history continue rushing down. So how to rebuild credit when your credit history is low? Here we give you several ways, which one to choose is up to you:

Catalog cards (also known as shopping cards):

These cards are linked to a specific retailer and can be used to buy goods from their online or mail-order catalogs. You will be able to buy almost anything you need, from kitchen utensils, beauty supplies and clothing to outdoor gear and sports equipment. With the convenience to buy products at your favorite retailers you also get the opportunity to fix credit history.

Secured cards:

If you prefer a major credit card that is accepted at most locations, a secured card may be a better choice for you. The catch is, you will have to put down a deposit up front, to act as collateral. The amount you put down will usually be equal to the line of credit you are granted. Cards for bad credit:

There are some unsecured credit cards designed especially for people with bad credit. They often have high APRs, and may carry more fees than credit cards for good credit, but if they are used responsibly they can help you repair your credit.

Prepaid cards:

You might think that a prepaid card, which anyone can be approved for with no credit check, is a good idea for you if your credit is bad. While they are a good option when you need the convenience of using card, there is one problem - they do not report to the consumer reporting agencies. So although prepaid cards can be great, they will not help you rebuild your credit.

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This tool finds credit offers that suit your situation best. However, only lenders and issuers decide whether you'll be approved or not for an offer.

Not Sure Which Card to Choose?

Ask Our Experts or Read Credit Card FAQs
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You may find different credit card offers aimed at people with bad credit. It is important to understand your financial situation and preferences to recommend the best card for bad credit. First of all, you should consider fees and interest rates....
Prepaid cards do not help your credit because the activity on the card is not reported to the credit bureaus. But secured cards are a good option if you want to improve your credit history. The issuers of secured credit cards report the credit...
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