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 ACCOUNT

5
Loan Overall Rating
Any Credit
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Maximum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
Checking Account Required
No
  • 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.

Best Cards for People Rebuilding Credit

4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • 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.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
  • Credit Limit Increase Eligible after 12 months of consistent responsible account management.
  • We report monthly to the Consumer Reporting Agencies to help you build** your credit.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
5
Loan Overall Rating
  • No credit check
  • 0% APR and No hidden fees
  • Open your account in minutes
  • Bank-level security keeps your data safe
  • A $750 revolving line of credit to use for Kikoff purchases
  • Build payment history that gets reported to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
Checking Account Required
No
Maximum Loan Amount
$750
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
  • No annual fee for the first year with AutoPay*
  • No security deposit required
  • We don't charge fees for ATM cash withdrawals**
  • Initial credit limit up to $3,000
  • We regularly report on your credit card performance to help you establish credit history
  • Zero fraud liability (which offers protection against unauthorized purchases)
  • While you wait for your Prosper® Card to ship, use a portion of your credit line instantly through Digital Wallet, MyProsperCard app, or Prosper.com
  • Choose a monthly payment date that works for you
  • Free mobile app—MyProsperCard
  • Issued by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC pursuant to a license by Mastercard® International
Regular APR
23.24% - 34.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$59 (waived for your first year if you are approved and sign up for AutoPay before we issue your first statement)
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • Don’t let a low credit score stop you from pre-qualifying — second chances are our first priority.
  • PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are made for people with less-than-perfect credit.
  • Credit limit increase eligible after 12 months of consistent responsible account management.
  • We'll provide you a manageable credit limit and manageable payments meant to help you stick to your budget.
  • Award-winning, U.S.-based customer service
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes

This offer is not available in Vermont and Wisconsin.

5
Loan Overall Rating
All Credit Types Considered
  • Get up to a +86 average341 FICO® Score increase on autopilot
  • Largest credit builder in the nation
  • Build from $2,000 up to $30,000 of credit history starting at low monthly payments
  • Great if you want to access premium CCs & higher credit limits
  • No credit history needed; no hard check required
  • No prepayment or early cancellation fees

This offer is not available in Vermont and Wisconsin.

Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
$30,000
Minimum Loan Amount
$2,000
Employment Required
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
  • To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.
  • No annual fees or interest.3
  • No credit check to apply.
  • No minimum security deposit required.1
  • Whether it’s gas or groceries, all purchases can count towards building credit with on-time payment.
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
  • Help increase your credit scores/FICO® Score by an average of 30 points*
  • View and track your FICO® Score2 right in the Chime app. FICO is the credit score used by 90% of lenders.
  • The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., 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 deposit account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
  • *Based on a representative study conducted by Experian® in January 2024, members who made their fi rst purchase with Credit Builder between June 2022 and October 2022 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.
  • 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 and OTC advance fees may apply. View the Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
Regular APR
0%
Annual Fee
$0
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
  • Start building credit with all three credit bureaus with the secured Self Visa® Credit Card.
  • Apply Now: Intro No Annual Fee with the Self Card^
  • No credit check
  • No hard inquiry
  • $100 minimum security deposit*
  • *Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria Subject to change. The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
  • ^$0 annual fee for the first year only. $25 annual fee after. 28.24% Variable APR. Limited time offer.
Regular APR
28.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
Intro - $0 ($25 Annual Fee after the first year.)
Program Fee
See terms
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
  • Credit for everyone - Regardless of your credit history!
  • Get paid up to 2 days faster - Using Direct Deposit.
  • Build credit not debt.
  • Grow your savings - Earn up to a 4.00% Bonus on Savings Pods.
  • View Product Disclosures
Regular APR
0.00%
Annual Fee
$0
Program Fee
N/A
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • Pre-qualify with no impact to your credit score.
  • Don’t let a low credit score stop you from pre-qualifying – we’ve helped millions build** credit, now it’s your turn.
  • Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month.
  • Our mobile app helps you keep track of your spending and payments for greater financial control.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Poor/Limited/No Credit
  • Choose the First Latitude Assent Card and enjoy $0 Annual Fee!
  • Secure your credit line with your refundable security deposit – choose from $200 - $2,000. With the ability to increase up to $5,000 over time!
  • Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards on payments made to your First Latitude Secured credit card account.
  • Designed to push you forward on your credit building journey with $0 Annual Fee.
  • Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.1
  • All credit types welcome to apply!
  • 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
28.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0.00
Program Fee
See website for Details*
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
4
Card Overall Rating
Fair / Poor Credit
  • Pre-qualify with no impact to your credit score
  • Helping people build** credit is our first priority – start your credit-building journey today.
  • Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month.
  • We report monthly to the Consumer Reporting Agencies to help you build your credit.
  • Award-winning, U.S.-based customer service
Regular APR
See Provider Website
Annual Fee
See Provider Website
Program Fee
See Provider Website
Credit Bureau Reporting
Yes
5
Loan Overall Rating
Poor, Fair, Good Credit
  • Sezzle enables you to obtain no-interest loans for purchases.
  • No hard credit check.
  • Simple, transparent 6-week payment plan.
  • With the Sezzle subscription, Sezzle Anywhere, shoppers can shop at any retailer (in store and in person) and pay in 4 with Sezzle.
Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
See terms
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
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, 15.92% APR; $35/mo, 24 mos, 15.69% APR; $48/mo, 24 mos, 15.51% APR; $150/mo, 24 mos, 15.82% APR. See self.inc/pricing
Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
See terms
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
5
Loan Overall Rating
  • Get improved your credit score in less than 7 days
  • No credit check, no interest, no fees – just instant approval
  • High credit limit instantly lowers your credit usage
  • Use the Ava app to pay bills on time, building a positive payment history
  • Daily reporting to all bureaus
  • Subscription fee of $6/month when you sign up for an annual plan, the month to month subscription fee is $9
Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
$2,500
Minimum Loan Amount
See terms
Employment Required
No
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
$25
Employment Required
Yes
5
Overall Rating
  • 3-bureau credit scores & reports
  • Track your scores, reports, and follow your progress
  • Credit report review
  • Credit building tools at your fingertips
  • AI-driven interactive credit analysis
  • Unlimited dispute generation
Credit Bureaus Monitored
All three bureaus
Trial Term
$1 (7 day trial)
Monthly Fee
$39.99
Credit Monitoring Alerts
See terms
5
Loan Overall Rating
  • Credit Boosting Made Easy.
  • No hard credit pull.
  • Positive credit reporting with every payment.
  • Secured credit card after your 4th payment.
  • Payment amounts are yours to keep, minus interest and fees.
  • Easy. Smart. Automatic.
Checking Account Required
Yes
Maximum Loan Amount
$850
Minimum Loan Amount
$300
Employment Required
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.

GET YOUR OFFER MATCH
Get matched to suitable credit offers!
It takes less than
1 minute
Will not affect your
credit score
Select your credit score:
Have your ever declared Bankruptcy?
Which active bank accounts Do you have?
Debit Card
Credit Card
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
A credit card is the easiest way to improve your credit history. But it’s better not to apply for a credit card right away the bankruptcy is discharged. It is wise to wait at least six month. If you can’t wait, make sure all your reports...
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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