Writer: Ashley Fricker
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Key Takeaways
Rebuilding credit starts with finding the right fit. These are my top picks by card category:
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Milestone® Mastercard®: Best for rebuilding credit without a security deposit. See rates & fees
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opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for applying without a credit check. See rates & fees
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Total Visa® Card: Best for exploring an unsecured option after bankruptcy.
A low credit score can limit your card options, but some issuers specialize in helping people establish or rebuild credit. Subprime credit cards include unsecured options without a deposit and secured cards backed by refundable deposits.
Below, we compare our top picks, including options to explore after bankruptcy. We also explain how prepaid cards differ and why they won’t help build your credit.
Unsecured | Secured | Bankruptcy OK | Prepaid
Best “Unsecured” Subprime Credit Cards
The most sought-after type of credit card is typically an unsecured card, as it doesn’t require a deposit to open or maintain. Because they have no collateral security, however, unsecured credit cards are often harder to obtain with poor credit than secured cards.
Harder, but not impossible. Many of our expert-rated credit card issuers offer unsecured credit cards for a range of credit scores, no deposit required.
- Guaranteed $700 credit limit if approved.
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
- Don’t Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
- Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
- Zero Fraud Liability – Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
- Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
- No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 minutes | See terms | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are for building credit.
- Start building credit by keeping your balances 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.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 35.90% Fixed | Yes | 8.5/10 |
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
- Use Anywhere Mastercard is Accepted
- No Security Deposit
- $0 fraud liability**
- Free access to your Credit Score†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
**Fraud liability subject to Mastercard rules.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
+See More Unsecured Subprime Cards
Although unsecured credit cards don’t require a deposit, most will come with some sort of fee, most frequently an annual fee.
An abundance of fees is especially common among unsecured cards designed for subprime consumers. These cards will often have the expected annual fee, as well as some sort of program or processing fee to open the account. They may also have monthly maintenance fees.
Most fees, including annual fees and processing fees, will generally be charged when you first open your account, reducing the amount of credit you initially have available until the fees have been paid.
Best “Secured” Subprime Credit Cards
As the name suggests, secured credit cards are secured by an initial deposit that acts as collateral for the credit line. Thanks to that deposit, secured credit cards are lower risk to the issuer and, thus, can be easier to obtain than unsecured cards.
With most secured credit cards, the size of your deposit will dictate the size of your credit line, up to a specific maximum. Most of our top-rated secured cards require a deposit of $200 or more.
- Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
- No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
- Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
- Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
- Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
- Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Start with just $200—secure your credit line with a refundable deposit
- Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
- Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
- More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
- Join 2 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 24.14% (variable) | Yes | 7.0/10 |
- Earn Up To 10% Cash Back on everyday shopping with your First Progress Card, plus another 1% back on payments!^^
- Apply with no impact to your credit!²
- The first step to rebuilding your credit starts with just $200!¹
- Choose the First Progress Select Card for a lower annual fee!
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Build your credit history across 3 major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.¹
- 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.
- ²We may pull a soft inquiry of your credit. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score.
- ^^The 10% cash back rate is available only at a limited number of participating merchants. Offer percentages vary by merchant and are subject to change. See First Progress Rewards Program Terms & Conditions for details.
- *See Important Disclosures for complete offer details
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 17.74% (V) | Yes | 7.5/10 |
+See More Secured Subprime Cards
While unsecured credit cards for subprime consumers often come with steep fees, one big advantage of a secured credit card is that your deposit is fully refundable, as long as you keep your account in good standing.
So, if you close your account with a $0 balance, you’ll receive your full deposit back from the issuer. (Keep in mind that this is just your deposit; it won’t include any actual fees, like annual fees, that you may pay.)
However, if you default on your debt, the issuer will use your deposit to cover the outstanding balance.
That’s not the end of it, though. If you wind up owing more than your deposit can cover, you’ll still be on the hook for the remainder of your debt. You’ll also be in a lot of credit score trouble, too, as a defaulted account can drop your score by dozens of points.
Best “Bankruptcy OK” Subprime Credit Cards
Although you can wind up with bad credit from any number of poor credit behaviors, bankruptcy can do some of the most damage, and recovering from a bankruptcy can often take significant time and effort.
One of the best ways to help improve a post-bankruptcy credit score is to work on rebuilding a positive payment history with new credit. And while finding new credit with a bankruptcy on your report can be challenging, some issuers, like those below, will give many consumers a chance.
- Double the Rewards: Earn Up To 10% Cash Back on Purchases at select merchants & 1% Back on Payments!^^
- An initial credit limit Up To $500! (See terms*)
- Checking account required.
- Free credit monitoring powered by TransUnion®
- Fast and easy application process.
- All credit types welcome to apply.
- *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
- ^^1% Cash Back is earned on payments to your Credit Card. Up To 10% Cash Back is earned on qualifying purchases at select participating merchants. Offer percentages vary by merchant and are subject to change. See Total Card Visa Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 35.99%* | Yes | 8.5/10 |
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
- Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
- Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
- No security deposit
- Free Access to your Credit Score†
- Review Cardholder Agreement for rate and fee information
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry into your credit history (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
- Earn Up To 10% Cash Back on everyday shopping with your First Access Card – Plus, another 1% back on payments!^^
- An initial credit limit Up To $500! (See terms*)
- Rebuild your credit and get rewarded with First Access.¹
- Applying only takes a few minutes, and we will provide a credit response in 60 seconds or less.
- *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
- ¹Account holders who pay their bill on time every month and keep their balance low relative to their credit line, may build or rebuilt their credit.
- ^^1% Cash Back is earned on payments to your Credit Card. Up To 10% Cash Back is earned on qualifying purchases at select participating merchants. Offer percentages vary by merchant and are subject to change. See First Access Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 35.99%* | Yes | 8.0/10 |
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Reflex Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 minutes | 35.90% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
+See More Bankruptcy OK Subprime Cards
An important distinction to make when it comes to finding a credit card after bankruptcy is the after part. You’ll generally need to wait until your bankruptcy is completed before you’ll qualify for new credit.
Essentially, few credit card issuers — or any type of lender, really — will want to risk having their debt added to an open bankruptcy, where it may be discharged along with everything else.
A good way to find out what creditors will see when they pull your credit reports is to pull your credit reports yourself.
Checking your own credit won’t hurt your score, and it can help you confirm that your bankruptcy status is being reported accurately and that any discharged accounts were updated properly.
Best “Prepaid” Subprime Cards
While not technically credit cards, prepaid cards can allow you to make non-cash purchases if you’re currently in the middle of a bankruptcy or have struggled to find a card through any credit issuers.
Prepaid cards can be loaded — then reloaded — with funds and used to make purchases anywhere the network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) is accepted. Our prepaid card option accepts direct deposits and bank transfers.
- Greenlight is a debit card for kids, managed by parents
- Parents set flexible controls and receive real-time alerts while kids monitor their balances, set goals, and learn how to manage money
- Feel secure knowing Greenlight blocks unsafe spending categories
- Receive Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection
- Upload a photo of your choice to create a unique custom card
- Debit cards are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
- Easily turn your Greenlight card on or off and receive real-time spending notifications
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | N/A (Prepaid) | No | 7.0/10.0 |
Because prepaid cards aren’t tied to a line of credit, they won’t create debt or rack up interest charges, though some do come with monthly or annual usage fees.
Additionally, because they aren’t credit products, prepaid cards don’t require certain credit scores to open or maintain, and they won’t report payment behaviors to the credit bureaus. In some ways, prepaid cards are most similar to debit cards.
But while the lack of credit reporting means prepaid cards can’t hurt your credit score, remember that it also means prepaid cards can’t help your credit. You can’t establish or build a credit history or score with prepaid cards.
Go from Subprime to Prime with Responsible Card Use
When you do find a credit card with subprime credit, be sure to use it responsibly so that you can improve your credit score. After six to 12 months of building a positive payment history, you may find prime issuers a lot more receptive to your applications.
