Best Secured Credit Cards (2026) — Build Credit With a Low Deposit
Secured credit cards are one of the most reliable ways to build or rebuild credit. They require a refundable deposit, report to all three credit bureaus, and are available to people with no credit or bad credit. Here are the best options in 2026.
| Card | Min. Deposit | Annual Fee | APR | Upgrades to Unsecured? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Secured | $200 | $0 | 28.24% | Yes, automatic review at 7 months |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | $49–$200 | $0 | 29.99% | Yes, automatic review |
| Chime Credit Builder | $0 (deposit = spending) | $0 | No interest | N/A — different model |
| OpenSky Secured Visa | $200 | $35 | 25.64% | No, but no credit check |
| Secured Mastercard (Citi) | $200 | $0 | 27.74% | Yes, review after 18 months |
| Self Visa Secured Card | Linked to Self loan | $25 | 28.99% | No |
Discover it Secured — Best Overall
The Discover it Secured card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants and 1% everywhere else. Discover automatically reviews your account for an upgrade to an unsecured card after 7 months. No annual fee. Our top pick for people with bad or no credit.
- No annual fee
- Cash-back rewards — rare for secured cards
- Automatic upgrade review at 7 months
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- $200 minimum deposit (refundable)
- 28.24% APR (pay in full to avoid)
- Requires $200 minimum deposit
- Less widely accepted than Visa/Mastercard
Apply for Discover it Secured →
Capital One Platinum Secured — Best Low Deposit
Capital One offers the lowest deposit in our ranking — some applicants qualify for a $200 credit line with only a $49 deposit. No annual fee, and Capital One reviews your account for an upgrade automatically. A great first secured card.
- $49 deposit for some applicants
- No annual fee
- Automatic credit line review after 6 months
- Reports to all 3 bureaus
- No rewards program
- 29.99% APR
- Higher deposit required if you do not qualify for $49 tier
Apply for Capital One Secured →
Chime Credit Builder — Best With No Interest
Chime’s Credit Builder is technically a secured card but works differently: your spending limit equals the balance you transfer to the card. There is no APR because the card does not carry a balance — it draws directly from your Chime account. No annual fee and no credit check required.
- No interest charges ever
- No credit check required
- No annual fee
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- Requires a Chime checking account
- No rewards
- No path to traditional unsecured card
Apply for Chime Credit Builder →
Secured Card FAQs
Do secured cards actually build credit?
Yes — as long as the card reports to all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). All the cards above do. Use the card for small purchases and pay in full each month to build a positive payment history.
When will I get my deposit back?
When you either close the account (in good standing) or are upgraded to an unsecured card, your deposit is returned. Discover and Capital One both offer automatic upgrade reviews that return your deposit without closing the account.
Start building your credit today.
Open a secured card with as little as $49 down.