/
/
Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Our recommended unsecured credit cards, secured credit cards, and prepaid debit cards are specifically designed for people with less-than-perfect credit. If you have bad credit, a limited credit history, or no credit history at all, read our expert reviews below and choose the best card to help you begin reestablishing your credit history.
If you're having a tough time deciding which card to get or want to know how credit cards can help you rebuild your credit, read our recent featured article on this very topic.
Unsecured Credit Cards
Unsecured cards provide the opportunity to rebuild your credit without the need for a security deposit.
Expert Rating:
4.75 / 5
stars
- Reports to 3 major credit bureaus monthly
- Provides you the opportunity to rebuild your credit score
- Acceptance at millions of locations including online purchases and reservations
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| 14.99% - 19.99%, or 7.99% for secured cards |
$0-$39
(based on credit worthiness) |
$0-$59 first year;
$35-$59 per year thereafter |
Yes |
Bad or Fair Credit |
Expert Rating:
4.75 / 5
stars
- An excellent credit card for rebuilding bad credit scores; reports to 3 major credit bureaus monthly
- Email and text messages to remind you of your upcoming payment due date with online enrollment
- Acceptance at millions of locations worldwide, including website purchases and reservations
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| 14.99% - 19.99%, or 7.99% for secured cards |
$0-$39
(based on credit worthiness) |
$0-$59 first year;
$35-$59 per year thereafter |
Yes |
Bad or Fair Credit |
- Monthly reporting to major credit bureaus
- Accepted worldwide wherever you see the Visa logo
- Pre-qualification takes less than a minute and doesn't affect your credit
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| 23.9% |
$0 |
$99.00 |
Yes |
Bad Credit OK |
Bad credit credit cards may carry higher fees than a prime credit card, including monthly or annual fees. Consider this the cost of rebuilding your credit. Make sure you always stay current on your credit cards and in time, your responsible use will help to improve your credit score.
- Automatic reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus
- Get the credit you need with no processing fees or application fees
- You may qualify for credit line increases with no further security deposit required
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| 22.9%(V) |
$0 |
$29.00 |
Yes |
Limited / Bad |
Even if you have horrible credit, it's never too late to get your credit back on track. The credit card offers on our "Bad Credit" page, both secured and unsecured, will help you rebuild your credit as long as you maintain all balances below your credit limits and make your monthly payments on time. It's as simple as that. Live within your means, use credit sparingly, pay your credit card bills on time, and your credit scores will continue to improve.
Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards won't help you rebuild credit, but they can act as a low-cost substitute for a checking account while providing the convenience of paying with plastic instead of cash. Like a regular debit card, you'll only be able to spend what you preload on the card.
- Fewer fees than other prepaid cards
- No credit checks or overdraft fees
- No transaction fees - Use wherever American Express is accepted worldwide
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$0 |
$0 |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
- No issuance fee online
- No credit check or bank account required
- Limited time offer: $10 bonus with qualifying direct deposit
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$0 |
$36.00 |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
- Save up to $220 compared to other prepaid cards, the first year alone!
- Earn 1,500 cash back reward points for your first direct deposit load
- $0.99 monthly fee if $500 is loaded each month. (Only $2.99 otherwise)
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$0 |
See Terms* |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
Some prepaid cards provide rewards programs so you can earn cash back or points towards free merchandise.
- 100% guaranteed approval* with no credit check!
- Free direct deposit, $0 activation fee
- Free credit builder!
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$3.95 - $14.95 |
See Terms* |
See Terms* |
Bad Credit OK |
- Instant Guaranteed Approval* — no credit check, no security deposit
- High customer satisfaction
- $25 bonus when you set up direct deposit
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
n/a |
$119.40 |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
Prepaid cards belonging to electronic payment networks, such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, are accepted worldwide and online.
- Reloadable - $10,000 balance limit
- $0 ACTIVATION FEE* — when you load your card by direct deposit
- $25 bonus when you set up direct deposit! Only takes 60 seconds!
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
n/a |
$119.40 |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
- FREE Activation Online - and NO Credit Checks!
- Free ATM withdrawals at over 18,000 participating ATMs
- First MoneyPak® load is refunded to you
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$0 |
See Terms* |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
Carefully read about all the fees associated with a prepaid card before signing up. For example, some reloadable prepaid cards charge setup fees while others don't.
- Great alternative to checking account
- No credit checks
- Pay no interest
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$9.95 |
$119.40 |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
- NO credit checks, 100% guaranteed approval*!
- Free direct deposit
- Free credit builder
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$3.95 - $14.95 |
See Terms* |
See Terms* |
Bad Credit OK |
Although some prepaid cards may charge a fee for activation or set up, these fees may be waived if you load your card using direct deposit from your employer.
- No credit checks, no income requirements, no bank account required
- No bounced check, NSF, or overdraft fees - EVER!
- FREE rewards program, rewarding you with 1 point per $1 spent
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$9.95 |
$39.95 |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
- Guaranteed Approval*, No Credit Checks!
- NO overdraft fees or interest charges
- Low weekly fee is waived with Direct Deposit
- More Info
| Ongoing APR |
Setup Fee |
Annual Fee |
Credit Bureau Reporting |
Credit Required |
| n/a |
$29.95 |
$0 |
No |
Bad Credit OK |
