Building or rebuilding credit can feel like standing at the starting line with no map. Enter the secured credit card—your first powerful tool to build credit responsibly. But not all secured cards are created equal. Some come with unexpected perks, low fees, or secret advantages you probably didn’t know existed.
Here are 7 secured credit cards you didn’t know you needed—but will be glad you discovered.
1. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Best for: Cash back rewards + credit building
Most secured cards offer no rewards, but this one breaks the mold. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 per quarter), plus 1% on everything else. Bonus: Discover matches your cash back after your first year.
Standout Feature: Free FICO® score and automatic account review after 7 months to potentially upgrade to an unsecured card.
2. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Best for: Low deposit requirements
With Capital One, you might qualify for a $200 credit line with just a $49, $99, or $200 deposit. That flexibility can be a game-changer if you're tight on cash.
Standout Feature: No annual fee and potential credit line increase with responsible use—without an additional deposit.
3. Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Card
Best for: No credit check and flexible payments
Chime flips the script—there’s no minimum deposit, no annual fees, and no interest. It works like a debit card with credit-reporting power. You move money to a secured account and spend from there.
Standout Feature: No credit check to apply and no interest charges—ideal for absolute beginners.
4. Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Best for: Building long-term credit history
This card doesn’t offer rewards, but it reports to all three credit bureaus and is backed by a major bank. It’s ideal if you want a no-frills, reliable way to build credit over time.
Standout Feature: Solid reputation and security features like $0 liability on unauthorized charges.
5. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Best for: No credit history or poor credit
OpenSky doesn’t require a credit check, making it perfect for people with bad or no credit. Approval is based solely on your ability to fund the security deposit.
Standout Feature: No credit check required + consistent reporting to all three bureaus.
6. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Card
Best for: Flexible rewards categories
This card earns 3% cash back in a category of your choice (like gas, online shopping, or dining), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% everywhere else. It's rare to see this level of rewards on a secured card.
Standout Feature: Customizable rewards + potential graduation to an unsecured card.
7. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students (No Deposit Required)
Best for: Students with no credit history
Okay, it’s not technically a secured card—but it's perfect for college students starting out. No deposit required, no annual fee, and it offers 1% cash back on all purchases, plus Amazon Prime Student free for one year.
Standout Feature: Great for students with no credit history or SSN (international students welcome).
Final Word: Which One’s for You?
Each of these secured cards brings something unique to the table—whether it’s low deposit requirements, strong rewards, or no credit check needed. The key is to match the card to your current situation and goals. Whichever route you take, remember: responsible use is what turns a secured card into a powerful credit-building machine.
