A low credit score puts you in a position where you do not have many financial options. Surprisingly, there are several no-credit-check secured credit card options to help you build credit. These cards are particularly built to help out consumers with little to no FICO score. 

Having said that, we understand it is tough to pick the best ones in the sea of cards as a beginner. So, to lighten your load, we did our research and found some no-credit-check credit cards that will lay your foundation of finance

We have given a brief overview of the cards, their specifics, and features in this blog. Read till the end for more information. 

Cred ai cards

In addition to Unicorn credit cards, Cred AI provides deposit accounts that, when used responsibly, improve credit scores. Special features like stopgaps, which prevent overspending and late payments, are included with these cards. This is one of the best credit cards available to people without a credit history.

Card Features:

  • Increase of ninety points after sixty days of use.
  • Earning reward points is possible for each dollar you spend on bill payments.
  • Utilize tools powered by AI to monitor your spending.
  • Consumers receive a stealth card as a backup to use on unsafe websites.
  • Availability of 55,000 ATMs around the country.
  • No costs associated with foreign transactions, balance transfers, or cash advances.
ProsCons
Strong security control.No discounts or cashback.
No credit check is required.It does not offer an added interest rate over the saved amount.
Low credit utilization value.

APR: 17.76%

Annual Fees: $0

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Milestone credit cards

Milestone credit cards offer a ton of amazing perks and are specially made for people with ordinary credit. The company even accepts applications from people with zero credit scores. However, you must consider it your last resort due to the multiple fees it charges. 

Card Features:

  • You can get cash back on every purchase you make.
  • Reward points can be exchanged for cash, gift cards, and vouchers.
  • You can set up automatic payments for regular deposits.
  • The company offers a simple Milestone card activation process.
  • Improves your credit score by paying your bills on schedule.
ProsCons 
No security deposits are required.Very high interest rate.
Build or restore CIBIL records with ease.High annual costs for the initial year.
Protection for cell phones and zero liability.There are no welcome perks or bonus points.
No reward point expiration.

APR: 35.90%

Annual Charges:  $175 first year, $49 thereafter

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Chime card

Chime offers secured credit builder cards that are issued by Stride Bank N.A. Obtaining these cards is not too difficult; one must have a direct transfer of $200 or more from gig payers, employers, or other trustworthy sources.

Card Features:

  • Save money with a good yield for free.
  • Access to more than 60,000 ATMs in the network.
  • Purchases made with a debit card and account overdrafts are complimentary.
  • Simple application procedure and you can also visit different Chime Reload locations to add money.
ProsCons
No regular costs.No welcome bonus.
No overdraft fees.No rewards or cash backs.
Reports to three different credit bureaus.Requires security deposit.
Tools to lower the ratio of credit utilization.

APR: 0

Annual Fees: $0

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Discover It Student Card

These are the finest credit cards for students to establish credit without any prior credit history. For new users, it provides cashback and an endless supply of rewards. You can also use the company’s tools to familiarize yourself with a variety of credit-building strategies.

Card Features:

  • Get quarterly cashback of 5% on regular purchases.
  • Receive 1% cash back on every purchase.
  • It helps students earn credit for ethical usage.
  • First-year match on cashback feature- $50 can become $100.
ProsCons
Cashback match for the initial year.Low reward rate of 1%.
Cashback of 5% quarterly.Only offer a quarterly bonus.
Simple approval.No cashback-match feature after the initial year.
No credit pull.

APR: 18.24%-27.24%

Annual Fees: $0

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Capital One quicksilver cards

Capital One Quicksilver is a popular cash-back card and is regarded as one of the best credit cards for people with no credit history. The new card requires a refundable deposit before you can use it to make purchases. 

Card Features:

  • Zero fraud liability insurance.
  • Multiple reward programs and cash back on every transaction.
  • Evaluation of accounts regularly to raise the cap.
  • Procedure for preapproval without reviewing records.
  • A straightforward activation and application procedure.
ProsCons
No annual fees.A security deposit of $200 is required.
Offers great rewards.Very high interest rate.
Increase in line of credit.The credit limit is low for the first term.

APR: 30.74% variable 

Annual Fees: $0

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

OpenSky Visa cards

For those looking to rebuild their credit, the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is a viable choice. Unlike traditional credit cards, there is no credit check requirement for applications, so you don’t have to worry about a bad credit score. Additionally, the annual fee is a mere $35.

Card Features:

  • The company gives free access to FICO reports monthly.
  • Tools and special features to establish a credit history.
  • A straightforward dashboard for activity management.
  • Does not require you to qualify with a rigorous credit pull.
ProsCons
No credit checks.Foreign transaction fee of 3%.
APR is comparatively low.Annual charges of $35.
No bank account is required.

APR: NA

Annual Charges: $35

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

First Progress Platinum Pristine card

This secured credit card has a lower APR, reasonable annual fees, offers incentives, does not require credit checks, and even builds credit; what more could you ask? With its unique credit-building features, the annual fee of $49 is worth it. Plus, you get earning potential with 1% cashback on every transaction. 

Card Features:

  • Reports to major credit bureaus.
  • Cashback of 1% on each transaction. 
  • Customers get to select their credit line between $200-$2000.
  • Do not charge any fee for over-drafting.
  • The company accepts applications without any hard credit pull.
ProsCons
Reports to major credit bureaus.Charges foreign transaction fee.
Low APR than competitors.Annual maintenance fee of $49.
No CIBIL score is required.

APR: 15.24%

Annual Fees: $49

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Varo Believe Card

This one’s ideal for people who want to build credit scores and regulate their spending habits. Varo cards have simple and useful features that are especially beneficial to people who are new to credit. These cards do not have APR or other charges, but they require monthly direct deposits for maintenance. 

Card Features:

  • Customers can create their credit limit.
  • You can earn up to 6% cash back on shopping at certain retail brands. 
  • Safe Pay feature to set up automatic bill payments every month.
  • The company does not ask for credit history and does not charge any fees.
ProsCons
No APR.A Varo Bank account is mandatory.
No fees.A monthly direct deposit is required.
Set up your line of credit.No balance transfer is allowed.

APR: 0

Annual Fees: $0

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

US Bank Altitude Go Secured card

It is among the greatest credit cards for those without credit because of its robust but user-friendly features. This card offers reasonable rewards for using it to make online purchases. The only catch is that these cards are secured too, so you have to pay a refundable security deposit to procure them. 

Card Features:

  • $15 yearly credit toward streaming services.
  • Every dollar spent on purchases earns one point.
  • Provides monthly credit reports to cardholders and submits reports to the three main credit bureaus.
  • No costs for international transactions.
ProsCons
No annual payments.High rate of interest.
Annual credits are available for eligible streaming platforms.A minimum security deposit of $300 is required.
Upgrades automatically to advanced features card.No welcome rewards.

APR: 29.99% variable

Annual Fees: $0

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Petal 2 Visa Secured Card

Petal 2 Visa Secured Card is best for people who want to start their credit-building journey but are hesitant to pay multiple fees. This card offers cashback benefits at no cost. Plus, it gives a grace period to make late payments. 

Card Features:

  • 1% cashback on eligible purchases.
  • 1.5% cashback after 12 months for on-time payments. 
  • Special tools to build CIBIL records.
  • Up to 10% cashback on selected retail stores.
  • Reports to major credit bureaus.
ProsCons
No annual fees or foreign transaction fees.Do not offer intro APR benefits.
No credit history is required.Do not allow cash advances or balance transfers.
No security deposit is required.

APR: 18.24%-32.24%

Annual Fees: $0

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

So these are the best no-credit-check credit cards that you can get to start building a financial record. Now, let us look at how to choose the best one out of all the great options. 

Also Read: Destiny Credit Card, Payment, and Customer Support in 2024

How to Select the Right Credit Card with No Credit Check?

Every consumer has their own needs; therefore, you can not just pick up any card that your friend is using. Researching about no credit check credit cards with no deposit is mandatory to avoid missteps. 

You must gauge your financial situation first, regardless of your record. This will help you sort out the best options. Next, you must calculate the approximate repayment for each card. 

There are a few points to take into account when comparing all the no-credit-check credit cards. Let’s discuss them here.

  • Check to see if the company requires a security deposit.
  • Ask the credit department about the income requirement and interest rate charged on it.
  • You must go for credit cards offering decent features at minimal fees or no cost.
  • Avoid credit cards with high APRs and hidden fees.
  • Select a cashback and reward credit card that maximizes profits on spending. 

These are the most important things to look for when choosing a credit card without a credit check. Figure out your expectations from your credit card, then search for the card that aligns well. 

How to Utilize Credit Cards with No Credit Check? 

Credit cards are instruments that can make or break your financial life, depending on your usage. However, practicing a few simple things can keep you on a stable path. 

These are the things to practice for making the most out of your credit cards with no credit check:

  • Pay Balance in Full: People get trapped in interest rates when they do not pay the bill in full every month. The late fees and APR start adding up over the outstanding balance and if you fail to pay on time, it can be a major setback for credit building. 

    To get the best value out of your starter card, make sure to pay the monthly bill on time. You can even set up an automatic payment to avoid delays. 

  • Lower Your Credit Utilization Ratio: The credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit you’ve used from the total line of credit. It determines how well you manage the debt. 

    It is advised to keep this ratio below 30%. If your limit is $1000, you should only use $300 monthly with your credit card. Budgeting carefully will help you minimize your credit utilization. 

  • Don’t Take Cash Advances: Taking a loan from a credit issuer instantly shores up credit utilization and comes with high-interest rates and other charges. It is recommended to avoid taking cash advances, and in case of emergencies, only take the amount that you can repay easily. 
  • Keep a Track Over the Transactions: Reviewing your credit card statement regularly will help you cut down on unnecessary spending. You can also dispute any unauthorized charges that appear on your bill. 
  • Redeem the Rewards and Cashback: Rewards are a great way to maximize your savings. You must redeem the cashback or reward points as soon as you earn them. Cardholders usually wait till they accumulate a large pool, however, this increases the risk of expiration and devaluation. 

By keeping all the above-given points in check, you can make the most out of your credit card without credit checks.

So this is all about the starter credit cards, how to find the best one, and how you can take advantage of the features. We hope this blog has provided you with useful information and will help you make sound decisions. 

Read Next: Credit Card Standard Size, Weight, Material, and Dimensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: You can apply online by filling in your personal and income details, or call the credit department of the company to fill out your application.

Ans: No credit check cards are designed for people with poor history, so it is not difficult to get accepted.

Ans: The security deposit is different for each issuer, and it determines the initial line of credit.

Sources: 

About the company – By Cred.ai
Chime Benefits and Features – By Chime online Banking