Which card is best for someone with no credit history to start building credit?

If you have no credit history, the "best" card depends on whether you are a student, whether you already have a checking account with a major bank, or whether you are willing to put down a security deposit.

The top options for starting your credit journey are broken down below by category:

1. Best Unsecured Cards (No Deposit Required)

• Chase Freedom Rise®Go to product viewer dialog for this item.: This is arguably the best entry-level unsecured card if you can qualify. It requires no security deposit , earns flat cash back (1.5% on all purchases), and has a $0 annual fee. Your approval odds significantly increase if you have a checking account with Chase with a balance of at least $250 prior to applying. Details are available directly via Chase.
• Student Cards (If you are currently enrolled in college): Cards like the Discover it® Student Cash Back Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Go to product viewer dialog for this item. do not require prior credit history, charge a $0 annual fee, and actually offer generous cash-back rewards tailored to student spending (like dining, groceries, and entertainment).

2. Best Secured Cards (Security Deposit Required)

If you get denied for unsecured cards, a secured card is your foolproof starting point. You put down a refundable cash deposit (usually $200 minimum), which becomes your credit limit. Responsible use lets you graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.

• Discover it® Secured Credit Card Go to product viewer dialog for this item.: Widely considered the gold standard for building credit. It features a $0 annual fee, reports to all three major credit bureaus, and—uniquely for a secured card—earns cash back (2% back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, plus 1% on everything else). Check it out on Discover.
• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Go to product viewer dialog for this item.: A fantastic choice if you want simple, flat-rate rewards. It has a $0 annual fee and gives an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which is rare for a secured card. Learn more on Capital One.

To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• Are you currently a college student?
• Do you already have a checking or savings account with a major bank (like Chase, BofA, or Discover)?
• Are you comfortable putting down a refundable security deposit ($200) to secure a card?

If you have no credit history at all, my top pick is the Discover it® Secured Cash Back.

🥇 Best overall: Discover it Secured Cash Back

Discover's secured card is particularly beginner-friendly:

• No credit score required to apply
• $0 annual fee
• Refundable security deposit starting as low as $49 for a credit line of at least $200
• 1% cash back on regular purchases, plus 5% on rotating categories when activated
• Reports your account activity to the three major credit bureaus
• You can potentially graduate to an unsecured Discover card and get your deposit back.

🥈 Another excellent choice: Capital One Platinum Secured

Capital One's Platinum Secured is also very good. Depending on your application, the refundable deposit can be $49, $99, or $200 for at least a $200 credit line, and there's no annual fee.

What I'd do in your situation

If you're completely new to credit, I'd choose Discover it Secured, put perhaps $200–$500 down if you can comfortably afford it, and use it for one or two small recurring purchases.

Then:

1. Pay the statement balance in full every month.
2. Never miss a payment.
3. Keep the reported balance relatively low—ideally under 10% of your limit.
4. Don't apply for several cards at once.
5. After you establish a track record, look into graduating to an unsecured card.

The key isn't spending a lot—the goal is simply demonstrating that you can borrow a little and consistently pay it back on time.

One exception: if you're a college student, a student credit card may be even better because you may qualify without putting down a security deposit.

If you tell me your age, whether you're a student, and roughly how much you can put down ($50/$200/$500+), I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 cards for you.

For someone with no credit history, the best first card is usually one that is easy to qualify for, has no annual fee, reports to all three credit bureaus, and encourages good habits. The “best” choice depends on whether you’re a student and whether you can put down a deposit.

Best starter credit cards

🥇 Best overall for many beginners: Chase Freedom Rise

• Best for: Someone who wants a regular (unsecured) card without a security deposit
• Pros: No annual fee, cash back rewards, designed for people new to credit
• Good fit if: You have income and a banking relationship that may help approval odds

Bankrate WalletHub### 🥇 Best if you’re a student: Discover it Student Cash Back

• Best for: College students with little or no credit
• Pros: $0 annual fee, cash-back rewards, beginner-friendly approval standards
• Good fit if: You want rewards while building your first credit history

Bankrate Forbes### 🥇 Best secured card (most accessible): Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

• Best for: Someone with no credit who may not qualify for an unsecured card
• Pros: $0 annual fee, refundable security deposit, designed for credit building
• Good fit if: You want the highest approval odds

Bankrate Bankrate### 🥇 Best secured card with rewards: Discover it Secured Credit Card

• Best for: Building credit while earning rewards
• Pros: Cash back, no annual fee, can transition to a stronger credit profile with responsible use

Bankrate## My general recommendation

• Student: Start with Discover it Student Cash Back.
• Not a student but have income: Try Chase Freedom Rise or a similar beginner unsecured card.
• Want the safest approval path: Choose Capital One Platinum Secured.

How to build credit quickly and safely

1. Put one or two small purchases on the card each month.
2. Keep your balance low (ideally under about 10–30% of your credit limit).
3. Pay the full statement balance every month.
4. Avoid applying for several cards at once.
5. Keep your first card open long-term if it has no annual fee.

If you tell me your age, whether you’re a student, your income situation, and whether you can put down a deposit, I can narrow it down to the best first choice.

When you have no credit history, the "best" card depends on whether you want an unsecured card (no deposit required) or a secured card (requires a refundable cash deposit acting as your credit limit).

The top-rated options on the market tailored specifically for beginners include:

• Best Unsecured Starter Card: Chase Freedom Rise
  • Why it's great: Unlike most standard rewards cards, it doesn't require prior credit history to be approved. It has a $0 annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
  • The catch: It helps to have a checking account with Chase with at least a small balance when applying, which boosts your approval odds.
• Best Secured Card with Rewards: Discover it Secured Cash Back
  • Why it's great: Most secured cards don't offer rewards, but Discover gives you 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter) plus 1% back on everything else. It has a $0 annual fee and automatically reviews your account after several months to see if you can graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
  • The catch: Requires a refundable security deposit upfront (typically a minimum of $200).
• Best No-Deposit/Alternative Option: Capital One Platinum Secured
  • Why it's great: If you can't put down a large deposit, Capital One sometimes assigns an initial credit limit higher than your deposit, or allows a smaller partial deposit for well-qualified applicants with thin files. It has a $0 annual fee.
  • The catch: It does not earn cash back rewards.

To help me narrow down the absolute best fit, tell me:

• Do you prefer an unsecured card (no deposit) or are you open to a secured card with a refundable deposit?
• Do you already have a checking/savings account with a major bank (like Chase or Bank of America)?

There isn't a single "best" card for everyone, as the right choice depends on your specific financial situation (such as whether you are a student or have cash available for a security deposit). However, the top-rated cards for starting with zero credit history fall into distinct categories based on your needs:

• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (Best for a low or flexible deposit): This card is ideal if you don't have a large amount of cash upfront. Depending on your credit qualification, your required refundable security deposit can start as low as $49, $99, or $200 for a baseline credit line. It has a $0 annual fee and automatically reviews your account for a higher credit limit or graduation to an unsecured card after 6 months.
• Chase Freedom Rise® (Best unsecured card with no deposit): If you want to avoid tying up cash in a security deposit, this card is a standout option. It is specifically built for people with no credit history, offering 1.5% cash back on all purchases, a $0 annual fee, and a higher chance of approval if you link a checking/savings account with a sufficient balance (such as $250 or more) with Chase.
• Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (Best for students): If you are currently enrolled in college or higher education, this is one of the best starter cards available. It requires no prior credit history, charges a $0 annual fee, and lets you earn lucrative cash back on everyday student budget items like dining, entertainment, and groceries.
• The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card (Best for no credit check/no interest risk): This card connects directly to a Chime checking account. Instead of a fixed security deposit, the money you transfer into your secured account dictates your spending limit. There is no credit check to apply, no interest charges, and no annual fee.

To help narrow down which choice is right for you, let me know:

• Are you currently a college student?
• Do you have funds available for a refundable security deposit (typically starting around $200)?

If you have no credit history at all, my top pick is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card.

Why I like it for a first card

• No credit score required to apply.
• $0 annual fee.
• A refundable deposit starting at $200 becomes your credit limit.
• It reports your account activity to the major credit bureaus, helping you establish a credit history.
• Discover automatically reviews your account after several months to see whether you qualify to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
• You can earn cash back while building credit.

Two alternatives worth considering

Capital One says its Platinum Secured card can open with an initial deposit of $49, $99, or $200, depending on approval, with at least a $200 credit line. www.capitalone.com Bankrate currently ranks Discover it Secured as its best secured card for no-credit applicants and Capital One Platinum Secured as its pick for a low deposit.

Most important: whichever card you choose, put a small recurring expense on it and pay the statement balance in full every month. Don't carry a balance just to "build credit."

If you tell me whether you're a student, your approximate monthly income, and whether you can put down a $200 deposit, I can narrow it down to the best card for your situation.

When you have no credit history from scratch, traditional unsecured credit cards are usually out of reach because banks see lending to you as a blind risk . To bridge this gap, the best options are secured credit cards (which require a refundable cash deposit) or specially designed unsecured starter/student cards.

The top-rated choices depend on what kind of entry point fits your situation:

• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (Best for a low initial deposit)
  • Why it’s great: Unlike many secured cards that strictly lock your credit limit to your exact deposit, Capital One may allow you to qualify for an initial credit line higher than your deposit with a partial upfront payment (starting as low as $49, $99, or $200). It has a $0 annual fee and automatically reviews your account for a credit limit increase or deposit refund after 6 months.
• Chase Freedom Rise® (Best no-deposit unsecured card)
  • Why it’s great: It is a rare unsecured starter card, meaning it requires no security deposit and has a $0 annual fee. It earns flat-rate cash back, but approval is easiest if you have a checking account with Chase and maintain a minimum balance there while applying.
• Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card (Best for cash back rewards)
  • Why it’s great: Most secured cards don't give you anything back, but this option lets you earn solid cash back on everyday purchases while building credit with a $0 annual fee. It requires a security deposit (typically starting at $200) and periodically reviews your account to graduate you to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
• Chime Credit Builder Visa® (Best alternative / no credit check)
  • Why it’s great: It functions differently than a traditional credit card by pulling money from a connected Chime spending account to pay off your balance seamlessly with no interest, no annual fee, and no credit check required to apply.

To help me narrow down which specific card fits you best, tell me:

• Are you currently a college student?
• Do you have cash available for a security deposit (usually $200)?
• Do you already have a bank account with a major institution like Chase or Bank of America?

If you have no credit history, my top pick for most beginners is the Discover it® Secured Cash Back.

🥇 Best overall: Discover it Secured

• No credit score required to apply (though approval isn't guaranteed).
• $0 annual fee
• Refundable security deposit starting at $49; minimum credit line is $200.
• Reports your activity to all three major credit bureaus, which is what you want for building credit.
• Earns cash back, including rotating 5% categories when activated.
• Discover says responsible users can eventually have their deposit returned and move to an unsecured card.
• NerdWallet currently rates it among the strongest secured cards for building credit.

If you're a college student

A Discover it Student Cash Back may actually be better because it doesn't require a security deposit, and Discover says eligible students can apply with no credit score.

How I'd use it to build credit

Put one or two small recurring expenses on the card, keep the balance low, and pay the statement balance in full every month. On-time payments and low balances are key to establishing good credit.

Bottom line: If you're not a student and can put down the deposit, I'd start with Discover it Secured. If you tell me your age, whether you're a student, and roughly how much you can put down ($50/$200/$500+), I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options for you.

If you have no credit history at all, my top pick for a first card is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card.

🥇 Best overall: Discover it® Secured

Discover

• No credit score required to apply
• $0 annual fee
• Refundable security deposit starting at $49 (with a credit line starting at $200, depending on approval/deposit requirements)
• Earns cash back, including rotating 5% categories when activated
• Reports your payment activity to the credit bureaus
• Discover says it begins automatic reviews after 7 months to see whether you qualify to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.

Other good choices

How I'd use it to build credit

The card itself isn't going to build your credit quickly unless you use it correctly:

1. Put one or two regular expenses on it each month.
2. Keep the balance relatively low—ideally under 10% of your credit limit when the statement closes.
3. Pay the entire statement balance every month.
4. Never miss a payment.
5. Don't apply for several cards at once.

You don't need to carry a balance or pay interest to build credit. Discover specifically notes that on-time payments and keeping balances low are important parts of responsible credit use.

If you tell me your age, whether you're a student, your approximate monthly income, and whether you have a bank account, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 cards you're likely to qualify for.

For someone with no credit history, the "best" card depends on whether you have a small amount of cash for a security deposit or if you want an unsecured option . Beginners generally look at three top paths: secured cards, student cards , or specialized no-deposit entry cards.

• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (Best for a low initial deposit)
  • Why it’s great: It features a $0 annual fee and doesn't always require a full deposit equal to your limit; depending on your creditworthiness, you might qualify for a starting credit line with a refundable deposit of just $49, $99, or $200. It also reviews your account automatically for a higher limit after 6 months.
• Chase Freedom Rise® (Best unsecured card with no deposit)
  • Why it’s great: It is an unsecured card specifically engineered for people brand-new to credit. It charges a $0 annual fee and gives 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Tip: Having a checking or savings account with Chase with a balance before applying can boost your approval odds.
• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card (Best for earning cash back)
  • Why it’s great: Unlike traditional starter cards that offer zero perks, this secured card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, has a $0 annual fee, and automatically considers you for an upgrade down the line.
• The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card (Best for no credit check/flexible limits)
  • Why it’s great: It requires no credit check to apply and uses money from a linked Chime checking account as your flexible limit. There are no interest charges or annual fees.

If you can share whether you are a college student or if you prefer a card that requires a security deposit versus a traditional card , I can narrow down the ideal match for your exact situation.