Building credit from scratch or rebuilding after financial setbacks doesn't have to be complicated. Secured credit cards offer a reliable path to establishing creditworthiness, but choosing the wrong card can cost you money and delay your progress.
After analyzing dozens of secured cards and tracking real user outcomes, we've identified the best options for different situations. Here's everything you need to know about secured credit cards and which ones actually help you build credit faster.
Quick picks: The Discover it® Secured offers the best rewards and clear graduation path, while the Capital One Quicksilver Secured provides consistent earning and faster graduation potential.
What Are Secured Credit Cards?
Secured credit cards require a refundable security deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. Unlike prepaid cards, secured cards report to credit bureaus and function like regular credit cards—helping you build credit history through responsible use.
Key benefits:
- Build credit history with responsible use
- Graduate to unsecured cards over time
- Often easier approval than unsecured cards
- Your deposit is refundable when you close the account
The catch: You're essentially lending the bank money to prove you can borrow responsibly. But this temporary arrangement can unlock thousands in future credit opportunities.
Our Top 5 Secured Credit Cards for 2025
1. Discover it® Secured - Best Overall
Why we recommend it: Unmatched rewards earning plus a clear graduation path make this our top choice for most people building credit.
Key features:
- 2% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,000 in purchases)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Cashback Match: Doubles all cash back earned in your first year
- No annual fee
- Free FICO® Credit Score monitoring
- Graduation timeline: Typically 8-12 months with good payment history
Real example: Earn $400 cash back in your first year ($200 earned + $200 matched), while building credit for better cards.
Best for: People who want maximum rewards while building credit and don't mind managing rotating categories.
Apply for the Discover it® Secured
2. Capital One Quicksilver Secured - Best for Simplicity
Why we recommend it: Consistent 1.5% earning on everything with the fastest graduation potential among major secured cards.
Key features:
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases (no categories to track)
- No annual fee
- Graduation timeline: Often 6-12 months for qualified users
- Potential credit limit increases before graduation
- No foreign transaction fees
Real advantage: You'll never miss out on rewards due to category restrictions, and Capital One has the best track record for graduating secured cardholders quickly.
Best for: People who want simplicity and consistent rewards without managing rotating categories.
Apply for the Capital One Quicksilver Secured
3. Capital One Secured Mastercard - Best No-Rewards Option
Why we recommend it: When you just need to build credit without worrying about rewards optimization.
Key features:
- No annual fee
- No rewards (keeps things simple)
- Fast graduation potential (6-12 months typically)
- Credit limit increases available before graduation
- Lower minimum deposit options sometimes available
Best for: Credit building focused users who prefer simplicity over rewards.
Apply for the Capital One Secured Mastercard
4. Chime Credit Card - For Existing Chime Customers
Why it made the list: Decent rewards for existing Chime banking customers, though limited earning potential.
Key features:
- 1.5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories
- 0% cash back on other purchases
- No annual fee
- Requires Chime+ membership (free with direct deposit)
- Weekly cash back payouts
The limitation: Only earning on rotating categories significantly reduces total rewards compared to flat-rate cards.
Best for: Existing Chime customers who spend heavily in rotating categories and value the banking ecosystem integration.
Read our detailed Chime Card review
5. OpenSky® Secured Visa® - No Credit Check Required
Why it's useful: The only major secured card that doesn't require a credit check, making it accessible for complex credit situations.
Key features:
- No credit check required for approval
- $35 annual fee
- No rewards
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
- Graduation timeline: 12+ months typically
The trade-off: You'll pay an annual fee and earn no rewards, but it's accessible when other options aren't.
Best for: People with extremely damaged credit or complex situations where traditional secured cards won't approve them.
Complete Secured Credit Card Comparison
Here's how all the major secured cards stack up against each other, so you can see exactly why our top picks earn their spots:
Discover it® Secured: The clear rewards winner with 2% cash back on rotating quarterly categories and 1% on everything else. The Cashback Match feature doubles all earnings in your first year, effectively giving you 4% and 2% respectively. No annual fee, $200 minimum deposit, and graduation typically happens within 8-12 months. Perfect for maximizing rewards while building credit.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured: The simplicity champion with 1.5% cash back on all purchases—no categories to track or activate. No annual fee, $200 minimum deposit, and the fastest graduation timeline at 6-12 months. Ideal for consistent earning without the complexity of rotating categories.
Capital One Secured Mastercard: The basic credit builder with no rewards but also no annual fee. Minimum deposits can be as low as $49-$200, and graduation typically happens within 6-12 months. Best for those who want to focus purely on credit building without rewards distractions.
Chime Credit Card: Offers 1.5% cash back but only on rotating quarterly categories—everything else earns nothing. No annual fee, but the graduation timeline and minimum deposit requirements remain unclear since it's so new. Only makes sense for existing Chime banking customers.
OpenSky® Secured: No rewards earning and charges a $35 annual fee, but it's the only major secured card that doesn't require a credit check. $200 minimum deposit and graduation typically takes 12+ months. Best for people with extremely damaged credit who can't get approved elsewhere.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®: No rewards, no annual fee, $200 minimum deposit, but graduation takes longer at 18+ months typically. Only worth considering if you're specifically building a relationship with Citi.
Wells Fargo Secured: No rewards, $25 annual fee, $300 minimum deposit, and 12+ months graduation timeline. Generally not competitive unless you're already a Wells Fargo customer and want to consolidate your banking.
How to Choose the Right Secured Credit Card
If You Want Maximum Rewards
Choose the Discover it® Secured. The Cashback Match feature effectively gives you 4% on rotating categories and 2% on everything else in your first year—unmatched among secured cards.
If You Want Simplicity
Go with the Capital One Quicksilver Secured. You'll earn 1.5% on every purchase without tracking categories or activation requirements.
If You're Building Credit ASAP
Capital One cards typically offer the fastest graduation path (6-12 months vs 12-24 months elsewhere). The Capital One Secured Mastercard focuses purely on credit building.
If You Have Complex Credit Issues
The OpenSky® Secured doesn't require a credit check, making it accessible when traditional options won't approve you.
If You're Already a Chime Customer
The Chime Card makes sense if you're heavily invested in their ecosystem and spend significant amounts in rotating categories.
Credit Building Strategy: Beyond Just Getting the Card
Getting a secured card is step one. Here's how to maximize your credit building results:
Months 1-6: Foundation Building
Goal: Establish perfect payment history
- Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment
- Keep utilization below 10% of your credit limit
- Make small purchases you can easily pay off in full
- Monitor your credit score monthly (free through your card issuer)
Expected results: You should see your credit score start improving within 2-3 months.
Months 7-12: Optimization Phase
Goal: Prepare for graduation and better cards
- Request credit limit increases (doesn't hurt secured cards)
- Continue perfect payment history
- Apply for additional cards once your score improves (don't close the secured card yet)
- Research unsecured cards you want to target
Pro tip: Many people get approved for unsecured cards from other banks before their secured card graduates. Don't wait—apply for better options once your score reaches 650+.
Months 13-24: Transition Phase
Goal: Graduate to unsecured cards
- Contact your issuer about graduation eligibility
- Apply for targeted unsecured cards (Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Capital One Quicksilver)
- Build credit card relationships with multiple issuers
- Keep the secured card open until you have 2+ unsecured cards established
Real Success Timeline: Case Study
Sarah's 18-month credit building journey:
Starting point: 580 credit score, looking to rebuild after medical debt
Month 1: Applied for Discover it® Secured with $500 deposit
- Used card for groceries and gas only
- Set up autopay for full balance
Month 4: Credit score reached 620
- Started using card for more categories
- Requested credit limit increase (approved for $750)
Month 8: Credit score hit 680
- Applied for Chase Freedom Unlimited® (approved!)
- Kept both cards active with low utilization
Month 12: Credit score reached 720
- Discover graduated her secured card automatically
- Applied for Chase Sapphire Preferred® (approved!)
Month 18: Credit score stabilized at 740+
- Closed original secured card after establishing unsecured history
- Total cash back earned: $380 from secured card + bonuses from new cards
Key lessons: Patience, consistency, and strategic applications led to excellent results within 18 months.
Secured Card Graduation: What to Expect
Automatic Graduation
Cards like the Discover it® Secured and Capital One Quicksilver Secured review accounts monthly for graduation eligibility. Factors include:
- Payment history: No late payments for 6+ months
- Credit utilization: Consistently below 30%, ideally under 10%
- Credit score improvement: Usually 650+ for graduation consideration
- Income stability: Steady income reports help
Manual Graduation Requests
Some issuers require you to request graduation review:
- Wait 6-12 months minimum before requesting
- Call the customer service line to request review
- Provide updated income information if it's increased
- Be prepared to wait 7-14 days for a decision
What Happens When You Graduate
- Security deposit returned via check or statement credit
- Card converts to unsecured version (sometimes with better features)
- Credit limit may increase beyond original deposit amount
- Account age continues building your credit history length
Common Secured Card Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Choosing Based on Deposit Amount Alone
Wrong approach: "I'll get whichever card accepts the lowest deposit." Right approach: Consider graduation timeline, rewards, and fees for total value.
Mistake 2: Maxing Out the Credit Limit
Wrong approach: Using 80-90% of available credit regularly. Right approach: Keep utilization below 10% for maximum credit score benefit.
Mistake 3: Closing the Card Too Soon
Wrong approach: Closing the secured card immediately after getting an unsecured card. Right approach: Keep it open until you have 2+ years of unsecured card history.
Mistake 4: Only Having One Credit Account
Wrong approach: Relying solely on the secured card for 12+ months. Right approach: Apply for additional cards once your score improves to 650+.
Mistake 5: Not Monitoring Progress
Wrong approach: "Set it and forget it" approach to credit building. Right approach: Check your credit score monthly and optimize your strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build credit with a secured card?
Most people see initial credit score improvements within 2-3 months, with significant progress by month 6. Graduation to unsecured cards typically happens between 6-18 months with responsible use.
Can I get multiple secured cards?
Yes, but it's usually unnecessary. One secured card with responsible use is enough to build credit. Focus on graduation rather than accumulating secured cards.
What credit score do I need for a secured card?
Most secured cards accept applicants with scores as low as 300-400, or no credit history at all. The OpenSky® Secureddoesn't even require a credit check.
How much should I deposit?
Start with the minimum required ($200-$300 typically), then request credit limit increases after 6 months of good payment history. This approach minimizes upfront cost while building credit effectively.
Will a secured card hurt my credit score?
No, when used responsibly. Secured cards help build credit through positive payment history and responsible credit utilization. Only late payments or maxing out the card can hurt your score.
Should I pay interest to build credit faster?
Absolutely not. Pay your balance in full every month. Carrying a balance doesn't help your credit score and wastes money on interest charges.
What's the difference between secured and prepaid cards?
Secured credit cards report to credit bureaus and help build credit history. Prepaid cards don't report to credit bureaus and won't help build credit—they're essentially debit cards with fees.
The Bottom Line: Start Building Credit Today
The best secured credit card is the one you'll use responsibly to build credit for better opportunities. For most people, that's either the Discover it® Secured for maximum rewards or the Capital One Quicksilver Secured for simplicity and fast graduation.
Ready to start building credit? Here's what to do next:
- Choose your card based on your priorities (rewards vs simplicity)
- Apply online with accurate income information
- Set up autopay immediately after approval
- Use the card regularly but keep utilization low
- Monitor your progress monthly through free credit monitoring
Remember, building credit is a marathon, not a sprint. The secured card is just your starting point—with responsible use, you'll qualify for premium rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Capital One Venture within 12-24 months.
Most popular choice: The Discover it® Secured offers the best rewards and clear graduation path for most credit builders.
Simplest option: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured provides consistent 1.5% cash back and typically graduates faster than competitors.
Choose the card that matches your spending habits and credit goals, then use it responsibly to unlock better financial opportunities in the months ahead.
Last updated: September 2025. Credit card offers and terms change frequently. Always verify current offers on issuer websites before applying.
