Close Menu
  • Credit Cards
  • Credit Score Repair
  • Loans
  • Black Market Exchange Rate
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
AbokiFX
  • Credit Cards
  • Credit Score Repair
  • Loans
  • Black Market Exchange Rate
AbokiFX
  • Credit Score Repair
  • Black Market Exchange Rate

5 Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit (No Annual Fee)

Best Credit Cards By SparoBanksJuly 19, 2025
Share Facebook Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn Telegram Reddit

If you have bad credit, getting approved for a good credit card can feel impossible—but it’s not. The right credit card can help you rebuild your score without costing you a dime in annual fees. Below are the best credit cards for bad credit with no annual fee—designed to help you recover financially while keeping costs low.

1. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Why it’s great:

  • No annual fee
  • Earn cash back
  • Reports to all 3 credit bureaus

This is one of the top-rated secured cards for people with poor or limited credit. With the Discover it® Secured, you can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter), and 1% on everything else. Unlike many secured cards, it gives you real rewards.

Security deposit: $200 minimum

Credit line: Matches your deposit

Upgrade option: Yes, to an unsecured Discover card with responsible use

Apply here: Discover Secured Card

2. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Why it’s great:

  • $0 annual fee
  • Low initial deposit options
  • No foreign transaction fees

Capital One offers a flexible secured card that may approve you with just a $49 refundable deposit for a $200 credit line, depending on your creditworthiness. It’s a great tool for rebuilding, with automatic reviews for a credit line increase after 6 months.

Security deposit: $49–$200

Credit line: Starts at $200

Reports to: All major credit bureaus

Apply here: Capital One Secured

3. Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card

Why it’s great:

  • No annual fee, no interest, no credit check
  • No minimum deposit required
  • Helps build credit safely

Chime’s Credit Builder Card works a bit differently. You fund the card through your Chime Checking Account, and there’s no risk of going into debt. There’s no hard credit pull, and it reports to all three bureaus. You control your spending and build credit over time.

Security deposit: None (uses your own money)

Requires: Chime Spending Account + qualifying direct deposit

Reports to: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion

Apply here: Chime Credit Builder

4. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Why it’s great:

  • No credit check required
  • Perfect for rebuilding or thin credit files
  • No annual fee with selected promo offers

If your credit is very poor or you’ve been denied elsewhere, OpenSky gives you a chance without a credit check. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t require a bank account. While the standard version has a $35 annual fee, they sometimes offer promos with no annual fee—be sure to check!

Security deposit: $200–$3,000

Reports to: All three major bureaus

Apply here: OpenSky Card

5. Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Why it’s great:

  • Unsecured (no deposit needed)
  • No annual fee for some applicants
  • Reports monthly to all bureaus

Mission Lane is one of the few unsecured cards for bad credit with no annual fee (depending on your offer). You can qualify with a low credit score, and you’ll get transparent terms and the chance to increase your limit over time.

Type: Unsecured

Annual fee: $0–$59 (varies by applicant)

Reports to: All major bureaus

Apply here: Mission Lane Visa

Tips for Choosing a Credit Card When You Have Bad Credit

  1. Avoid Cards With High Fees
    Some cards target people with bad credit by charging $75+ annual fees, setup fees, and monthly maintenance fees. Avoid them.
  2. Make Sure the Card Reports to All 3 Credit Bureaus
    If a card doesn’t report to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, it won’t help build your credit.
  3. Don’t Carry a Balance
    Use the card for small purchases and pay in full every month. Carrying a balance leads to interest and doesn’t help your credit faster.
  4. Start Small and Upgrade Later
    Some cards like Discover and Capital One let you upgrade to an unsecured card after responsible usage—giving you more benefits later.

What Happens to Your Credit Score?

When you use one of these cards correctly:

  • You build payment history (35% of your score)
  • You reduce credit utilization (30% of your score)
  • You improve overall credit mix (10% of your score)

These cards, even with low limits, can help you raise your score from poor to fair within 6–12 months, if used responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get approved for a credit card with a 500 credit score?

Yes, especially if you apply for a secured card like Discover it® Secured or OpenSky®, or an unsecured card like Mission Lane designed for poor credit.

Will applying hurt my credit score?

A hard inquiry may drop your score by a few points, but using the card responsibly will help you gain those points back—and more—over time.

How fast can I rebuild credit with one of these cards?

Some users see improvement in as little as 3 months. Most see meaningful progress in 6–12 months if payments are on time and balances are kept low.

Can I get a credit card with no annual fee and no deposit?

Yes, Mission Lane and Chime Credit Builder offer options with no annual fee and no deposit, depending on your eligibility.

In conclusion, rebuilding your credit doesn’t have to be expensive. All of the cards above:

  • Have no annual fee
  • Report to all major credit bureaus
  • Are ideal for people with bad or limited credit

If you want to rebuild your score safely, consider starting with Discover it® Secured or Chime Credit Builder. Make on-time payments, keep balances low, and you’ll be on your way to good credit and better financial opportunities.

View 1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Jiggalang on August 2, 2025 12:18 am

    Nice

    Reply
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Tools
© 2025 ABOKIFX.app. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.