Bad Credit CREDIT CARDSThere’s nothing more frustrating than learning that you have bad credit, as this can bring a number of financial challenges into your life. Rather than give up, it’s time to begin your search for credit cards for bad credit. There are secured and unsecured offers to choose from, both of which are available through a variety of credit card issuers. If you have bad credit and need to make a change for the better, search through our list of credit cards for bad credit.
No credit check or score required
No Credit, New to Credit, Limited Credit, Bad, Poor
Annual Fee$0 ($25 Annual Fee after the first year.)^
Fri 18 Jul 2025
Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended Fair/Poor
Annual Fee See Provider Website
Regular Purchase APR See Provider Website
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
| Regular APR | See Provider Website |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | See Provider Website |
| Credit Recommended | Fair/Poor |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | See Provider Website |
| Cash Advance Fee | See Provider Website |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | See Provider Website |
| Overlimit Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | See Provider Website |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | See Provider Website |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
Overdraft protection up to $200 with opt-in and eligible direct deposit*
Card BrandVisa
Credit Recommended All Credit Types Considered
Annual Fee $0.00
Regular Purchase APR n/a
Rewards Earn up to 7% cash back when you buy eGift Cards in the app
Full Details Card Page
*Terms and conditions apply. Cards issued by GO2bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Overdraft fees may apply. Click Apply Now to learn more.
*Terms and conditions apply. Cards issued by GO2bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Overdraft fees may apply. Click Apply Now to learn more.
| Regular APR | n/a |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Credit Recommended | All Credit Types Considered |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Overlimit Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
| Rewards Rate | Earn up to 7% cash back when you buy eGift Cards in the app |
No Credit Check to Apply
Card BrandVisa
Credit Recommended Limited to Good
Annual Fee 0.00%
Regular Purchase APR 0.00%
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
Introducing Credit Builder (effective 10/28/24, members can apply for Credit Builder without $200+ direct deposit requirement):
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.
Eligibility Requirements
Build Credit History
Safer Credit Building
The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
Introducing Credit Builder (effective 10/28/24, members can apply for Credit Builder without $200+ direct deposit requirement):
To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account.
Eligibility Requirements
Build Credit History
Safer Credit Building
The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank.
¹ Based on a representative study conducted by Experian® in January 2024, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2022 and October 2022 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.
² On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
* Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured deposit account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and OTC advance fees may apply. View The Bancorp agreement or Stride agreement for details; see back of card for issuer.
| Regular APR | No Interest |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | 0.00 |
| Credit Recommended | Limited to Good |
| Intro (Purchases) | See Website for Details |
| Intro (Transfers) | See Website for Details |
| Cash Advance APR | See Website for Details |
| Cash Advance Fee | See Website for Details |
| Cash Grace Period | See Website for Details |
| Late Payment Fee | See Website for Details |
| Overlimit Fee | See Website for Details |
| Return Check Fee | See Website for Details |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | See Website for Details |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See Website for Details |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
Higher limit than before, still no security deposit required!
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended Bad/Poor/Fair
Annual Fee See Terms
Regular Purchase APR 35.9%
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
| Regular APR | 35.9% |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | See Terms |
| Credit Recommended | Bad/Poor/Fair |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | See Website for Details |
| Overlimit Fee | See Website for Details |
| Return Check Fee | See Website for Details |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 1% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
Get peace of mind with three coverage levels, up to $200, for purchase transactions with opt-in & eligible direct deposit.*
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended n/a
Annual Fee n/a
Regular Purchase APR n/a
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
| Regular APR | n/a |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | See Terms |
| Credit Recommended | n/a |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | n/a |
| Overlimit Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | n/a |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
NO CREDIT CHECK REQUIRED, and approval is guaranteed when you connect a valid bank account and pass identity checks.
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended Any Credit Welcome
Annual Fee Starting at just $6/month for the annual plan
Regular Purchase APR 0.00%
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
Why Ava, you ask?
Quick Results: 74% of our members saw an improvement in their credit score within the first two weeks of joining Ava. Stick to those on-time payments, and you might just get a 40+ point boost in three months!
Easy Setup: You’ll be up and running in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee – less than 5 minutes!.
Transparent Pricing: Starting at just $6/month for the annual plan, Ava offers a simple, affordable route to better credit history.
Included in our simple pricing are:
CREDIT BUILDER CARD:
Ava’s Credit Builder Card allows you to pay for over 60 online subscriptions and bills like Netflix and Verizon, while also lowering your credit utilization. NO CREDIT CHECK REQUIRED, and approval is guaranteed when you connect a valid bank account and pass identity checks.
We help you keep a low card utilization with a spend limit to positively impact your score. When you make on-time payments we report your positive behavior to all three credit bureaus within 48 hours.
SECURED CREDIT BUILDING ACCOUNT:
The Ava Save & Build secured loan helps you save money AND improve your credit history at the same time. Add an additional credit line to your report and increase the frequency of on-time payments. Start by putting away at least $25/month and you get ALL the money you saved after 12 – 24 months of on time payments. Absolutely NO interest or added fees. You keep every dollar you save towards the secured loan!
MONTHLY FREE CREDIT REPORT
Stay on top of your credit score with free credit reports in the app. Discover insights and suggestions in your report that make it easy to understand credit factors, like credit utilization and percentage of on-time payments.
DEDICATED CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Require assistance or have inquiries? Our dedicated support team is here to help. Contact us at support@meetava.com.
Ava makes credit building easy. What you see is what you get – no hidden fees, zero interest, and a promise that we’ve got your back. We make sure we win only when you win. A better credit score, peace of mind and thousands in savings are just a few taps away.
Ava is not a bank, Ava is a technology company that partners with banking services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC to provide the Secured Loan Account. The Ava Credit Builder Mastercard® is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., member FDIC pursuant to a license from Mastercard international Incorporated
| Regular APR | 0.00% |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | Starting at just $6/month for the annual plan |
| Credit Recommended | Any Credit Welcome |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | See Terms |
| Cash Advance Fee | See Terms |
| Cash Grace Period | See Terms |
| Late Payment Fee | See Terms |
| Overlimit Fee | See Terms |
| Return Check Fee | See Terms |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | See Terms |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See Terms |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
Pre-qualify with no impact to your credit score
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended Fair/Poor
Annual Fee See Provider Website
Regular Purchase APR See Provider Website
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
| Regular APR | See Provider Website |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | See Provider Website |
| Credit Recommended | Fair/Poor |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | See Provider Website |
| Cash Advance Fee | See Provider Website |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | See Provider Website |
| Overlimit Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | See Provider Website |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | See Provider Website |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
Greater access to credit than before - $700 credit limit
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended Fair/Good
Annual Fee See Terms
Regular Purchase APR See Terms
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
| Regular APR | See Terms |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | See Terms |
| Credit Recommended | Fair/Good |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | See Terms |
| Cash Advance Fee | See Terms |
| Cash Grace Period | See Terms |
| Late Payment Fee | See Terms |
| Overlimit Fee | See Terms |
| Return Check Fee | See Terms |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | See Terms |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See Terms |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
A guaranteed $700 credit limit to help get your financial goals on track, if approved.
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended Fair
Annual Fee $175 the first year; $49 thereafter
Regular Purchase APR 35.90%
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
| Regular APR | 35.90% |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $175 the first year; $49 thereafter |
| Credit Recommended | Fair |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | 35.90% |
| Cash Advance Fee | $5 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater (not to exceed $100 ) |
| Cash Grace Period | See Terms |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $40 |
| Overlimit Fee | See Terms |
| Return Check Fee | See Terms |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 1% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See Terms |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
Credit for everyone - Regardless of your credit history!
Card BrandVisa
Credit Recommended No to Good Credit
Annual Fee $0.00
Regular Purchase APR 0.00%
Rewards Grow your savings - Earn up to a 4.00% Bonus on Savings Pods
Full Details Card Page
Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card issued by Choice Financial Group, and the Current Visa® secured charge card issued by Cross River Bank, are both pursuant to licenses from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit or credit cards are accepted. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.
| Regular APR | 0.00% |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Credit Recommended | No to Good Credit |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | See Website for Details |
| Cash Advance Fee | See Website for Details |
| Cash Grace Period | See Website for Details |
| Late Payment Fee | See Website for Details |
| Overlimit Fee | See Website for Details |
| Return Check Fee | See Website for Details |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | See Website for Details |
| Balance Transfer Fee | See Website for Details |
| Rewards Rate | Grow your savings - Earn up to a 4.00% Bonus on Savings Pods |
No hard inquiry to apply
Card BrandMasterCard
Credit Recommended All Credit Types Accepted
Annual Fee $36* (*discounted in Year 1 for starting credit lines under $200)
Regular Purchase APR 16% Variable
Rewards n/a
Full Details Card Page
| Regular APR | 16% Variable |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $36* (*discounted in Year 1 for starting credit lines under $200) |
| Credit Recommended | All Credit Types Accepted |
| Intro (Purchases) | n/a |
| Intro (Transfers) | n/a |
| Cash Advance APR | n/a |
| Cash Advance Fee | n/a |
| Cash Grace Period | n/a |
| Late Payment Fee | Up to $8 |
| Overlimit Fee | n/a |
| Return Check Fee | None |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | n/a |
| Balance Transfer Fee | n/a |
| Rewards Rate | n/a |
Most people who have bad credit are well aware of their situation. As frustrating as it may be, there’s a bright side: there’s plenty of room for improvement.
If you have bad credit and find yourself in need of a credit card, there are both unsecured and secured offers to consider. Best yet, responsible use of a credit card in the future will help boost your score.
Note: if you have bad credit, search through our comprehensive list of offers for consumers in your position.
Just because you have bad credit now doesn’t mean you’ll have bad credit for the rest of your life. There are a few simple steps you can take to boost your credit score in the months to come:
Why do you have bad credit? Once you understand the mistakes you’ve made in the past, you can avoid going down the same path in the future. For example, if you defaulted on several loans in the past, create a budget that will help you prevent a similar situation in the future. You won’t know how to improve on your past mistakes until you identify them. This is job number one!
Don’t assume that the information on your credit report is accurate. It’s possible that there’s at least one error on your credit report that’s pulling down your score.
If you come across an error, contact the appropriate credit bureau to file a dispute. It’s often a time consuming process, but fixing the error can do wonders for your credit score.
It’s critical to know how much money you earn each month, as well as how much you spend. This is where a detailed budget comes into play. At the very least, you need to earn enough money to cover your expenses. If you don’t, you’ll quickly slip behind on your obligations, which will harm your credit score.
Tip: you can create your budget with nothing more than a pen and paper. Of course, if you’re more technologically advanced, there are apps and software programs to assist you.
It’s natural to stop using credit if you have bad credit. You assume that this will keep you out of trouble, and you may be right. However, you should still use credit when possible, as this actually helps boost your
score. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, but get into the habit of using your credit card and paying the balance in full each month. You can also raise your score by paying on installment loans.
You want to put your bad credit in the past as soon as possible, but it’s likely to take several months or longer to make real progress. Don’t get frustrated if your score isn’t rising as quickly as you would like. If you stay the course, you’ll like where you end up.
Don’t let bad credit affect your finances for the rest of your life. When you follow the steps above, it won’t be long before your credit score begins to move in the right direction.
Advertiser Disclosure * Advertisements which display guaranteed credit lines or credit limits of $500.00-$750.00 are exclusively for usage through online retail stores, online marketplace websites and/or online auction websites. Credit limit offers displayed on advertisements are contingent on getting approved by the credit institution issuing the credit card or issuing the line of credit. When searching for the best credit card for you, there are several factors that you ought to consider. Some cards have APR rates that you need to review before you sign on with a bank or lender. Financing costs will influence your decision if you anticipate using the card for single purchases or if you intend to carry a monthly balance. If you don’t make your timely required payments by the due date, financing costs increase and you’ll have to pay the credit issuer those fees plus your current balance. Please review the credit card applications for specifics into the terms and conditions. We strive to display current and up-to-date information. Nonetheless, all credit card offers are displayed without guarantee. To affirm terms and conditions, tap the "Apply Now" to learn more about the credit offer on a secure page provided by the card issuer(s). Please review full terms and conditions prior to applying for any credit card.
General Disclaimer Please review the credit card applications for specifics into the terms and conditions. We strive to display current and up-to-date information. Nonetheless, all credit card offers are displayed without guarantee. To affirm terms and conditions, tap the "Apply Now" to learn more about the credit offer on a secure page provided by the card issuer(s)
Editorial Note Our team of editors rate credit card offers unbiasedly in light of the components the credit card offers purchasers, expenses, financing costs, and how a credit card is related by category. The evaluations are the master supposition of our editors, and not affected by any compensation this site gets from the credit card issuer(s).
