You can get a credit card with bad credit (below 580) through secured cards, store cards, or credit-builder programs. The best options include the Discover it Secured, Capital One Platinum Secured, and OpenSky Secured Visa. Use them responsibly for 6-12 months to rebuild your credit score.
Bottom line:
Key Takeaways
- Secured credit cards require a deposit ($200-500) that becomes your credit limit
- The Discover it Secured card offers cashback rewards — rare for secured cards
- Responsible use of a secured card can boost your score 50-100 points in 6-12 months
- Avoid cards with high annual fees or monthly maintenance fees that eat your limit
- Many secured cards automatically graduate to unsecured cards after 12-18 months
Bad credit (FICO below 580) limits your
Bad credit (FICO below 580) limits your options, but it doesn't lock you out of credit cards entirely. Secured credit cards are the primary path — they require a refundable security deposit (usually $200-500) that serves as your credit limit. This deposit protects the issuer, making approval much easier.
The goal isn't to accumulate debt — it's to demonstrate responsible credit use. Make small purchases (under 30% of your limit), pay in full every month, and your score will improve. Most secured cards report to all three credit bureaus, so your responsible behavior directly rebuilds your credit profile.
Discover it Secured
Discover it Secured: The best overall secured card — it offers 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 quarterly) and 1% on everything else, plus Discover matches all cashback at the end of your first year. No annual fee. Automatic reviews for graduation to an unsecured card starting at 7 months.
Capital One Platinum Secured: Low deposit options starting at $49-200 (depending on creditworthiness) for a $200 credit limit. No annual fee and automatic consideration for a higher credit line after 6 months of on-time payments. Capital One's pre-qualification tool lets you check your odds without a hard inquiry.
Credit-builder loans
Credit-builder loans from Self or MoneyLion work differently — you make payments into a savings account, and after the loan term, you get the money back. The payments are reported to credit bureaus, building your credit history without a credit card. Monthly costs are $25-48.
Authorized user status on a family member's credit card with good history can boost your score significantly. Their positive payment history appears on your credit report. The primary cardholder doesn't even need to give you the physical card — just being listed on the account helps.
Steer clear of unsecured cards marketed to
Steer clear of unsecured cards marketed to bad credit that charge high annual fees ($75-300), monthly maintenance fees, or processing fees that eat into your already-low credit limit. A card with a $300 limit and $150 in fees gives you only $150 in usable credit while starting your utilization at 50%.
Also avoid catalog cards and retail financing that only work at one store. These don't build credit as effectively and often carry extremely high APRs (25-35%). Your goal is a general-purpose Visa or Mastercard that reports to all three bureaus.
Month 1-3: Open a secured card, make
Month 1-3: Open a secured card, make one small purchase per month, pay in full. Your score may dip initially from the hard inquiry and new account. Month 4-6: Score begins improving as on-time payment history builds. Keep utilization under 30%. Month 7-12: Score improvements of 50-100 points are common with perfect payment history.
Month 12-18: Many secured cards graduate to unsecured cards (returning your deposit) and you may qualify for better cards. Month 18-24: With continued responsible use, you may qualify for mid-tier rewards cards with better benefits and higher limits.
Before applying, check your credit report for
Before applying, check your credit report for errors at AnnualCreditReport.com — disputing errors can quickly improve your score. Use pre-qualification tools (Capital One, Discover) that check your odds with a soft pull, not a hard inquiry.
Apply for only one card at a time. Multiple applications in a short period create multiple hard inquiries, further damaging your score. If denied, wait 3-6 months before trying again. Use that time to make on-time payments on any existing accounts and reduce outstanding balances.
How We Evaluated
Cards evaluated based on fees, credit bureau reporting, graduation policies, approval odds for sub-580 credit scores, and user-reported score improvements. Data from card issuer disclosures and WalletHub/NerdWallet reviews.Frequently Asked Questions
How did you evaluate the options in this guide?
We compared fees, features, user reviews, and overall value. Our recommendations are based on thorough research and updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.
How often is this list updated?
We review and update our recommendations at least quarterly. Major market changes trigger immediate updates.
Are these recommendations suitable for beginners?
Yes. We include options for all experience levels and note who each recommendation is best for.
Do I need a minimum balance or income to get started?
Requirements vary by product. We highlight any minimums, fees, or eligibility requirements in each recommendation.
Can I trust these recommendations?
Our editorial team independently evaluates every product. Rankings are never influenced by compensation. We follow strict editorial guidelines.
Editorial Disclosure: WalletGrower may earn a commission from partner links. Our editorial content is independent and not influenced by advertisers. We research products independently and only recommend what we believe in. Updated April 2026.