8 Easy Credit Cards to Get Approved For

A credit card is much more than a small piece of plastic. It’s your ticket to increased spending power, rewards and credit score growth. But getting approved for a card can be a frustrating process if you’ve got less-than-perfect credit.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 8 of the easiest credit cards to get, so you know exactly which cards will give you the best chances of approval.

MoneyLion can help you explore a wide variety of credit card options tailored to different needs and preferences.

Key Takeaways

• Secured cards offer the easiest path to approval if you have limited or damaged credit. Options like the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®, OpenSky Launch Secured Visa® and Step Visa Secured Card® skip the credit check and let your refundable deposit set your credit limit.

• Watch the fees before you apply. Some easy-approval cards charge annual fees from $24 up to $175 plus monthly maintenance costs, so weigh the rewards and credit-building perks against what you will actually pay each year.

• Check your credit score, use pre-qualification tools to avoid hard inquiries and pick a card that reports to all three major credit bureaus. Make on-time payments and keep your balance low to build credit faster.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

8 Easy Credit Cards To Get Approved For

1. Best for building credit with a security deposit: Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

2. Best for building credit with no security deposit: Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit

3. Best for a low annual fee: OpenSky Launch Secured Visa®

4. ​​Best for cash back with an annual fee: Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard

5. Best with cash back and no annual fee: First Latitude Assent Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

6. Best for unique rewards: Aspire® Protect Mastercard

7. Best for young adults: Step Visa Secured Card®

8. Best for limited credit: Current Build Card®

1. Best for Building Credit With a Security Deposit: Chime Card

The Chime Card™ is a credit-building card that extends approval without a credit check, as long as you pay a modest security deposit.

This is a secured credit card, which works differently from a traditional credit card. Instead of a credit check, you set your credit limit by transferring money from your Chime account. You can only spend what you load, which prevents you from overspending. Then, your on-time payments get reported to all 3 major credit bureaus to help build your credit history.

2. Best for Building Credit With No Security Deposit: Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit®

If you’re looking for an easy approval credit card without the security deposit, the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa for Rebuilding Credit® is a great option. 

This card offers 1% cash back for spending on everyday essentials (gas, groceries, phone, TV, and internet) with a $75 annual fee for the first year (then $99 annually, billed at $8.25 per month).

Keep in mind that the $75 fee is charged upfront, so it might reduce your initial credit limit. For example, if you’re approved for a $300 limit, your actual starting limit will be $225 after the fee. The following year, the annual fee goes up to $99 and you'll be charged $8.25 monthly.

3. Best for a Low Annual Fee: Opensky Launch Secured Visa®

The OpenSky Launch Secured Visa® offers credit-building opportunities to people with limited credit and no bank account for a $2 monthly fee ($24 annually) in the first year. This fee increases to $3 monthly ($36 annually) in the second year.

Once you pay a $150 minimum refundable deposit, you’ll only be on the hook for $2 each month, while still getting the opportunity to build credit.

4. Best for Cash Back With an Annual Fee: Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard

Looking for a card with flexible approval rates that helps you earn some impressive cash back? The Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard might be just what you need. 

This credit-building card offers 3% cash back on gas, groceries, and utilities, plus 1% back on everything else (3% cash back is an awesome rate for a card at this level, and on par with plenty of more premium cards). 

Since this is an unsecured card, there’s no security deposit necessary. Just be ready for the annual fee of between $49 and $175, depending on your creditworthiness. You'll also have to spend an account maintenance fee

5. Best for Cash Back With No Annual Fee: First Latitude Assent Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

The First Latitude Assent Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is a secured card that has no annual fee while still offering 1% cash back on purchases – a rare combination for a credit-building card.

The First Latitude Assent Mastercard requires a refundable security deposit (minimum $200), which then acts as your credit limit. However, you won’t need to pay any additional annual or monthly fees once you’ve made the deposit.

6. Best for Unique Rewards: Aspire® Protect Mastercard

The Aspire Protect card has flexible approval rates, can help you build credit and comes with a handful of useful everyday perks like cell phone protection, roadside assistance and even identity theft coverage. These types of benefits are very rare for credit-building cards. Here’s how they work:

1. Cell phone protection: This card will reimburse you up to $800 if your cell phone is lost or stolen, but you’ll have to pay a $50 deductible and can only make two claims per year.

2. Roadside assistance: This card also offers 24/7 help for towing, flat tires, fluids, lock-outs, and battery assistance – but only up to $100 and up to two occurrences per 12-month period.

3. Identity theft coverage: This card will reimburse you for costs, lost wages and legal expenses associated with having your identity stolen (up to $25,000).

These benefits can be incredibly handy during an emergency, but this protection comes with a sizable annual fee of between $49 and $175 in year one, depending on your creditworthiness. 

7. Best for Young Adults: Step Visa Secured Card®

The Step Visa Secured Card® offers a free, effective way for young adults to start building credit with no minimum deposit or fees.

8. Best for Limited Credit: Current Build Card®

The Current Build Card® is a highly accessible card that can be obtained with no credit check, minimum deposit or annual fee. You’ll just have to sign up for a Current bank account.

This card is also a great option for people who want to avoid fees, as it offers no minimum balance fees, no in-network ATM fees, no bank transfer fees, and no annual fees. You’ll also earn 1 point per dollar spent on eligible dining and grocery purchases, a rare perk for a credit-building card.

Finally, you can unlock additional perks by setting up a direct deposit, including:

• Early access to your paycheck

• Overdraft protection

How To Compare Credit Cards

🔎 Check your credit score first: Before you apply, get a clear picture of what your credit score is. Knowing your score helps you avoid cards you’re unlikely to qualify for and zero in on the ones that match your credit profile.

🔎 Look for “fair credit” or “secured” cards: These are the cards you’ll want to explore if your credit history is limited or less than perfect. Secured cards require a refundable deposit, while fair credit cards have lower approval requirements. Both card categories are considered credit cards for bad credit.

🔎 Compare APRs: Be ready for elevated APRs when exploring instant approval credit cards, and be sure to shop around for the lowest APR available so you’re not stuck paying more than you need to.

🔎 Annual fees: Most credit cards for no credit charge annual fees in exchange for easier approval. Make sure the benefits you’re getting, like credit reporting or rewards, justify the yearly cost.

🔎 Pre-qualification tools: Save your credit score from unnecessary dings by using pre-qualification tools. These soft credit checks let you see your approval odds without triggering a hard inquiry.

🔎 Credit-building features: Look for perks like free credit monitoring, credit education, or reporting to all three major credit bureaus. These features can accelerate your progress and help you climb the credit ladder faster.

Narrow Down the Easiest Credit Cards To Get, Make Your Choice, and Start Your Journey

Be sure to take your time when researching the top credit cards for bad credit. This is an important choice that will mark the beginning of your credit-building journey. 

Whether you’re starting from scratch or bouncing back, the right card can help you establish strong credit habits, build your score, and open doors to bigger financial opportunities. 

Once you’ve narrowed down your options and found the best option for your needs, don’t hesitate to click “Apply” and lock in your decision. The sooner you start working on your credit, the sooner your credit will start working for you.

FAQs

What credit cards are easiest to get approved for?

Secured credit cards are often the easiest credit cards to get approved for. These cards do not require a credit check (or even a bank account in some cases) and can be obtained by paying a refundable security deposit. 

Can I get a credit card with no credit history?

Yes, you can get approved for a secured credit card even if you have no credit history by paying a refundable security deposit. Many credit-building cards will also extend approval to people with a limited history.

What’s the best starter credit card?

If you’re looking for a first-time credit card to build credit, then your best bet is a secured card like the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa, OpenSky Launch Secured Visa, or Step Visa.

Are secured credit cards easy to get?

Yes, secured credit cards are easy to get as long as you can pay a refundable security deposit and meet other criteria.

How do I increase my chances of getting approved?

You can increase your chances of getting approved by making sure you meet all eligibility requirements and taking these steps to improve your credit score. Does your credit score feel stuck? Here are 9 possible reasons why your score isn’t going up.

Key Terms

• Secured credit card: A credit card that requires a refundable security deposit, which usually sets your credit limit and can help you build or rebuild credit.

• Annual percentage rate (APR): The annual cost of borrowing on a credit card, shown as a percentage so you can compare costs across cards.

• Annual fee: A yearly charge for keeping a credit card account open. Some cards charge it in exchange for easier approval or added perks.

• Credit score: A number that predicts how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time, based on information in your credit reports.

• Balance transfer: Moving debt from one credit card to another, usually to save on interest or simplify payments. A fee may apply.

Sources:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Credit card key terms

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a credit score?

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What are some ways to start or rebuild a good credit history?

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Know Before You Owe: Credit cards

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors