Best Secured Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2025: 7 Top Picks to Rebuild Your Score

Introduction

If you’re struggling with bad credit or no credit history, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans face the same challenge—and without good credit, getting approved for loans, apartments, or even jobs can be harder.

A secured credit card can be your solution. Unlike traditional cards, a secured card requires a refundable security deposit, which acts as your credit limit. By using the card responsibly, you can rebuild your credit score and eventually upgrade to an unsecured card.

In this guide, we’ll cover the 7 best secured credit cards in 2025, breaking down their features, benefits, pros, and cons—so you can choose the one that fits your needs.

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Quick Comparison: Best Secured Credit Cards 2025

Credit Card	Deposit Range	Annual Fee	Rewards	Ideal For
Discover it® Secured	$200+	$0	2% at gas & restaurants	Rewards seekers
Capital One Platinum Secured	$49–$200	$0	None	Flexible deposits
Citi® Secured Mastercard	$200+	$0	None	Simple credit building
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured	$200+	$0	3% in chosen category	Flexible rewards
OpenSky® Secured Visa®	$200+	$35	None	No credit check
Chime Credit Builder Secured Card	No set deposit	$0	None	App-based flexibility
First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard®	$200–$2,000	$39	None	Quick approval

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1. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

• Deposit Range: $200 minimum
• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 quarterly).
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.

✅ Pros

• One of the few secured cards with cash back rewards.
• Free FICO® score monitoring.
• Automatic upgrade to unsecured card possible after review.

❌ Cons

• Requires at least $200 deposit.
• Rewards categories have spending limits.

👉 Best For: Students or beginners who want to earn rewards while building credit.

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2. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

• Deposit Range: $49, $99, or $200 (depending on credit profile).
• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards: None

✅ Pros

• Flexible low deposit options make it easier to get started.
• Credit limit reviews after 6 months of on-time payments.
• Access to CreditWise® credit monitoring.

❌ Cons

• No rewards.
• Approval may require income proof.

👉 Best For: Anyone who needs low upfront deposit options.

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3. Citi® Secured Mastercard

• Deposit Range: $200 minimum
• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards: None

✅ Pros

• Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
• Easy approval for those with no credit history.
• Clear upgrade path after responsible use.

❌ Cons

• No rewards or perks.
• Deposit must be paid upfront in full.

👉 Best For: Beginners who want a simple, no-frills credit builder.

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4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured

• Deposit Range: $200 minimum
• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards:
  • 3% cash back in a chosen category (online shopping, dining, travel, gas, drugstores, or home improvement).
  • 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
  • 1% on all other purchases.

✅ Pros

• Customizable rewards categories.
• Great for everyday expenses like groceries & dining.
• Can graduate to an unsecured card.

❌ Cons

• Best value comes if you’re already a Bank of America customer.
• Rewards capped on bonus categories.

👉 Best For: People who want to earn rewards while rebuilding credit.

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5. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

• Deposit Range: $200+
• Annual Fee: $35
• Rewards: None

✅ Pros

• No credit check required for approval.
• Accepts applicants with very poor or no credit.
• Reports to all three major credit bureaus.

❌ Cons

• Has an annual fee.
• No rewards.

👉 Best For: Those who struggle to get approved elsewhere.

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6. Chime Credit Builder Secured Card

• Deposit Range: No fixed deposit (spending is linked to your Chime account).
• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards: None

✅ Pros

• No credit check required.
• Flexible deposit system—spend what you load.
• No interest or late fees.

❌ Cons

• Requires a Chime account.
• No rewards or cashback.

👉 Best For: Tech-savvy users who want a modern, fee-free way to build credit.

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7. First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured

• Deposit Range: $200–$2,000
• Annual Fee: $39
• Rewards: None

✅ Pros

• Quick and easy online application.
• Higher deposit means higher potential credit limit.
• Reports to all three bureaus.

❌ Cons

• Has an annual fee.
• No upgrade path to unsecured card.

👉 Best For: People who want fast approval with higher deposit flexibility.

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How to Choose the Right Secured Credit Card

When comparing secured credit cards in 2025, consider:

1. Deposit Flexibility – Some cards allow lower deposits (as little as $49), while others require $200+.
2. Annual Fees – Pick a $0 annual fee card unless you have trouble qualifying.
3. Rewards – If you want perks while building credit, look for cards like Discover it Secured or Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured.
4. Upgrade Path – Choose a card that allows upgrading to an unsecured version after responsible use.
5. Approval Odds – If your credit is very low, choose a no-credit-check option like OpenSky Visa or Chime Builder.

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FAQs About Secured Credit Cards

1. What is a secured credit card?
It’s a credit card that requires a refundable deposit. Your deposit sets your credit limit, reducing risk for the bank.

2. How does a secured card build credit?
Your payments are reported to credit bureaus. On-time payments improve your credit score over time.

3. Can I get my deposit back?
Yes—when you close the account in good standing or upgrade to an unsecured card.

4. What’s the best secured card with rewards in 2025?
The Discover it Secured and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured are top choices.

5. How long does it take to rebuild credit with a secured card?
You may see progress in as little as 3–6 months with consistent on-time payments.

6. Can I be denied for a secured credit card?
Yes, if you don’t meet minimum requirements (e.g., income, deposit funds). But some cards like OpenSky and Chime have easier approval.

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Conclusion

The best secured credit cards in 2025 make it easier than ever to rebuild or establish credit. Whether you want rewards, no annual fees, or guaranteed approval, there’s a card tailored to your needs.

• Choose Discover it Secured if you want rewards.
• Pick Capital One Platinum Secured for a low deposit.
• Go with OpenSky Visa or Chime Builder if you need approval without a credit check.

With responsible use—paying on time, keeping balances low, and monitoring your score—you’ll be on your way to graduating from a secured card to a premium unsecured credit card.

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