Best Unsecured Credit Cards for Limited Credit in September 2024

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Key Takeaways

• Our top picks have low or no annual fees, offer credit-building tools and provide an avenue to build credit through responsible use. Some even earn rewards for spending.
• We used an objective rating system to evaluate dozens of the best unsecured credit cards for bad or limited credit.
• We’ve identified the best cards to help you take control of your finances and avoid expensive fees that unsecured cards for bad credit often charge.

Show summary

Best unsecured credit cards for bad credit or limited credit in 2024

• Winner, best unsecured credit card for limited credit: Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
• Best unsecured credit card for bad credit: Petal ® 1 No Annual Fee Visa ® Credit Card
• Easiest unsecured credit card to get: AvantCard Credit Card
• Best unsecured credit card for no credit: Petal ® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa ® Credit Card
• Best unsecured credit card for cash back: Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa ®

Winner, best unsecured credit card for limited credit

Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card*

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

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How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

Free credit monitoring tools

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

• Free access to credit score
• Automatic account reviews for credit limit increase after six months
• Reports to all three credit bureaus
• Earn a high rate of cash back on every purchase
• Competitive APR

• Foreign transaction fees
• Late payment fee
• Penalty interest rate applies if you miss a payment

The best unsecured credit card for limited credit is the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card. It offers an unrivaled combination of cash back on every purchase and access to top-notch credit-monitoring tools to build your credit. Plus, you may be eligible to increase your credit limit in as little as six months.

LendingTree’s rating: 4.8/5*

Not what you’re looking for? Check out the best credit cards for limited credit.

• Increase your approval chances - Having a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise℠
• Earn Cash Back - With Chase Freedom Rise℠, you can start building credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
• Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
• Credit Limit Increase - As a Chase cardmember, you'll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount of money you can spend on your Freedom Rise℠ Card
• Free Credit Score - Track your credit score and learn how to build it with Chase Credit Journey.
• No Annual Fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Rise℠ card.
• Member FDIC

*The information related to the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best unsecured credit card for bad credit

Petal ® 1 No Annual Fee Visa ® Credit Card*

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

See if you’re preapproved without impacting credit score

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

• Free access to credit score and credit-building tools
• Reports to all three credit bureaus
• Credit limit increase in as soon as six months
• Foreign transaction fee: None

• Potentially high interest rates
• Late payment fee

The Petal ® 1 No Annual Fee Visa ® Credit Card tops our list of the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit because it’s light on fees and heavy on credit-building features. You won’t have to pay an annual fee, foreign transaction fee or security deposit, and you can easily check your credit score and track payments in the Petal app.

LendingTree’s rating: 4.1/5*

Not what you’re looking for? Check out the best credit cards for bad credit.

• $0 Annual Fee
• Variable APRs range from 25.24% - 34.74%
• $300 - $5,000 credit limits
• Earn a credit limit increase in as little as 6 months. Terms and conditions apply.
• No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
• 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
• See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
• No annual or foreign transaction fees.
• Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal card members.
• Petal's mobile app makes it easy to manage your money, track your spending, and automate payments.
• Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
• No deposits required
• Card issued by WebBank

*The information related to the Petal ® 1 No Annual Fee Visa ® Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Easiest unsecured credit card to get

AvantCard Credit Card

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

Prequalify without impacting your credit score

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

• Accessible to people with limited / poor / fair credit
• Regular account reviews for credit limit increase
• Free access to credit score and credit-building tools
• Reports to all three credit bureaus
• Foreign transaction fee: None

• Late payment fee
• High interest rates
• Could charge annual fee

If you’re looking for the easiest credit card to get with bad credit, your best bet is the AvantCard Credit Card. It’s designed for consumers with limited / poor / fair credit who want access to tools that will help them improve their credit score and take charge of their finances.

Note that despite being easier to get, the AvantCard Credit Card earns a lower score on the LendingTree rating system because it charges an annual fee, high interest rates and late payment fees.

LendingTree’s rating: 2.3/5*

Not what you’re looking for? Check out the easiest credit cards to get.

• Fast and easy application process
• No deposit required
• No hidden fees
• No penalty APR
• Report to all three major credit bureaus
• Zero fraud liability for unauthorized charges
• Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank, member FDIC
• Disclosure: If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.00
• Late Fee up to $39
• Checking your eligibility does not affect your credit score

Best unsecured credit card for no credit

Petal ® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa ® Credit Card*

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

No credit history needed to apply

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

• Free access to credit score and credit-building tools
• No late payment fee
• Reports to all three credit bureaus
• Credit limit increase in as soon as six months
• Earns cash back
• Foreign transaction fees: None

• Potentially high interest rates

The Petal ® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa ® Credit Card offers the best combination of credit-building features and rewards out of all credit cards for consumers with no credit history. Credit cards often charge late payment fees and penalty interest rates when you miss a payment, but you won’t be on the hook for either of these with this card. Plus, you’ll access key credit-building features that will help you improve your credit score so you can qualify for a card with even better benefits.

LendingTree’s rating: 4.8/5*

Not what you’re looking for? Check out the best credit cards for no credit history.

• No fees whatsoever. No late fee, foreign transaction fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee.
• Variable APRs range from 18.24% - 32.24%
• Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
• 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away
• 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
• $300 - $10,000 credit limits
• No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
• See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
• Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal card members.
• Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
• No deposits required
• Card issued by WebBank

*The information related to the Petal ® 2 Cash Back, No Fees Visa ® Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best unsecured credit card for cash back

Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa ®

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.

Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

• Earns cash back
• No late payment fees
• Reports to all three credit bureaus
• Free access to credit score

• Foreign transaction fees
• Fixed monthly payments mean you can’t just pay the minimum

The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa ® is the best unsecured card for cash back because it offers the most potential rewards earnings of any unsecured card for limited credit. You’ll also get key credit-building features like free access to your credit score and regular reporting to all three credit bureaus.

Note that this card operates like a personal loan – your balance will be divided into equal monthly payments that you’ll make over a set period of time. You’ll owe this fixed monthly payment every month, so if you’re strapped for cash, you won’t be able to make a minimum payment and remain in good standing.

LendingTree’s rating: 4.5/5*

Not what you’re looking for? Check out the best cash back credit cards.

• $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
• Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
• Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
• No annual fee
• No touch payments with contactless technology built in
• See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
• Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
• Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
• Relax knowing you’re protected against unauthorized transactions with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy
• *To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking Plus account through Upgrade and make 3 qualifying debit card transactions from your Rewards Checking Plus account within 60 days of the date the Rewards Checking Plus account is opened. If you have previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not open a Rewards Checking Plus account as part of this application process, you are not eligible for this welcome bonus offer. Your Upgrade Card and Rewards Checking Plus account must be open and in good standing to receive a bonus. To qualify, debit card transactions must have settled and exclude ATM transactions. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade Visa® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information. Welcome bonus offers cannot be combined, substituted, or applied retroactively. The bonus will be applied to your Rewards Checking Plus account as a one-time payout credit within 60 days after meeting the conditions.

Compare the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

*The information for the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, Petal ® 1 No Annual Fee Visa ® Credit Card, Petal ® 2 Cash Back and No Fees Visa ® Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms Apply.

What is an unsecured credit card?

An unsecured credit card is a credit card that doesn’t require a security deposit. Typically, the credit card company (or issuer) will perform a hard credit inquiry to decide whether to approve you for the card.

What is the difference between unsecured and secured credit cards?

The primary difference between unsecured and secured credit cards is that secured cards require a security deposit. Because of this, secured credit cards often have lower credit requirements because they can use your security deposit to offset the loss if you don’t make payments on your card.

Aside from the security deposit, the benefits offered by unsecured and secured credit cards are similar. Both card types can help you build credit through responsible use. You can earn rewards with both types of cards, although unsecured credit cards generally offer better rewards and perks.

Tip: If you have a low credit score, we recommend applying for a secured credit card. You’ll likely save money in the long run, since secured cards tend to have lower rates and fees than unsecured credit cards for poor credit.

Credit cards for bad credit and limited credit

Whether you want to rebuild your credit or just need a card that’s easy to get, we’ve broken down the different types of credit cards for bad credit and limited credit below.

• Accessible to people with bad or limited credit
• Often offer credit-building tools

• Often charge high interest rates and fees
• Rarely offer rewards

• Offer tools to build credit and boost credit score
• Typically offer path to graduate to card with better benefits

• May charge high interest rates and fees
• May not offer rewards

• Access to tools designed for first-time credit users
• Accessible to students and others with limited credit history

• May not offer sign-up bonus or rewards
• Can charge fees and high interest rates

• Often have lower fees and interest rates than unsecured cards for bad credit, making them less expensive in the long run
• Potential to get security deposit back after upgrading to unsecured card

• Must submit security deposit

• Applying does not affect your credit score

• Typically require security deposit for approval
• Usually do not offer rewards or sign-up bonus

• Accessible to consumers with damaged credit
• Typically offer credit-building tools

• Often charge high interest rates and fees
• Typically don’t offer rewards

• Prequalification doesn’t damage credit score
• Many top-notch cards offer this feature

• Prequalification / preapproval is not a guarantee of approval
• Applying for the card will still require a credit check

How to get an unsecured credit card

Depending on your credit, you may not qualify for an unsecured credit card right now. Consider the following tips to improve your chances of approval for an unsecured card.

• Start with a secured credit card Open a secured card first and use it responsibly, making on-time payments each month to improve your credit score.
• Apply through a bank, credit union or store Applying for a credit card through a financial institution or business you already have a working relationship with may increase your chances of approval. Plus, many store cards come with lower credit requirements (beware, though, as they often have high interest rates).
• Pay your bills on time Few factors affect your credit as much as payment history. By paying your bills on time, you can build up a strong credit history and qualify for a good unsecured credit card.
• Pay off debt One of the best ways to boost your credit score is to pay off credit card debt. Your credit utilization ratio — how much you owe divided by your total credit limit — makes up a significant part of your credit score.
• Prequalify Some card issuers allow you to check eligibility for a card before officially applying for it. Prequalification relies on a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your credit score, and lets you know whether your credit is good enough to get an unsecured credit card.

How to build your credit with an unsecured credit card

Whether you apply for a secured or an unsecured card, it’s important to use it responsibly in order to build a positive credit history. This includes:

1. Paying on time and in full each month. Paying your credit card bill on time is the most important thing you can do for a good credit score. Plus, by paying in full by the statement due date, you can avoid interest charges.
2. Keeping your card account active. You need to actually use your card so that the payment activity can be reported to the credit bureaus. A good way to do this is to put a recurring charge on your card (like a Netflix or Spotify subscription), then set up automatic payments so your bill is always paid in full and on time.
3. Not overspending. Maxing out your credit card will hurt your credit score, so it’s best to use less than 30% of your available credit. This also helps prevent credit card debt.

Methodology: How we chose the best unsecured cards for bad credit and limited credit

To bring you the list of credit cards for building credit, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

For credit-building cards, we devote a large part of the score to features that help build credit — we want to help you locate cards that don’t cost a lot to own and get help you upgrade to better card offers.

• Annual savings (50% of rating): We calculate how much the average cardholder can save with the card on a yearly basis. If it is a rewards card, we use U.S. Bureau of Labor data and $300 in monthly spend (the typical starting credit limit for an introductory card) to calculate how much the average cardholder can earn in rewards. We then subtract fees — including annual fees and maintenance fees — from this amount.
• Credit building features (50% of rating): We give points for features that help build credit, including reports to all three credit bureaus, regular account reviews for card upgrades and free credit score access. We detract points for features that can be costly to cardholders trying to build credit, such as security deposits, penalty APRs and late payment fees.

Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best credit card for building credit. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.