Many people with bad credit feel stuck — but there are credit cards designed to help rebuild your score. In this 2025 guide, we’ll show you the best credit cards for bad credit, even if you’ve been denied before.
What to Look For in a Credit Card for Bad Credit
- No or low annual fees
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- No hard pull or soft inquiry only
- Opportunity to graduate to unsecured card
Top 7 Credit Cards for Bad Credit (Updated for 2025)
1. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Deposit: $49–$200
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- No annual fee
- Upgrade path to unsecured card
Best for: People new to credit or rebuilding
2. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- Cashback: 2% on gas & dining
- Free FICO score monthly
- Automatic review after 7 months
- No annual fee
Best for: Rewards + rebuilding credit
3. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- No credit check required
- Reports monthly to Equifax, Experian, TransUnion
- $35 annual fee
Best for: Guaranteed approval without a credit check
4. Self Secured Credit Card
- Must have a Self Credit Builder Account
- No hard inquiry
- No upfront deposit (uses your savings)
- Builds credit and savings at once
Best for: Building credit and savings
5. Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card
- No credit check
- No interest or annual fee
- Must have a Chime Spending Account
- Use your own money as the limit
Best for: No fees and complete flexibility
6. Tomo Credit Card
- No credit history needed
- Reports to major bureaus
- No fees or APR
- Uses income and banking data instead
Best for: Students or newcomers with income but no credit
7. Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card
- For fair/limited credit
- No security deposit
- Up to $5,000 limit
- Cashback on select purchases
Best for: Transitioning from secured to unsecured cards
Tips to Rebuild Credit with These Cards
- Keep utilization under 30%
- Always pay on time
- Use small amounts, pay in full
- Don’t apply for too many at once
Final Thoughts
You can rebuild your credit in 2025 — even if you’re starting at rock bottom. These cards offer real chances to improve your score, get better financial products, and stop being denied.
Start with one, use it smart, and watch your credit grow.