5 Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada for 2025
A secured credit card is a great tool for building credit history or rebuilding after a bad setback. Use it wisely and keep your account in good standing, and one of Canada’s best credit cards can help strengthen your credit.
The best secured credit cards in Canada
Rewards breakdown
NerdWallet's take
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NerdWallet's take
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NerdWallet's take
Card details
NerdWallet's take
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NerdWallet's take
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Methodology
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Compare the best credit cards side-by-side and find a card that will meet your needs with special perks and benefits.
What to know about secured credit cards
A secured credit card works like a regular credit card but requires a security deposit as collateral, instead of relying primarily on your credit score to determine eligibility. This makes secured cards a good option if you cannot qualify for a regular credit card, but want to use a card to build credit.
How to choose the right secured credit card for you
Secured cards are typically aimed at people who cannot qualify for an unsecured credit card, such as students, people with bad credit or Canadian newcomers who need to build up a credit history. Here are some things to consider when choosing a secured credit card
- Eligibility
Credit card issuers tend to be much more flexible with their eligibility requirements for a secured card.
Credit score: Because secured cards are designed for people with no or bad credit, an issuer may not even consider an applicant’s credit score when determining eligibility.
Income requirements: Secured credit cards do not tend to have strict or clearly stated income requirements.
Other requirements: Aside from providing a minimum amount for a security deposit, you generally need to be a Canadian resident who is the age of majority in your territory or province.
- Credit bureau reporting
The main point of having a secured credit card for most users is to build a credit history and improve their credit score, so it’s important to ensure that the issuer is reporting payments to at least one of the two main credit bureaus (TransUnion and Equifax).
- Affordable deposit
Carefully consider your budget and how much money you can afford to tie up indefinitely as a security deposit. Do you have enough savings in your emergency fund to cover both the security deposit and an unexpected expense, for example?
- Low or no fees
Annual fees can vary significantly among issuers, so be sure to check the cost of each card when making your selection.
- Ability to switch to unsecured
A credit card issuer that also offers unsecured cards gives you the flexibility to switch to another type of credit card after you've improved your credit score.
Use our credit card interest calculator to see how much you’ll owe if you don’t pay off your balance.
Advantages and disadvantages of secured credit cards
Ability to build credit and improve your score.
Easy to get, even for those with no or bad credit.
Some may offer rewards like cash back.
Cash security deposit is required. You won’t get your security deposit funds back until you close the account.
Monthly or annual fees may apply.
High rates of interest may apply.
What Reddit has to say
To find the best secured cards in Canada, NerdWallet’s credit card experts review numerous options available on the market. But our Nerds know it can also be helpful to hear what everyday cardholders think. We took to Reddit to find out what users are saying across multiple threads.
Redditors mostly agree with NerdWallet’s secured card picks.
As of this writing, Redditors suggest that some of the best secured cards are the Secured Neo Mastercard and Home Trust Secured Visa, both of which made our list. They also recommend the KOHO Prepaid Mastercard, which technically isn’t a secured card but a prepaid card. However, it functions similarly to a secured card if you pay for the optional Credit Building feature.
Frequently asked questions
What is an unsecured credit card?
What is an unsecured credit card?
An unsecured credit card, more commonly known as a traditional or regular credit card, is a card that does not require a security deposit for approval. The credit card issuer “trusts” that the cardholder will make regular payments and therefore does not require collateral. This “trust” is primarily based on the cardholder’s credit history and credit score. A good credit score implies the cardholder can repay their debts and handle credit responsibly.
Check your credit score before you apply for an unsecured option to make sure you have a good enough score to qualify.
Are credit cards secured debt?
Are credit cards secured debt?
Secured debt is a type of debt in which the borrower provides some form of collateral (such as cash or a car) to guarantee repayment of the debt. Secured credit cards are a form of secured debt because you pay a cash security deposit as collateral.
What is a secured credit card?
What is a secured credit card?
A secured credit card requires the cardholder to provide a cash security deposit to open an account. The card’s credit limit is typically the same as the security deposit. So, for example, if your deposit is $500, you’ll have a $500 credit limit.
The deposit acts as a form of collateral, reducing the risk for the credit card provider. If the secured credit cardholder doesn’t make their payments, the issuer can use the deposit to pay off the debt. This is why secured credit cards tend to be easier to qualify for than unsecured, regular credit cards — making them ideal for people with poor credit or no credit history.
When used responsibly, paid on time and in full, a secured credit card can build your credit. If your score is high enough, you’ll likely qualify for a traditional unsecured credit card that does not require a deposit.
As you would with a regular, unsecured credit card, you will want to pay your bill in full and on time. To keep your account in good standing, you’ll need to pay at least the required minimum payment each billing cycle.
Remember, the security deposit acts as collateral, and won’t pay off charges to the card. The deposit is only used if the cardholder defaults on payments.
How does a secured credit card work?
How does a secured credit card work?
A secured credit card works like a regular, unsecured credit card once you’ve been approved and provided the required security deposit. You can use a secured credit card to make purchases and then pay off your balance in full, or make the minimum payment each month.
As with a traditional credit card, unpaid balances typically accrue interest, so it’s a good idea to pay off the bill in full when it’s due.
The issuer usually reports your payments to Canada’s credit bureaus, just like standard credit cards. As long as you use your card responsibly and make your payments on time, your credit score will rise. If boosting your credit score is your goal, make sure your payments are being reported — not all issuers report to the credit bureaus.
What is the security deposit for a secured credit card?
What is the security deposit for a secured credit card?
The security deposit for a secured credit card can vary widely depending on the issuer. With few exceptions, most secured credit cards in Canada require a deposit of at least $50.
How do credit limits work with a secured credit card?
How do credit limits work with a secured credit card?
Credit limits vary with each provider, but you can start with as little as a $50 security deposit and can reach upward of $10,000.
Each provider may have a different method for increasing your credit limit. As long as it falls within the maximum allowable amount, you should be able to increase your limit if you can provide the security funds.
What are typical secured credit card rates?
What are typical secured credit card rates?
Secured credit card interest rates vary, from as low as 11.25% to as high as 25.90%, according to NerdWallet's analysis.
Who offers secured credit cards?
Who offers secured credit cards?
As of this writing, the following institutions offer secured cards:
TD Canada Trust
Home Trust
Tims Financial
Capital One
Neo Financial
Vancity (Vancouver only)
ATB Financial (Alberta only)
How do I add money to a secured credit card?
How do I add money to a secured credit card?
The method to add money to a secured card varies among providers. It may just be a matter of contacting your credit card issuer and telling them you want an increase, then providing the funds. Or you may be able to increase your limit online with an e-transfer.
Should I pay my secured credit card early?
Should I pay my secured credit card early?
A secured credit card can be a helpful tool to build your credit history and score, but only if used wisely. For this reason, it’s a good idea to make payments in full and on time each month to avoid interest charges.
While you don’t have to make payments early, it may be a good habit to adopt if you tend to be late or forget to make payments. You may also consider setting up automatic payments or alerts when your balance is due.
How long should I keep a secured credit card?
How long should I keep a secured credit card?
It’s advisable to keep a secured credit card until you start to see an improvement in your score and feel confident that you can successfully apply for an unsecured credit card. A credit score of at least 660 will help you qualify for an unsecured card, but as a general rule of thumb, the higher your score, the better your chances of approval.
What happens if I close my secured credit card?
What happens if I close my secured credit card?
If you cancel your secured card, you’ll get your full security deposit back as long as you don’t have any pending charges or a balance remaining on the card.
What are the alternatives to secured credit cards?
What are the alternatives to secured credit cards?
Prepaid cards are another handy way to make purchases without cash. Because you have to load them with your own money, prepaid cards can also help you curb spending and avoid accumulating high-interest debt. However, unlike unsecured credit cards, your transactions are not typically reported to credit bureaus. That means prepaid cards can’t help you improve your credit score or establish a credit history.
Student credit cards are available for students who don’t have a built-up credit history, so eligibility requirements are more relaxed. While some student cards are available only to those enrolled in a college or university, most are technically available to anyone.
Credit cards for Canadian newcomers are designed for recent arrivals who don’t yet have a Canadian credit history. Many banks offer unsecured cards through newcomer packages, often featuring no annual fees, rewards, and travel perks.
What is the application process for a secured credit card?
What is the application process for a secured credit card?
Some smaller banks and alternative financial institutions that issue dedicated secured credit cards allow prospective cardholders to apply online, and many offer instant or guaranteed approval.
The process is the same as applying for an unsecured credit card. You simply hit the “apply” icon on the website and follow the prompts, such as:
Review the terms and conditions and accept them.
Provide personal information like your name and social insurance number (SIN).
Enter your employment details.
Indicate whether you want to include an authorized user.
Submit your application.
If approved, pay your deposit. The method by which you pay the deposit varies among banks, but may include mailing a cheque or completing a bank transfer.
If you aren’t approved, make sure to wait about six months before applying for another card as credit card issuers view multiple card applications in quick succession as a sign of financial distress.
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