Building credit can be tricky. If you don’t have a credit history, it’s hard to get a loan, a credit card or even an apartment. Credit cards can be an effective tool to build credit whether you’re starting out or seeking a second chance. If your aim is to get a credit card, you could start with a secured credit card or co-signed card, or ask to be an authorized user on another person’s card. Some of our selections for the best cards for building credit can be applied for through NerdWallet; below, you'll find application links for some of the credit cards from our partners.
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Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: Best for Easy Account Management
Mission Lane Cash Back Visa® Credit Card: Best for Solid Rewards for Limited Credit
Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card: Best for A No-Deposit Option for Poor Credit
Current Build Card: Best for Plenty of Perks for Credit Newbies
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro APR | Regular APR | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Excellent for Easy Account Management | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply Now on Chime's website on Chime's website | |
Excellent for Solid Rewards for Limited Credit | $0 | N/A | 26.99%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Mission Lane's website on Mission Lane's website | |
Excellent for A No-Deposit Option for Poor Credit | $0 | N/A | 29.99%-33.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Mission Lane's website on Mission Lane's website | |
Excellent for Plenty of Perks for Credit Newbies | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply Now on Current's website on Current's website |
Excellent for: Easy Account Management
Excellent for: Solid Rewards for Limited Credit
Excellent for: A No-Deposit Option for Poor Credit
Excellent for: Plenty of Perks for Credit Newbies