Best Credit Cards With No Credit Check
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Credit cards that advertise "no credit check" can be appealing to those with poor credit (FICO scores of 629 or lower), since applying for them won't impact your credit scores. But often, such cards come with high fees and interest rates — hence the name fee-harvester cards.
They may let you dodge that hard pull on your credit report, but you'll pay for it in the long run.
But some credit card companies — especially newer startups in the space — are advertising both no credit check and no fees (or at least low fees). Many of these so-called alternative credit cards have proprietary underwriting technology that can evaluate creditworthiness by looking at other factors, like your bank account, instead of traditional FICO scores and credit histories.
In short, if you have poor credit, fee-harvester cards and traditional secured credit cards are no longer your only options. Here are some low- and no-fee cards that don’t require a credit check.
Best credit cards with no credit check
Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: Chime users
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: None.
Security deposit: No upfront security deposit is required. You decide your credit limit based on how much you move to your secured account.
Fees: None.
APR: None.
WHY WE LIKE IT
For those with poor credit or no credit, the Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card removes many of the limitations of traditional secured credit cards. A Chime Checking Account — a free bank account that allows you to receive direct deposits — is required to get the card. You'll also need at least $200 in direct deposits made to the Chime Checking Account within the past 365 days to show that you have a source of income.
However, this card doesn't require an upfront security deposit as many secured credit cards do, so you're not paying $200 that will be wrapped up and untouchable for an undetermined amount of time.
You also get to decide how much you spend. The money you move from the Chime Checking Account to the Credit Builder secured account determines the amount of your credit limit. So if you move, say, $25 to your secured account, you’ll be able to spend $25 with the card. The money in the secured account can also be used to pay off the balance, and those payments will allow you to build credit. For instance, if you spent $15 on gas with your secured card, you'd be able to use that $25 you moved to your secured account to pay off the $15. Your payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. These companies collect the information used to calculate your credit scores
DRAWBACKS
The Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card requires a Chime Checking Account to qualify. It’s free to open one, but it does require some additional effort beyond the card's application. And if you prefer the option to carry a balance from month to month, this card doesn't allow it. There is no upgrade path, either.
On July 6, 2021, the nonprofit news organization ProPublica reported that Chime® customers had their accounts closed without notice, leaving them without access to funds. In ProPublica’s report, Chime said many account closures were linked to fraud, but it also admitted that several of the closures had been mistakes. If your account is closed by Chime or other neobanks without notice, there are some steps you can take to potentially remedy the situation. Act quickly by contacting the neobank to explain the situation. And if you aren't helped by the neobank, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Current Build Card
Our pick for: Current users
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: None.
Security deposit: No upfront security deposit is required. You determine the credit limit based on how much money is in your linked Current account.
Fees: $0 annual fee. Depending on your transactions and payments, other fees may apply.
APR: N/A.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Current Build Card doesn’t require a credit check or a minimum security deposit. As a result, it’s easier to apply for with less-than-ideal credit. You’re required to open a Current account, which is free, to fund the security deposit on an ongoing basis in the amount you choose. The money put into the account determines the spending limit. You can’t overspend or fall into a debt cycle with this card because you can't carry a balance from one month to the next. That's why interest charges don't apply. Rarer still for a card in its class, this card earns up to 7x rewards when you spend with select merchants.
DRAWBACKS
While the card can help you build credit, it currently reports payments to just one of the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion. That's not ideal if a future potential creditor pulls your report from one of the other two bureaus (Equifax or Experian). Also, you don’t have the option to carry a balance — and while that's helpful for those tempted to overspend, it does reduce your spending flexibility and might leave you unprepared for managing a real credit card, which would require staying on top of costs to prevent debt. Keep in mind, too, that while the Current Build Card doesn't have an annual fee, it does require you to watch out for other potential costs. Depending on how you use the card, things like late payment fees, foreign transaction fees, out-of-network ATM fees and card replacement fees may apply. This card also doesn’t offer a path to upgrade to a better credit card with the same issuer.
» MORE: Review of the Current Build Card
Varo Believe Secured Credit Card
Image courtesy of Varo
Our pick for: Varo users
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: None.
Security deposit: You decide your credit limit based on how much you move into a secured account.
Fees: None.
APR: None.
WHY WE LIKE IT
With the Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, you get to choose your own credit limit. The amount of money in your Varo Believe secured account becomes your credit limit (although there is a $2,500-per-day spending cap). The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, but it doesn’t charge interest or fees because it doesn’t allow you to carry a balance. Because you can only spend as much as you deposit in the secured account, incurring debt is impossible.
DRAWBACKS
To qualify, you need a Varo bank account that has received direct deposits of at least $200 in the past 90 days. The card doesn’t offer ongoing rewards in broad spending categories, as a few secured credit cards do, though you can earn cash back when the card is used to shop with select retailers through Varo’s online offers. (There’s a $50 cap on the amount of cash back you can earn per month.) This card also doesn’t offer a path to upgrade to an unsecured credit card once you work your way to better credit.
Grow Credit Mastercard
Our pick for: Subscriptions
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: The company runs only a soft credit check, which won't impact your credit scores.
Security deposit: None for most membership plans.
Fees: You'll owe a membership fee, although one membership tier is free for a year (as of this writing).
APR: None.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Grow Credit Mastercard is a virtual card issued by Sutton Bank that is friendly to those with poor credit or no credit. Grow Credit has proprietary technology that looks at income to evaluate creditworthiness. To weigh that information, the company requires you to link a bank account through Plaid.
With the card, you choose a membership plan that helps you build credit as you pay for eligible monthly subscriptions or bills. For example, if you normally pay $9.99 a month for Netflix, you can make that payment with the Grow Credit Mastercard. The payments, if made on time and in full, will build your credit. (Qualifying subscriptions and bills vary by membership plan.) The Grow Credit Mastercard reports payments to all three major credit bureaus.
DRAWBACKS
You can't use the card for any transactions other than qualifying bills and subscriptions. You also can't carry a balance from one month to another.
Plus, you'll owe a monthly membership fee that varies depending on tier. Two of the membership tiers — the Grow membership tier (annual cost of about $84) and the Accelerate membership tier (nearly $156 annually) — are not worth the cost. That's money you won't get back.
You're better off with Grow Credit's Build membership plan, which is free for 12 months and then costs $3.99 a month. Or you could consider a secured credit card that charges no annual or monthly fees and offers a chance to get your deposit back.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: Those who are unbanked
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: None.
Security deposit: Normally, a $200 minimum deposit is required.
Fees: A $35 annual fee. Depending on your transactions and payments, other fees may apply.
APR: The ongoing APR is 25.14% Variable APR.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a traditional secured credit card ideal for those with poor credit. Among secured credit cards, it’s one of the few that lets you qualify without a credit check or bank account. It reports payments to all three credit bureaus and lets you carry an ongoing balance. With a good payment history, you may also potentially qualify for a credit limit increase in as little as six months.
DRAWBACKS
The card’s minimum deposit requirement may be an obstacle for some. And while the $35 annual fee is on the low end, it's possible to find secured credit cards that don't charge an annual fee.
Cred.ai Credit Card
Image courtesy of Cred.ai
Our pick for: Spending guardrails
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: None.
Security deposit: None, though a linked Cred.ai deposit account is generally required.
Fees: None when you're covered by the "Cred.ai Guaranty."
APR: A variable rate of 17.76% (as of this writing).
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Cred.ai credit card, also known as the Unicorn Card, assigns a spending limit based on the amount in your linked Cred.ai deposit account. As you make purchases with the card, funds are set aside in the deposit account so they can cover the bill when it comes due. This way, you avoid late fees or interest charges.
The card also offers a variety of features including virtual card numbers for safe purchases, limited authorization windows and credit utilization guardrails to simplify finances. Payment activity is reported to all three major credit bureaus.
DRAWBACKS
The Cred.ai credit card can be difficult to understand since it doesn’t function like a traditional credit card. The marketing copy for its unique features may further add to the confusion. Unpacking how this card works can be especially overwhelming for a credit beginner, but it may still be worth your time if you want an option that reins in spending. Rewards are not available on this card, and there's no option to upgrade to a better product from Cred.ai.
GO2bank Secured Credit Card
Our pick for: A low security deposit
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: None.
Security deposit: A $100 minimum deposit is required.
Fees: A $0 annual fee. Depending on your transactions and payments, other fees may apply.
APR: The ongoing APR is 22.99% (as of this writing).
WHY WE LIKE IT
The GO2bank Secured Credit Card is a solid option for those with poor credit. To apply, you’ll need to have a GO2bank account and direct deposits totaling at least $100 in the past 30 days. There won't be a credit check to apply. The GO2bank Secured Credit Card has a relatively low minimum security deposit requirement among secured credit cards: $100. The amount deposited determines your credit limit.
As with a regular credit card, the lower the credit limit, the less you’ll want to spend using the card. Using less than 30% of your available credit limit can help your credit score. The GO2bank Secured Credit Card reports your payments to all three credit bureaus, which helps you build credit.
DRAWBACKS
Aside from the required security deposit, the GO2bank Secured Credit Card also requires you to have a GO2bank account to qualify, which adds an extra step in the application process. It doesn’t offer a path to upgrade to an unsecured credit card once you've established a good payment history, so you’ll have to close your account if you want to get your security deposit back. The card also charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase, so it’s not ideal for traveling abroad.
(Card image courtesy of GO2bank)
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: A mix of credit-building features
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: No hard credit check, although there may be a soft inquiry, which won't impact your credit scores.
Security deposit: No upfront security deposit is required. You decide your credit limit based on how much you move to your Credit Builder Account.
Fees: A $25 annual fee. Depending on your transactions and payments, other fees may apply.
APR: The ongoing APR is 28.74% Variable.
WHY WE LIKE IT
To qualify for the Secured Self Visa® Credit Card, you first need a Credit Builder Account, which is a small installment loan that's held in a certificate of deposit. You’ll start by contributing monthly installments to that account, starting at $25 per month. When you've contributed $100 and met other requirements, you can then use that money to cover the minimum security deposit required to get the Secured Self Visa® Credit Card.
This can be an ideal option if your budget would benefit from paying a deposit in small installments over time. You’ll eventually get this money back when you close the account in good standing. But you won't get any fees or interest you pay back. Plus, having a mix of credit types can be a win for your credit scores if you can maintain on-time payments. (The Secured Self Visa® Credit Card and the Credit Builder Account are both reported to all three major credit bureaus — the former as a revolving line of credit, and the latter as an installment loan.)
DRAWBACKS
You can’t get the Secured Self Visa® Credit Card card immediately. You’ll have to clear some hurdles first, like saving $100 or more in your Credit Builder Account, making the last three monthly payments in full, and having an account in good standing.
And while a $100 security deposit is significantly less than is required by some traditional secured credit cards, over the long term the loan and card combined would end up costing you more. Unlike many secured credit cards, the Secured Self Visa® Credit Card charges an annual fee.
Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card
Our pick for: Newcomers to the U.S.
CARD DETAILS
Credit check: None.
Security deposit: No upfront security deposit is required. You determine the credit limit based on how much money is in your Firstcard deposit account.
Fees: $4.99-$12.99 monthly or $48-$120/year depending on subscription plan. Depending on your transactions and payments, other fees may apply.
APR: N/A.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card is friendly to those with little or no credit history, and it's especially welcoming to U.S. newcomers who may lack a Social Security number. (The Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card requires passport and visa information if you can't meet that requirement.) It reports to the major credit bureaus, and it's among the most affordable starter cards; there's no annual fee, late fee or APR.
To get the card, you’ll need a Firstcard deposit account to transfer money into, via a direct deposit or direct transfer from a linked bank account or debit card. The amount deposited determines the card's credit limit. You can start using the card immediately after adding it to your Apple or Google Wallet.
DRAWBACKS
The card isn't free to hold, and the fee you'll pay depends on the subscription plan you have with Firstcard. That means it'll be costly to keep in the long run, so once you've established credit, you'll want to try to move on to a better product.
NERDUP BY NERDWALLETNerdWallet has introduced a secured credit card for people looking to build or improve their credit. Key features of the NerdUp by NerdWallet card include a $0 annual fee, no interest charges, no credit check, a minimum security deposit of $100, the ability to pay your bill from your deposit, and a rewards program that increases your credit limit with each payment. To avoid conflicts, NerdWallet's editorial team will not review this card, assign it a star rating or consider it for our roundups of the best credit cards, but you can learn more about NerdUp here. |
Credit cards that didn't make the list
The following cards also skip the credit check, but they pack fewer valuable features compared with other credit cards.
Ambition Mastercard from College Ave: There's no credit check, nor will you be charged interest. But it does require a security deposit, and you'll eventually be charged a monthly fee. And while both of those amounts are relatively modest, you can find student credit cards that require neither.
Ava Credit Builder Card: You'll avoid a hard pull on your credit report, and there are no interest charges. But you'll also face severe restrictions in terms of where and how much you can spend with the card. In addition, you'll owe a membership fee of as much as $108 a year.
Kikoff Secured Credit Card: This card doesn't require a credit check, and technically its annual fee is $0. But to get it, you'll need a paid Kikoff subscription, which will cost you — at a minimum — $240 a year. And while there's no official minimum security deposit required, you'll need to put down at least $50 if you want the card to report to the three credit bureaus.
Possible Card: This card promises no credit check and no interest charges. But you'll owe a monthly fee that can equal up to $192 per year. As of this writing, the card is available by invitation only to a limited number of users and it only reports payments to two of the three credit bureaus.
Super Card: This card avoids an upfront security deposit; your credit limit is equal to the amount of money in the bank account linked to the card. But to get the card, you'll have to pay a significant $15-a-month membership fee. That equates to $180 per year.
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