Finding Very Low Credit Score Credit Cards
If you have a very low credit score (FICO® score in the 300-500 range), finding a credit card can feel impossible. Mainstream banks will almost always deny applicants in this credit tier.
However, options for very low credit score credit cards do exist and are essential tools for starting the rebuilding process. Your best path depends on a simple choice: Do you have a small, refundable deposit available, or do you need an unsecured card immediately?
Path A: Secured Credit Cards (Highest Approval Odds)
Secured cards are the easiest options for a very low credit score credit card because the bank is taking on minimal risk. You provide a refundable cash deposit that becomes your credit limit.
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opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Key Features: No credit check to apply; minimum deposit $200; reports to all 3 bureaus; $35 annual fee.
- Why it works: Easiest option if you have significant negative marks or a recent bankruptcy, as they don't pull your credit during application (verify identity only).
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opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Key Features: $0 annual fee; no credit check; minimum deposit $300.
- Why it works: Excellent for those who can afford the higher minimum deposit to avoid annual fees entirely.
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opensky® Launch Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Key Features: Lowest minimum deposit option ($100); no credit check.
- Annual Fee Structure: $24 during the first year ($2/mo); $36 after the first year ($3/mo).
- Why it works: Best for those needing the lowest barrier to entry to build credit on a tight budget.
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Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
- Key Features: Flexible deposit ($200 min); $36 annual fee first year ($3/mo thereafter).
- Why it works: Offers a potential credit limit increase after 9 months of responsible use without additional deposit.
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The Secured Self Visa® Credit Card
- Key Features: $0 annual fee first year ($25 thereafter); no credit check; no hard inquiry; $100 minimum security deposit.
- Why it works: Strong option that avoids annual fee in the first year. Qualification is based on income/expense requirements, highly accessible.
Best for: Individuals who can afford an upfront deposit and want the highest chance of approval with the best long-term benefits (low fees, graduation path).
Path B: Unsecured Credit Cards (No Deposit Required)
These cards are an option if you cannot afford a secured deposit, but they usually come with high fees and low initial credit limits. All options allow you to pre-qualify with a soft inquiry to see your terms before a hard pull.
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Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
- Unsecured card; initial credit limit ~ $700; higher approval rate than similar cards.
- Annual Fee: $175 first year; $49 thereafter.
- Monthly Fee: $0 first year; $150 annually thereafter ($12.50/mo).
- NOTICE: Setup and maintenance fees are assessed upfront, reducing initial available credit (~$525 from $700 limit).
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FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®
- Unsecured card; minimum initial credit limit $400.
- One-time Processing Fee: $95, paid before activating; not subtracted from credit limit.
- Annual Fee: $99 first year; $125 thereafter.
- Monthly Fee: $0 first year; $150 thereafter ($12.50/mo).
- NOTICE: Setup and maintenance fees reduce initial available credit (~$301 from $400 limit).
Best for: Individuals who urgently need a credit card but cannot afford a security deposit.
Conclusion: Your Best First Step (A Strong Recommendation)
While options are limited, you have several viable paths to getting a credit card even with a very low credit score.
Based on the high fees of unsecured options, the best path is nearly always a secured card. Our recommendation:
- If you can afford the deposit: Prioritize a secured card like the opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card (no annual fee) or the Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card. Deposit returned, lower fees, better long-term terms.
- If a deposit is a true barrier: Consider the Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit or FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®. Use these as last-resort tools; carefully weigh fees versus need.
Use the pre-qualification tools linked on this site to check your exact terms without hurting your credit score and make the choice that best suits your financial health.
opensky® Launch Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Start building credit with just $150 – secure your line with a low, refundable security deposit
- No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
- Annual fee billed in monthly installments of $2 per month in year 1 and $3 per month thereafter
- Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
- Affordable payments – minimum payment as low as $10
- Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
- Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
- Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
- Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
- Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
- More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
- Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card
- No annual fee – keep more money in your pocket!
- No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
- Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
- Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
- Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
- Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
- Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Start with as little as $300 – Secure your line with a refundable security deposit
- Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
- Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
- More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
- Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
- No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
- Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
- Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
- Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
- Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Start with just $200—secure your credit line with a refundable deposit
- Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
- Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
- More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
- Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
- Choose your own credit line based on how much money you want to put down as a security deposit.
- Initial deposits can be from $200 to $3,000. You can increase your credit line at any time by adding additional money to your security deposit, up to $3,000.
- After 9 months, we review your account for a credit line increase. No additional deposit required!
- Secured Credit Cards are great for people looking to build or rebuild credit and are available to people with all kinds of credit backgrounds.
- Unlike a debit card or a pre-paid card, it helps build your credit history. We report your payment history to all three major credit-reporting agencies.
- Get your FICO® Credit Score for free each month.
- Fraud coverage if your card is lost or stolen. Access your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get help staying on track with available Auto Pay and account alerts.
- Card issued by Merrick Bank, Member FDIC.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See Terms and Conditions
The Secured Self Visa® Credit Card
- Start building credit with all three credit bureaus with the secured Self Visa® Credit Card.
- Apply Now: Intro No Annual Fee with the secured Self Visa® Credit Card^
- No credit check
- No hard inquiry
- $100 minimum security deposit*
*Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria Subject to change.
The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
^$0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter. Variable APR of 27.49%. Offer valid for new customers only. - CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect Credit
- Now with higher credit limits
- Increase your access to available credit
- Higher limit than before, still no security deposit required!
- Greater access to credit than before
- Less than perfect credit is okay
- Mobile account access at any time
- Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®
- $400 Initial Credit Limit
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The FIT Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See Card Terms and Conditions
Found this guide helpful? Bookmark it for future reference as you continue your financial journey!
Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score
FICO® Credit Scores
FICO® Score Ranges:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.
Why is a Credit Score Important?
A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.
- Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.
- Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.
- Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.
Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.
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