Finding Very Low Credit Score Credit Cards
If you have a very low credit score (think a 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.- Key Features: No credit check to apply; minimum deposit $200; reports to all 3 bureaus; $35 annual fee.
- Why it works: The easiest option if you have significant negative marks or a recent bankruptcy, as they don't pull your credit during application (they verify identity only).
- Key Features: $0 annual fee; no credit check to apply; minimum deposit $300.
- Why it works: Excellent for those who can afford the higher minimum deposit to avoid annual fees entirely.
- Key Features: Lowest minimum deposit option ($100); no credit check.
- Annual Fee Structure: $24 during the first year (paid in installments of $2 per month), and $36 after the first year (paid in installments of $3 per month).
- Why it works: Best for those needing the lowest barrier to entry to build credit on a tight budget.
- Key Features: Flexible deposit ($200 min); $36 annual fee for first year. (billed $3 per month thereafter).
- Why it works: Offers a potential credit limit increase after 9 months of responsible use without an additional deposit.
- Key Features: $0 annual fee for the first year ($25 annual fee thereafter); No credit check; No hard inquiry; $100 minimum security deposit.
- Why it works: A strong option that avoids an annual fee in the crucial first year of credit building. Qualification is based on meeting income and expense requirements, making it highly accessible.
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 annual fees and low initial credit limits. All these options allow you to pre-qualify with a soft inquiry to see your terms before a hard pull.- Unsecured card; offers an initial credit limit typically around $700. Our data shows a significantly higher approval rate (around 18% higher) than some similar cards.
- The Trade-off (Fees):
- Annual Fee: $175 the first year; $49 thereafter.
- Monthly Fee: $0 the first year; $150 annually thereafter ($12.50 each month).
- NOTICE: Some of these setup and maintenance fees will be assessed before you begin using your card and will reduce the amount of credit you initially have available. Based on a typical initial credit limit of $700, your initial available credit will be only about $525.
- Unsecured card; a viable option with a minimum $400 initial credit limit.
- The Trade-off (Fees): This card has a one-time $95 processing fee that must be paid before activating the account and is not subtracted from your credit limit.
- Annual Fee: $99 introductory fee for the first year, thereafter $125 annually.
- Monthly Fee: $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter (billed $12.50 per month).
- NOTICE: Some of these set-up and maintenance fees will be assessed before you begin using your card and will reduce the amount of credit you initially have available. For example, if you are assigned a credit limit of $400, your initial available credit will be $301.
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.However, based on the high fees associated with the unsecured options, the best path for a very low credit score credit card is nearly always a secured card.
Our recommendation is clear:
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
- This product offers the lowest upfront cost ($100 security deposit) for a secured card with no credit check
- Annual fee billed in monthly installments of $2 per month in year 1 and $3 per month thereafter
- Minimum payment as low as $10
- No credit check
- Up to 10% cash back rewards on everyday purchases at over 40,000 merchants
- Opportunities for credit line increases and graduation to our by invitation only unsecured product
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
*See Terms and Conditions
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
*See Terms and Conditions
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
*See Terms and Conditions
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 27.99%. 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
A credit score is a number generally between 300-850, based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files. This score represents the credit worthiness of a person. A credit score is assigned to each individual, to rate how risky a borrower he or she is--the higher the score, the less risk the individual poses to creditors. In most cases, your credit score will determine whether you will be approved for a credit card.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a number generally between 300-850, based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files. This score represents the credit worthiness of a person. A credit score is assigned to each individual, to rate how risky a borrower he or she is--the higher the score, the less risk the individual poses to creditors. In most cases, your credit score will determine whether you will be approved for a credit card.
Credit Score Facts
- Credit Scores range from 300-850, the higher the better.
- Most lenders base approval on your credit score.
- Higher Scores mean lower payments and better deals.
- Higher Scores mean Lower interest rates.
- Scores are determined by 5 main categories:
- Payment History
- Amounts Owed
- Length of Credit History
- Type of Credit Used
- New Credit
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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