Best Unsecured Credit Cards

An unsecured credit card is a credit card with no security deposit. When a credit card is unsecured, it means the card’s credit line is not "backed" by collateral and the card is what most people would refer to as a normal credit card.

What kinds of unsecured credit cards are there?

The vast majority of credit card offers are unsecured, with no deposit needed. So, it’s no surprise there are lots of slightly different types of unsecured credit cards. There are unsecured cards for each credit rating, from excellent credit to bad credit. There are unsecured credit cards for students, small business owners and everyone else. Some reward cardholders for making purchases, while others offer low introductory APRs. Some have low fees; others don’t.

Given the variety, finding the right card for your needs is not as simple as just setting out in search of an unsecured credit card. You need to compare the available offers based on the features – other than security deposit requirements – that figure to have the greatest impact on your life. For your convenience, we’ll highlight a handful of the best, most popular unsecured card offers below.

Here are some popular unsecured credit cards:

Should you choose a secured or unsecured credit card?

Deciding between an unsecured credit card and a secured credit card is a matter of creditworthiness. People with bad credit or limited credit history will benefit most from a secured card because they may not be able to get good terms with an unsecured card. Few banks and credit unions are willing to take on the risk of lending to applicants with badly damaged credit. As a result, there is a limited selection of unsecured credit card offers for people with below-average credit, and the cards that are available can be pretty expensive. Credit cards for students with no credit are a notable exception, though. 

Given that borrowers basically prepay for their purchasing power with secured credit cards, such cards offer higher approval odds and charge lower fees than unsecured cards for poor credit. Secured credit cards also report to the major credit bureaus each month, and they look exactly like unsecured credit cards on credit reports. That means using a secured card responsibly can help you build or rebuild your credit just like an unsecured credit card. To learn more, check out our secured vs. unsecured credit cards comparison.

One of the easiest unsecured cards to get approved for is the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit because you can get approved for it even with bad credit. This card offers a $300 starting spending limit, and you can use it wherever Visa is accepted.

Easiest Unsecured Credit Cards to Get Approved For

The easiest unsecured credit cards to get generally work best for minor emergencies. You will only receive a small amount of spending power,...

You need a credit score of 550 to 750 to be approved for an unsecured credit card, depending on the card. The higher your credit score is, the more unsecured credit card offers will be available and the better your chances of getting approved will be.

Best Unsecured Credit Cards for a 550 Credit Score

What to Do if Your Credit Score is Below 550

If your credit score is...

One of the best credit cards for a 550 credit score is the OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee and there’s no credit check when you apply, so approval is almost guaranteed. You just need $300 for a refundable security deposit and enough income to make monthly payments. This card also reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) every month, which is your ticket to a better credit score.

However, this isn’t...

The main difference between a secured credit card and an unsecured credit card is that secured cards require you to place a refundable security deposit when you open your account. Apart from this security deposit, secured and unsecured credit cards aren't necessarily better or worse for your credit. The amount of this deposit typically serves as the credit limit for the secured card, which means you have to pre-pay for purchases with a secured card. You’ll usually have to...

The best unsecured credit card for no credit is Chase Freedom Rise℠ because it has a $0 annual fee and rewards cardholders with 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Chase Freedom Rise℠ is available to applicants with limited credit or better.

If you’re in college, you should also consider student credit cards. Student cards are unsecured credit cards for no credit that are available to college and graduate students. They tend to give better terms than non-student unsecured credit cards for no credit because issuers...

The best credit card for bad credit with a $3,000 limit is the U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card. With this card, it is possible to place a $3,000 deposit, which will serve as your credit limit. The minimum deposit is $300. The U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card also comes with a $0 annual fee.

What You Should Know About High Credit Limits for Bad Credit

• The only way to get a $3,000 limit with bad credit is to place a...