Best Credit Cards For Beginners [2024] Starter Credit Cards

Did you know that 83% of people with a perfect 850 credit score are Gen Xers or Baby Boomers? 

While having a perfect score in your 20s and 30s is possible, starting your credit journey early is a huge advantage. And good credit is essential for things like renting an apartment or getting a loan. 

So, whether you’re a student, have bad credit, or are just starting out, these are the best credit cards for beginners to help you boost your credit.

Read on to discover the best starter credit card for you!

The Best Credit Cards For Beginners

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa Credit Card

Credit Score Required To Apply: No credit check required

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: None

The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa credit card is one of the better starter credit cards out there. This card allows you to build a strong credit history without credit checks or annual fees to worry about. So, it’s no surprise it has over 1 million 5-star reviews on the Apple App Store and Google Play store combined. 

Unlike traditional secured cards, the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa credit card doesn’t require a minimum security deposit — meaning cardholders get to set their own credit limit with a deposit amount of their choosing. And Chime won’t charge you interest. Essentially, you’re setting money aside to pay your bill (in advance), much like a prepaid card but with the added benefit of credit reporting.

Key Features:

• No credit check is required.
• No annual fee.
• Reports to all three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) to help build your credit. 
• No minimum security deposit is required; spend up to the amount you add to your account. 
• No interest charges (since you’re spending your own money).
• Access to Chime’s SpotMe feature, which gives you up to $200 in fee-free cash advances.

Discover more about Chime in this full Chime review.

Quicksilver Secured From Capital One

Credit Score Required To Apply: Fair

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: None

The Quicksilver Secured Credit Card from Capital One is among the best credit cards for beginners. With no annual fee and a rewards program, this card is perfect for building credit while earning cash back. 

This card also includes benefits like CreditWise from Capital One (which helps you monitor your credit score for free), and up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership credits (offer available until November 14, 2024).

Key Features:

• Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
• The security deposit is refundable, and the minimum is just $200.
• No annual fee or hidden fees.
• Potential for a credit line increase. You’ll be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months (without an additional deposit).
• $0 Fraud Liability ensures you’re not responsible for unauthorized charges in the event your card is stolen or lost. 
• 24/7 customer service is available. 

And if you’re new to the credit card game, be sure to check out: What is a good credit score?

Platinum Secured Credit Card From Capital One

Credit Score Required To Apply: Rebuilding (Poor)

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: None

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has credit-building features that make it one of the best credit cards for beginners. 

With no annual fee and a flexible security deposit, it makes starting out a breeze. Your security deposit can be as low as $49 for a $200 credit line. Plus, you can pay the deposit in installments — which is helpful if you’re working with a tight budget. 

Key Features:

• No annual fee or hidden fees.
• Flexible security deposit. Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get up to a $200 initial credit line.
• Potential for a credit line increase. You’ll be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months (without an additional deposit).
• Monitor your credit score with free access to CreditWise from Capital One.
• $0 Fraud Liability, meaning you’re not responsible for unauthorized charges on your account. 
• Customer service is available 24/7. 

Cleo Credit Builder Secured Visa Credit Card

Credit Score Required To Apply: No credit check required

Annual Fee: $134.99, or $14.99 if billed monthly

Welcome Bonus: None

The Cleo Credit Builder Secured Visa Credit Card is designed to help you build your credit. It’s one of the best credit cards for beginners because it requires no credit check to apply and offers a flexible security deposit. 

To get the Cleo Credit Builder Secured Visa credit card, you’ll need to subscribe to Cleo Builder, which costs $14.99 per month (or save 25% by opting for the $134.99 annual subscription). This subscription also offers cash advances and the ability to track your credit score. 

And you’ll get access to all of the “Cleo Plus” subscription features, including cash back. 

Explore our complete Cleo Credit Builder card review to learn more.

Key Features:

• No credit check is required to apply. 
• You can get started with as little as a $1 refundable deposit.
• Cleo reports to all three major credit bureaus to help build your credit.
• You’ll have access to up to $250 in cash advances.
• Access your paychecks up to 2 days early when you set up direct deposit. 

Self Visa Credit Card

Credit Score Required To Apply: No credit check required

Annual Fee: $25

Welcome Bonus: None

The Self Visa Credit Card is a secured credit card designed to help you build your credit, which makes it a great option for beginners. But is it the best starter credit card for you?

You don’t need a credit check to apply; instead, it’s linked to your Self Credit Builder Account. To get started, you need to have an active Credit Builder Account in good standing, have made at least three monthly payments on time, have added your income and expenses to your account information, and have at least $100 in savings. 

By making on-time payments and managing your credit responsibly, you can easily boost your credit score with the Self Visa Credit Card. 

Key Features:

• No credit check is required to apply. 
• Self reports to all three major credit bureaus to help build your credit.
• Flexible credit limit: Your credit limit is based on your savings progress in your Self Credit Builder Account (starting as low as $100).
• You can use your Self Visa Credit Card wherever Visa credit cards are accepted in the U.S. 

Discover it Student Cash Back 

Credit Score Required To Apply: No credit score required

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: Unlimited cashback match — Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

So, is the Discover it Student Cash Back credit card the best starter credit card for you? That depends. 

The rewards structure, generous first-year cashback match, and no annual fees or credit score minimum make it ideal for students and beginners just starting out on their credit journey. Plus, the 0% intro APR (annual percentage rate) on purchases for the first six months also provides a nice cushion as you get used to managing your credit. 

Key Features:

• No annual fee.
• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases from select places each quarter (such as grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more)
• Automatically earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• At the end of your first year, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned dollar-for-dollar.
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for the first six months.
• There’s no minimum threshold to redeem your rewards for cash. 

For more free cash-back opportunities, check out these banks with immediate sign up bonus.

Discover it Student Chrome

Credit Score Required To Apply: No credit score required

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match — Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

One of the best starter credit cards is the Discover it Student Chrome, an excellent choice for students who are just starting out with credit cards. It offers 0% intro APR on purchases for the first six months and doesn’t require a credit score to apply. There’s no annual fee, either.

The Discover it Student Chrome credit card is similar to the Discover it Student Cash back credit card, but it has a slightly different rewards structure. While the Discover it Student Cash Back credit card offers 5% cash back in rotating categories, the Discover it Student Chrome credit card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants.

Key Features:

• No annual fee.
• Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter automatically.
• Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• At the end of your first year, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned dollar-for-dollar.
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for the first six months.
• Discover credit cards are accepted by 99% of retailers in the U.S. 

Commonly Asked Questions About The Best Credit Cards For Beginners 

Best Credit Cards For Beginners With No Credit? 

Here are the best credit cards for beginners with no credit:

• Self Visa Credit Card: No credit check and a low $25 annual fee.
• Discover it Student Cash Back: No credit score minimum and no annual fee.
• Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa: No credit check and no annual fee.

What is a Good Credit Card To Start Off With? 

Here are some of the best starter credit cards:

• Discover it Student Cash Back: No annual fee and a generous first-year cashback match.
• Capital One Platinum Secured: No annual fee, flexible security deposit, automatic credit line increases.
• Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa: No credit check and no annual fee.

What Type of Credit Card Should You Start With? 

The best credit cards for beginners are a secured credit card or a student credit card. Typically, they have no annual fees, don’t require a minimum credit score, and offer tools to help you build credit responsibly.

If it’s extra cash you’re after, here’s how you can get free money.

What is the Easiest Credit Card To Get Starting Out? 

Here are some of the best credit cards for beginners and starter credit cards:

• Self Visa Credit Card: No credit check required, minimum $100 deposit.
• Cleo Credit Builder Secured Visa: No credit check required, flexible security deposit.
• Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa: No credit check and no security deposit minimum. 

What Credit Card Can I Get For The First Time? 

Here are the best starter credit cards for beginners:

• Discover it Student Cash Back: No annual fee, great for students just starting to build credit.
• Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa: No credit check, flexible credit limit. And you may qualify for a Chime referral bonus, too.

Best Credit Cards For Beginners With No Annual Fee?

Here are the best credit cards for beginners with no annual fee: 

• Discover it Student Cash Back: No annual fee and generous cashback rewards.
• Capital One Platinum Secured: No annual fee or hidden fees. 
• Quicksilver Secured from Capital One: No annual fee and 1.5% cash back on all purchases.