Building good credit is essential for your financial future.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or rebuilding after financial setbacks, the right credit card can accelerate your journey toward a healthy credit score.

This comprehensive ranking highlights the nine best cards designed specifically to build credit fast in 2025.

Why Building Credit Matters

Before diving into the rankings, it’s important to understand why building credit quickly matters:

• Better loan terms – Good credit unlocks lower interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans

• Rental approval – Many landlords check credit before approving housing applications

• Lower insurance premiums – Many insurers use credit information when determining rates

• Employment opportunities – Some employers check credit as part of the hiring process

• Access to premium credit cards – Better rewards, perks, and benefits become available with higher scores

Most credit-building cards report to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), ensuring your responsible payment history helps boost your score across the board.

How We Ranked These Cards

Our rankings consider several factors critical to building credit quickly:

• Credit bureau reporting – All cards must report to all three major bureaus

• Approval likelihood – Cards that accept limited or damaged credit histories

• Upgrade paths – Cards that offer transitions to better products

• Annual fees – Lower costs for building credit

• Security deposit requirements – For secured cards

• Rewards and benefits – Additional value while building credit

• Credit monitoring tools – Features that help track credit progress

Our Top 9 Credit Cards for Building Credit Quickly

1. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Why it’s #1: The Discover it® Secured stands out for offering rewards (rare among secured cards) plus an automatic upgrade path to an unsecured card.

Key features:

• Security deposit: $200 minimum (refundable)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 quarterly), 1% on everything else

• Standout benefit: Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year

• Credit-building tools: Free FICO score access and automatic reviews for upgrade to unsecured card starting at 7 months

Best for: People rebuilding damaged credit who want rewards while doing so.

2. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Why it ranks high: Capital One’s flexible deposit requirements and clear upgrade path make it perfect for rapid credit building.

Key features:

• Security deposit: As low as $49 for a $200 credit line (based on creditworthiness)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: None

• Standout benefit: Automatic credit line increase consideration after 6 months of on-time payments

• Credit-building tools: Free CreditWise access to monitor your TransUnion credit report

Best for: Those with limited initial funds who want the quickest path to an unsecured card.

3. Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

Why it ranks high: No credit check and a unique deposit structure make this an excellent option for credit beginners.

Key features:

• Security deposit: Flexible – you decide how much to secure (no minimum)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: None

• Standout benefit: No credit check to apply and no interest charges

• Credit-building tools: Auto-payment options to ensure on-time payments

Best for: Complete credit beginners who want a no-risk option with flexible deposit requirements.

4. Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

Why it ranks high: This innovative unsecured card uses alternative data to approve applicants with limited credit history.

Key features:

• Security deposit: None (unsecured)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: 1% cash back initially, increasing to 1.5% after 12 months of on-time payments

• Standout benefit: No fees whatsoever (no late fees, foreign transaction fees, etc.)

• Credit-building tools: Credit score tracking and budgeting features in mobile app

Best for: People with limited credit history but good financial habits who want an unsecured option.

5. Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card

Why it ranks high: Backed by a major bank with clear upgrade paths to premium Chase cards.

Key features:

• Security deposit: None (unsecured)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases

• Standout benefit: Automatic consideration for upgrade to Chase Freedom Unlimited after demonstrating responsible use

• Credit-building tools: Credit Journey access with free credit score

Best for: Banking customers with thin credit files looking for a relationship with a major bank.

6. Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why it ranks high: Combines the security of a secured card with cash back rewards and clear upgrade potential.

Key features:

• Security deposit: $200 minimum (refundable)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

• Standout benefit: Automatic consideration for upgrade to unsecured Quicksilver after 6 months

• Credit-building tools: CreditWise access with credit monitoring alerts

Best for: People who want a secured card but don’t want to sacrifice rewards earning.

7. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Why it ranks high: No credit check makes this accessible to anyone, regardless of past credit issues.

Key features:

• Security deposit: $200 minimum (refundable)

• Annual fee: $35

• Rewards: None

• Standout benefit: No credit check required for approval

• Credit-building tools: Educational resources through their website

Best for: Those with significant credit damage who may not qualify for other options.

8. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Secured Visa® Card

Why it ranks high: Premium rewards categories in a secured card format.

Key features:

• Security deposit: $300 minimum (refundable)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: 4x points on dining, 2x on groceries and gas, 1x on everything else

• Standout benefit: Potential graduation to unsecured Altitude Go Visa Signature

• Credit-building tools: Credit score access and spending analysis tools

Best for: Foodies and diners who want premium rewards while building credit.

9. Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Why it ranks high: Backed by a major bank with potential to upgrade to premium Citi products.

Key features:

• Security deposit: $200 minimum (refundable)

• Annual fee: $0

• Rewards: None

• Standout benefit: Access to Citi’s banking ecosystem and upgrade path

• Credit-building tools: Free access to FICO score

Best for: Those looking to establish a relationship with a major bank.

Strategies to Build Credit Quickly

Having the right card is just the first step. To maximize credit building speed:

• Pay on time, every time – Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score

• Keep utilization low – Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit (ideally under 10%)

• Don’t apply for multiple cards – Each application creates a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your score

• Keep accounts open – Longer credit history improves your score

• Set up autopay – Never miss a payment due to forgetfulness

• Request credit line increases – After 6-12 months of responsible use

• Monitor your credit report – Check for errors that might be holding your score down

From Secured to Unsecured: The Upgrade Path

Many of these cards offer clear paths to graduate to better products:

1. Make all payments on time – This is the most important factor

2. Keep utilization low – Demonstrating responsible credit management

3. Wait for automatic reviews – Most issuers review accounts at 6, 12, or 18 months

4. Request a review – If not automatically offered, call after 6-12 months of perfect payment history

5. Accept upgrade offers – When offered an unsecured product, take it to continue building credit

Conclusion

Building credit quickly requires both the right tools and the right habits.

The cards in our ranking provide diverse options for different situations – whether you’re starting from zero, rebuilding damaged credit, or looking to establish a banking relationship.

Remember that responsible use matters more than which card you choose.

Any of these nine options, combined with consistent on-time payments and low utilization, will help you build credit efficiently.

Start with the card that best fits your current financial situation, and you’ll be on your way to better credit opportunities in no time.