Best Credit Options for Individuals with Low Credit Scores

July. 16,2025

Discover top credit cards specially designed for individuals with poor credit. This guide highlights unsecured and secured options like Indigo®, Credit One®, and Discover it® Secured, emphasizing features such as prequalification, low fees, and rewards. Effective for rebuilding credit, these cards offer manageable limits and reporting to bureaus. Conduct thorough research and compare features to choose the best card suited to your financial needs. Building or improving credit can be achieved thoughtfully with the right credit card tailored for low credit scores.

Best Credit Options for Individuals with Low Credit Scores

Best Credit Options for Individuals with Low Credit Scores

If you have a poor credit history but need quick access to funds, specialized credit cards can be a reliable alternative to traditional loans. These cards are designed for individuals with less-than-ideal credit scores looking to build or rebuild credit while managing urgent expenses. Here are some of the leading options available in the market today.

Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®
Prequalification for this card is possible without impacting your credit score. Secured cards often come with higher costs, but this unsecured option is more accessible and almost $100 less expensive annually. It’s among the top unsecured credit cards suited for those with bad credit.

Best Credit Options for Low Credit Scores
Prequalification allows you to check eligibility without a hard credit inquiry, avoiding potential negative impacts. While prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, responsible use and timely payments reported to credit bureaus can help improve your credit score. The annual fee varies based on your credit profile, typically $0, $59, or $75 for the first year, then $99 afterward.

Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
This secured card is tailored for individuals with poor credit. It doesn’t charge monthly or application fees, but the first-year fee is approximately $75, increasing to around $99 subsequently. The APR ranges from 17.49% to 25.49%. Proper choice of a credit card can assist in rebuilding your credit over time.

Milestone® Mastercard®
Prequalification is recommended before applying to prevent hard inquiries that could harm your credit. The annual fee ranges from about $35 to $75, depending on creditworthiness. With limited spending power (initial limits of $225–$265), this card encourages responsible credit use, which can boost your credit profile for higher-limit cards later.

OpenSky® Secured Visa® This secured card demands a refundable deposit of around $200 and charges an annual fee of about $35. Notably, it does not run a credit check during application, making it ideal for severely damaged credit. The credit limit equals your deposit, typically kept low to minimize risk, and foreign transaction fees of 3% apply.

Discover it® Secured With no annual or monthly fees, this versatile card offers cashback rewards—about 2% at gas stations and restaurants on the first $1,000 spent. The minimum refundable deposit is just $200, and though the APR is higher than standard unsecured cards, its no-fee structure and rewards make it a strong candidate for credit rebuilding.

Wells Fargo Secured Visa® Application and monthly maintenance are free; however, the annual fee is around $25 with a minimum deposit of $300. Comparing multiple options through reviews and analyzing features ensures the best fit for your financial situation. Careful research is vital to selecting a credit card that meets your needs and helps improve your credit score efficiently.