Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2025 – Build Your Score, Not Your Debt

Struggling with a bad credit score? You’re not alone.

In fact, millions of Americans have credit scores below 600, and the good news is—you can bounce back. One of the fastest ways to rebuild your credit is with a credit card designed specifically for bad credit.

But not all cards are created equal. Some charge insane fees, while others give you a real chance to rebuild without digging yourself deeper into debt.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best credit cards for bad credit in 2025, along with tips to rebuild your score fast.

What Is “Bad Credit”?

Bad credit usually means a FICO score under 580. You might have bad credit if you’ve:

• Missed payments

• Defaulted on loans

• Declared bankruptcy

• Or you simply don’t have enough credit history

Banks consider this high risk, so they’re hesitant to approve regular credit cards. That’s where secured and subprime credit cards come in.

 Top 5 Credit Cards for Bad Credit (2025)

1. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

• Deposit Required: $200+

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter)

• Why it’s great: It’s rare to find cashback on a secured card. Plus, they review your account after 7 months to see if you qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured card.

2. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

• Deposit Required: $49, $99, or $200 (based on your credit)

• Annual Fee: $0

• Credit Limit: Could increase with responsible use

• Why it’s great: This one gives you flexibility. Some users get a $200 credit limit for just a $49 deposit. No fees, no fluff.

3. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

• Deposit Required: $200 minimum

• Annual Fee: $35

• No Credit Check Required

• Why it’s great: Perfect if your credit is so low that no one else will approve you. This card doesn’t run a credit check at all.

4. Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

• Type: Unsecured

• Annual Fee: $0–$59

• Why it’s great: It’s one of the few unsecured credit cards for bad credit. If approved, you don’t need to deposit anything upfront.

5. Chime Credit Builder Visa®

• Type: Secured (via Chime account)

• Annual Fee: $0

• Why it’s great: There’s no hard credit check and no minimum deposit. You move money into the account and use it as your limit—super flexible.

How to Use These Cards to Rebuild Your Credit Fast

Getting a card is just step one. Here’s how to use it the smart way:

✅ Pay on time – always. Even one late payment can hurt your score. Set up autopay if needed.
✅ Keep your balance low. Try to stay under 30% of your credit limit. That’s a key factor in your credit score.
✅ Don’t apply for too many cards. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. One or two is enough.
✅ Track your credit score. Use free tools like Credit Karma or Experian to monitor your progress monthly.

Bad credit isn’t the end of the road—it’s just a bump. The key is choosing the right tools to get back on track. These credit cards for bad credit in 2025 are designed to help you rebuild, not trap you with fees.

Start small, be consistent, and in just a few months, you’ll start seeing your credit score rise.