Building a good credit history from scratch may seem daunting but it’s achievable – and essential if you want to make a major purchase like a house or a car. The key is getting the right credit card to help you build a credit history.
If you’ve never had a credit card, you’ll need to start with a card geared toward people with limited or no credit history. This guide will help you pick the right credit card for people with no credit history.
What Makes a Good Credit Card for People with No Credit History in 2025
When choosing the best credit card for people with no credit history in 2025, look beyond your odds for approval. Consider rewards, benefits and protections that can help you maximize value while establishing a solid financial foundation.
Petal 2 Visa Card
If you don’t have a credit history, Petal can help you access and build credit using the financial data you already have in your bank accounts. The company’s CashScore uses the data to evaluate your creditworthiness.
The Petal 2 Visa Card has no annual fee and you won’t have to make a security deposit to start using it.
Plus, you’ll earn 1% cash back on purchases, increasing to 1.5% after you make monthly on-time payments. You’ll also get bonus cash-back rewards at select merchants.
Through the company’s Leap program, your credit line can increase within six months if you make on-time payments.
The annual percentage rate (APR) for the Petal 2 Visa Card is between 28.99% and 30.99% – comparable to other credit cards. But unlike other cards, Petal doesn’t charge late fees, returned payment fees or foreign transaction fees.
You can also add your Petal 2 Visa Card to your mobile wallet for easy payments at most merchants.
The company reports to the three major credit bureaus so you can improve your credit score by using your card responsibly.
Why We Picked It: You can get preapproved for a Petal 2 Visa Card without undergoing a credit check, which means your FICO score won’t be negatively affected.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
You don’t need a credit score to apply for the Discover it Secured Credit Card and there isn’t an annual fee for cardholders. But you will need to provide a refundable security deposit.
The Discover it Secured card helps you earn money every time you use it by offering 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. You’ll get 1% cash back on all other purchases. It also provides an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of the first year you have the card.
The refundable security deposit determines your line of credit. For example, if you deposit $200 to start, you can spend up to $200. The more you deposit, the greater your line of credit.
You can monitor your credit by viewing your Credit Scorecard, which will not impact your FICO score.
The Discover card, accepted by 99% of U.S. merchants that accept credit cards, has helped more than 1.5 million people build their credit history.
Why We Picked It: The free Discover mobile app lets you track your credit score and see your rewards. You also get $0 Fraud Liability so you’re not responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover it Secured card. You can switch your card on and off to prevent new purchases if you misplace it.
Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card
With no annual fee and 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, the Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card is an excellent choice if you’re just starting to build your credit history.
Having at least $250 in a Chase checking or savings account can improve your chances of getting approved for the Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card. Enrolling in autopay within the first three months of opening your account will earn you a $25 statement credit.
The Chase Freedom Rise card won’t hold you responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information. Eligible purchases are protected against damage or theft up to $500 for 120 days from the date of purchase. The card also extends manufacturers’ U.S. warranties by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from the date of purchase.
Chase will evaluate your credit card use and payment habits each year to determine your eligibility for an upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. You must make all payments to your creditors on time and none of your Chase accounts can be suspended.
Why We Picked It: If you’re just starting to build your credit, the Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card offers the peace of mind that costly travel expenses are protected. The card’s trip cancellation and interruption insurance will reimburse you for up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip on your prepaid nonrefundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is great for people with poor credit histories who need to rebuild their credit. You can find out whether you’re preapproved without your credit score getting dinged.
The card does not charge an annual fee, and you can get started with as little as a $49 refundable security deposit. The more you deposit, the more you increase your line of credit, up to a maximum of $1,000.
By using your card responsibly and making timely payments, you can get your deposit back and upgrade to an unsecured Platinum card.
Capital One also has your back. You’ll get an alert if Capital One detects an unexpected charge, duplicate purchase or recurring bill increase. If you misplace your card or it’s lost or stolen, you can lock it through the card lock feature. If an unauthorized user makes a purchase on your card, you’re not responsible for it.
You’ll also receive alerts when your TransUnion or Experian credit report changes.
Why We Picked It: Knowing where you stand is important if you’re trying to rebuild your credit. You can monitor your credit with CreditWise, Capital One’s free app, which won’t hurt your credit score.
Amazon Prime Secured Card
Sometimes, a store credit card is the only way someone with zero credit history can start building a good credit score. The Amazon Prime Secured Card will do the trick if that's the case.
The card has no annual fee and can be used at Amazon.com and Amazon’s brick-and-mortar stores. Your payment activity will be reported to the three major credit bureaus to help you build your credit history.
The card also gives you access to your credit score, educational tools and tips to help you boost your credit.
To activate the features of the Amazon Prime Secured card, including 2% cash back on purchases at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with a Prime membership, you'll have to provide a security deposit. You can deposit a maximum of $1,000 in $50 increments. Your security deposit will be refunded if you pay off your balance and close your account.
Customers say the Amazon Secured Card is easy to use for building credit.
“I’m always shopping on Amazon, so this card is perfect for me in that it carries so many benefits,” according to one customer review. “Monthly payment options on some products, cash back or no interest payments. Just be responsible with the card and everything will be just fine. You can’t lose if you use it responsibly.”
Why We Picked It: The Amazon Prime Secured Card has a 10% APR, considerably lower than other credit cards designed to help you build a good credit history.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards credit card is free of an annual fee and aimed at helping students build a good credit history.
If you qualify for the card, you’ll earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and restaurants, as well as on entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases.
And if you’re planning a fun spring break with your friends, you’ll earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel – all while building your credit history. If your travels take you overseas, you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees, either.
The rewards you earn remain valid for the life of the account, and you can redeem cash back for any amount.
The Capital One SavorOne card will give you $50 after you spend $100 on purchases within three months of opening your account.
Why We Picked It: You’ll earn 3% cash back at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment and streaming services – a bit more than other cards offer. Plus, you’ll get 1% cash back on all other purchases.
How We Chose These for People with No Credit History in 2025
We mainly examined whether credit cards were accessible to people with no credit history, meaning that there was no minimum credit score requirement for approval.
Secured cards requiring a deposit were most heavily considered because they’re the easiest to get for people just starting their journey to building their credit history. For those just starting, it’s also important not to pay more expenses than necessary, so cards with no annual fees were prioritized.
We also wanted to ensure that the credit cards included features encouraging responsible credit card behavior, such as low credit limits. At the same time, providing financial benefits through offering rewards such as cash was an important consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for someone with no credit history?
For those just starting to build their credit history, the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is ideal because it doesn’t require a security deposit and reports to all three major credit bureaus. There’s no annual fee, and you’ll earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases, which increases to 1.5% after 12 on-time monthly payments.
Will I get approved for a credit card if I have no credit history?
Getting approved for a credit card with no credit history can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Options include applying for a secured credit card, getting a student credit card or becoming an authorized user on a family member or friend’s credit card.
What is the easiest card to get approved?
If you don’t have a credit history, the easiest credit cards to get approved for are usually secured credit cards, student credit cards and retail store credit cards.
About Alison Plaut
Alison Kimberly is a freelance content writer with a Sustainable MBA, uniquely qualified to help individuals and businesses achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and financial profitability. She has been writing for various non-profit organizations for 15+ years. When not writing, you will find her promoting education and meditation in the developing world, or hiking and enjoying nature.