Best fee-free builder
Varo Believe Secured Card
Varo Bank · Credit Builder
- Annual fee
- $0
- Purchase APR
- No interest
- Deposit
- None
- Min. score
- No check
No rewards programme
Approval odds
Very good
What works
- Structurally impossible to carry interest
- No fees of any kind
- No credit check to open
What to watch
- Requires a Chime Checking Account with qualifying direct deposit
- No rewards
- Your 'limit' is only what you transfer
The full terms
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | No interest — this card is funded by money you transfer |
| Security deposit | None required |
| Credit limit | Set by what you transfer |
| Minimum score | No credit check performed |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Reports to | Experian, Equifax, TransUnion |
| Upgrade path | Not a traditional credit line — spending is funded by money you move over |
| Pre-qualification | Not offered |
Who this card suits
Chime Credit Builder Visa® is aimed at people in the no credit / poor range. It isn't a traditional credit line. You move your own money across and spend that, which is why there's no interest and no way to fall into debt. The payment history still reports to all three bureaus, which is the part that moves your score.
Using it to actually raise your score
- Pay on time, every time. Payment history is the biggest single factor in your FICO score. Set autopay for at least the minimum.
- Keep utilisation low. Stay under 30% of your limit, ideally under 10%.
- Don't chase more cards yet. Every application is a hard inquiry. Let this one age.
Before you apply. Rates, fees and deposit requirements are set by the issuer and change often. Confirm the current terms on the issuer's own application page — the figures here were last reviewed 2026-08-24 and are not a guarantee of the terms you'll be offered.
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Lead Bank · Credit Builder
- Annual fee
- $25
- Purchase APR
- 28.24%
- Deposit
- from $100
- Min. score
- No check
No rewards programme
Approval odds
Very good