Best for no interest, ever
Chime Credit Builder Visa®
Chime / Stride 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
- You save the deposit instead of paying it up front
- No credit check
- Reports both the loan and the card
What to watch
- $25 annual fee
- Requires an active Credit Builder Account first
- No rewards
The full terms
| Annual fee | $25 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 28.24% variable |
| Security deposit | $100 – $3,000 |
| Credit limit | $100 – $3,000 |
| Minimum score | No credit check performed |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Reports to | Experian, Equifax, TransUnion |
| Upgrade path | Pairs with a Credit Builder Account rather than graduating |
| Pre-qualification | Not offered |
Who this card suits
Self Visa® Secured Card 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.
Worth doing the maths. The $25 annual fee against a starting limit of $100 means roughly 25% of your available credit goes to the fee in year one. A secured card with a refundable deposit is often cheaper over two years — compare before you apply.
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%. On the starting limit of $100 that's $30 and $10 respectively.
- 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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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