Best Unsecured Credit Cards

An unsecured credit card is a credit card with no security deposit. When a credit card is unsecured, it means the card’s credit line is not "backed" by collateral and the card is what most people would refer to as a normal credit card.

What kinds of unsecured credit cards are there?

The vast majority of credit card offers are unsecured, with no deposit needed. So, it’s no surprise there are lots of slightly different types of unsecured credit cards. There are unsecured cards for each credit rating, from excellent credit to bad credit. There are unsecured credit cards for students, small business owners and everyone else. Some reward cardholders for making purchases, while others offer low introductory APRs. Some have low fees; others don’t.

Given the variety, finding the right card for your needs is not as simple as just setting out in search of an unsecured credit card. You need to compare the available offers based on the features – other than security deposit requirements – that figure to have the greatest impact on your life. For your convenience, we’ll highlight a handful of the best, most popular unsecured card offers below.

Here are some popular unsecured credit cards:

Should you choose a secured or unsecured credit card?

Deciding between an unsecured credit card and a secured credit card is a matter of creditworthiness. People with bad credit or limited credit history will benefit most from a secured card because they may not be able to get good terms with an unsecured card. Few banks and credit unions are willing to take on the risk of lending to applicants with badly damaged credit. As a result, there is a limited selection of unsecured credit card offers for people with below-average credit, and the cards that are available can be pretty expensive. Credit cards for students with no credit are a notable exception, though. 

Given that borrowers basically prepay for their purchasing power with secured credit cards, such cards offer higher approval odds and charge lower fees than unsecured cards for poor credit. Secured credit cards also report to the major credit bureaus each month, and they look exactly like unsecured credit cards on credit reports. That means using a secured card responsibly can help you build or rebuild your credit just like an unsecured credit card. To learn more, check out our secured vs. unsecured credit cards comparison.

Some of the easiest unsecured credit cards to get are the Credit One Visa, Fortiva Cash Card, Petal 2 Card and Capital One QuicksilverOne (see Rates & Fees).  You can apply for the Credit One Visa and the Fortiva Cash Card with bad credit, while the Petal 2 Card and Capital One QuicksilverOne accept applicants with no credit history.

Easiest Unsecured Credit Cards to Get Approved For

Unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit tend to be very expensive, charging lots of fees and high interest rates. So, if you don’t need a small emergency...

You need a credit score of 550 to 750 to be approved for most unsecured credit cards. The higher your credit score is, the better your chances of getting approved for one of the best credit cards with no security deposit will be.

Easiest Unsecured Credit Cards to Get

What to Do if Your Credit Score is Below 550

If your credit score is below the 550 threshold needed to...

No, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is not considered to be a high-end credit card, though it may offer a greater value than some of the more expensive high-end cards. Cardholders can save money with 1 - 5 points per $1 on purchases for a $95 annual fee.

High-end cards typically come with luxury perks that justify a higher annual fee, though these cards may not be worth it if you don’t take advantage of their perks. You can compare the Chase Sapphire Preferred...

The main difference between a secured credit card and an unsecured credit card is that secured cards require you to place a refundable security deposit when you open your account. Apart from this security deposit, secured and unsecured credit cards aren't necessarily better or worse for your credit. The amount of this deposit typically serves as the credit limit for the secured card, which means you have to pre-pay for purchases with a secured card. You’ll usually have to...

The best unsecured credit card for no credit is Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card because it has a $0 annual fee and good rewards. Cardholders get 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, up to 1.25% back after 6 months of on-time payments, and 1.5% cash back after 12 consecutive months of paying on time. The Petal 2 Card is available to applicants with limited credit or better.

If you’re in college, you should also consider student credit cards. Student cards are unsecured credit cards for no credit that are available to college and graduate students. They tend to give better terms than non-student unsecured credit cards for no credit...

The best credit card for bad credit with a $3,000 limit is the U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card. With this card, it is possible to place a $3,000 deposit, which will serve as your credit limit. The minimum deposit is $300. The U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card also comes with a $0 annual fee.

Things to Know About High Credit Limits for Bad Credit

• The only way to get a $3,000 limit with bad credit is to place a $3,000...