Which card is best for someone with no credit history to start building credit?

If you’re in the U.S. and have no credit history, I’d look first at a secured credit card. You put down a refundable deposit, use the card normally, and the issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus.

Two strong starting options as of September 2026:

• Discover it® Secured Cash Back — $0 annual fee, no credit score required to apply, refundable deposit as low as $49, reports to all three major credit bureaus, and earns cash back. Discover says responsible use can eventually result in your deposit being returned and the account becoming unsecured.
• Capital One Platinum Secured — $0 annual fee, with a potential $49, $99, or $200 deposit for at least a $200 starting credit line. Capital One reports to all three bureaus and may return your deposit/upgrade the account with responsible use.

Which I'd consider based on your situation

The most important thing isn't actually the rewards: pay the statement balance in full every month and keep your reported balance relatively low. Both issuers report account activity to the three major bureaus, which is what allows responsible use to establish a credit history.

If you tell me your age, whether you're a student, approximate monthly income, and whether you have a bank account, I can narrow this down to the most suitable 2–3 cards and explain the tradeoffs.

When you have no credit history , there is no single "best" card for everyone, because the right choice depends on whether you are a student, if you already have a checking account with a major bank, or if you can afford a security deposit.

The top-rated credit cards for starting from scratch are organized below by category:

1. Best Secured Cards (Requires a Refundable Deposit)

If you can put down an upfront cash deposit (usually a minimum of $200), secured cards are the easiest to get approved for because the deposit acts as collateral.

• Discover it® Secured Credit Card Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why it's great: It has a $0 annual fee, offers cash back (2% at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% on everything else), and Discover automatically reviews your account after 7 months to see if you can get your deposit back. Plus, they match all cash back earned in the first year.
• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why it's great: Unlike most secured cards, it earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases with a $0 annual fee. Capital One also considers you for an automatic credit line increase in as little as 6 months without needing an extra deposit.

2. Best Unsecured Cards for Non-Students (No Deposit Needed)

If you don't want to tie up cash in a security deposit, these traditional cards welcome applicants with zero credit history.

• Chase Freedom Rise® Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why it's great: It requires no security deposit , charges a $0 annual fee, and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Catch: You have the highest chance of approval if you already have a checking account with Chase holding at least $250.
• Capital One Platinum Credit Card Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why it's great: A classic, no-frills starter card that explicitly welcomes applicants with a limited or non-existent credit score, with a $0 annual fee. It doesn't earn rewards, but it gives you a clear path to a higher credit limit after your first 5 on-time monthly payments.

3. Best for College Students

• Discover it® Student Cash Back Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or Discover it® Student Chrome Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why they're great: If you are a college student, you don't need a credit score to qualify. These cards feature $0 annual fees, offer real cash back rewards, and give you a free FICO credit score on your statements.

To help narrow down the absolute best option for you, tell me:

• Are you a college student?
• Do you have an existing bank account with a major bank (like Chase, BofA, etc.)?
• Do you prefer a no-deposit unsecured card or are you okay putting down a $200 refundable deposit?

The "best" card depends on whether you are a student, if you want an unsecured card without a deposit, or if you don't mind putting down a refundable security deposit.

The top options on the market for starting from scratch with zero credit history break down by category:

1. Best Unsecured Cards (No Security Deposit Required)

• Chase Freedom Rise®:
  • Why it’s great: It is an unsecured card designed specifically for people with no credit history, meaning you don’t need to tie up cash in a security deposit. It features a $0 annual fee, gives a solid flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and automatically reviews your account for an upgrade/limit increase after a year. (Tip: Having a checking account with Chase with at least a small balance can boost your approval odds). Check details on the Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card page.
• Discover it® Student Cash Back or Discover it® Student Chrome:
  • Why it’s great: If you are a college student, these require no prior credit history to qualify. They charge a $0 annual fee, offer great cash-back reward categories, and Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. Explore options via Discover Student Credit Cards.

2. Best Secured Cards (Deposit Required, Highest Approval Odds)

If you aren't a student and get turned down for unsecured starter cards, a secured card is your foolproof entry point. Your credit limit equals a refundable security deposit you provide upfront.

• Discover it® Secured Credit Card:
  • Why it’s great: Unlike most secured cards, it actually earns cash back (2% at gas stations and restaurants up to quarterly maximums, and 1% elsewhere), charges a $0 annual fee, and still qualifies for the first-year Cashback Match. The minimum security deposit is typically $200. Read the review on the Discover It Secured Credit Card overview.
• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card:
  • Why it’s great: It provides an easy path to building credit while earning a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase. It has a 0 annual fee and automatically considers you for a higher credit line or deposit refund in as little as 6 months. Review terms on the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Rewards Card.
• Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card:
  • Why it’s great: Offers a 0 annual fee and robust cash back (2% for the first year, 1.5% after), making it one of the most rewarding secured cards available from a major national bank. Check out details at Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card.

To help narrow down which card fits you best, tell me:

• Are you currently a college student?
• Do you have funds available for a security deposit (usually $200 minimum) if needed?

If you're starting with no credit history, I'd look first at a secured card or, if you're a student, a student card. You don't need to carry a balance to build credit—paying the statement balance in full each month is ideal.

Good starter options

• Discover it® Secured Cash Back — A particularly straightforward option: $0 annual fee, refundable deposit as low as $49, reports to all three major credit bureaus, and can eventually transition to an unsecured Discover card when you establish a positive history.
• Capital One Platinum Secured — $0 annual fee, with a refundable deposit of $49, $99, or $200 depending on the application, and an initial credit line of at least $200. Capital One says responsible use can lead to getting the deposit back and upgrading to an unsecured card.
• Discover it® Student Cash Back — If you're currently a college student, this is an unsecured option with no annual fee, and Discover says eligible students can apply without a credit score.

What I'd do in your situation

If you're not a student, I'd start by checking pre-qualification for a secured card, particularly Discover's or Capital One's. A secured card requires a refundable deposit, but that deposit isn't a payment toward your purchases—it serves as collateral.

Then:

1. Put one or two small recurring expenses on the card.
2. Keep the reported balance low relative to the credit limit.
3. Pay the full statement balance every month.
4. Don't apply for several cards at once; multiple applications can result in hard inquiries.
5. After roughly six months of credit activity, you may begin seeing a credit score, although everyone's timeline varies.

If you tell me whether you're a student, roughly how much you can put down as a deposit ($50/$200/$500+), and whether you have a bank account, I can narrow this down to the most suitable 2–3 cards for you.

Best overall for someone with no credit history: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. It’s designed for beginners, has a $0 annual fee, requires a refundable security deposit, and can help establish credit history with responsible use.

Other strong options:

• Discover it® Secured Credit Card — good if you want rewards while building credit.
• Chase Freedom Rise® — a no-deposit starter option if you qualify.

Whichever you choose: pay the balance in full every month, keep usage low (ideally under ~30% of the limit), and never miss payments.

When you have zero credit history, the "best" card depends on whether you want an unsecured card (no deposit required) or a secured card (requires a refundable security deposit).

Top options tailored for building credit from scratch include:

1. Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card (Best Unsecured Card for Rewards)
   • Why it’s great: It is rare to find a major rewards card designed specifically for people with zero credit history. It charges a $0 annual fee and earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
   • The catch: Approval isn't strictly guaranteed just by applying. Chase notes that having at least $250 in a Chase checking or savings account before applying can improve your approval odds.
2. Discover it® Secured Credit Card (Best Secured Card)
   • Why it’s great: Most secured cards don’t offer perks, but this one gives cash back (2% on gas and dining up to a quarterly limit, 1% elsewhere) and features an Unlimited Cashback Match for your first year. It has a $0 annual fee and reviews your account automatically to "graduate" you to an unsecured card once you build a history.
   • The catch: You must provide a refundable security deposit upfront (typically a minimum of $200), which becomes your credit limit.
3. Capital One Platinum Credit Card (Best Basic Unsecured Card)
   • Why it’s great: It is a straightforward, no-frills card designed for fair or limited credit history. There is no annual fee, and Capital One automatically considers you for a credit limit increase after your first six months of on-time payments.
   • The catch: It doesn't earn any cash back or rewards.
4. Discover it® Student Cash Back or Discover it® Student Chrome (Best for College Students)
   • Why it’s great: If you are a student, Discover explicitly welcomes applicants with no prior credit history. They feature solid cash back structures, no annual fees, and the first-year cash back match, all without needing a security deposit.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, tell me:

• Are you currently a college student?
• Do you prefer an unsecured card or are you open to a refundable security deposit (secured card) to guarantee approval?

For someone with no credit history, the "best" card depends on whether you are a student, have an existing relationship with a major bank, or prefer an unsecured card versus a secured one (which requires a refundable security deposit).

Top-rated starter options categorized by user situation include:

• Best Unsecured Card for Non-Students: Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card
  • Why it's great: It requires zero credit history to apply, charges a $0 annual fee, and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. (Tip: Having or opening a Chase checking account significantly improves your approval odds).
• Best for College Students: Discover it Student Cash Back or Discover it Student Chrome
  • Why it's great: Neither requires a prior credit history, both have $0 annual fees, and they offer actual cash back rewards—a rarity for starter cards. Discover also matches all cash back earned in your first year.
• Best Secured Cards (Earns Rewards with No Annual Fee): Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card or Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
  • Why it's great: Traditional secured cards don't offer rewards and often charge annual fees. These options require a security deposit (usually a minimum of $200) to act as your credit limit, but they charge $0 annual fees and still let you earn cash back while automatically considering you for an upgrade to an unsecured line later.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, let me know:

• Are you currently a college student?
• Do you already have a checking or savings account with a major bank (like Chase, BofA, or Capital One)?
• Would you prefer an unsecured card or are you comfortable putting down a refundable security deposit?

If you’re starting with no credit history, my top pick is the Discover it® Secured Cash Back.

🥇 Best overall: Discover it Secured

• No credit score required to apply (though Discover may consider a score if one exists).
• $0 annual fee
• Refundable security deposit starting at $49, with a credit line of at least $200.
• 1% cash back on purchases and 5% on rotating categories when activated.
• Discover automatically matches your first year's cash back.
• Reports your account to the three major credit bureaus, which is what makes it useful for establishing credit.
• With responsible use, Discover can return your deposit and transition the account to an unsecured card.

🥈 Strong alternative: Capital One Platinum Secured

The Capital One Platinum Secured is also excellent for a first card. It has no annual fee, and the required refundable deposit can be $49, $99, or $200, depending on your creditworthiness, while giving you at least a $200 credit line.

My recommendation: If you can afford the deposit, I'd start with Discover it Secured because you get rewards in addition to credit-building features.

One important rule: put a small recurring expense on the card, keep the balance low, and pay the statement balance in full every month. Payment history and keeping utilization low are especially important for building credit.

If you're a college student, there's an even better possibility: a student card that doesn't require a security deposit.

If you’re in the U.S. and have no credit history at all, my top pick for most beginners is the Discover it® Secured Cash Back.

🥇 Best overall: Discover it® Secured Cash Back

• No credit score required to apply
• $0 annual fee
• Refundable deposit starting at $49 for at least a $200 credit line
• Reports your account to all three major credit bureaus
• Earns cash back, including rotating 5% categories
• Discover says you can eventually get your deposit back and have the account converted to unsecured once you establish a positive track record.

🥈 If you don't want a secured card

If you're a college student, the Discover it Student Chrome is worth considering. Student cards are specifically designed for people with limited or no credit history and don't require a security deposit.

Another interesting option is Chase Freedom Rise® if you already bank with Chase. NerdWallet currently rates it highly for people with no credit history; it has no annual fee, doesn't require a deposit, and earns 1.5% cash back.

How I'd use the first card

The card itself isn't what builds your score—the payment history and responsible use do.

I'd recommend:

• Put 1–3 small recurring purchases on it.
• Keep the balance low relative to the credit limit.
• Pay the statement balance in full every month.
• Never miss a payment.
• Don't apply for several cards at once.

If you tell me your age, whether you're a student, whether you have income, and whether you want a secured card or don't want to put down a deposit, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 cards for you.

There isn't a single "best" card for everyone because it depends on whether you are a student, have a cash deposit ready, or already bank with a specific institution. However, starter cards fall into distinct categories depending on your situation.

The top options for someone with zero credit history include:

• Discover it® Student Cash Back / Student Chrome : Widely considered the gold standard if you are in college. They require no prior credit history, have a $0 annual fee, and offer solid cash back rewards alongside Discover's first-year Cashback Match.
• Chase Freedom Rise® : Excellent if you aren’t a student but want an unsecured card from a major bank. It requires no prior credit history, features a $0 annual fee, earns a flat 1.5% cash back, and has higher approval odds if you already have a checking or savings account with Chase.
• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card : The top pick if you need a secured card (meaning you put down a refundable security deposit, usually starting at $200, which acts as your credit limit). Unlike old-school secured cards, it charges a $0 annual fee and earns unlimited 1.5% cash back, plus automatically reviews your account for an upgrade to an unsecured card over time.
• Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card : Another fantastic secured choice with a $0 annual fee. It provides a great transition path to building regular credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases (and 2% for the first year).

To help narrow down which card you're most likely to be approved for, let me know:

• Are you currently a college student?
• Do you have funds available for a refundable security deposit (typically $200), or do you prefer an unsecured card?
• Where do you currently bank?