These Are the Best Credit Cards for People With Bad Credit

If you've made credit mistakes in the past, all is not lost. Even though you usually won't get approved for the credit cards with the most rewards and the best benefits, you can still take steps to rebuild your credit by applying for a credit card that is suitable for people with bad credit or no credit history.

You generally have two options if you have bad credit: secured cards and unsecured cards. A secured card will offer you slightly better terms, but you'll need to make a down payment equal to your credit limit to get started. If you later decide to close your account, or if you switch to an unsecured card, you'll get the deposit back. If you don't want to put down a deposit, there are also unsecured cards available for people with poor credit, but these cards tend to have higher interest rates and often charge other fees.

Because of these higher fees and generally less favorable terms, we generally recommend a secured card for people with poor credit, but we also list some of the best unsecured options.

The Discover it Secured Card is one of our best cards for people with bad credit because not only does it not charge an annual fee, but it also offers rewards on all eligible purchases and a sign-up bonus in the form of a cashback match (Discover matches all the cashback you earn during your first year as a cardholder at the end of the first year). Discover will periodically review your account to determine if you qualify for an unsecured account and earn your deposit back.

The OpenSky Secured Visa Card does not require a credit check, so it can be a good option if you've made credit mistakes in the past. However, this card offers no rewards and charges a $35 annual fee.

You must join Navy Federal Credit Union to apply for the Navy FCU nRewards Secured Visa Card, but if you're able, this is a good option to consider. It charges no annual fee and offers rewards on all purchases.

The Petal 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa Card is one of the few unsecured cards available for people with poor or no credit history. However, people who have filed for bankruptcy or have missed payments in the past may not be eligible for this card. It offers 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants, offers no welcome bonus, and charges no annual fee.

Those who do not have a credit history in the U.S. can benefit the most from the Tomo Credit Card, as they do not need a credit history in the U.S. to be eligible for the card. Those who want to apply must provide Tomo with their salary information, and Tomo can also consider other financial aspects. This card offers cash back on all purchases and does not charge an annual fee.