Last fact checked: May 13, 2026, 3:06 PM

Limited/No (New to credit)

Best Credit Cards for Limited or No Credit History of May 2026

If you've never had a loan or credit card before, scoring models don't have data on you yet. Student cards, secured cards, and starter cards from major issuers help you build a credit profile from scratch.

6 cards available for limited/no credit

BCC Editor's Pick 2026
Discover it Student Cash Back card art Rates & Fees

Discover it® Student Cash Back

5.0 BCC Score
Apply Now

on Discover's secure site

Welcome Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 6 months and 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months, then 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score Needed
Fair, New to Credit
Card Brand
Discover
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Pros

  • Enjoy generous cash back rewards rates on purchases
  • Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
  • No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and award-winning customer service

Cons

  • There is a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Chase Freedom Rise card art Rates & Fees

Chase Freedom Rise®

5.0 BCC Score
Apply Now

on Chase's secure site

Welcome Offer
Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
Rewards Rate
1.5% cash back
Intro APR
N/A, then 25.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score Needed
New to Credit
Card Brand
Visa®
  • Increase your approval chances - Having a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise®
  • Earn Cash Back - With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can establish credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
  • Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
  • Credit Limit Increase - As a Freedom Rise® cardmember, you'll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount of money you can spend on your Freedom Rise® Card
  • Free Credit Score - Track your credit score and learn how to build it with Chase Credit Journey.
  • No Annual Fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Rise® Card.
  • Member FDIC

Pros

  • Chase Freedom Rise® offers a generous reward rate, which is rare among 'new to credit' credit cards.
  • Grow your credit history with this card and earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account.
  • There is no annual fee with this card.

Cons

  • There is no intro APR for purchases or balance transfers.
  • Potential cardholders are encouraged to have a checking or savings account with Chase to increase their approval chances.
Revenued Business Card card art

Revenued Business Card

4.5 BCC Score
Apply Now

on Revenued's secure site

Welcome Offer
Rewards Rate
Intro APR
N/A, then N/A
Annual Fee
None
Credit Score Needed
No Credit, Fair, Poor, Good, Excellent
Card Brand
Visa
  • No origination fees, maintenance fees, or draw fees
  • As your revenue increases, your spending limit increases
  • Access cash on demand with funds deposited straight into your bank account via the Flex Line
  • Approvals based on your business revenue and not personal credit
  • 24/7 access to business funding - via mobile app and Visa business card
  • Fast and easy - apply online and receive a funding decision in as little as an hour
  • Rated Excellent on Trustpilot with 600+ reviews

Pros

  • No origination fees, maintenance fees, or draw fees
  • Approvals based on your business revenue and not personal credit

Cons

  • High factor rates
  • Cannot build personal credit with this card
Discover it Student Chrome card art Rates & Fees

Discover it® Student Chrome

4.0 BCC Score
Apply Now

on Discover's secure site

Welcome Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards Rate
2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 6 months and 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months, then 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score Needed
Fair, New to Credit
Card Brand
Discover
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Pros

  • Earn generous cash back rewards on every purchase
  • Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
  • No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and award-winning customer service

Cons

  • There is a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
  • A quarterly cap on the 2% cash back applies
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card card art Rates & Fees

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.0 BCC Score
Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Welcome Offer
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
Rewards Rate
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day and 5% Cash Back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Intro APR
N/A, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score Needed
Average, Fair, Limited
Card Brand
Mastercard
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
  • Build your credit with responsible card use
  • Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
  • Top rated mobile app

Pros

  • Simple cash back with 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day
  • Pay no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Enjoy helpful account management tools like $0 fraud liability for unauthorized transactions and automatic consideration for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months

Cons

  • No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers. Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card card art Rates & Fees

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.0 BCC Score
Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Welcome Offer
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
Rewards Rate
3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 5% Cash Back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, and 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
Intro APR
N/A, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score Needed
Average, Fair, Limited
Card Brand
Mastercard
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
  • Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
  • Build your credit with responsible card use
  • Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
  • Top rated mobile app

Pros

  • Pay no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn generous cash back rewards on purchases with no limits
  • Enjoy helpful account management tools like $0 fraud liability and automatic consideration for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months

Cons

  • No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers. Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate