7 Best Starter Credit Cards

7 Best Starter Credit Cards

20
Hours
Researched
85
Products
Evaluated

After 20 hours of research evaluating 85 products, we picked Discover it® Secured Card as our top choice.

Finding the perfect starter credit card isn’t easy. Finding the best starter credit card is even more challenging.

You typically have fewer options than someone with an established credit history, so it’s easy to get snowballed with hefty interest rates and sidetracked by confusing points programs. It’s also tempting to go crazy and apply for more credit cards than you actually need.

Put that stack of credit card applications away. We’re here to help. Our list of the best starter credit cards will make your decision a lot easier.

But first, we've got to tell you something: NerdWallet warns that first-time credit card users may have to start with a secured credit card. This is often true, but it’s not always the case for everyone. Capital One and Credit One are known for giving credit card newbies a chance.

If you’re a student who has college loans or a car note - and you actually pay on time - you may have a decent credit score. That means you have a shot at getting the Discover It for Students or the Bank of America Cash Rewards for Students.

But how do you know which card you should get? We've got info about interest rates, fees, rewards programs, and benefits to help you make an informed choice. Here’s to building your credit history!

Editorial Note: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

This article was last updated October 24, 2018 but some terms and conditions may have changed or are no longer available. For the most accurate and up to date information please consult the terms and conditions found on the issuer website.

Why trust us: Faveable has spent thousands of hours researching, interviewing experts, and testing products to come up with carefully selected lists trusted by millions of consumers since 2013.