Best Starter Credit Cards of August 2023

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You can get a credit card with average credit, bad credit, or no credit at all. But if your credit score isn't great or you barely have any credit history, you'll have a hard time qualifying for many of the best credit cards. Fortunately, there are beginner credit cards specifically made for credit newcomers, and anyone can apply.

Here are some of the best starter credit cards to consider if you're a credit beginner — including several that earn rewards.

Compare Starter Credit Cards

Why Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Started Credit Cards

We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

Insider chose the best starter credit cards by first considering credit cards that don't require an excellent credit score to be approved. From there, we focused on cards that appeal to those just starting out with credit, including credit cards for students with no credit and secured credit cards.

We then narrowed down the list by evaluating the card's features, including rewards earning, annual and other fees, simplicity, and benefits. Here's our methodology for rating credit cards.

Best Starter Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

When you're ready to start building credit for the first time, it's smart to have a basic understanding of how credit cards can help.

Read our step-by-step guide that shows you how to apply for a credit card and find out more about how to improve your chances of approval if you've never opened a card before. You can check your credit score online for free. From there, you can figure out which credit card can help you build credit that lasts.

The following questions and answers provide some basic guidelines to follow.

Best Starter Credit Cards

• Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for students who spend on dining, groceries, and entertainment
• Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best student card for maximizing rewards
• Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best secured credit card
• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for cash back
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for travel rewards
• Chase Freedom Rise℠ : Best if you bank with Chase
• Capital One Platinum Credit Card: Best basic starter card
• Discover it® Student Chrome: Best for introductory APR
• Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card: Best for building credit
• Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business† : Best for small businesses

Best for Students Who Spend on Dining, Groceries, and Entertainment

If you're a college student who likes to go out, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is hard to beat. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, groceries, entertainment, and eligible streaming services with no limits, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. In addition, until November 14, 2024, cardholders earn 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, and can enroll for a complimentary Uber One membership.

This card is extra appealing because it currently comes with a welcome bonus offer of a $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. It's possible to qualify with limited credit, so if you're new to credit cards it's a solid choice.

You'll also receive surprisingly good benefits for a no-annual-fee student card, including:

• Price protection***
• Extended warranty***
• Car rental coverage***
• Roadside dispatch***
• Travel accident insurance***
• Complimentary concierge services***

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Review

Best Student Card for Maximizing Rewards

Students who like to maximize rewards should consider the Discover it® Student Cash Back, which is typically available to consumers who don't have an extensive credit history.

Once you're approved, you can enroll to earn 5% cash back up to a quarterly maximum limit spent on purchases in categories that rotate each quarter, plus 1% back on everything else (from July 1 to September 30, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Gas Stations and Digital Wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). Like other cash-back credit cards from Discover, this card will also match all the rewards you earn at the end of the first account year.

This card also lets you see your credit score for free each month, and you'll get Social Security Number monitoring, zero fraud liability, and no late fee on your first late payment. Consider signing up if you want to earn rewards and build credit at the same time without an annual fee.

Discover it Student Cash Back Card Review

Best Secured Credit Card 

If you have poor credit or no credit history at all, you may need to get started with a secured credit card. Unlike unsecured credit cards that extend a line of credit without collateral, secured cards require a small cash deposit upfront in order to secure an equally small line of credit.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is widely considered to be one of the best secured credit cards because, unlike other cards in this niche, it doesn't charge an annual fee or any hidden fees. You'll also earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%), as well as 1% back on all other purchases. Discover will also match all the rewards you earn at the end of your first account year. 

Other top benefits include a free look at your FICO score each month, zero liability for fraudulent purchases, and no late fee on your first late payment. With this card, automatic reviews start at seven months to see if Discover can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.

Discover it Secured Credit Card Review

Best for Cash Back

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is available to consumers with "average" credit according to Capital One, which brings it into reach for individuals with limited credit or anyone who has made credit mistakes in the past.

This card does charge a $39 annual fee, but you'll be able to earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 1.5% cash back for each dollar you spend on other purchases. That's not bad for a rewards credit card, and it's especially good for cards available to consumers with average credit.

Capital One also promises to reconsider your credit limit and potentially boost it after you've made six on-time payments on your credit card. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees and several benefits, which is a lot more than many credit cards for average credit offer.

Capital One QuicksilverOne Card Review

Best for Travel Rewards

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is typically only available to consumers with good credit or better, but it's important to note that a good FICO score typically starts in the 670+ range. If you can qualify, this card can serve as a starter travel credit card that can help you get accustomed to earning this type of rewards.

Once you sign up, you'll earn a flat 1.25 miles for each dollar you spend. You can also earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening. On the redemption side of the equation, you can redeem Capital One miles for any type of travel at a rate of 1 cent apiece, or for transfers to airline and hotel partners. This card also comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card Review

Best If You Bank With Chase

The brand-new Chase Freedom Rise℠ should be on your shortlist if you're completely new to credit cards, because it's geared specifically toward folks with no credit history at all. This no-annual-fee card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is a solid rate of return for a starter credit card.

However, the card is only officially available in Chase bank branches for now, and to improve your chances of approval, you should have or open a Chase checking account with a $250 balance within two days of applying for the card (you won't need to maintain a minimum checking account balance after approval).

There's no traditional welcome bonus, but if you enroll in autopay within the first three months of account opening, you'll earn a $25 statement credit. 

Chase Freedom Rise credit card launch details

Best Basic Starter Card

If you have average credit and want to learn good credit habits without worrying about rewards, consider the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.

This card will likely start you out with a low credit limit, but Capital One says it will consider boosting your limit after you make six on-time payments on your card. This card also comes with no annual fee.

Capital One Platinum Card Review

Best for Introductory APR

If you want to save money with low interest for a limited time, look into the Discover it® Student Chrome. This card starts you off with a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases, then a 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR.

You'll also earn 2% cash back on your first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%) at gas stations and restaurants, plus 1% back on everything else you buy. Discover will also match all the rewards you earn after the first year.

If you're torn between the two Discover student cards, read our comparison of the Discover it Student Cash Back and Student Chrome for a closer look at both cards.

Discover it Student Chrome Card Review

Best for Building Credit

The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card (card issued by WebBank) could be ideal for anyone who wants to build good credit that lasts. This card comes with a minimum credit limit of $500, although there's no annual fee and no fees on late payments. You'll earn a flat 1% back on all your eligible purchases for the first year, but you have the opportunity to graduate to 1.5% back after you've made 12 on-time payments on your credit card.

This card also reports to all three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — like the other cards on our list, so it can help you build credit as your purchases and payments are reported. You'll also get access to the powerful Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card Card app, which can help you manage your money better, track your spending, and stay on top of all your bills.

Petal 2 Visa Credit Card Review

Best for Small Businesses

There aren't many small-business credit cards geared to folks with average credit, but the Capital One®️ Spark®️ Classic for Business† could be a good starting point. This no-annual-fee card offers 1% cash back on all purchases, and it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, either.

Employee cards are free, so you'll earn rewards and qualify for protection on employee purchases. Other benefits include travel and emergency assistance services, secondary car rental insurance, purchase protection against damage or theft, and an extended warranty on eligible items.

Holly Johnson

Freelance Writer

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. In addition to serving as contributing editor for The Simple Dollar and writing for publications such as Bankrate, U.S. News and World Report Travel, and Travel Pulse, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love."

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Jasmin Baron

Editor

Jasmin Baron was an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Personal Finance Insider. Before joining the Insider team, she was a senior editor at The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets, covering credit cards, points and miles, and loyalty programs. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »

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Angela Fung

Marketing Compliance Manager

Angela Fung is the marketing compliance manager at Personal Finance Insider, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice. She is the primary contact for credit cards compliance and has experience managing content and partnerships for the banking, loans, and investment verticals as well.  The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.

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