The Best Credit Cards for Poor Credit of 2023

Obtaining a credit card when you have poor credit can be quite a challenge. Oftentimes, credit card issuers want nothing to do with your 600 FICO score because you’re seen as a risk. Fortunately, if you look hard enough, there are a few unsecured credit cards tailored to consumers on the lower end of the FICO score ladder.

However, while you may be able to obtain unsecured credit, it will come at a price. To compensate for the risk involved, card issuers generally charge high interest rates as well as mandatory annual fees. You'll find several credit cards for individuals with poor credit below. If you own a card with a low interest rate and low fees that hasn't made our list, please let us know and we'll gladly add it.

Best Credit Cards for Poor Credit

Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card

Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card - issued by WebBank, Member FDIC takes a unique approach to reviewing credit card applications. Rather than focus solely on your credit score and history, they create a Cash Score based on your banking history. This often shows that you’re more credit-worthy than your credit score leads on, thus allowing you to qualify for a higher limit at a better rate.

The current purchase APR is variable and ranges from 24.74% - 34.24% Variable. The credit limit range is $300 to $5,000, and you’re able to earn between 2% and 10% cash back at selected merchants. Add this to other features such as autopay and no international fees and Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card is a solid choice for consumers with poor credit.

Processing Fee - $0
Annual Fee - $0

Learn more about the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card.

Self Visa®

Self Visa® - The Self Visa card is another secured card option that can help you build or rebuild your credit score. Like most secured cards, it’s much easier to qualify for than an unsecured card, but this particular card is unique among secured credit cards.

The Self Visa card comes from Self, a company dedicated to helping people build their credit. To get the card, the first thing you have to do is open a Self Credit Builder Account. The account is like a forced savings plan. When you apply for an account, Self opens a CD for you and deposits the amount of your savings plan. You then have to make minimum monthly payments to Self. You can choose the payment, but it must be at least $25 per month. When you finish making payments (after at least one year), Self unlocks the balance of your CD for you, plus interest.

If you open a Self Credit Builder Account and make at least three monthly payments and build a balance of at least $100, you can qualify for a Self Visa Card. You can choose your own credit limit, up to the savings balance you’ve built with the Credit Builder Account.

One nice perk is that the card has no penalty APR and waives your first late payment fee, (subsequent late payments cost $15) making it more forgiving than many cards designed for people with poor credit.

Processing Fee - $15 to open the Self Credit Builder Account
Annual Fee - $25 for the Self Visa

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card- Another great secured credit card option is the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card. While you will find a small annual fee (of $35), there is no initial processing fee or other fees you have to worry about. The variable purchase APR is a strong 22.14% (Variable) (which is the best on our list) and this secured card reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus.

This card is perfect for those with poor credit or no credit, as the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card requires no credit check and no checking account. It’s important to note that this card does charge an inactive fee and a dormant fee. If your account is inactive for 12 consecutive months, you will be charged $10 per month after that. After 36 months of no activity, an additional $10 dormant fee is applied. Make sure if you own this card, you’re using it routinely.

Processing Fee - $0
Annual Fee - $35

Milestone® Mastercard®

Milestone® Mastercard® - Getting a little higher on the annual fee scale, the Milestone Mastercard® is likely the best unsecured card for the worst credit situations. Milestone notes that previous bankruptcies are OK so improving your very poor credit is likely worth the $175 the first year; $49 thereafter annual fee.

The current purchase APR is 24.9%. The card charges up to $41 on late payments, over limit fees and returned payment fees. The Milestone Mastercard® reports to all three major credit bureaus and it also has a surprising cash advance feature.

Monthly Fee - $0 the first year, then $12.50 each month starting in year 2.
Annual Fee - $175 the first year; $49 thereafter

The Worst Bad Credit Credit Cards

First PREMIER® Bank MasterCard® Credit Card

This unsecured line of credit is going to show you just how expensive building your credit can be without using a secured credit card. The First PREMIER® Bank MasterCard® Credit Card includes a whopping 36% interest rate on purchases. Anyone with poor credit that is able to obtain an unsecured line of credit should NEVER carry a balance. There is also a $95 one-time program fee and an annual fee that varies between $75 and $125 for the first year and $45 to $49 every year after that.

The higher your initial credit limit, the higher your initial annual fee. Late payment fees are up to $38 and any return payment fees are up to $35. In addition to the annual fee, would you believe this card charges you a monthly fee as well? That fee is waived during the first year but after year one, the monthly fee is $6.25 per month - $10.40 per month. So on top of a big interest rate, a processing fee, and an annual fee, First PREMIER hits you with a recurring monthly fee.

No thanks.

Processing Fee - $95
Annual Fee - $75-$125 the first year; $45-$49 every year after that
Monthly Fee - Waived the first year, then $75 or $124.80 annually (broken into 12 months).

Total VISA® Card

We’re in a similar position with the Total Visa® Card. This is an unsecured credit card that charges a processing fee, annual fee, and monthly maintenance fee after the first year. The APR isn’t quite as bad as the First PREMIER above, but you can still see the difference between a card like this and one of the better options above.

This card has a $300 credit limit (subject to available credit) and reports monthly to all three major credit bureaus.

Processing Fee - See Terms
Annual Fee - See Terms

The Best Credit Cards for Poor Credit of 2023

Have a low credit score but need a credit card? Here’s a list of credit cards to check out.

Editor's Note