Chime Credit Builder, Self Secured Visa, and OpenSky Secured Card are three of the most accessible credit-building tools available to people with bad or no credit history. They all report to the three bureaus and all require no good credit to get started — but they work very differently, and the right one depends on your situation.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Chime Credit Builder | Self Secured Visa | OpenSky Secured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $25 | $35 |
| Security deposit | $0 minimum | $100 minimum | $200 minimum |
| Credit check | None | Soft pull only | None |
| Reports to all 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upgrade path | None (checking-linked) | To unsecured | None automatic |
| Requires bank account | Yes (Chime) | No | No |
| Cash back rewards | No | No | No |
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa
Chime Credit Builder is unique because there's no minimum security deposit and no annual fee. Instead of a traditional deposit, you move money from your Chime spending account into the Credit Builder account — whatever you put in becomes your spending limit. No credit check required.
The catch: you need a Chime checking account first, and you need to have a qualifying direct deposit. It's not a standalone card — it's part of the Chime banking ecosystem.
- No annual fee and no minimum deposit
- No credit check at all
- Spending limit equals what you transfer in — can't overspend
- No interest charges (you can only spend what you've moved in)
- Automatic payment prevents missed payments
Self Secured Visa Credit Card
The Self Secured Visa is linked to Self's credit builder loan — you must first open a credit builder account with Self, then once you've saved $100 in the loan, you can unlock the secured card. This means you're building credit through both a credit builder loan (installment) and a secured card (revolving) simultaneously — which is a strong combination.
Unlike Chime, Self doesn't require you to switch banks. You keep your existing checking account and link it to Self's system.
- Builds both installment and revolving credit at once
- Works with any existing bank account
- No hard credit pull
- Deposit comes from your credit builder loan savings
- Clear upgrade path and credit-building roadmap
OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
OpenSky is a straightforward secured card with no credit check and no bank account required — you fund your deposit via money order, check, or wire transfer. It's the most accessible option if you have no credit history and don't want to open a new bank account. The downside is the $35 annual fee and no automatic upgrade path to an unsecured card.
- No credit check and no bank account required
- Reports to all 3 bureaus
- Deposit can range from $200 to $3,000
- No checking account required to apply
- Straightforward application — no linked accounts needed
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Chime if you don't mind switching to a Chime checking account, you want to avoid all fees, and the no-deposit model appeals to you. Best for people who want the simplest, lowest-cost option and are okay with a new bank.
Choose Self if you want to build both installment and revolving credit simultaneously, you don't want to switch banks, and you're okay with a $25 annual fee. Best overall for serious credit building — the combination of the credit builder loan and secured card is the most comprehensive approach on this list.
Choose OpenSky if you don't have a bank account, don't qualify for Chime's direct deposit requirement, and want a straightforward secured card with no credit check. It's not the best value due to the annual fee, but it's one of the most accessible options available.
If you're serious about rebuilding fast, Self's combination of credit builder loan + secured card gives you both installment and revolving history simultaneously — which scores better than either one alone. Add a Chime account separately if you want a second no-fee card. The two together cost you $25/year and build a diversified credit profile faster than any single card.
Compare every secured card and credit builder available for bad credit — including First Latitude, First Progress, Kovo, and more. Side-by-side, with instant applications.
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Before opening a new card, know your current score and what's on your report. That tells you which approach will move the needle fastest for your specific situation.
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