The Best Unsecured Credit Cards in 2024

Written by:  Lorien Strydom
|
Editor:  Joe Chappius
Last updated: January 22, 2024

We help you find the best unsecured credit cards and apply online. With Financer.com you can:

  • Use our online credit card comparison tool
  • Compare rates from multiple card issuers
  • Apply for an unsecured credit card online

The Best Credit Cards for April 2024

Milestone® Gold Mastercard®
  • 24.90% regular purchase APR
  • Monthly payments reported to three credit bureaus
  • Starting credit limit of $300
  • Pre-qualify with no impact on your credit score
Interest RateFrom 24.90%
Credit LimitFrom $300
Annual Fee$35 to $99
Application FeeNone
Milestone® Gold Mastercard®
4.0
rating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_blue
Based on 0 reviews
SoFi® Credit Card
  • No annual fee
  • Redeem points straight into crypto
  • Get 2% cash back on all purchases
  • 17.49% to 29.49% variable APR
Interest RateFrom 17.49%
Credit LimitUp to $25,000
Annual FeeNone
Application FeeNone
SoFi® Credit Card
4.6
rating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_blue
Based on 2 reviews
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
  • See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
  • 29.99% variable APR
  • $75 annual fee
  • Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
Interest RateFrom 29.99%
Credit LimitFrom $1,000
Annual Fee$75
Application FeeNone
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
N/A
rating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_blue
Based on 0 reviews
Total Visa® Unsecured Credit Card
  • Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your Total Credit Card
  • $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
  • No security deposit, simply pay a one-time $95 program fee to open your account.
  • $75 annual fee for the first year
Interest Rate35.99%
Credit LimitFrom $300
Annual Fee$75
Application Fee$95
Total Visa® Unsecured Credit Card
N/A
rating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_blue
Based on 0 reviews
Horizon Gold Card
  • Horizon Gold Card with $500 unsecured credit limit
  • No credit check needed, Bad credit score accepted
  • 0% APR on credit
  • One time activation fee: $5. Monthly membership fee: $24.95
Interest RateVaries
Credit LimitFrom $500
Annual Fee$24.95
Application Fee$5
Horizon Gold Card
N/A
rating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_blue
Based on 0 reviews
Upgrade Card
  • No annual fee
  • 14.99% - 29.99% APR
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus
  • 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Interest Rate14.99% - 29.99%
Credit LimitFrom $500
Annual FeeNone
Application FeeNone
Upgrade Card
3.6
rating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_bluerating_blue
Based on 0 reviews

Important

Please note that loan amounts, interest rates and other loan terms may vary according to your state and credit profile.

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How to Find the Best Unsecured Credit Cards

Save money by comparing with us first.

How to Find the Best Unsecured Credit Cards
1
Choose the Type of Card

compare unsecured cards, rewards cards, cards for bad credit, and more.

2
Compare Rates

Compare rates from card issuers side-by-side.

3
Choose an Offer

Choose the credit card offer that suits your needs

4
Apply Online

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What Is an Unsecured Credit Card?

Unsecured credit cards are the most common type of credit card. You don’t need a security deposit for approval.

The issuer of an unsecured credit card does not have a security deposit that they can collect if you do not pay your credit card balance.

Instead, the creditor has the option of pursuing additional collection measures.

This can include sending your account to a debt collector, reporting your non-payment to credit bureaus, and even suing you in court. They may also request to garnish your wages. 

Because they are unsecured and have no collateral, unsecured credit cards are different from secured loans, such as mortgage loansauto loans, and secured credit cards.

They are not directly connected to any property, so the issuer has no right to take your property away if you default on payments.

Our Top Unsecured Cards

Milestone MasterCard®: Best for Easy Online Pre-Qualification

Milestone Gold Mastercard

The Milestone MasterCard® allows you to enjoy the benefits of a credit card without needing a security deposit.

If you don’t have a good credit history or prior bankruptcy, this is a good option.

It comes with fraud protection and zero liability.

Pros:

  • Easily pre-qualify online
  • Credit limit starts at $300
  • Reports to all three credit bureaus
  • Fraud protection
  • No security deposit required

 

Surge MasterCard®: Best for Higher Initial Limits

Surge MasterCard

The Surge Mastercard® Credit Card is one of the more popular unsecured credit cards that comes with an initial credit limit between $300 – $1,000.

Enjoy peace of mind with the Surge MasterCard as it offers $0 fraud liability so you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges on your card.

You’ll get free monthly credit scores and monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus – TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.

Credit limits may be eligible for an increase after six months, making this a great option to improve your credit score.

Pros:

  • Initial credit limits start at $300
  • Credit limit doubles after 6 monthly on-time payments
  • Mastercard Zero Liability Protection
  • Monthly reporting to all three credit bureaus
  • Free monthly credit score

Total Visa® Unsecured Credit Card: Best for Cash Back

The Total Visa® Unsecured Credit Card offers an initial credit limit of $300 with manageable monthly payments and a fast application process.

You can select your favorite card design and use your card at merchants nationwide across the USA and online.

The Total Visa® Unsecured Credit Card has an annual fee of $75 for the first year and $48 thereafter.

The APR is 34.99% and there are no cash advance fees for the first year.

Pros:

  • Initial credit limit of $300
  • Get 1% cash back rewards
  • Free credit monitoring
  • Instant online approval 

 

How Unsecured Credit Cards Work

Unsecured credit cards are available from the majority of banks, credit unions, and other financial service providers.

To obtain one, you must fill out an application with your personal information and agree to a credit check.

After you’re authorized for an unsecured credit account, you’ll receive a card that you may use to make purchases in stores, online, and over the phone.

 

Tip: To get a reasonable interest rate on your credit card you should have a good credit score (typically 670+). You may still qualify for a card with a low credit score but this may come with higher interest rates.

Unsecured credit cards fall under the category of revolving credit. This means you’re allowed to spend up to a particular amount on the account, and you have the option of paying off the debt in full at the end of a monthly billing cycle or revolving it to the following month.

If you pay your debt in full there is no interest payable. 

When you choose to let the balance revolve, you will make interest payments and adhere to the minimum monthly payment. 

 

Note: When people refer to a “credit card,” they usually mean an unsecured credit card. This is because most available credit cards are unsecured. 

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Applying for a Credit Card

Banks are unlikely to give you an unsecured credit card if you have a poor credit score or failed to make timely payments in the past.

The issuer may also deny you if you have too many credit cards, too many credit inquiries or insufficient income.

Before applying for unsecured credit cards, you should pull your credit report and make sure there are no flaws that may cause the issuer to reject you. 

You can request a free credit report from the three major reporting bureaus once every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Tips for Choosing the Best Unsecured Credit Cards

Features and Benefits

You need to decide what features you are looking for, like the lowest rates, the highest credit limits, or the easiest online application process. 

Fees

Some unsecured credit cards may have application fees and high interest rates because there is no collateral required. Beware of balance transfer and foreign transaction fees.

Also consider the annual fee as some providers may offer a low initial fee that will increase after the first year.

Using Your Card

When you want to rebuild your credit you need to try and avoid high interest rates and one way of doing this is by paying the full balance every month.

If you make regular payments on time you may qualify for a higher credit limit. Some credit card providers automatically increase your credit limit after six months of on-time payments.

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Compare Credit Cards with Financer.com

Financer.com helps you compare the best unsecured credit cards and get the lowest rates from leading U.S. lenders.

We look for lenders that offer full transparency and have a long track record of successful lending and satisfied customers. We are always improving our comparisons, but are confident in what we can bring to market, and we know you will be as well.

Use our free credit card comparison to find the right credit card for your needs.

Unsecured Credit Cards - FAQs

What is an unsecured credit card?
With an unsecured credit card you don't need to pay a security deposit upfront to get approved. No collateral is needed.
What is an unsecured credit card for fair credit?
Unsecured credit cards for fair credit do not require a cash deposit like secured cards. These cards are traditional credit cards that you can use to pay for purchases and they will be subject to fees and interest rates.
What is the easiest unsecured card to get?
One of the easiest unsecured cards to get approved for is the Milestone MasterCard®. You can get approved for it even with bad credit.
What credit score do you need for an unsecured card?
Most unsecured credit cards require a good credit score (typically in the range of 670-850). This range will make you eligible for a range of rewards cards. Some cards may accept a fair credit score (580-669).
What is the unsecured credit limit?

This is the credit limit you get with your unsecured credit card. Unsecured means you didn't have to put up any collateral.

Can you get a unsecured credit card with a 540 credit score?

Yes, but you may have to pay higher interest rates.

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