Unsecured Cards
Best Unsecured Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2026
No deposit required. These cards approve bad credit applicants without asking for collateral — ranked by fees, approval odds, and credit-building potential.
Quick answer
The best unsecured credit card for bad credit is the Petal® 1 Visa® — it has no annual fee, uses a soft credit pull that won't hurt your score, and evaluates your banking history instead of just your credit score. For applicants with prior bankruptcy, the Indigo® Mastercard® has the highest approval odds with no deposit required.
Best unsecured credit cards for bad credit — compared
| Card | Annual fee | APR | Credit check | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petal® 1 Visa® Best overall | $0 | 25.24–34.74% | Soft pull | No fee, banking history eval |
| Credit One Bank® Platinum | $75 yr 1, $99 after | 29.74% | Hard pull | Easy approval, cash back |
| Indigo® Mastercard® | $0–$99 | 24.9–35.9% | Hard pull | Bankruptcy OK |
| Milestone® Mastercard® | $35–$99 | 35.9% | Hard pull | Very poor credit |
| Surge® Platinum Mastercard® | $75–$125 | 29.99–35.99% | Hard pull | High approval odds |
No. 1 — Best overall
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Evaluates your banking history — not just your credit score
★★★★☆
Annual fee$0
APR25.24–34.74%
DepositNone
Credit checkSoft pull
Cash back2–10% at select merchants
Pros
- No annual fee
- Soft credit pull — won't affect your score
- Evaluates income and banking history for thin-file applicants
- 2-10% cash back at select merchants
- No deposit required
Cons
- High APR range
- Requires linking a bank account
- Not for applicants with severe derogatory marks
Verdict: The Petal 1 is the best unsecured card for bad credit because it looks beyond your score. If your credit is thin rather than damaged, Petal's cash flow underwriting often approves applicants that traditional issuers reject.
Apply for Petal 1 Visa →
No. 2
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Easy approval with 1% cash back on eligible purchases
★★★☆☆
Annual fee$75 yr 1, $99 after
APR29.74%
DepositNone
Cash back1% eligible purchases
Pros
- No deposit required
- High approval odds for bad credit
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases
- Reports to all three bureaus
Cons
- $75 annual fee year one, $99 after
- High APR — never carry a balance
- Multiple fees buried in fine print
- Not recommended if you can get a secured card
Verdict: The fees make this card expensive. Only consider it if you genuinely cannot get a secured card and need an unsecured card immediately. If you can set aside $200 for a deposit, the Discover it Secured is a much better card.
Apply for Credit One Platinum →
Unsecured vs secured cards for bad credit: which is better?
| Feature | Unsecured (bad credit) | Secured (bad credit) |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit required | No | Yes ($200+) |
| Annual fees | Usually $75–$99 | Often $0 |
| APR | Higher (29–36%) | Lower (25–28%) |
| Upgrade path | Rare | Common (Discover, Capital One) |
| Best for | No cash for deposit | Most people with bad credit |
Bottom line: If you can afford a $200 deposit, a secured card is almost always the better choice. Lower fees, lower APR, and better upgrade paths. Unsecured cards for bad credit make sense only when a deposit is genuinely impossible.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get an unsecured credit card with bad credit?+
Yes. Several issuers offer unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit, including the Petal 1 Visa, Credit One Bank Platinum, and Indigo Mastercard. These cards do not require a deposit but typically charge higher fees and interest rates than secured cards.
What is the easiest unsecured credit card to get with bad credit?+
The Credit One Bank Platinum Visa and Indigo Mastercard have the highest approval rates for bad credit applicants. The Indigo Mastercard also approves applicants with prior bankruptcies.
Is an unsecured card better than a secured card for bad credit?+
Not usually. Secured cards often have lower fees and better upgrade paths. The main advantage of an unsecured card is no deposit requirement. If you can afford $200, a secured card like the Discover it Secured is typically the better choice.
Advertiser disclosure: ApprovedCard.guide may earn a commission when you apply through our links. Card terms verified May 2026.