If you have been shopping around for credit cards, especially if you have less-than-perfect credit, you have probably come across a number of cards titled secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards.

As usual, financial terminology is not always clear, and you must do a little digging to understand what secured and unsecured cards are and how they work.

Both of these types of cards have a lot in common. However, there are a few key differences that can make one or the other more suitable for your needs.

So if you are on a quest to find out which one is the best option for you, you have come to the right place. Keep reading and understand what each of these types of cards is about.

It is called secured because you have to make a minimum security deposit. This deposit serves the purpose of offsetting risk on the part of the credit card issuer.

Most people who apply for secured credit cards have either damaged credit or no credit history at all.

This represents a risk to credit card companies, and therefore they need some form of security to be able to provide the service.

Security deposits for secured credit cards typically start at $200, but it may be higher or lower depending on the card. This deposit is totally refundable.

Let’s say you wish to move from a secured to an unsecured card, you can withdraw your security deposit. Same thing if you decide to close your account, as long as your balance has been paid off in full.

There is no difference between secured cards and unsecured cards when it comes to the ways you can use it.

Unsecured cards work pretty much like any other card, including the fact that you will incur interest charges if you carry a balance month to month.

Your credit limit, however, is not usually calculated based on your creditworthiness or income.

Rather, it is common practice for credit card companies to provide a credit limit equal to the customer’s security deposit.

However, some secured credit cards may offer a higher credit limit after you make a certain number of monthly payments on time, with no additional security deposit.

This one is easy to understand. The main difference between secured and unsecured credit cards is the existence or not of a security deposit. Unsecured cards do not require such deposits.

This means unsecured cards represent a greater risk to issuers. For this reason, this type of card usually requires applicants to have at least an average credit score.

However, the best unsecured cards typically require good or excellent credit.

Yes, you can get an unsecured credit card even if you have bad credit. However, these offers are much rarer, and the ones you will find probably charge extremely high fees.

Pretty much like any unsecured credit card. It is that simple. You can use them anywhere sellers accept credit cards, and that includes online purchases.

You will get your bill monthly which you must pay with money other than that of your security deposit.

If you are late on your payments, you will pay interest on your balance. Also, secured credit cards report to major credit bureaus just like any other card.

So focusing on making on-time payments will help you improve your credit score.

Secured credit cards may come with an annual fee, so expect that. However, if you are looking at an offer that has an annual fee over $50, go look somewhere else.

That is too high an annual fee, even for someone with bad credit. Also, there are no-annual-fee options in the market which you should definitely consider. 

Although all secured credit cards share the same mechanics, they are not all the same. To illustrate that, we have selected a few examples of secured credit cards for you to compare their different features.

This credit card usually requires a $200 minimum deposit. However, depending on the result of the issuer’s assessment of applicants, it may be possible to get a $200 credit limit with a $49 or $99 deposit.

Different from most secured cards, this one allows you to make your deposit in installments.

Plus, it charges no annual fee, and if you make on-time payments, you may be able to get a credit increase with no additional deposit.

After seven months of using this card, the issuer will automatically review your account for an update to an unsecured card.

It also offers 2% cash back on up to $1,000 you spend quarterly at restaurants and gas stations. You will also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

This card requires a $200 minimum deposit, but you can deposit up to a cap of $2,500. It also does not charge an annual fee.

You can read more about this card and its application process at the following link.

This card offers you the same rewards the unsecured Quicksilver card does: 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Mind you, the unsecured Quicksilver is meant for people with good to excellent credit.

The minimum deposit is $200, and the maximum ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. This card also does not charge an annual fee.

Check the full review we’ve made about this card on the following.

This card does not offer rewards or upgrades, but it does come with a nice convenience: no credit checks. So if you have badly damaged credit, you can still qualify.

Even if you have been rejected for other secured cards, you can still qualify for this one. However, easy access does come at its own cost. This card charges a $35 annual fee.

It is a high fee, but if you have been rejected for other cards, this could help you get your foot in the credit door. The minimum deposit it requires is $200, and the maximum deposit is $3,000.

Are you interested in getting this credit card? The following content will give you more info about its features and how to apply for it.

among the many different types of credit cards, we have secured and unsecured credit cards we cover in this post. But there are also prepaid cards. Do you what it is?

Prepaid cards work differently than secured and unsecured credit cards. You can even give one to your teenage children if you want to.

Read the following content to find out if a prepaid card is what you’re actually looking for.