When it comes to credit cards, there are two main types: secured and unsecured. So, how do you decide which one is right for you? It depends on a few factors.

This blog post will look at the difference between secured and unsecured credit cards and help you determine which one might be right for you. Keep reading!

A secured credit card is backed by a deposit you make with the issuer. The deposit serves as collateral for the credit limit on the card.

In other words, the issuer can keep your deposit if you don’t make your payments.

A secured card can help you build or rebuild your credit score by reporting your activity to the major credit bureaus.

If you want to improve your credit score or establish credit for the first time, then a secured card might be a good option.

However, secured cards also have their drawbacks. Let’s explore the pros and cons of a secured credit card so you can decide if one is right for you.

A secured card’s biggest benefit is that it can help you improve your credit score.

On-time payments and low balances will help improve your payment history and credit utilization ratio, two important factors in determining your credit score.

And because secured cards report to the major credit bureaus, using one responsibly can help you establish or improve your credit history—another key factor in calculating your score. 

Since secured cards are designed to establish or rebuild credit, you won’t need a good credit score to apply.

Some credit card issuers don’t even check scores, making it a good choice for you who struggle with credit or still need to get it.

If you are under a financial burden, a credit card with a low limit might be exactly what you need.

Because you’ll have a predefined limit and need to keep payments on time, unsecured cards can help you a lot.

Of course, every coin has two sides, and secured cards are no exception.

One downside to consider is that most (but not all) require an expensive annual fee—meaning it’ll cost you to have the privilege of using the card.

Additionally, many come with high-interest rates, which means carrying a balance from month to month could end up costing you more than it would with an unsecured card. 

Another thing to remember is that while using a secured card can help improve your credit score over time, having one could also hurt your score in the short term—at least initially.

That’s because opening a new account will result in a hard inquiry on your report, which could ding your score by a few points.

Also, defaulting on your payments can lead to higher interest, and you can be in short pants.

An unsecured card is a type of credit card that does not require a deposit.

The credit limit on unsecured cards is based on your creditworthiness by checking your credit score.

Unsecured cards usually have more benefits than secured cards, such as rewards, cash back, miles, and discounts.

One advantage of an unsecured card is that you don’t have to put down a deposit.

This can be beneficial if you don’t have the money to put down a deposit or if you want to avoid tying up your money in a deposit.

Another advantage of unsecured cards is that they often come with higher credit limits than secured cards.

It can give you more flexibility when making purchases or using the card for emergency expenses.

Unsecured cards also come with rewards. You can find good cards for many purposes: miles, points, cash back, discounts, etc.

An unsecured card typically requires good or excellent credit since they offer many advantages.

The credit limit is very attractive in unsecured cards, and the benefits that come with it may be an incentive to spend more and more.

You must consider your credit score when choosing between a secured and unsecured credit card.

A secured credit card is ideal for people with a bad or no credit history. It is a good way to start building your credit history.

On the other hand, an unsecured credit card is available only to people with good or excellent credit scores but has more benefits.

Have a look at these options we have to recommend.

Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a secured card that requires a security deposit (from $200-$2500), which acts as your limit.

It helps you build up a good credit history by reporting your credit activity for the three major bureaus in America.

The perk? 24/7 customer service, including Fraud Protection, is available for low credit scores.

Read our review below to learn more about this secured option!

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is perfect for families who want to save money on their everyday purchases.

With 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, this card offers incredible rates to help you manage your daily expenses.

Read our post below to learn all about this incredible unsecured credit card!