Best Starter Credit Cards this February 2026

What sets this card apart is its focus on helping individuals with average or fair credit build their credit history without the burden of annual fees or rewards, making it a straightforward choice for those starting their credit journey.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a good option for building credit, but it offers no rewards, making it less suitable for those with above-average credit who can qualify for cards with rewards and bonuses.

The Capital One Platinum credit limit starts at $300 and can be higher based on your creditworthiness.

Yes, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card is considered a major credit card.

The standout feature here is the unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, making it an ideal choice for students who want a simple rewards structure without the hassle of rotating categories or spending limits.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers solid rewards with unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. However, with an APR of 18.49%-28.49% variable, it's best to pay your balance in full each month to maximize your rewards.

The average credit limit for members with the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is $4,443, with $500 being the most common limit.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and offers a welcome bonus of $50 after spending $100 in the first 3 months.

This card shines for its high cash back rates on dining and entertainment, making it a perfect fit for students who frequently dine out or enjoy streaming services, while also providing a solid welcome bonus.

Yes, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option with no annual fee, solid rewards, and easy approval, making it one of the best choices for students.

It can be challenging to get approved for the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, as you typically need at least good credit and a stable income.

The average credit limit for members with the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is $4,448, with $500 being the most common limit.

The Discover it® Student Chrome card is an excellent choice for students who frequently spend on gas and dining, offering a straightforward rewards structure with the added benefit of a Cashback Match in the first year.

The main difference is in their rewards structures: the Discover it® Student Chrome offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, while the Discover it® Student Cash Back card has rotating categories for higher rewards.

The Discover it® Student Chrome card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter, plus 1% on all other purchases.

The average credit limit for members with the Discover it® Student Chrome card is $4,561, with $500 being the most common limit.

The Chase Freedom Rise is designed for beginners looking to build credit, offering a simple cash back structure with no annual fee, making it an accessible option for those new to credit.

The Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card is available to individuals with good credit, but other factors may also affect your approval chances.

The Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card is designed for those new to credit, offering 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months.

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a unique option for those looking to build credit without fees, offering a tiered rewards structure that incentivizes responsible payment behavior over time.

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a great option for credit card newcomers, especially since it has no annual fee and offers cash back rewards of 1% to 1.5% on eligible purchases.

Yes, Petal is a legitimate credit card company and is recommended by Experian.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is ideal for individuals looking to establish or rebuild their credit without the burden of annual fees, focusing solely on credit building.

The Capital One Platinum Secured card requires an initial security deposit of $49, $99, or $200, which opens an account with a credit line of at least $200. Cardholders can increase their credit limits by depositing more than the minimum.

The Capital One Platinum card is unsecured and does not require collateral, while the Capital One Platinum Secured card requires a security deposit to secure the credit line.

The Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card is designed for those looking to build credit with a unique rewards structure that offers significant cash back opportunities, making it a compelling choice for new users.

Firstcard does not have a credit limit; you can only spend what you deposit.

Yes, every purchase with Firstcard helps build your credit, as we report your on-time payment history to all three major credit bureaus.

Firstcard is designed for individuals with no credit score and aims to help users build credit quickly and safely.

The Firstcard has an annual fee of $4.99/month.

You can earn a $10 credit after spending $30 within 30 days of opening your Firstcard account.

The First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® offers a straightforward cash back structure with a low APR, making it a solid option for individuals looking to build credit while earning rewards on their spending.

The First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards is a solid option for building credit, featuring a $49 annual fee, a 13.49% variable APR, and 1% cash back on all purchases.

With the First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard®, you can secure your credit line with a refundable deposit ranging from $200 to $2,000, with the potential to increase it up to $5,000 over time.

You may qualify for the First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® with no minimum credit score requirement, making it accessible for various credit profiles.