Credit-builder loans that help you build credit history while saving money. No credit check required. Reports to all 3 bureaus.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Self (formerly Self Lender) is an Austin, Texas-based fintech founded in 2015 that helps people build or rebuild credit through credit-builder loans. The concept is simple: you take out a small loan ($25-$150/month for 12-24 months), the money goes into a certificate of deposit (CD), and Self reports your payments to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
When the loan term ends, you get the money back (minus fees and interest). So you're essentially saving money while building credit history. There's no credit check to apply, making this ideal for people with no credit or bad credit who can't qualify for traditional credit products.
Self also offers a secured Visa credit card (Self Visa) that uses your CD savings as collateral — no additional deposit needed. This gives you both installment loan and revolving credit history, which is what FICO scores want to see.
Pricing starts at $25/month for a 24-month plan ($600 total, you get ~$545 back after fees). The $150/month plan builds credit faster and results in a larger savings payout. Self charges a one-time admin fee ($9-$15) plus interest on the credit-builder loan.
Self reports that customers see an average credit score increase of 49 points after 3 months of on-time payments. The company has helped over 1 million people build credit and maintains a 4.5/5 rating on the App Store.
Secured credit cards are one of several tools in the credit-building toolkit. Consumers may also consider credit builder loans, which report positive payment history to all three bureaus while building savings, or rent reporting services that add on-time rent payments to credit reports. For those dealing with existing negative items, credit repair services can help dispute inaccuracies that drag down scores. Credit monitoring helps track progress over time, and personal loans for bad credit become accessible as scores improve. Many credit rebuilders find that combining a secured card with other strategies — monitoring, disputes, and responsible borrowing — produces faster results.
+ $9.00 setup fee
+ $9.00 setup fee
+ $9.00 setup fee
Our editors ranked the best secured credit cards of 2026 based on fees, approval odds, bureau reporting, and graduation policies.
Yes. Self is a registered company headquartered in Austin, TX, founded in 2015. They hold a F rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Self plans start at $25.00 per month with a $9.00 setup fee. No money-back guarantee is offered.
Average 49-point credit score increase after 3 months of on-time payments. Full credit-builder loan terms run 12-24 months. Self Visa secured card can be added once sufficient savings accumulated in CD.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Self is unique — it's a credit-builder loan that doubles as a savings plan. You pay monthly, it reports to all 3 bureaus, and you get the money back when the term ends. Add the Self Visa card for revolving credit history too. Best for people starting from zero credit who want a disciplined savings and credit-building combo. Not a quick fix — takes 3-24 months.
Secured Visa credit card with no credit check and 87% approval rate. No bank account required. Reports to all 3 bureaus. Issued by Capital Bank, N.A. (FDIC insured).
Best for: People with no credit history who need to build credit from scratch, Consumers rebuilding credit after bankruptcy, collections, or charge-offs
Secured credit card with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter) and 1% on everything else. No annual fee. Reports to all 3 bureaus. Automatic graduation review at 8 months.
Best for: Consumers with fair credit (550-650) who want to rebuild while earning rewards, People who want a secured card that will automatically upgrade to unsecured
Fee-free online bank with early direct deposit, SpotMe overdraft protection, and a secured Credit Builder card that reports to all 3 bureaus. No credit check, no minimum balance.
Best for: Consumers denied by traditional banks due to ChexSystems flags or thin credit files, People rebuilding credit who want a secured card that reports to all 3 bureaus with no credit check
Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
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Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example
On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example
You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example
Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
The maximum amount a credit card company allows you to borrow on a single card. Going over this limit can trigger fees and hurt your credit score.
Your credit limit directly affects your utilization ratio. A higher limit with the same spending means lower utilization and a better score. You can request limit increases.
Example
Card A: $3,000 limit, you spend $1,500 = 50% utilization (bad). Card B: $10,000 limit, you spend $1,500 = 15% utilization (good). Same spending, different impact on your score.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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