It's crucial for teenagers to establish credit early on to qualify for loans and other credit options later in life. For those who are new to credit and credit score, the age of your credit accounts plays a significant role in determining your credit score. Therefore, it is only advantageous to start building credit as early as possible!

However, obtaining a credit card can be a challenge for teenagers because most companies require a proven credit history to be eligible for their cards. Fortunately, there are a number of credit cards designed specifically for teens and people without much credit history. These cards typically have lower credit requirements and offer rewards programs that can help teenagers build their credit without worrying about complicated programs or any annual fees.

While the cards in this article may not be the most exciting credit cards on the market, they are the perfect way to get started and build a credit history. If you’re new to credit, make sure to also check out our list of tips to help get you started! There are a few important things to look for in a first credit card: no annual fee, no predatory conditions, and if possible, some basic rewards.

Before we jump into the list of the best credit cards for teens, make sure to consider one pro tip: an even better way to start your credit history is to become an “authorized user” on a parent’s card. An authorized user is under the primary cardholder’s (i.e., parent’s) account, but still gets their own card! This means that a teenager can jumpstart their credit history with a card that they normally wouldn’t be able to qualify for, and they don’t have to worry about being the ones to make any payments. Teens can become an authorized user as early as ~13 years old, so parents and their kids should discuss whether becoming an authorized user is right! It is important that the primary cardholder is trustworthy, as any credit issues they have will affect authorized users.

However, as becoming an authorized user isn’t always possible, let’s jump straight into our list of the best credit cards for teens!

The Best Credit Cards for Teens/Teenagers

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Basics:

• Annual fee: $0

• Interest rate (APR): 27.99% variable

• Rewards: 2% cash back on gas and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other purchases

• Credit requirements: No credit history or credit score required

• Sign-up bonus: $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a great option for teenagers or any individuals who are looking to establish or rebuild their credit. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a “secured” credit card, they require a security deposit to be placed when you get the card, which in turn gives the credit limit provided. This deposit can be as low as $200, making it accessible to many people regardless of income. While a secured card may seem limiting, they provide a safety net—if for some reason you are unable to pay your balance, the bank can take your deposit instead of putting you into debt.

One of the most significant benefits of the Discover it Secured Credit Card is that it offers cash-back rewards on purchases. This means that users can earn 2% cash-back on gas stations and restaurants, up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. It is rare that beginner cards give spending bonuses, so even though the cash-back option is limited here, it’s still a very welcome addition!

In addition, Discover reports your credit activity to all three major credit bureaus, which can help you build your credit history. The card also comes with free access to FICO credit scores, making it easy to track progress and maintain good credit habits.

Finally, it has no annual fee and offers a 0% APR for the first six months, making it a fantastic option for those who want to avoid high interest rates.

Overall, the Discover it Secured Credit Card is an excellent way to form or rebuild credit and earn rewards at the same time.

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Basics:

• Annual fee: $0

• Interest rate (APR): 29.99% variable

• Rewards: None

• Credit requirements: No credit history required

• Sign-up bonus: None

Not to be confused with the American Express Platinum (which is a high-annual fee travel card), the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit card is another great option for teenagers looking to get started with credit.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card does not have an annual fee and offers benefits such as fraud coverage and extended warranty protection. Additionally, as you build your credit history with this card, you may be able to eventually upgrade to an unsecured credit card with Capital One, which will allow you to increase your credit limit without a security deposit.

Since Capital One has some of the best travel cards in the game, getting into the Capital One system as early as possible is a great way to set yourself up for better cards down the road! Overall, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a solid option for those looking to build or rebuild their credit score.

Overall, this card isn’t an exciting option, but it is incredibly effective at helping young people begin their credit journey in a low-risk environment, and can help you get the elite Capital One cards sooner than your peers.

Capital One Quicksilver Credit Card

Basics:

• Annual fee: $0

• Interest rate (APR): APR between 19.74%-29.74%

• Rewards: 1.5% cash-back

• Credit requirements: No credit history is required

• Sign-up bonus: $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Unlike the other cards on this list which are secured credit cards, the Capital One Quicksilver Credit Card is an unsecured card (i.e., no deposit) that is a popular choice for those seeking a straightforward and uncomplicated cash-back rewards program who already have at least a baseline credit (i.e., >600 credit score). This card is great for people who are looking to move beyond their early student cards or secured cards and break into the world of rewards cards.

The card offers a flat 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, with no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months. In addition, the Quicksilver card offers a range of other benefits, including extended warranty coverage on qualifying purchases, travel accident insurance, and 24/7 customer service. While you need a credit score to qualify for this card, it’s one of the best entry cards across the market, allowing for simple rewards without having to put in effort in managing your spending.

The Capital One Quicksilver Credit Card is a top choice for those who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy a hassle-free credit card experience.

Conclusion

Choosing a first credit card for a teenager is not a task that should not be taken lightly. With so many options available, it is important to consider both spending habits and potential financial goals to truly understand which option is best.

In our review of the best credit cards for teenagers, we have highlighted some top choices that offer various benefits to help teens get a head start on building credit and financial responsibility. While the cards here are what we feel make the most sense for a teen looking to build their credit history, there are dozens of more options out there. Whether you opt for an unsecured card or a secured card, always remember the importance of responsible credit card use—make sure you always monitor your spending habits to ensure you stay on track toward achieving your financial goals. While secured and entry-level cards are not particularly glamorous, they can be an instrumental part of setting yourself up for credit success later on! Credit card debt can be life-ruining, and with credit card debt at an all-time high, the earlier you can develop good financial practices, the better off you will be!