Verdict · Updated April 2026
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa for First Credit Card
The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa is a top choice for first credit card — ranked #4 of 47 eligible cards on our use-case scoring model. If first credit card is your primary need, this card is a strong primary pick.
Rank #4 of 4793th percentileStrong primary pick
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa
Stride Bank · No annual fee
Chime's unconventional secured card has no minimum deposit and charges no interest — ever. You load money to a security account and spend from it, so you literally can't overspend. Automatic payment from your Chime account means no late payments, making it nearly foolproof for building an on-time payment history. Requires a Chime Checking Account.
Full card review
Earn math — First Credit Card profile
Based on typical first credit card spending of $9,720/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$0
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$0
Easy approvalZero feeSimple rewardsReports to all 3 bureaus
Where the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa wins for first credit card
- Approvable with no credit history
- Zero annual fee — no fixed cost to worry about
- Secured card — refundable deposit lets the bank approve applicants any issuer would deny
- Simple reward structure — easy to maximize without category tracking
Top 3 alternatives for first credit card
Cards that rank higher than or close to the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa on our first credit card scoring model.
How the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa a good card for first credit card?⌄
The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa is a top choice for first credit card — ranked #4 of 47 eligible cards on our use-case scoring model. If first credit card is your primary need, this card is a strong primary pick.
How much can I earn with the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa on first credit card spending?⌄
At the typical first credit card spending profile of $9,720/year, this card earns approximately $0 in rewards — net $0 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa for first credit card?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are Chase Freedom Rise, Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students, Discover it Student Cash Back. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for first credit card.
What credit score do I need for the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa?⌄
The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa typically requires no-credit credit. Approval also depends on income, existing debt, and application history — a score in the stated range doesn't guarantee approval.
Is the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa has no annual fee — there's no breakeven to clear, so any rewards earned on first credit card spending are pure profit.
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