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Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada

  • Fact checked
  • Credit-building focus
  • Eligibility guidance

A friendlier way to compare credit-building cards

If you are building or rebuilding credit, the right card should feel practical and manageable. RateBuddy helps you compare secured and credit-building cards by deposit requirements, fees, approval path, reporting features, and everyday usability so you can move forward with more confidence.

Helpful details to compare
  • Security deposit requirements
  • Monthly and annual fees
  • Credit-building usefulness
  • Eligibility and approval path

RateBuddyOFFERS AT A GLANCE

Best Credit Card Offers — October 2026

  • No credit score required. Instant approval and access to virtual card to start using immediately

    Earn up to 25,000 MileagePlus miles (5,000 miles on card activation and first transaction and 15,000 miles when you spend $3,000 net of refunds within 3 months of application)

    Details

    Earn 5,000 miles on your first purchase, 15,000 miles after spending $3,000 in your first 3 months, and an annual 5,000-mile renewal bonus every year your account stays open.

  • Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $50 RateBuddy rebate
  • Our Choice: Best Prepaid Card
  • Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $50 RateBuddy rebate
  • Best for Credit Building: $0 Prepaid Mastercard with No Credit Check and Unlimited Transactions.
  • Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $25 RateBuddy rebate
    Neo Mastercard credit card
    Neo Financial

    Neo Mastercard

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Compare Top Secured Credit Building Cards — October 2026

Last updated

Use the filters to shape the card results below. Adjust your monthly spend, narrow by provider, or highlight no-fee and welcome-bonus options — RateBuddy will quietly refresh the list so the results stay connected to your choices.

Ready to refine
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No credit score required. Instant approval and access to virtual card to start using immediately
Annual fee $89
Purchase APR 19.99%
Cash advance 22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for Travel Rewards Secured Cards Newcomer
Secured United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard
Best for Travel Rewards Secured Cards Newcomer
Earn up to 25,000 MileagePlus miles (5,000 miles on card activation and first transaction and 15,000 miles when you spend $3,000 net of refunds within 3 months of application) Earn 5,000 miles on your first purchase, 15,000 miles after spending $3,000 in your first 3 months, and an annual 5,000-mile renewal bonus every year your account stays open.
A premium Canadian airline co-brand credit card that helps everyday Canadians turn their daily spending into real travel rewards, backed by the global reach of the United MileagePlus program and the Star Alliance network.

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 19.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 22.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee 3% Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $0 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Poor
Minimum personal income $80,000
Minimum household income $150,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

No credit score requirement. Instant approval and access to virtual card to start using immediately
Ratebuddy Cash Rebate: $50
Secured Neo World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee $149
Purchase APR 19.99%
Cash advance 22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for Cash Back Travel Rewards Secured Cards
Secured Neo World Elite Mastercard
Best for Cash Back Travel Rewards Secured Cards
Rewards program Cash Back
Get $50 Ratebuddy Cash Rebate
The Secured Neo World Elite® Mastercard lets you grow your credit history while unlocking premium perks and elevated cashback on your everyday spend.

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 19.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 22.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee 3% Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $49 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Poor
Minimum personal income $80,000
Minimum household income $150,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Our Choice: Best Prepaid Card
Annual fee $177
Purchase APR 0%
KOHO
Best for Cash Back Low Interest Secured Cards
KOHO Everything Prepaid Mastercard®
Best for Cash Back Low Interest Secured Cards
Rewards program Cash Back

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 0% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR — Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee 0% Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Poor
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

No credit score needed to apply. Guaranteed, instant approval*
Ratebuddy Cash Rebate: $50
Secured Neo World Mastercard
Annual fee $120
Purchase APR 19.99%
Cash advance 22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for Cash Back Student Secured Cards
Secured Neo World Mastercard
Best for Cash Back Student Secured Cards
Rewards program Cash Back
Get $50 Ratebuddy Cash Rebate
The Secured Neo World Mastercard® is designed to help you grow your credit history and reward you with elevated cashback on every purchase.

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 19.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 22.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee 3% Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Poor
Minimum personal income $50,000
Minimum household income $80,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Best for Credit Building: $0 Prepaid Mastercard with No Credit Check and Unlimited Transactions.
Annual fee $0
Purchase APR 0%
Cash advance 0%
KOHO
Best for Cash Back No Annual Fee Student
KOHO Core Mastercard® Prepaid Card
Best for Cash Back No Annual Fee Student
Rewards program Cash Back
KOHO Core brings spending, saving and credit-building tools together in one $0 account with a prepaid Mastercard. Enjoy unlimited transactions and free e-Transfers, 1% cash back on eligible groceries, transportation, and food and drink purchases, up to 6.5% additional cash back at selected merchants, and 2% annual interest on your full eligible balance through HISA. Permanently free Secured Credit Building, free credit-score monitoring, instant virtual and physical cards, and helpful budgeting tools are also included—with no direct-deposit requirement or minimum balance. Terms apply.

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 0% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 0% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Guaranteed, instant approvals*. Access to virtual credit card immediately
Ratebuddy Cash Rebate: $25
Neo Mastercard
Annual fee $0
Purchase APR 19.99%
Cash advance 22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for Cash Back Low Interest No Annual Fee
Neo Mastercard
Best for Cash Back Low Interest No Annual Fee
Rewards program Cash Back
Get $25 Ratebuddy Cash Rebate
Start today with the Neo Mastercard and get approved instantly. We’ll help you build your credit and borrow better. Canada’s first card designed to grow with you.

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 19.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 22.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee 3% Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $10 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Fair
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Our Choice: Best for Everyday Rewards
Annual fee $144
Purchase APR 0%
KOHO
Best for Cash Back Low Interest Student
KOHO Extra Prepaid Mastercard®
Best for Cash Back Low Interest Student
Rewards program Cash Back

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 0% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR — Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee 0% Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Poor
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $0
Purchase APR 29.90%
Cash advance 29.90%
CAPITAL ONE CANADA
Best for No Annual Fee Secured Cards
Guaranteed Secured Mastercard®
Best for No Annual Fee Secured Cards

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 29.90% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 29.90% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $0 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Poor
Minimum personal income $0
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $0
Purchase APR 29.90%
Cash advance 29.90%
CAPITAL ONE CANADA
Best for No Annual Fee Secured Cards
Guaranteed Mastercard®
Best for No Annual Fee Secured Cards

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 29.90% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 29.90% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $0 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score Poor
Minimum personal income $0
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $0
Purchase APR 19.99%
Home Trust
Best for No Annual Fee Secured Cards Newcomer
Home Trust Secured Visa
Best for No Annual Fee Secured Cards Newcomer

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 19.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR — Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

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The "Freeze" Feature

Misplaced your wallet? Don’t cancel your card immediately. Use your banking app to "Lock" or "Freeze" the card instantly. If you find it later, simply unlock it with a tap.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Compare Top Secured Credit Building Cards Cards and financial strategy.

Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Terms subject to change by issuers.

It can be, depending on your usage. Premium cards with annual fees often come with higher reward earn rates, comprehensive insurance, and perks like lounge access. If the value of the rewards and benefits you utilize exceeds the cost of the fee, the card may offer a positive net value.

It might. Cancelling an older card reduces your 'Average Age of Accounts,' which is a factor in your credit score. It also reduces your total available credit, which could increase your utilization ratio. If the card has no annual fee, it is often better to keep it open and use it occasionally to keep the history active.

Contactless payments use encryption technology similar to Chip & PIN transactions. Limits are typically placed on the amount allowed per tap (e.g., $100-$250) to minimize risk. If a thief exceeds this limit, a PIN is required. You are also protected by the issuer's Zero Liability policy for fraudulent tap transactions.

With a secured credit card, your deposit is generally held as collateral. It is typically returned to you if you close the account in good standing with a zero balance, or if the issuer decides to upgrade you to an unsecured card after a period of responsible use.

Yes, many major banks offer specific programs for newcomers that do not require a Canadian credit history. You may need to visit a branch in person and provide immigration documents (such as a Permanent Resident card or Work Permit) to be approved.