Credit cards for bad credit

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Credit cards for bad credit explained

Credit cards for bad credit are aimed at people with a poor borrowing history who want to improve their credit score.

Sometimes known as credit builder cards, they:

  • Can help you prove to lenders that you’re able to look after money in a responsible way, provided you meet the monthly repayments

  • Could help you build your credit score over time, making you eligible for better deals in the future

  • Often have low borrowing limits and high interest rates – this reduces the risk you pose to the lender

Bear in mind...

A credit builder card shouldn’t be seen as a silver bullet for a poor credit history. It’s important to be patient.

Rebuilding your credit score can take months (or even years) – a lot depends on how serious your debts are.

If you’re worried about debt, contact your lender. It may be able to change your payment plan or give you a payment holiday. You can also get free support from debt advice charities including StepChange and National Debtline.

A stock image of a woman checking her credit on her phone with a laptop and some desk plants in the background

Our best credit cards for bad credit

Here are some standout bad-credit credit cards from our panel of providers. The right card for you will depend on your situation – always check your eligibility and the T&Cs before applying.

Last updated 28 August 2026

  • Virgin Money credit card: 12 months balance transfer & 3 months purchase at 0%

    0% purchase period

    3 months

    0% balance transfer period

    12 months

    Transfer fee

    2%

    Check eligibility
    What you should know

    • Transfers must be made in first 60 days to qualify for 0%

    • New customers only, credit subject to status, T&Cs apply

    Representative example – assumed borrowing of £1,200 for 1 year at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable), representative 29.9% APR (variable)

  • Capital One Classic Complete credit card: 7 months purchase & balance transfer at 0%

    0% purchase period

    Up to 7 months

    0% balance transfer period

    Up to 7 months

    Transfer fee

    3%

    Check eligibility
    What you should know

    • Balance transfers must be made within a set period to qualify for the 0% offer – this will be specified when you apply

    • New customers only, credit subject to status, T&Cs apply

    Representative example – assumed borrowing of £1,200 for 1 year at a purchase rate of 34.9% (variable), representative 34.9% APR (variable)

  • Barclaycard Forward credit card: 6 months purchase & balance transfer at 0%

    0% purchase period

    6 months

    0% balance transfer period

    6 months

    Transfer fee

    2.9%

    Check eligibility
    What you should know

    • Transfers must be made in first 60 days to qualify for 0%

    • Credit limit between £50 and £1,200

    • 3% interest rate reduction if all payments made on time in year 1, 2% reduction in year 2 onwards (no interest if card paid in full)

    • New customers only, credit subject to status, T&Cs apply

    Representative example – assumed borrowing of £1,200 for 1 year at a purchase rate of 33.9% (variable), representative 33.9% APR (variable)

Compare the Market Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over. Any 0% interest applies as long as you make at least minimum monthly repayments. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

**Representative APR: the estimated cost of borrowing – calculated as an annual percentage rate – after the 0% period ends.

How we choose which bad credit credit cards to feature

We offer lots of different credit cards via our panel of lenders, so when deciding which ones to feature on this page we prioritise:

  1. Whether the card offers a 0% period on balance transfers or purchases (and if so, longest offers listed first)

  2. Cards where you get the full 0% length if accepted, not 'up to' a certain number of months (if applicable)

  3. Lowest balance transfer fee (if applicable)

  4. Perks, such as cashback or vouchers

  5. Time you have in which to make a transfer or purchase to get 0% (longer periods ranked higher), if applicable

  6. Lowest representative APR

We only list cards that are labelled as credit cards for bad credit, but some providers may offer their standard cards to credit builders too – use an eligibility checker to see what you qualify for.

What counts as a bad credit score?

Different credit reference agencies (CRAs) use different scales for scoring, which can be confusing. But it’s always the case that the lower your number, the worse your credit score.

Here’s how the three main CRAs in the UK rate different credit scores (last updated May 2026):

Credit reference agency

Credit score ranges

Equifax

Poor – 0 to 438 (out of 1,000)

Fair – 439 to 530

Experian

Low – 0 to 640 (out of 1,250)

Fair – 641 to 860

TransUnion

Very poor – 0 to 550 (out of 710)

Poor – 551 to 565

Fair – 566 to 603

Discover how to check your credit report for free.

How to get a credit card with bad credit

If you’re thinking of applying for a low-credit credit card, these tips could help give you a better chance of being accepted:

Use an eligibility checker before you apply

Eligibility checkers show you which credit cards you’re likely to be accepted for, without affecting your credit score

Only apply for a card you’re likely to be accepted for

Being rejected for a card can damage your credit score further, so be sure to carefully check the lender’s eligibility criteria before you apply

If you’re rejected, wait before applying for another card

A formal application for a credit card leaves a mark on your credit report, which could have an impact on your score. If you’re repeatedly rejected for credit over a short period, this will further lower your score.

Instead, wait a few months then use our eligibility checker to look for an alternative.

If you compare credit cards with us and don’t qualify, our partner Creditec2 may offer you an alternative such as a line of credit or subscription credit.

The credit card types you can get with bad credit

Credit builder cards

Credit builder cards are the most accessible option if you’re looking for a low credit score credit card, though not everyone will be accepted.

They're designed to help you improve your credit score and could help you get your finances back on track.

Prepaid cards

Another option to think about is a credit-building prepaid card. This isn't actually a credit card as you can only spend money you've already put in. Prepaid cards:

  • Let you top them up with cash which you can then use for spending, similar to a debit card

  • Don’t normally put you through a hard credit check when you apply, though you may need to prove your identity and UK residency

  • Only let you spend what’s loaded onto the card, helping you avoid getting into debt

  • Can help you learn how to budget more effectively.

Purchase or balance transfer cards

You may be able to get a regular balance transfer or purchase card. But your options may be limited and the chances of being offered a 0% interest deal are very slim. If you’re accepted, it's likely that you’ll be offered a low credit limit and a high interest rate.

Pros and cons of bad-credit credit cards

As with any financial product, credit cards for bad credit have their pros and cons:

Pros

Boost your credit score

If you stay within your credit limit and make payments on time, a bad-credit credit card could help you repair a poor credit record

Limited chance of spiralling debt

The low credit limit means you won’t be able to rack up a huge amount of debt. Our data shows that, on average, people apply for a credit limit of £1,373 when getting a credit builder card with us3.

Better chance of approval

Providers of poor-credit credit cards are more likely to accept your application (though it’s still not guaranteed)

Purchase protection

When you spend with a credit card, items or services costing between £100 and £30,000 are usually protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

Cons

High interest rates

Credit cards for bad credit tend to have higher interest rates than most cards. This means they’re expensive if you don’t pay off your balance in full each month, plus it could take longer to clear your debt.

Low credit limits

You won’t be able to spend as much as you might on other cards. This is because the lender sees you as a high-risk borrower.

Fewer incentives

Bad-credit credit cards are less likely to offer 0% interest periods or other benefits.

Further harm to your credit score if misused

If you don’t use the card responsibly, (for example, you miss payments or bust your agreed credit limit), this could worsen your credit score.

Bad credit causes and how you can improve it

There are two main reasons why you might have a low credit rating:

1. Problems with debt

If you’ve struggled to pay back debts on products such as credit cards, loans or mortgages in the past, this might be reflected in your credit score.

Other reasons for a low credit score might include:

  • A record of unpaid bills

  • Filing for bankruptcy in the past six years

  • A recent County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you

  • Entering into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

  • Going over your credit limit

  • Breaking your credit agreement

  • Making too many credit applications in a short time.

2. Lack of credit history

Even if you’re good at managing your money, not having a credit card or a history of borrowing can count against you. (Note that having no credit history is different from having a ‘bad’ credit history.)

If you’ve never borrowed before, a lender won’t know whether you can pay back what you owe or if you’ll be a risky customer.

Quick tip

You can check your credit score for free with any UK credit reference agency.

It’s a great way to spot any potential errors and get them corrected.

Charlie Evans

What our expert says...

“Cards for people with bad credit histories often have higher rates than standard cards. However, they're not bad cards if used well – far from it, in fact. You can actually improve your credit history, giving you a better chance of getting a card for better credit scorers in future. This means they can be a good option for people with a poor or limited credit history – for example, people who are new to the country or who’ve recently turned 18.

"If you only spend what you can afford and pay the balance in full each month, you should avoid interest. It should also positively impact your credit report, which could see your credit score improve, subject to how you conduct your other credit commitments.”

Charlie Evans, Personal finance expert

What you need to apply for a credit card

You can see which poor-credit credit cards you’re likely to be accepted for, without affecting your credit score, by using our eligibility checker.

Then, if you want to apply for a card you're eligible for, you'll need to give us details such as:

  • ID

  • Proof of address for the past three years

  • Recent bank statements

  • Your salary

  • Your employer details.

Compare the Market Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply, you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

See if there's a deal that could suit your needs.

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Some alternatives to bad-credit credit cards

If you don’t think a credit card is right for you, here are some other options you could explore:

  • Bad credit loans – these usually have higher interest rates and you may be limited when it comes to how much you can borrow and for how long

  • Credit-builder loans – you repay a fixed amount each month while the funds are held in a saving pot until the end of your loan agreement

  • Credit union loans – local, not-for-profit lenders that may offer smaller, more affordable loans with lower interest rates

  • Agreed overdraft – may offer short-term flexibility but can be costly.

More on cards for bad credit

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FAQs

What’s the difference between bad credit and no credit?

‘No credit’ means you don’t have a credit history. This could be because you:

  • Are too young

  • Have only just arrived in the country, or, or you

  • Simply haven’t borrowed before.

‘Bad credit’ refers to someone who has a credit history but may have:

  • Had issues with debt

  • Made late repayments

  • Broken the terms of their credit agreement.

Could using a credit card make my credit score worse?

Using a credit card could hurt your credit score if you don’t look after it properly. You could damage it by:

  • Missing payments

  • Making late payments

  • Going over your credit limit.

And it won’t help if you spend up to your full credit limit. Credit ‘utilisation’ – in other words, how much of your available credit you’ve used – is one of the factors that affect your credit score.

If your credit utilisation rate is high, providers may worry that you’re facing financial difficulties. See more about credit utilisation rates and why keeping yours low is important.

Why is my interest rate higher than advertised?

The advertised interest rate – normally shown as the ‘rep APR’ – tells you what 51% of customers are offered, so it’s not guaranteed.

The interest rate you’re given is based on numerous factors, including:

  • Your income and any existing debt

  • Your credit history

  • The provider’s specific lending criteria.

How long does it take to rebuild credit with a credit card?

The time it takes to rebuild your credit score depends on how low it is and what’s happened to knock it down. Improvements can take anything from months to years.

For example:

  • Doing a full credit application can cause your score to temporarily dip, while

  • A CCJ stays on your credit file for 6 years and can severely impact your score.

Can I get a credit card with no credit check?

UK lenders will carry out a credit check when you do a full application for a credit card. This helps them assess whether they can lend to you responsibly.

But as we mentioned earlier, you can use an eligibility checker to see which cards you’re likely to be accepted for before applying.

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Charlie Evans
Reviewed 28 Aug 2026 by Charlie Evans Personal finance expert

Charlie is a senior commercial leader with close to a decade of experience across the UK’s leading personal-finance and comparison platforms. Before joining Compare the Market as Head of Commercial in 2024, he held senior commercial roles at TotallyMoney and MoneySuperMarket Group.

Methodology

1Based on Trustpilot ratings (July 2026).

2Creditec is a UK credit broker that helps customers explore a range of alternative borrowing options through a single application journey. Working with a panel of lending and credit providers, Creditec aims to match customers with products that may be suitable for their circumstances. As part of our partnership, customers who are unsuccessful in obtaining a loan through Compare the Market may be given the option to continue their journey with Creditec, where they can explore other products that may be available to them. Any products shown and any lending decisions are determined by Creditec and its panel of providers.

3Correct as of June 2026.