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Capital One Platinum Secured vs Chime Card: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: This card is best for building or rebuilding your credit history, offering flexible security deposit options and no annual fee.
- Chime Secured Visa® Credit Card: This is ideal for Chime+™ members who want to build credit while earning cash back on everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and restaurants.
Capital One Platinum Secured Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It's a great option for building or rebuilding credit, thanks to its flexible security deposit requirements.
- Cardholders have the opportunity to get a higher credit limit and eventually graduate to an unsecured card with responsible use.
- There's no annual fee, which makes it a cost-effective tool for improving your credit score.
Pros
- Accessible to applicants with limited or poor credit history.
- Helps build credit by reporting to all three major credit bureaus.
- No annual fee, making it a cost-effective way to establish a positive payment history.
Cons
- A security deposit is required to open the account.
- The variable APR is high, making it expensive to carry a balance.
- It lacks many of the perks and benefits found on unsecured cards.
Chime Card™ Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Chime Card™.
- It offers a modern, app-based experience that simplifies managing your finances.
- The card provides access to helpful features like overdraft protection for qualifying members.
- It's designed to help you build or improve your credit history through regular use.
Pros
- No credit check is required to apply.
- You can receive your paycheck early with a qualifying direct deposit.
- There are no minimum balance requirements.
Cons
- Eligibility is limited to members who set up a qualifying direct deposit.
- The balance must be paid in full each month, as it does not function like a traditional credit card that allows you to carry debt.
- Using out-of-network ATMs may result in third-party fees.
Chime Card™ vs Capital One Platinum Secured
Categories
When it comes to building or rebuilding credit, the question of which is better, Capital One Platinum Secured or Chime Card™, often comes up. Both cards are designed to help users improve their credit, but they cater to slightly different needs.
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an ideal choice for those new to credit, such as students or recent immigrants, as well as individuals looking to rebuild their credit history.
- Chime Card™ is best suited for existing Chime users who want to build their credit history within a familiar digital ecosystem, particularly those who value simplicity.
Redemption
Capital One Platinum Secured: This card is not designed for earning rewards, so there are no points or cashback to redeem. Its primary benefit is helping you build credit, with the potential to graduate to an unsecured card and get your security deposit back.
Chime Card™: The Chime Card™ also does not offer a traditional rewards program for redemption. It functions as a tool to help you build credit history through everyday purchases without accruing interest or annual fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To cut through the noise and find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can be invaluable for comparing top-rated cards based on your actual spending.
- Test Drive Cards: The “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your real spending data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
- Personalized Recommendations: Get matched with the best options for your financial habits from a pool of nearly 3,000 credit cards.
- Detailed Approval Odds: Receive a comprehensive analysis of your likelihood of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
- Exclusive Member Benefits: Creating an account unlocks perks like a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards and a welcome offer guarantee.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum Secured?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals who are either building their credit from scratch or rebuilding it after past financial difficulties. This includes a wide range of users, from students and recent immigrants establishing a U.S. credit history to anyone who has been denied traditional unsecured cards due to a limited or poor credit score. It's particularly well-suited for those who want to actively monitor their progress, as it provides access to Capital One's CreditWise tool to track their credit health.
Who Should Choose the Chime Card™?
The Chime Card™ is an excellent choice for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history, including young adults just starting their financial journey. It's particularly well-suited for those who want to earn cash back rewards on everyday purchases without paying an annual fee or worrying about accumulating interest charges. Since eligibility is tied to being a Chime+™ member, this card is ideal for people who already use or are willing to use Chime for their primary banking needs.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Capital One Platinum Secured vs. Chime Card™ comparison didn't yield the right choice for you, don't fret. Several other cards on the market are excellent for building credit and may be a better fit.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Review the eligibility requirements: Understand if the card is designed for your specific credit profile.
- Assess the financial commitment: Be prepared for any security deposits or minimum spending requirements.
- Plan your card usage: Know how you will use the card to maximize its primary benefits.
Application Strategy
- Prepare your security deposit if applying for a secured card like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card.
- Confirm your membership status for cards that require it, such as the Chime Secured Visa® Credit Card.
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a secured credit card?
A secured credit card requires a refundable cash deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. It's designed for individuals who are new to credit or are working on rebuilding their credit score.
Do I need a security deposit for both cards?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card requires a refundable security deposit to open the account. In contrast, the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card does not require a minimum security deposit.
Which card is better for building credit from scratch?
Both cards can help you build credit by reporting your activity to the major credit bureaus. The best option depends on whether you prefer a traditional secured card that requires a deposit or a card linked to a spending account with no minimum deposit.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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