Capital One Platinum Secured vs First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured: Which Is Better In 2026?

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "902", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "1% Cash Back Rewards"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card.

‍

• The straightforward application process makes it highly accessible for those just starting to build or rebuild their credit.
• It helps establish your credit history by reporting your payments to all three major credit bureaus.
• Unlike many secured cards, it offers the ability to earn cash back rewards on everyday spending.

‍

‍

Pros

‍

• Features a competitive interest rate, which is a rare find among secured cards and can help you save money if you carry a balance.
• Applying won't trigger a hard credit inquiry, protecting your credit score while you seek approval.
• Offers flexibility in how you fund your security deposit, making the card more accessible.

‍

Cons

‍

• There is no pathway to graduate to an unsecured card, so you must close the account to retrieve your security deposit.
• The digital experience is limited, lacking a mobile app and requiring mail for some account management tasks.

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card vs Capital One Platinum Secured

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Capital One Platinum Secured or the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card, comes down to what you need from a credit-building tool.

‍

• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is best for those seeking a straightforward option to build or rebuild their credit with a major card issuer. It serves as an excellent stepping stone for establishing a positive credit history, especially for users who want to avoid an annual fee.
• First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is ideal for credit-builders who anticipate carrying a balance from time to time. This card is designed to help minimize interest costs, making it a strong choice for those focused on managing debt while improving their credit.

‍

Redemption

‍

Capital One Platinum Secured: This card is designed as a tool for building credit and does not feature a rewards program. Consequently, there are no points, miles, or cashback to redeem.

‍

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Similarly focused on helping users build their credit history, this card does not offer a rewards or redemption program. Its value is in establishing credit rather than earning and redeeming rewards.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data to find personalized, data-driven recommendations.

‍

• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can preview your potential earnings with a specific card based on your actual spending history, with no impact on your credit score.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: By adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet, you can unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards.
• Detailed approval odds: Receive a personalized analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of applying for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Financial tracking and insights: Monitor your transactions, spending habits, and credit score to stay on top of your finances.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum Secured?

‍

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an excellent tool for individuals focused on building or rebuilding their credit profile from the ground up. It is specifically designed for those with a limited or poor credit history, such as students, recent immigrants, or anyone recovering from past credit challenges. By reporting to all three major credit bureaus and offering an automatic credit line review in as little as six months, the card provides a clear and accessible path toward establishing a stronger financial future.

Who Should Choose the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card?

‍

The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is designed as a stepping stone for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit profile. It's particularly well-suited for those with a limited or damaged credit history who may struggle to get approved for other cards, as it doesn't require a minimum credit score or a hard credit check. This card is an especially strong choice for users who anticipate carrying a balance from time to time, thanks to its significantly lower-than-average APR for a secured card.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

After a detailed Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card vs. First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card comparison, you might find that neither option is quite right for you. Fortunately, the market offers other strong contenders for building or rebuilding credit.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

• Know your credit standing to find a card that matches your profile.
• Assess your finances to ensure you can provide any required security deposit.
• Understand the card’s purpose and whether it offers a path to an unsecured card.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Seek low-risk applications that won't negatively impact your credit score.
• Demonstrate responsible use to qualify for potential credit line increases.
• Have a long-term plan for graduating to an unsecured card or applying for a new one.

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 is a type of credit card that requires a cash security deposit to open the account. The deposit amount typically becomes your credit limit, which reduces the lender's risk.

‍

Can a secured credit card help build my credit score?

‍

Yes, most secured card issuers report your payment activity to the major credit bureaus. Making on-time payments can help you build or rebuild your credit history over time.

‍

What happens to my security deposit?

‍

Your security deposit is typically refundable when you close your account in good standing or graduate to an unsecured card. If you default on your payments, the issuer may use the deposit to cover your outstanding balance.

‍

‍