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Credit Card Review🌱 Best Credit-Builder Card

Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card

Issued by Chime / Stride Bank

Up to 5% cash back on a chosen category with Chime Prime (2% with Chime Plus), capped at $1,500/mo in eligible purchases; no rewards for base Chime members.

At a Glance

Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

Charge card (pay in full)

Rewards Rate

Up to 5% cash back on a chosen category with Chime Prime (2% with Chime Plus), capped at $1,500/mo in eligible purchases; no rewards for base Chime members

Min. Credit Score

300+ (est.)

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

Charge card — pay in full each month

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Balance Transfer Fee

Not applicable — Chime Credit Builder doesn't support balance transfers

Cash Advance Fee

Not applicable — Chime Credit Builder doesn't support cash advances

Late Payment Fee

None — no late fees or interest charged

Estimate Your Rewards

See how this card fits your monthly spending

Enter your typical monthly spend by category to see roughly what the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card would earn you per year (this doesn't include any one-time sign-up bonus).

$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$1,500/mo
$/mo
$0/mo$3,000/mo

Note: Cash back is tiered by Chime membership plan (Prime: 5%, Plus: 2%, base: 0%) on a chosen category, capped at $1,500 in eligible monthly purchases — not modeled here since it depends on plan and category selection.

Est. Annual Rewards

$0/yr

After $0 Annual Fee

$0/yr

Based On

$1,950/mo

Key Features

No credit check required to apply — approval isn't based on credit score

Secured by money you move into your Chime Credit Builder account (no separate security deposit)

No interest charged, ever, since spending is backed by your own funds

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Accessible to people with no credit history or damaged credit
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus to help build credit
  • Zero fees — no annual, late, interest, or foreign transaction fees

Tradeoffs

  • Requires a Chime Spending Account and direct deposit for full features
  • Spending power is limited to funds you've moved into the account
  • No welcome bonus and rewards require a paid Chime membership tier

How to Apply

Check whether your credit profile is a reasonable fit — Chime / Stride Bank generally looks for applicants around 300+ FICO for the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, alongside income and existing debt.

Gather your Social Security number, annual income, housing payment, and employer details before starting the application.

Apply directly through Chime / Stride Bank's official site or app to make sure you're getting current, accurate offer terms.

Most issuers give an instant decision online; some applications are sent to manual review, which can take 7–10 business days.

If approved, activate the card and set up autopay before your first statement is due to avoid a late payment.

How It Compares

Current product highlighted
ProductAnnual FeePurchase APRRewards Rate
Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card$0Charge cardUp to 5% cash back on a chosen category with Chime Prime (2% with Chime Plus), capped at $1,500/mo in eligible purchases; no rewards for base Chime members
Discover it® Student Cash Back$016.49%–25.49%5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr) after activation, 1% everything else
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards$018.49%–28.49%Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Chase Sapphire Preferred®$9521.49%–28.49%5x Chase Travel, 3x dining, gas/EV charging, online grocery, streaming & vacation rentals, 2x other travel

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card?

Chime / Stride Bank generally looks for applicants with a credit score around 300+ for the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, though approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and overall credit profile — not credit score alone.

What's the annual fee on the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card?

The Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card has no annual fee, so there's no ongoing cost to keep the card open.

Does the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card have a sign-up bonus?

The Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card doesn't currently advertise a promotional sign-up bonus — its value comes primarily from its ongoing rewards rate rather than a one-time bonus.

What fees should I watch for on the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card?

Beyond the annual fee, check the foreign transaction fee (None), balance transfer fee (Not applicable — Chime Credit Builder doesn't support balance transfers), cash advance fee (Not applicable — Chime Credit Builder doesn't support cash advances), and late payment fee (None — no late fees or interest charged). These matter most if you carry a balance, transfer debt, or use the card internationally.

How does the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card compare to similar cards?

The Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is one of several student cards worth comparing side by side — see the "How It Compares" table on this page for a few close alternatives, or browse the full list of student cards for more options.

Other Credit Cards

Discover it® Student Cash Back

5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/qtr) after activation, 1% everything else

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

5x Chase Travel, 3x dining, gas/EV charging, online grocery, streaming & vacation rentals, 2x other travel

Rates, fees, and rewards shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the issuer before applying.

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