The UK’s Nine Best Credit Building Credit Cards

Credit cards are one of the best ways to build your credit score. However, they’re not necessarily the easiest to get. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the top nine credit-building credit cards. While some users may still struggle to be approved for these cards, they’re generally more accessible than other options. Plus, if you don’t qualify for them, we’ve included two bonus options for building your credit at the bottom of the article. So, let’s get right into it!

1. Virgin Money Credit Card (Credit Builder)

Best for all around credit building

Credit building score: 8/10

Representative APR: 24.9%

Credit limits: Min: Subject to status, Max: £3,500

Pros and cons of the Virgin Money Credit Builder Credit Card

✅ Lower APR than other credit builder cards.

✅ Great Virgin Money Cashback rewards.

✅ Easy online management.

❌ Rewards are limited to mobile app users.

❌ Balance transfer limitations.

Summary: This card is a solid choice for anyone who wants to build credit with a lower APR and excellent cashback rewards. However, some people might find the mobile app requirements restrictive.

2. Capital One Classic Card

Best if you have a limited credit history

Credit building score: 8/10

Representative APR: 29.9%

Credit limits: Credit limits: Min: £200, Max: £1,500

Pros and cons of the Capital One Classic Card

✅ Credit line increases after as little as six months.

✅ Open to people with Fair credit scores.

✅ Gives access to Capital One’s CreditWise program, meaning you can check your TransUnion credit score and TransUnion credit report at any time, for free.

❌ Higher APR than some rival cards.

❌ Starting limits are low.

Summary: The Capital One Credit Card has a high APR and low starting limits. However, it’s accessible to people with fair credit scores. Additionally, CreditWise is an excellent resource for people building their credit.

3. Virgin Money BT Credit Card (16 M)

Best for balance transfers while building credit

Credit building score: 7/10

Representative APR: 29.9%

Credit limits: Min - £500, Max - £3,500

Pros and cons of the Virgin Money BT Credit Card

✅ 16-month 0% balance transfer option.

✅ Good credit limit.

✅ Higher APR than other Virgin credit cards.

❌ No air miles.

❌ ARP could be lower.

❌ Low starting limits.

Summary: This card will work for anyone who wants to transfer a balance while they build up their credit. Additionally, the credit limit is decent. However, the slightly higher APR might be hard to justify if you don’t need the 0% balance transfer.

4. Barclaycard Forward Credit Card

Best if you’re just starting out on your credit-building journey

Credit building score: 7/10

Representative APR: 33.9%

Credit limits: Min - £50, Max - £1,200

Pros and cons of the Barclaycard Forward Credit Card

✅ Low minimum credit.

✅ Accessible to people with low annual salaries.

✅ Price Promise features that reward consumers who make on-time payments with a 3% reduction in interest rates.

❌ Low maximum credit.

❌ £12 fee for exceeding the credit limit.

❌ High APR compared to other credit-builder cards (but is still lower than the UK average of 35% APR).

Summary: Anyone who needs to start with a low credit limit and the backing of an established bank will be happy with this deal. However, the APR is high, and the maximum credit limit will not suit every need.

5. Virgin Money All-Round Card (9M)

Best for short-term credit building

Credit building score: 7/10

Representative APR: 29.9%

Credit limits:  Min - Subject to status, Max - £3,500

Pros and cons of the Virgin Money All-Round Card

✅ Virgin Money Back programme allows cardholders to earn up to 15% cashback on everyday spending.

✅ Secure, user-friendly app is rated 4.7 on the App Store and provides personalised insights and robust account management.

✅ Balance transfers, purchases, and money transfers all in one card

❌ High 5% for for cash withdrawals

❌ Hard to qualify with a low credit score

Summary: This card is a solid option for anyone trying to improve their credit score quickly. The balance and money transfer options are good, and while it has a relatively high APR, the card offers 0% on balance transfers for nine months. However, the APR of 29.9% makes it expensive to hold credit over the long term.

6. Zopa Credit Card

Best for tech-savvy customers

Credit building score: 7/10

Representative APR: 34.9%

Credit limits: Subject to status, Max - £1,500

Pros and cons of the Zopa Credit Card

✅ Manage everything from a well-received app.

✅ Above-average 56-day interest-free period on purchases.

✅ No foreign transaction fees.

❌ Low credit limit.

❌ High APR.

❌ Strict eligibility criteria include minimum earnings of £10k a year, two current lines of credit, and a good track record of paying debts.

Summary: This card is an excellent option for digital natives who want to build up their credit rating and raise their credit limits through responsible usage. Still, the high APR and strict eligibility criteria are drawbacks that you need to consider.

7. Aqua Classic Credit Card

Best if you have bad credit or a limited credit history

Credit building score: 7/10

Representative APR: 34.9%

Credit limits: Min - £250, Max - £1,500

Pros and cons of the Aqua Classic Credit Card

✅ Dedicated credit building card designed to help people bounce back from bad credit through personalised credit limits and expert support and advice.

✅ Responsible usage allows for credit increases.

✅  The Aqua app gives you free access to your credit score.

✅ Great fraud protection tools like Aqua Secure, behavioural biometric data, and optional Mastercard SecureCode integration.

❌ Low credit limits.

❌ High APR.

Summary: This card is a good choice for anyone who has bad credit but wants to improve and build their options. The Aqua app is user-friendly and comes with solid financial tools and support. However, the low credit limits and high APR are far from ideal.

8. Tesco Bank Foundation Credit Card

Good if you have a limited or poor credit history

Credit building score: 7/10

Representative APR: 29.9%

Credit limits: Min - £250, Max - £1,500

Pros and cons of the Tesco Bank Foundation Credit Card

✅ Comparatively low APR.

✅ Access credit score for free through Tesco Bank CreditView

✅ Earn Tesco Clubcard points on purchases.

❌ Low credit limit.

❌ 3.99% fee for balance transfers, money transfers or cash advances

Summary: This card is a great choice if you’re a regular Tesco customer who wants to build up your credit. But you might need to look at other options if you want to carry a balance or access higher credit limits.

9. Vanquis Classic Credit Card

Best if you’ve been refused credit elsewhere

Credit building score: 6/10

Representative APR: 30.9% variable.

Credit limits: Min - £500, Max - £1,200

Pros and cons of the Vanquis Classic Credit Card

✅ 56 days interest-free.

✅ Vanquis will consider applicants with low credit, no credit history, and even people who are unemployed.

✅ The Vanquis app is rated 4.8 on the App Store, with users citing its efficiency, user-friendliness, and security.

❌ No perks or offers.

❌ Higher than average APR.

Summary: What this card lacks in benefits, high credit limits, or a competitive APR, it more than makes up for in accessibility. It’s an excellent choice for people who have been refused credit or have a limited credit history.

Alternative Credit Building Products

We believe these to be a strong collection of credit cards for building credit, but we also know that a credit card isn’t the best way for everyone to build their credit. Whether you’re facing challenges in approval or simply don’t want a card, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have options for building your credit score. If a card isn’t for you, consider the following options:

Credit builder loans

Credit builder loans require you to make monthly payments into an account. Unlike with a regular loan, you must complete the payments before the loan is released to you. Credit builder loans are great for building your credit because they help improve your payment history — the most important factor influencing your credit score.

Pave

The Pave app’s credit builder account helps you build your credit score the same way a credit builder credit card does—by reporting your monthly payment behaviour to credit reference agencies. And, with Pave Plus, you get access to the only platform that lets you see both your Equifax and TransUnion credit scores in one place, giving you more accurate insights into your credit score’s growth.

To see for yourself how the Pave app can help you boost your credit score without applying for a credit card, download the app today!