Rebuild your credit with cards designed for low scores or no credit history. Secured options, low-fee picks, and credit-builder cards available in Canada.
The Scotiabank Value Visa Card offers a first year annual fee rebate (regular fee $29/yr). You earn 0x on groceries and 0x at restaurants.
Annual Fee
$29 $0
Rewards rate
0x
Welcome Bonus
—
1st Year Value
—
The CIBC Select Visa Card offers a first year annual fee rebate (regular fee $29/yr). You earn 0x on groceries and 0x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $29.
Annual Fee
$29 $0
Rewards rate
0x
Welcome Bonus
—
1st Year Value
$29
The SimplyCash Card from American Express has no annual fee, making it risk-free to hold. It comes with a welcome bonus of $100. You earn 2x on groceries and 1.25x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $442.
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.25x
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus
$100
1st Year Value
$442
The MBNA True Line Mastercard credit card - Non Quebec Residents has no annual fee, making it risk-free to hold. You earn 0x on groceries and 0x at restaurants.
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards rate
0x
Welcome Bonus
—
1st Year Value
—
You earn 0x on groceries and 0x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $-39.
Annual Fee
$39
Rewards rate
0x
Welcome Bonus
—
1st Year Value
$-39
You earn 0x on groceries and 0x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $-35.
Annual Fee
$35
Rewards rate
0x
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus
—
1st Year Value
$-35
You earn 0x on groceries and 0x at restaurants.
Annual Fee
$25
Rewards rate
0x
Welcome Bonus
—
1st Year Value
—
Complete Guide
Rebuild your credit with cards designed for low scores or no credit history. Secured options, low-fee picks, and credit-builder cards available in Canada.
If your credit score is below 600 — or you’ve never had credit at all — your best path forward is a card built for credit-builders, not a premium rewards card you’ll get rejected for. Secured cards, no-fee starter cards, and reporting-focused fintech cards all qualify.
The card should report to both Equifax and TransUnion, charge a low or no annual fee, and offer a clear path to graduate to a regular card after 6–12 months of on-time payments. Avoid cards that disguise high fees as "credit-building" — predatory subprime cards are common.
7
Cards analyzed
Jun 2026
Last updated
100%
Independent
Our team evaluates credit cards based on overall consumer value: rewards earning rates, annual fees, welcome bonuses, insurance coverage, and additional perks. Cards are ranked by estimated first-year value. We update our picks monthly.
FAQ
Below 600 is generally considered poor in Canada. Scores under 560 are typically tagged as very poor and limit you to secured or specialized credit-builder cards.
Most people see meaningful improvement in 6–12 months of on-time payments combined with low utilization (below 30% of your limit). Significant rebuilds — moving from 500 to 700+ — take 18–24 months.
Compare the best credit cards in Canada or calculate which card's rewards actually fit your budget.
