Discover it Secured
Discover · Building Credit review
Credit-builders who want a $0 AF secured card that reports to all three bureaus, earns rotating-category cashback, AND g
Sorted by score, never commission
Annual fee
$0
No annual fee, every year
Ongoing APR
28.24% variable
Variable — verify the current range at the issuer
Intro APR
10.99% on balance transfers for 6 months
Then the ongoing APR applies
As of June 29, 2026
Best for
Credit-builders who want a $0 AF secured card that reports to all three bureaus, earns rotating-category cashback, AND gets Discover's year-one Cashback Match — the only secured card that does all four.
Not for
International travelers (Discover acceptance abroad is spotty), readers who can't deposit the $200 minimum, and anyone planning to graduate fast (Discover's graduation timeline is slower than Capital One's ~6-month review).
The catch
The Cashback Match year-1 doubler applies to secured cards too — but you have to activate the rotating quarterly categories. If you don't, you're earning 1% on a secured card and missing the load-bearing year-1 feature.
Card facts
Sourced from the issuer's published Schumer Box and terms — confirm current numbers at the issuer.
Product specs
- Annual fee
- $0
- Intro APR
- 10.99% on balance transfers for 6 months
- Ongoing APR
- 28.24% variable
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Balance transfer fee
- 3% (intro), then 5%
- Late payment fee
- Up to $41 (first late fee waived)
- Schumer Box verified
- June 29, 2026
How we scored this card
See our published methodology — 5 dimensions, 0–20 each, 100-point total.
Frequently asked
Does the Discover it Secured charge an annual fee?
No. The Discover it Secured carries a $0 annual fee, sourced from the issuer's published Schumer Box as of June 29, 2026. Rates change — confirm the current terms at the issuer.
What APR does the Discover it Secured charge?
28.24% variable. There is also an intro rate: 10.99% on balance transfers for 6 months. APRs are variable and set by the issuer — confirm the current range on the issuer's Schumer Box before you commit.
Does the Discover it Secured charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The Discover it Secured has no foreign transaction fee, so it works cleanly for purchases abroad.
Who is the Discover it Secured best for?
Credit-builders who want a $0 AF secured card that reports to all three bureaus, earns rotating-category cashback, AND gets Discover's year-one Cashback Match — the only secured card that does all four.
Who should skip the Discover it Secured?
International travelers (Discover acceptance abroad is spotty), readers who can't deposit the $200 minimum, and anyone planning to graduate fast (Discover's graduation timeline is slower than Capital One's ~6-month review).
How did ClearValue score the Discover it Secured?
Discover it Secured scored 90/100 — "Canon". We score every card across five dimensions (effective rewards, fee structure, audience fit, transparency, and whether an honest weakness is named), 0–20 each. Scores are never influenced by commission. See our methodology for the full rubric.
Alternatives to the Discover it Secured
Other secured cards we've scored, ranked by our methodology.
- Capital OneSolid pick
Capital One Quicksilver Secured
89/100Annual fee$0Ongoing APR29.99%Foreign txn feeNoneBest forCredit-builders who want a secured card that reports to all three bureaus AND earns 1
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-06-29
- Capital OneWorth considering
Capital One Platinum Secured
77/100Annual fee$0Ongoing APR29.99%Foreign txn feeNoneBest forPeople rebuilding credit who want to minimize the cash tied up in a deposit — qualifying applicants can open a $200 cred
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-07-08
- CitiWorth considering
Citi Secured Mastercard
73/100Annual fee$0Ongoing APR26–28%Best forThin-file or rebuilding applicants who want to build credit over an 18-month runway with a major-bank issuer, at a $0 an
Fees sourced from issuer terms · 2026-07-08
