Best Build Credit Credit Cards in Canada This November 2025
Canadian consumers face a challenging credit landscape, with building and maintaining strong credit more critical than ever. Credit card selection has become increasingly strategic, as 62% of young Canadians are actively seeking cards that help establish solid credit histories. The NerdWallet Canadian Consumer Credit Card Report reveals that targeted credit-building products can significantly accelerate financial health, offering a structured pathway to improved credit scores and future financial opportunities. This guide will unpack the most effective credit-building credit cards available in Canada this November 2025, providing actionable insights for consumers at every credit stage.
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Summary Table for Best Build Credit Credit Cards in Canada This November 2025
| Card | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Best For | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Neo Secured Mastercard Everyday Spending |
$60 | 1% cashback on gas and groceries | Everyday Spending | Apply |
|
Capital One Secured Mastercard Everyday Spending |
$0 | No welcome bonus | Everyday Spending | Apply |
|
Home Trust Secured Visa Cash Back |
$59 | None | Cash Back | Apply |
|
Refresh Financial Secured Visa Everyday Spending |
$12.95 | None | Everyday Spending | Apply |
|
Tangerine World Mastercard Cash Back |
$0 | 10% cash back for first 2 months (up to $100) | Cash Back | Apply |
|
President's Choice Financial World Elite Mastercard Premium Rewards |
$120 (first year waived) | 20,000 PC Optimum points | Premium Rewards | Apply |
|
BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card Travel Rewards |
$120 | Up to 80,000 points | Travel Rewards | Apply |
|
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card Travel Rewards |
$139 | Up to 45,000 Aeroplan points | Travel Rewards | Apply |
|
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Cash Back |
$120 | 50,000 Scene+ points (up to $500 in value) | Cash Back | Apply |
|
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard Cash Back |
$120 | 30,000 MBNA Rewards Points | Cash Back | Apply |
1. Neo Secured Mastercard
The Neo Secured Mastercard is a unique credit-building tool that offers guaranteed approval and rewards, making it an exceptional choice for Canadians looking to establish or rebuild their credit while earning cashback.
Neo Secured Mastercard
- Guaranteed approval for credit-building
- No hard credit check when applying
- Credit reporting to TransUnion and Equifax
- Minimum $50 security deposit
Pros
- No annual fee
- Guaranteed approval
- Rewards on secured credit card
- Helps build credit history
Cons
- Monthly maintenance fee of $5
- Higher interest rates for cash advances
- Limited to Canadian retailers
- Requires security deposit
Why is it Our Top Pick?
The Neo Secured Mastercard stands out as an exceptional credit-building tool with its unique rewards program, offering cashback at partner retailers while helping consumers improve their credit score. Unlike traditional secured cards, it provides meaningful rewards and a low entry barrier for those with limited credit history.
2. Capital One Secured Mastercard
The Capital One Secured Mastercard provides a straightforward path to credit building for Canadians, offering guaranteed approval and a $0 annual fee with flexible security deposit options.
Capital One Secured Mastercard
- Guaranteed secured credit card
- No annual fee
- Mastercard benefits
- Credit reporting to major bureaus
Pros
- $0 annual fee
- Guaranteed approval
- Flexible deposit options
- Credit limit increase potential
Cons
- High interest rates
- No rewards program
- Requires security deposit
- Limited credit-building features
3. Home Trust Secured Visa
The Home Trust Secured Visa is a strategic credit-building card designed for individuals with limited or poor credit history in Canada. It offers flexible options with a security deposit ranging from $500 to $10,000, providing an accessible path to establishing or rebuilding credit.
Home Trust Secured Visa
- Secured credit card with deposit-based credit limit
- Reports to major credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion)
- Two interest rate options: no annual fee at 19.99% or $59 fee at 14.90%
- Zero liability policy for fraudulent transactions
Pros
- Helps build credit for individuals with limited credit history
- Flexible deposit options from $500 to $10,000
- Lower interest rate option available
- No credit check required
Cons
- Cash back only paid out annually
- No welcome bonus
- Higher interest rate with no-fee option
- Limited rewards compared to traditional credit cards
4. Refresh Financial Secured Visa
The Refresh Financial Secured Visa was a credit-building solution for Canadians with limited credit, offering guaranteed approval and a straightforward path to credit improvement. However, the card is no longer available following Borrowell's acquisition of Refresh Financial.
Refresh Financial Secured Visa
- Guaranteed approval secured credit card
- No credit check required
- Minimum deposit of $200
- Reports to credit bureaus
Pros
- Accessible for individuals with poor credit
- Guaranteed approval
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Helps establish credit history
Cons
- Card is no longer available
- Monthly management fee
- No rewards or cashback
- Limited long-term credit-building strategy
5. Tangerine World Mastercard
The Tangerine World Mastercard offers a unique no-annual-fee cash back credit card with flexible rewards, allowing cardholders to earn up to 2% cash back in customizable spending categories while enjoying World Mastercard benefits.
Tangerine World Mastercard
- No annual fee credit card
- Customizable cash back categories
- World Mastercard travel and purchase benefits
- Online account management
Pros
- No annual fee
- Flexible reward categories
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- No minimum spending requirements
Cons
- Limited to 2% cash back in two categories
- Relatively standard interest rates
- Requires higher income ($60,000) to qualify
6. President's Choice Financial World Elite Mastercard
The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard provides exceptional value for frequent shoppers, offering high-earning PC Optimum points at affiliated stores and premium benefits with no annual fee in the first year.
President's Choice Financial World Elite Mastercard
- No annual fee first year
- PC Optimum points earning
- Out-of-province medical insurance
- Concierge service
Pros
- High point-earning rates
- Premium perks
- No annual fee first year
- Extensive partner network
Cons
- Limited value for non-PC shoppers
- Annual fee after first year
- Specific store restrictions
7. BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card
The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card offers an exceptional rewards program with 5x points on key spending categories like groceries, dining, and transit. With a compelling welcome bonus and first-year annual fee waived, this card provides excellent value for everyday spending.
BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card
- Airport lounge access through Visa Airport Companion Program
- Mobile device insurance up to $1,000
- No annual fee in first year
- Up to $50 anniversary lifestyle credit
Pros
- Generous points multiplier on key spending categories
- First-year annual fee waived
- Comprehensive travel and purchase insurance
- Lounge access benefits
Cons
- Requires minimum $60,000 individual or $100,000 household income
- Relatively high cash advance interest rate
- Limited bonus categories compared to some competitors
8. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is an ideal choice for frequent Air Canada travelers, offering robust Aeroplan point earning potential and exclusive travel benefits. With a competitive welcome bonus and travel perks, this card provides excellent value for those who fly regularly.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
- Free first checked bag on Air Canada
- NEXUS application fee rebate
- Travel insurance coverage
- Preferred pricing on Air Canada flights
Pros
- Comprehensive Aeroplan point earning
- Air Canada-specific travel benefits
- Reasonable annual fee
- Flexible point redemption
Cons
- Requires $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income
- Limited high-earn categories
- Points primarily valuable for Air Canada travel
9. Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers exceptional value for Canadian consumers, providing generous rewards with up to 6 Scene+ points per dollar on eligible purchases and a compelling welcome bonus of up to 50,000 points worth up to $500 in travel.
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
- No foreign transaction fees
- Automatic Scene+ program membership
- Real-time account activity tracking
- Mobile app account management
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus
- High earn rates on key spending categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- First-year annual fee waived
Cons
- $120 annual fee after first year
- Requires good to excellent credit
- Limited to Scene+ redemption network
10. MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard provides comprehensive rewards and travel benefits, offering cardholders up to 5 points per dollar on multiple spending categories and a substantial welcome bonus of 30,000 points redeemable for cash back, travel, and gift cards.
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
- Up to $2,000,000 travel medical insurance
- Airport lounge access
- Comprehensive travel and purchase protection
- Fraud monitoring services
Pros
- High earn rates on multiple categories
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Flexible point redemption
- Airport lounge access
Cons
- $120 annual fee
- Additional card fee of $50
- Requires excellent credit score
- Restrictive point redemption conditions
Final Words
Selecting the ideal financial product ultimately depends on your individual goals, spending patterns, and financial situation. We recommend comparing the features and benefits of our top picks, then taking action to optimize your financial strategy for the current market conditions.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Best Build Credit Credit Cards in Canada This November 2025
What are the top 3 credit-building credit cards in Canada for 2025?
Neo Secured Mastercard, Capital One Secured Mastercard, and Home Trust Secured Visa are the top recommended credit-building cards with low minimum deposit requirements and high approval rates.
How do I choose the right secured credit card to build credit in Canada?
Consider factors like security deposit amounts, annual fees, reporting to credit bureaus, and approval requirements, with options like Refresh Financial Secured Visa offering competitive rates starting at $200 minimum deposit.
Which secured credit card has the lowest fees for building credit in Canada?
The Home Trust Secured Visa stands out with no annual fee and a straightforward secured credit-building process, making it an excellent choice for Canadians looking to establish credit history in 2025.
What are the minimum credit score requirements for secured credit cards in Canada?
Most secured credit cards like Neo Secured Mastercard and Capital One Secured Mastercard welcome applicants with no credit history or credit scores as low as 300, providing an accessible credit-building pathway.
Which secured credit card offers the best rewards for building credit in Canada?
The Tangerine World Mastercard provides unique cashback rewards and credit-building opportunities, offering up to 2% cashback on select spending categories while helping consumers establish credit history.