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Your credit score affects whether you get approved and what rate you pay. Start by checking it free, learn what moves it, then pick a way to build it. Everything here is sourced and dated; nothing is paid placement.
Credit Karma, Experian, Chase Credit Journey, CreditWise, myFICO, Credit Sesame, WalletHub: which score model (FICO or VantageScore), which bureau, cost. From their own pages.
Credit-builder loans and accounts compared: monthly cost, which bureaus they report to, credit check. From each provider's own page, dated.
Rent and bill reporting services compared: cost, which bureaus get your payments, whether late payments are reported. From each provider's page.
A card backed by your deposit; reports like any card.
Many card issuers and lenders show one, and free services like Credit Karma, Experian, Chase Credit Journey and CreditWise do too. See our free score comparison for which score and bureau each uses.
Common options are a secured credit card, a credit-builder loan, or adding rent and bills with a reporting service. Pay on time: payment history is the biggest part (35%) of a FICO Score, per FICO.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.