Credit cards for building credit
We compare 4 credit cards for building credit from 3 Canadian issuers. Annual fees range from $0. Sorted lowest annual fee first.
Updated October 2026
Credit cards for building credit compared
Secured and student cards are designed for people with little or no credit history, including students and newcomers to Canada. Using one responsibly and paying on time builds the history you need for other cards and loans.
1x on gas & EV charging
- No annual fee and no minimum income requirement
- Up to 12,500 Aventura points as a welcome bonus
- Free SPC+ membership with discounts at 450+ brands
2% on groceries
- No annual fee and no minimum income requirement
- 2% cash back on groceries
- Welcome offer of up to $125 cash back
19.99% purchase interest rate
- No annual fee on the standard version
- Reports to the Canadian credit bureaus
- Open to applicants with poor or no credit history
1% on everyday spending
- Earns cash back while you build credit
- No annual fee on the standard tier
- Reports to the credit bureaus
Questions
How many credit cards for building credit does CreditLab compare?
We compare 4 credit cards in this category from 3 issuers, with fees from $0 a year. Each one links to a full breakdown of its fees, rates and features.
Are there building credit options with no annual fee?
Yes. 4 of them have no annual fee, including the CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students, CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students, Home Trust Secured Visa.
More credit cards by category
Fees and rates come from each issuer’s published terms. Always confirm with the issuer before applying. See our methodology.