Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life. It impacts everything from getting approved for loans and credit cards to interest rates you pay. Thankfully, there are easy and effective ways to build your credit – using credit building apps.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the 15 best credit building apps to help improve your credit score.
Why Use a Credit Building App?
Credit building apps offer an easy way to monitor your credit, get tips to improve your score, and take concrete actions that demonstrate responsible credit usage over time. Key benefits include:
- Credit score tracking
- Credit report monitoring
- Custom tips to raise your score
- Tools to make on-time payments
- Educational resources to understand credit
- Some provide access to loans or financial products
By leveraging these features, you can build your credit history, mix of accounts, and payment consistency – all important factors for your FICO or Vantage credit score.
Apps are more convenient than traditional methods. You can check your score and get personalized advice anytime, right from your smartphone.
Top 15 Credit Building Apps of 2023
Based on ratings and reviews, here are the top 15 apps to help build your credit effectively:
1. SeedFi
SeedFi enables you to take out a 0% interest loan and make monthly payments. These on-time payments get reported to credit bureaus.
Key Features
- 0% APR loans
- Automated payment tracking
- Credit education resources
- Monitor credit score
Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS
Pros
- Build payment history
- No credit check
- Easy to use
Cons
- Only available on iOS
- Low initial loan amounts
2. Cheese Credit Builder
Cheese Credit Builder lets you pay monthly into a savings account, then reports payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Get your money back at the end of your term.
Key Features
- Build 12 or 24 months of payment history
- No fees or credit checks
- Boost credit mix
Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Lengthy payment history
- No hard credit check
- Money returned to you
Cons
- Lower loan amounts at first
3. Experian
The popular credit bureau offers a free app that tracks your FICO score, provides your full credit report, monitors your reports, and offers tips to improve your credit.
Key Features
- Free credit reports and scores
- Alerts of key changes
- Identity theft protection
- Discounts on other products
Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Wide range of free features
- Alerts to changes
- Trusted source
Cons
- Pushy upsells
4. Self Financial
Self works by providing installment loans at fair rates, managing payments in a CD account, and reporting positive payment history to credit bureaus monthly.
Key Features
- Personal loans for building credit
- Monthly reporting to credit bureaus
- Credit score simulator
Cost: Fees may apply on some loans
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Long history of credit building
- Good for bad credit situations
- Useful simulator
Cons
- Loan options tailored to program
5. Kikoff
Kikoff offers a cash secured credit card that helps you establish positive payment history. Manage everything right from its useful app.
Key Features
- Secured card helps build history
- On-time payment tracking
- Credit score updates
- Spending insights
Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- No credit check
- Pay little/no fees
- Clear Recommendations
Cons
- Put funds on deposit
6. Grow Credit
Grow Credit increases access to credit Cards to build Payment history. Earn rewards too.
Key Features
- Credit limits grow over time
- Reports to all bureaus
- Cash back rewards
Cost: $4.99/month basic
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Rewards for usage
- Easy integration
Cons
- Monthly fee
- Lower limits to start
7. MoneyLion
MoneyLion offers managed loans, financial services, and tools to build credit through on-time payments reported to national bureaus.
Key Features
- Instacash advances
- Financial literacy content
- Rewards checking
Cost: Free and premium options
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Useful suite of tools beyond credit
- Good for thin credit files
Cons
- Mixed reviews
8. Brigit
Brigit provides cash advances and alerts to avoid overdrafts. It offers an installment loan product to build positive payment history.
Key Features
- Advances to avoid overdrafts
- Installment loans
- Balance protection
Cost: Free and paid options
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Additional useful services
- Strong app ratings
Cons
- Credit advisor service costs more
9. Sable Secured Card
Sable offers a secured credit card that helps establish payment history and responsibile use. It provides score updates too.
Key Features
- Secured card option
- Sweet, modern design
- Card management features
Cost: No monthly fee
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- No monthly fee
- Clean simple interface
Cons
- Secured card requirements
10. Credit Sesame
Credit Sesame lets you track your score, get projected changes, monitor your reports, identify errors, and get advice to improve your standing.
Key Features
- Free reports and scores
- Analysis of credit factors
- Projections from actions
- Fraud alerts
Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Strong ratings
- Useful forecastingability
Cons
- Limited financial products
11. Extra
Extra offers cash advances, a managed spending account to allow flexible payments, and pays rewards as you build credit history.
Key Features
- Cash advances
- Managed credit account
- Rewards on purchases
Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Flexible lines of credit
- Rewards payments
Cons
- Higher rates on cash
12. Petal 1 and Petal 2
Petal offers two secured card options – one that graduates to unsecured, and one that remains secured. Useful tools to build credit.
Key Features
- Secured card options
- Manages payments
- Monitors credit factors
Cost: No fees
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Two product options
- No fees
Cons
- Slow initial credit limits
13. Surge
Surge offers a reloadable prepaid debit card paired with a credit building line of credit that helps establish your credit history.
Key Features
- Prepaid card option
- Reports monthly to bureaus
- Special offers and rewards
Cost: Customized pricing
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Prepaid flexibility
- Special discounts
Cons
- Pre-qualification requirements
14. Rocket Loans
Rocket Loans provides personal loans with predictable payments. Great for showing positive payment histories.
Key Features
- Personal loans
- Fixed monthly payment
- Payoff goal tracking
Cost: Administration fees may apply
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Predictable payments
- Goal feature
Cons
- Origination fees
15. Uplift
Uplift offers transparent installment loans for retail purchases. On-time payments help build your credit history.
Key Features
- Merchant installment loans
- 0% APR options
- Clear loan terms
Cost: None
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pros
- Flexible repayment
- For big purchases
Cons
- Retailer dependent
Choosing the Best Credit Building App
With many solid apps to choose from, consider what will meet your needs best:
- Your target credit score
- Your current score and reports
- Any negative marks affecting you
- How quickly you want to build credit
- Your budget for loan fees or premium features
Building credit takes diligence over time. Leverage resources like these apps to take control and create positive momentum.
The most successful approaches utilize a mix of responsible credit accounts, on-time payments, low balances, and review of reports for accuracy.
Tips for Improving Your Credit Score
Beyond apps, adopting the right financial habits helps too:
- Keep credit utilization very low
- Pay all bills early or on time
- Correct reporting errors promptly
- Limit credit checks from applications
- Consider secured card options first
- Ask about goodwill adjustments from lenders
Ready to Build Your Credit?
Now you know 15 excellent apps that make monitoring and building your credit score easy and effective. Use this guide to pick the one that best matches your situation and financial style.
Building strong credit opens doors to better loan rates, credit card approvals, insurance costs, cell phone plans, leases, and beyond.
Take control and build the future you deserve with a little help from technology designed to give you greater access to credit and teach you good financial habits along the way.
