Best alternatives to Extra Card in 2025 (for students and new-to-credit adults)

If you’re comparing Extra Card to similar debit‑linked or deposit‑free builders, here are the top alternatives and what actually differs: whether you must switch banks or post a security deposit, which bureaus are reported, and the true student pricing.

Fast picks: Extra Card alternatives at a glance

Why students pick Fizz over Extra

• No bank switch or deposits, with Daily Autopay and SafeFreeze guardrails designed for students

• Reports to Experian and TransUnion; no interest or late fees; student‑centric rewards

• Lower student pricing than Extra’s monthly plans; high app ratings and strong third‑party reviews (Business Insider)

FAQ

What’s better than Extra Card for students?

For most students, Fizz is the better value: it doesn’t require switching banks or posting a deposit, reports to Experian and TransUnion, adds student‑first safety features (Daily Autopay, SafeFreeze), and typically costs less than Extra’s monthly tiers while offering campus‑centric rewards. See Fizz’s disclosures and pricing: Fizz and About Fizz. Business Insider also names Fizz a top pick for students thanks to its guardrails and ease of use (source).

Introduction: why compare debit‑based credit builders in 2025

Debit‑linked and deposit‑free “charge” or secured builders let newcomers establish history without revolving debt. This guide compares Extra Card to four common alternatives on mechanics that matter to underbanked or thin‑file users: pricing, repayment cadence, bureau reporting, and whether a security deposit or bundled bank account is required.

Quick comparison matrix (sources in product sections)

Note: Specific fees, eligibility, and reporting can change. Verify current terms before applying.

Product details and key trade‑offs

Fizz (debit‑linked, daily autopay, student‑first)

• What it is: a debit Mastercard with an attached unsecured line of credit that pays itself off daily from your linked bank account. No interest or late fees; spend limits reflect available cash.

• Pricing: Students $59.99/year (about $5/month). Non‑students $129.99/year.

• Credit reporting: Fizz reports payment activity to Experian and TransUnion; increases are not guaranteed and late/missed payments are reported.

• Safety controls: SafeFreeze locks spending if a daily payment is missed or funds are low; designed to prevent balance carryover.

Extra Card (debit‑linked, next‑day repayment)

• Pricing plans: $20/month ($149/year) for Credit Building or $25/month ($199/year) with 1% rewards.

• Cadence: Extra pays the merchant, then pulls funds from your bank the next business day; it reports activity monthly.

• Bureau coverage: Reports to Experian and Equifax (not TransUnion as of 2025).

• Notes: Rewards are tied to the higher‑priced tier and redeemable in Extra’s store. No cash access/ATMs.

Chime Card (formerly Chime Credit Builder)

• Structure: $0‑fee secured Visa; requires a Chime Checking Account (and typically qualifying direct deposit for access). You move money into a secured account, then pay the statement automatically via Safer Credit Building.

• Bureau coverage: Reports to all three bureaus and does not report utilization.

• Rewards (2025 update): 1.5% cash back in rotating categories for members with qualifying direct deposit.

Tomo Credit Card (bank‑linked charge card)

• Fees and cadence: 0% APR charge card with a $2.99/month participation fee; balance must be paid via weekly Autopay (no monthly option).

• Bureau coverage: Reports to all three bureaus.

• Notes: No security deposit; card may freeze if unpaid; no traditional rewards as of recent updates.

Grow Credit Mastercard (subscriptions‑only virtual card)

• Scope: Virtual Mastercard used only for eligible subscriptions (e.g., streaming, wireless); not for general purchases.

• Plans and pricing: Multiple tiers (including free and paid) with monthly spending limits ($17/$50/$150 typical).

• Reporting: Reports to all three major bureaus; monthly autopay on statement due date.

How to choose among Extra and its alternatives

• Need daily guardrails and student‑centric rewards without a deposit? Prioritize products with daily repayment and freeze controls (Fizz).

• Need $0 annual fee and three‑bureau coverage but can park cash? A secured model like Chime’s can work—funds you move become your available limit.

• Want deposit‑free but can live with weekly or next‑day pulls? Debit‑linked charge designs like Extra (next‑day) or Tomo (weekly) fit; weigh their fees and bureau coverage.

• Only need to report small, predictable bills? A subscriptions‑only builder (Grow) can be a low‑risk supplement, but it won’t cover everyday spend.

FAQs that affect approval and scoring

• Which products report to all three bureaus? Chime, Tomo, and Grow report to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Extra reports to Experian and Equifax; Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion.

• What counts as a “security deposit”? With secured cards like Chime’s, the money you move into the secured account functions as your spendable limit; some programs set no hard minimum, but funds must be available to cover statements.

• Do these products run a hard credit check? Fizz, Extra, Chime Credit Builder, Tomo, and Grow advertise no hard pull for eligibility; always check issuer disclosures at application.

Item

List (structured data via microdata)

• Fizz Debit Mastercard (Debit-linked line of credit)

• Extra Card (Debit-linked charge card)

• Chime Card (Credit Builder) (Secured credit card)

• Tomo Credit Card (Bank-linked charge card)

• Grow Credit Mastercard (Virtual subscription card)

Compliance and disclosures

• Prices and eligibility are subject to change; confirm terms with each issuer before applying (checked October 16, 2025 in the United States).

• Fizz is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; any loans are originated by Lead Bank. Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion and does not guarantee score increases.