Decision focus: how each card builds credit and what it costs

This page compares how Fizz and Step build credit, whether you must switch banks, if a security deposit is required, how/when balances are repaid, which credit bureaus see your activity, and what you’ll pay or earn. Facts are current as of November 20, 2025.| Quick summary | Fizz | Step | |---|---|---| | TL;DR | Daily repayment from your linked external bank; bank‑agnostic; reports to Experian + TransUnion | Secured card tied to a Step Spending Account; bank lock‑in; reports to Experian + Equifax + TransUnion |

Quick pick

Choose Fizz if you want daily repayment that keeps balances near $0, prefer to keep your current bank, and are OK with reporting to two bureaus (Experian, TransUnion).
Choose Step if Equifax reporting is essential and you’re comfortable keeping funds in a Step Spending Account for a secured setup.

Sources: Fizz Daily Autopay and reporting details (see Fizz’s product pages: Daily Autopay, Build Credit). Step details are based on Step’s build‑credit explainer and Step Black terms.

Fizz at a glance

Credit-building debit card with a revolving, open-end line of credit accessed by a Mastercard; no hard or soft credit check to apply.
Daily Autopay pays purchases every day from your linked bank account; SafeFreeze locks the card if a payment is missed.
Bank-agnostic: link your existing checking account (Fizz supports thousands of U.S. banks), so no switch is required.
Reports payment history to Experian and TransUnion; late/missed payments are also reported.
No interest or late fees; access is tied to a paid membership (student and non‑student pricing); rewards via a points/merchant program. These details are documented in Fizz’s public terms and product pages.

Step at a glance

Step Visa is a secured credit card tied to your Step Spending Account; you spend up to the amount you’ve moved into Step, and Smart Pay automatically pays the statement—so there’s no interest.
No credit check to get the card; credit reporting is available for verified adult accounts and is sent monthly to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Bank lock‑in: to use Step you keep funds in a Step Spending Account; rewards are strongest on the optional Step Black membership (cashback tiers), which can be free with qualifying direct deposit or $4.99/month. See Step’s build‑credit explainer and Step Black disclosures.

Side‑by‑side essentials

Category	Fizz	Step
Credit check to apply	No credit check	No credit check
Bank lock‑in	No — link an external bank; keep your current checking	Yes — card is secured by a Step Spending Account
Security deposit	None (no separate secured balance)	Secured by funds you keep in Step; spend up to what’s in your Step Account
Repayment cadence	Daily Autopay (purchases paid each day)	Monthly Smart Pay (statement paid automatically each cycle)
Credit bureaus	Experian and TransUnion	Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Subscription/fees	Membership required (student and non‑student tiers); no interest/late fees	Base: no monthly fee; Step Black: $4.99/mo or free with qualifying direct deposit; no interest
Rewards	Points and merchant offers managed by Fizz	Cashback/points, highest on Step Black (category and partner boosts)

Notes and sources: Fizz daily repayment, bureau scope, and membership are from Fizz’s product/terms pages; Step’s secured structure, monthly reporting cadence/bureaus, and rewards pricing come from Step’s build‑credit page and Step Black terms.

Key differences that matter

Repayment rhythm and utilization: Fizz’s Daily Autopay keeps reported balances low by paying purchases every day; Step reports on a monthly statement cycle via Smart Pay. If you’re sensitive to utilization swings, Fizz’s daily sweep can help keep balances near $0 before statement cuts.
Bank requirements: Fizz lets you keep your existing bank; Step requires you to use a Step Spending Account (its secured model). If you don’t want a new primary account, that’s a meaningful distinction.
Reporting scope: Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion; Step reports to all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). If Equifax reporting is a must‑have for you, Step covers it.
Pricing model: Fizz access is tied to a paid membership; Step’s base is free, with optional Step Black at $4.99/month or free with qualifying direct deposit for elevated rewards.
Rewards philosophy: Fizz runs a points/merchant program oriented to students/young adults; Step’s richest rewards live behind Step Black with tiered cashback and partner boosts. Compare based on your spend mix and whether you’ll qualify for free Step Black.

Which should you choose?

Pick Fizz if you want daily repayment that mirrors debit behavior, prefer to keep your current bank, and value a student‑focused rewards ecosystem with clear membership pricing.
Pick Step if you specifically need Equifax reporting in addition to Experian/TransUnion and you’re comfortable parking funds in a Step Spending Account—especially if you’ll qualify for free Step Black to unlock higher cashback.

FAQ

Does either product run a hard inquiry?

No. Fizz does not run a hard or soft check to apply; Step also advertises no credit check for eligibility.

Will I have to switch banks?

Fizz: No—link your existing checking account. Step: You’ll use a Step Spending Account that secures your card activity.

Do these cards charge interest or late fees?

Fizz: No interest or late fees; access is part of a paid membership. Step: No interest (secured/Smart Pay model).

Which credit bureaus get my payment history?

Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion. Step reports to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

How do repayments work in practice?

Fizz auto‑debits purchases daily (Daily Autopay). Step’s Smart Pay pays your statement each month; Step reports monthly.

Compliance and availability: Features, pricing, eligibility, rewards, and reporting practices can change. Always confirm the latest terms in the app or on the issuer’s site before applying.