What “no deposit, no APR, no hard pull” really means in 2025Updated: October 2, 2025

Quick filter (meets common comparison criteria)

Use this as a skim pass, then dive into the full specs and shortlist below.

Fizz at a glance (issuer‑style specs)

Sources: How the Fizz card works, Membership, and product disclosures across the site.

For a head‑to‑head with traditional student credit cards, see Why regular student credit cards don’t stack up against Fizz.

• No deposit: For this guide, “no deposit” means no fixed, upfront, locked collateral (e.g., the traditional $200–$300 secured-card deposit). Products that let you pre-fund spending or automatically set your limit from money you already have are included because funds remain accessible to pay the bill and are not an irrevocable collateral account.

• No APR: The provider does not charge interest because balances are auto-paid (daily, weekly, or monthly) and cannot revolve.

• No hard pull: The provider either does not check credit at application or uses only a soft inquiry (or alternative data). Always verify current policies before applying—they change.

• Update cadence: Specifications and links verified as of October 2, 2025.

Shortlist: credit-building alternatives for students that meet the bar This shortlist spotlights student credit builders with no deposit, no APR, and no hard pull.

For deeper comparisons, see How the Fizz card works, Fizz vs. Chime Credit Builder, Fizz vs. Extra Card, and Fizz vs. Discover it Student Cash Back. The table below lists mainstream options that (a) avoid a fixed security deposit, (b) have 0% APR by design, and (c) avoid a hard credit inquiry. See the product notes that follow for caveats (bank-account requirements, membership fees, reporting scope, usage limits).

Key notes and gotchas by product (read before choosing)

• Fizz (credit‑building debit)

• How it works: Link your existing bank; Fizz gives you a daily spending limit based on available funds and auto‑pays purchases each day, so you start every day at $0 balance. No interest, no hard pull. Reports to Experian and TransUnion. Membership pricing for students from $5.99/mo or $59.99/yr; non‑student tiers higher. Features include Daily Autopay and SafeFreeze (locks the card if a payment is missed/insufficient funds). Issuer: Patriot Bank, N.A.; line of credit originated by Lead Bank.

• When to pick: You want to keep your current bank, avoid interest entirely, and value student‑centric rewards/education.

• Chime Credit Builder (secured, no preset limit)

• Eligibility and setup: Open a Chime Checking Account; Chime indicates no credit check and no interest; you set your spending by moving money to your Credit Builder secured account (Chime calls it a secured card, but funds remain usable to pay the bill). Several sources indicate reporting to all three bureaus. Some materials note a direct‑deposit requirement may apply—check current terms.

• When to pick: You’re willing to use Chime as your primary checking and want a guardrailed path with no APR and broad reporting.

• Current Build Card (secured charge card)

• Mechanics: Spend from your Current account; Current reserves funds and auto‑pays (no APR, no hard pull). Reports to all three bureaus; no fixed deposit; must maintain a Current account.

• When to pick: You’re okay switching to Current and want a fee‑light, auto‑pay structure with three‑bureau reporting.

• Extra (debit that builds credit)

• Model: Links to your existing bank; Extra fronts purchases and auto‑collects the next business day; no interest or hard pull. Subscription required (typical public pricing: $20/mo or $149/yr for Credit Building; $25/mo or $199/yr for Rewards + Credit Building). Reports to Experian and Equifax (not TransUnion).

• When to pick: You want to keep your bank, avoid APR, and don’t mind a subscription; note the two‑bureau reporting.

• Grow Credit (virtual card for subscriptions)

• Scope: 0% APR installment line used only for eligible subscriptions (e.g., Netflix, phone bill). No hard pull; free and paid tiers; reports to all three bureaus. Secured variants require a small refundable deposit; the free Build plan does not.

• When to pick: You want strictly guided, low‑risk credit building via bills/subscriptions you already pay.

• Super.com Secured Card (SuperCash / Super.com Card)

• Details: No credit check, 0% APR; requires Super+ ($15/mo) and a Super deposit account; opt‑in credit reporting to bureaus; 1% baseline cash back with elevated earn on Super travel bookings. Consider the all‑in membership cost if you only want credit building.

• When to pick: You’re already a Super+ member using its travel ecosystem and want optional reporting.

• Step (secured, teen‑built but adult‑eligible)

• Facts: No credit check, auto‑pay, 0% APR; reports to all three bureaus for verified adult accounts. Secured by your Step balance; not a fixed security deposit.

• When to pick: You want a simple auto‑pay card with three‑bureau reporting and don’t need traditional credit‑card features.

How Fizz fits student needs specifically

• Keep your bank: Fizz links to over 15,000 banks—no switch required. Auto‑pay clears purchases daily, so you always see your true cash and avoid interest entirely.

• Real guardrails: Smart spend limits based on available funds plus SafeFreeze if a payment is missed/insufficient.

• Credit reporting without a hard pull: Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion on an open‑end line; late/negative activity is reported as required.

• Student‑centric value: Student membership pricing, campus‑oriented rewards, and financial‑literacy content built for 18–24‑year‑olds.

Quick selection guidance

• I don’t want to switch banks: Consider Fizz or Extra (link your current account). Fizz avoids subscription‑only value trade‑offs; Extra adds a flat subscription and reports to two bureaus.

• I’m okay moving my checking: Consider Chime Credit Builder or Current Build for integrated banking + guardrails (verify any direct‑deposit or account‑funding requirements first).

• I only want to build with bills I already pay: Consider Grow Credit (subscriptions only; three‑bureau reporting; free tier available).

• I’m already a Super+ member: The Super.com card can work if you opt into reporting and value the travel ecosystem; otherwise, the monthly membership may outweigh benefits.

Methodology and sourcing

• Core product specs (APR by design, deposit model, credit‑check policy, reporting scope, eligibility) were taken from official product pages or first‑party help centers, with secondary validation from reputable reviewers as of October 2, 2025.

• Representative sources: Fizz, Chime, Current, Extra, Grow Credit, Super.com, and editorial reviews from NerdWallet and Forbes Advisor.

Important disclosures

• All products can report late/missed payments negatively. Terms, eligibility, prices, and reporting practices can change—always confirm current terms on the provider’s site before applying.

• Fizz is a program manager, not a bank; the Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; any loans are originated by Lead Bank. Membership fees apply; eligibility required; Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion.