Self vs OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card (2026)
Written by Harvey Brooks | Reviewed by the CreditDoc Editorial Team
Summary
Self and OpenSky offer different approaches to building credit with no credit check required. Self's credit-builder loans start at $25/month plus a $9 setup fee and report to all 3 bureaus, with users seeing average 49-point score increases in 3 months. OpenSky's secured card requires a $200-$3,000 deposit and costs $35 annually, but boasts an 87% approval rate and an A BBB rating versus Self's F rating. OpenSky Plus eliminates the annual fee. While Self returns your money after loan completion, OpenSky's higher approval rate and superior BBB accreditation make it the more trustworthy choice despite higher upfront deposit requirements.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | From $25.00/mo | From Free/mo Best |
| Setup Fee | $9.00 | Free Best |
| BBB Rating | F | A Best |
| Money-Back Guarantee | No | No |
| Our Rating | | |
| Credit Monitoring | ||
| All 3 Bureaus | ||
| Goodwill Letters | ||
| Cease & Desist Letters | ||
| Debt Validation | ||
| Credit Education | ||
| ID Theft Protection | ||
| Score Tracking | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Online Portal | ||
| Personal Advisor | ||
| AI-Powered |
Which One Is Right for You?
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict on Self
Choose Self if you want: People with no credit who need to build history from scratch. Anyone who wants to save money while building credit simultaneously. Top strength: No credit check — anyone can apply.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict on OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
Choose OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card if you want: People with no credit history who need to build credit from scratch. Consumers rebuilding credit after bankruptcy, collections, or charge-offs. Top strength: No credit check required — won't add a hard inquiry to your credit report.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict on OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
Our pick: OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card. OpenSky's A BBB rating and 87% approval rate demonstrate significantly better reputation and reliability compared to Self's F BBB rating. OpenSky Plus option also eliminates annual fees while providing FDIC-insured capital backing from Capital Bank, N.A., making it the safer choice for credit building despite requiring a security deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Self or OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card?
OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is cheaper at Free/mo compared to Self at $25.00/mo. However, OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card has no setup fee, while Self charges a $9.00 setup fee.
Which has a better BBB rating, Self or OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card?
Self has a F BBB rating, while OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card has a A BBB rating (accredited). The BBB rating reflects how well a company responds to customer complaints and conducts business.
Do Self and OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card offer money-back guarantees?
Self does not offer a money-back guarantee. OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card does not offer a money-back guarantee.
Which company is better overall, Self or OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card?
Based on our analysis, OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is the better overall choice. OpenSky's A BBB rating and 87% approval rate demonstrate significantly better reputation and reliability compared to Self's F BBB rating. OpenSky Plus option also eliminates annual fees while providing FDIC-insured capital backing from Capital Bank, N.A., making it the safer choice for credit building despite requiring a security deposit.
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