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Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for building credit while earning a flat 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases and 5% on travel booked through Capital One.
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Best for those with poor credit who may carry a balance, this card offers a low APR while helping to build credit history.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees).
- It's an excellent tool for building or rebuilding credit history while still earning cash back rewards on everyday spending.
- With responsible use, cardholders may be eligible for automatic credit line reviews and can potentially graduate to an unsecured card.
- The card is a cost-effective choice as it charges no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- Earns cash back rewards on every purchase—a valuable feature for a card designed to help build credit.
- You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line and can potentially graduate to an unsecured card with responsible use.
- Offers a pre-approval process that won’t impact your credit score, making it easy to see if you qualify.
Cons
- A security deposit is required to open the account, which acts as your credit line.
- The card has a high interest rate, making it expensive if you carry a balance from month to month.
- Graduating to an unsecured card or receiving a credit line increase is not guaranteed and may be a slow process.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a high-level look at why we think the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is a strong option.
- It's accessible to those with poor or no credit history, and applying won't impact your credit score.
- The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, making it a solid tool for building or rebuilding your credit profile.
- Unlike many secured cards, it offers cash back rewards on purchases and features a competitive interest rate.
Pros
- Easy to get approved for, even with a limited or damaged credit history, and the application process doesn't require a hard credit check.
- Offers cash back rewards on spending and a competitive interest rate, features not commonly found on secured cards.
- Helps you build credit by reporting your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus.
Cons
- The card comes with an annual fee, which can be a drawback for a secured card designed for credit building.
- There is no upgrade path to an unsecured card, meaning you must eventually close the account to get your security deposit back.
- It lacks modern digital features like a mobile app, and some account management functions rely on traditional postal mail.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards
Categories
When deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Secured or First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured, it's important to understand what each card is designed for.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for individuals looking to build or rebuild credit while earning rewards on their purchases, with the potential to graduate to an unsecured card.
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is best suited for individuals with poor or no credit who need easy approval and want to minimize interest costs if they carry a balance.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Cardholders can redeem their cash back rewards in a few flexible ways, including as a statement credit or a check.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: This card is designed for credit-building and does not offer a rewards program, meaning there are no points or cash back to redeem.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a data-driven approach, a financial companion platform like Kudos can help you compare thousands of cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Using your real spending data, you can simulate your potential earnings with different cards before you apply to get a personalized rewards projection.
- Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of being approved for a card.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval through Kudos, they will match it.
- Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. It's particularly well-suited for those who don't want to sacrifice rewards, offering a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases while they establish a positive payment record. This card is ideal for someone who can provide a refundable security deposit and wants a clear path toward graduating to an unsecured card without paying an annual fee.
Who Should Choose the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card?
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is designed for individuals with limited, poor, or no credit history who are focused on building or rebuilding their credit score. It's particularly well-suited for those who might occasionally carry a balance, as its 14.24% variable APR is significantly lower than what's offered by many competing starter cards. With an accessible approval process that doesn't require a hard credit inquiry and reporting to all three major credit bureaus, this card provides a straightforward path to establishing a positive payment history.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards and First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card aren't quite right for you, don't worry. Our Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured comparison is just the starting point, and there are plenty of other great alternatives to explore.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Review your credit history - Understand your current credit standing before you apply.
- Prepare for the security deposit - Most credit-builder cards require a refundable deposit to open the account.
- Define your credit goals - Know if you are building credit for the first time or rebuilding your score.
Application Strategy
- Look for cards that offer pre-approval or have no hard inquiry to protect your credit score.
- Time your application around planned expenses to naturally meet any spending requirements.
- Be aware of issuer-specific rules, like limits on recent applications or offer eligibility.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a secured credit card?
A secured credit card requires a refundable cash deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. It's designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history.
How do I get my security deposit back?
You can typically get your security deposit back when you close your account in good standing or when the issuer graduates you to an unsecured card.
Can a secured card help me build credit?
Yes, most secured card issuers, including Capital One and First Progress, report your payment activity to the major credit bureaus. Consistent, on-time payments can help improve your credit score over time.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.













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