Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs First Progress Select MasterCard Secured: Which Is Better In 2026?

First Progress Select MasterCard Secured Credit Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the First Progress Select MasterCard® Secured Credit Card.

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• It's an accessible option for building credit, as applicants can get approved without a credit check.
• The card helps you build a positive credit history by reporting your activity to all three major credit bureaus.
• The First Progress Select MasterCard® Secured Credit Card stands out by offering cash back rewards, a rare perk for a secured card.

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Pros

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• Applying won't impact your credit score, as there's no hard credit inquiry.
• High approval odds for applicants who can provide a security deposit.
• The security deposit is refundable and sets a flexible credit limit that you can increase over time.

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Cons

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• An annual fee is charged, and there are fees for foreign transactions.
• There is no path to upgrade this card to an unsecured one, which means you'll eventually have to close the account to move up.
• The card offers limited perks and lacks modern features like a mobile app, relying on more traditional customer service processes.

First Progress Select MasterCard Secured Credit Card vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

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Categories

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When it comes to building credit, both cards offer a solid path forward, but the answer to which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Secured or First Progress Select MasterCard Secured, depends on your financial priorities.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for people building or rebuilding their credit who also want to earn rewards and have a potential pathway to an unsecured card in the future.
• First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: This card is designed for individuals with poor or no credit history who need a card that doesn't require a credit check for approval.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: You can redeem your cash back for a statement credit or a check, offering straightforward value for your spending.

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First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: This card does not offer a rewards program, as its primary focus is on helping you build a credit history through responsible use.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the one that best fits your spending habits.

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• Test drive cards: Before you apply, you can test drive a card using your real spending data to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Personalized matching: Discover new cards that are personally matched to you based on your spending history to maximize your earnings.
• Stacked rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards by shopping with Kudos.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals focused on building or rebuilding their credit. It's particularly beneficial for those who want to earn cash back on their spending while establishing a positive payment history, all without an annual fee. This card is ideal for responsible users who plan to pay their balance in full each month, with the goal of eventually graduating to an unsecured credit card.

Who Should Choose the First Progress Select MasterCard Secured Credit Card?

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The First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is designed for individuals with poor or no credit who are looking for a reliable tool to build or rebuild their credit history. Because there is no credit check required for approval, it's a particularly stress-free entry point for those starting from a blank slate or recovering from past credit issues. It's best used as a stepping stone, allowing you to make everyday purchases and demonstrate responsible use while your payment history is reported to all three major credit bureaus.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs. First Progress Select MasterCard Secured comparison has you looking for other options, you're in luck. There are plenty of other excellent secured cards that might be a better fit for your credit-building journey.

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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.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Know where you stand before you submit your application.
• Review your budget: Make sure you can comfortably handle any required spending or deposits.
• Understand the card's purpose: Ensure the card's benefits and features align with your financial goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Check for pre-approval offers: See if you qualify without impacting your credit score. 💡 Some cards, like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured, let you check for pre-approval with a soft inquiry.
• Consider no-credit-check cards: Apply for cards that don't require a hard credit inquiry. 💡 Cards like the First Progress Platinum Select are designed for those building credit and skip the hard pull.
• Plan your exit strategy: Know if a card can be upgraded or if you'll need to close it later. 💡 Some secured cards don't have an upgrade path, requiring you to close the account to get your deposit back.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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What is a secured credit card?

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A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a cash security deposit to open the account. This deposit typically determines your credit limit and reduces the risk for the issuer, making it easier for people with limited or poor credit to get approved.

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How does a security deposit for a credit card work?

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When you open a secured credit card, you provide a refundable security deposit. The card issuer holds this deposit as collateral in case you fail to make payments on your account.

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Can a secured credit card help build my credit score?

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Yes, most secured card issuers report your payment activity to the major credit bureaus. Making on-time payments can help you build a positive credit history and improve your credit score over time.

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