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Best Cards with Soft Credit Check from Our Partners
When you apply for a credit card, the issuer performs credit pulls, which can be hard pulls or soft pulls. A soft pull (or a soft credit check) does not affect your credit scores, while a hard pull may take a few points off your credit scores. Soft pull credit cards are great when you have bad credit and want to apply for a new credit card without affecting your credit score. Here you will find some of the popular soft pull credit cards from our partners.
Top Soft Pull Card
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Best Soft Pull Credit Cards
A credit card application usually results in a hard inquiry on your credit report. However, there are credit cards that require only a soft inquiry. The soft inquiry does not affect your credit, so you don't have to worry about your credit score if you apply for several cards. Many soft pull credit cards are secured credit cards, meaning your line of credit is based on a security deposit you put down. Below you will find soft pull credit card options available online.
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questions ABOUT
CREDIT CARDS
What's the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
When you apply for a credit card or loan, both terms - pre-approved and pre-qualified - often mean the same: you have been pre-screened and may qualify for a credit card or loan. As a rule, prequalification means...
Read moreWhat does no credit check mean when I apply for a credit?
Sometimes when you apply for a credit card or a loan, you may see offers with no credit check. No credit check means that when you submit your application the issuer will not perform a hard pull to decide whether you...
Read moreWhat's the difference between hard and soft credit inquiries?
Lenders and creditors can check your credit reports and this credit inquiry may or may not be recorded on your credit reports. There are two types of credit inquiries - hard and soft. A hard inquiry (or a hard pull)...
Read morewhat is a SOFT
CREDIT CHECK?
A soft credit check (which is also called a soft inquiry or soft pull) typically occurs when a company or a person checks your credit for informational purposes. For example, every time you request a copy of your credit reports and credit scores, you perform a soft pull. Also, the soft pull is performed when a credit card issuer checks your credit without your permission to see if you qualify for certain credit card offers.
Soft inquiries do not affect your credit scores, but you may see them on your credit reports (not all credit bureaus record soft pulls in credit reports). Soft inquiries are not connected to a specific application for new credit, therefore, issuers won't see them when they check your credit. Only you can see soft inquiries on your credit reports.
What is a hard inquiry?
A hard inquiry (or hard pull) usually occurs when a credit card issuer or a lender checks your credit to make a lending decision. Thus, when you apply for a credit card, loan, or mortgage, the lender will perform a hard pull in most cases. As a rule, you have to authorize a hard pull.
The hard inquiry becomes a part of your credit report and anyone who requests your credit report can see it. The more hard inquiries you have the more they affect your credit score and your ability to qualify for new credit. But still, hard inquiries do not play a huge role in the credit approval process, and the damage to your credit scores decreases over time.
While hard inquiries do not sound that bad, you may still not want to see them on your credit reports. When lenders or credit card issuers see multiple credit inquiries in a relatively short period, they may think you are a higher-risk customer.
Advantages of a soft credit check
Generally speaking, soft inquiries will be beneficial in two cases only. The first is when you have bad credit and your credit score is very low and you are unlikely to be approved for a credit card from issuers that check credit. A credit card with the soft pull can be an alternative while you are improving your credit score. And the second is when you have zero credit history and looking for your first credit card, a credit card with a soft pull can be a good start.