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Varo Believe Credit Card Review (and the Best Alternatives)

See if you really can build credit with the Varo secured card for free.
Halina Grzeskiewicz
Author: 
Halina Grzeskiewicz
Kacper Kozicki
Editor: 
Kacper Kozicki
Deepti Nickam
Fact Checker: 
Deepti Nickam
12 mins
April 18th, 2024
Advertiser Disclosure
Varo Believe Credit Card7.6Visitvaromoney.com
$0
0%
N/A
No credit score or history needed

Let’s be honest, credit-building fees aren’t fun. That’s why Varo Bank created a fee-free credit-builder option for you: the Varo Believe credit card. There’s no annual or foreign transaction fee to worry about. And it doesn’t stop there—Varo card has no interest rate whatsoever.

Sounds too good to be true? Let’s explore all the details and find out if it is—

This article will show you:
  • Whether Varo credit card is legit.

  • The ins and outs of the card.

  • Some credit-building alternatives.

Read more:

Varo Credit Card at a Glance

Full name: Varo Believe Secured Credit Card

Best for: Building credit

Issuer: Varo Bank

Credit score needed: No minimum credit score required

Security deposit: No minimum deposit required

How Does the Varo Believe Card Work?

The Varo Believe Program is an innovative credit-builder program designed to help you improve your credit score. It involves the use of the Varo Believe Card, which is a kind of secured credit card.

Here’s how it works:

  1. You kick things off by depositing a certain amount of money into a dedicated, locked Varo Savings Account. This serves as the collateral for your Varo Believe Card.

  2. This deposit then becomes your credit limit on the Varo Believe Card. For instance, if you deposit $200, your credit limit will be $200.

  3. You use the Varo Believe Card just like any other credit card, for your everyday purchases, online shopping, and more.

  4. You repay your balance each month. The key here is that Varo reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus. So if you always make payments on time, this could help build your credit.

  5. If you decide to close the account (or graduate from the program) your deposit in the savings account, plus any earned interest, will be returned to you. Of course, assuming your card balance has been paid in full.

Sounds easy, right?

Hold on, though—there are some things to check off before getting the card.

How to get the Varo credit card—requirements to qualify

Varo is like a credit-building checking account. You first have to create an account and have money on it to then get the card and use it.

Here’s how you get your hands on a Varo Believe Card:

  1. First off, you must be a Varo Bank Account holder. If you’re not, you can download the Varo app and sign up. It’s a pretty straightforward process.

  2. Next, set up direct deposits. Yep, you heard it right. Your paycheck needs a new home—that’s your Varo Bank Account.

  3. Now, make sure you’re receiving at least $1,000 per month in direct deposits. It won’t work otherwise.

  4. Then, apply for the Varo Believe Program through the app. Varo will check if you’re eligible.

  5. If everything’s good (and you’re approved), you deposit a certain amount into a Varo Savings Account. This amount will set your Varo Believe Card’s limit.

And that’s about it. (Just remember to check all the details and make sure you’re good with the terms and conditions.)

Varo Credit Card: Overall Card Review

Varo Believe Credit Card

Category

Features

APR

0%

Annual fee

$0

Starting limit

Up to $10,000

Overall credit card rating

3.8/5

Learn more

Now, let’s see Varo card’s pros and cons:

  • No credit score needed: No credit score or history whatsoever.
  • Designed to build credit: Varo reports to all three major credit bureaus.
  • Secured by your own money: Your deposit sets your card’s limit.
  • Earns interest: The funds in the dedicated Savings Account earn a competitive interest rate.
  • No APR: 0% APR forever.
  • No annual fee: You won’t have an extra yearly charge to worry about.
  • No foreign transaction fees: Handy for international travels or purchases.
  • No penalty fees: The card has no fees whatsoever.

Key Varo Credit Card Fees & Rates

FEE

DETAIL

Annual fee

$0

APR

0%

Balance transfer fee

N/A

Cash advance fee

$0–$15*

Foreign transaction fee

$0

Late fee

$15

Minimum interest charge fee

$0

Returned payment fee

$0

Over limit fee

$0

Expedited card replacement fee

$25

ATM withdrawal fee

$0–$2.50**

*Depends on how much you borrow.

**Withdrawals are free at all AllPoint® ATMs and $2.50 at non-AllPoint® ATMs.

Here’s how much you’d need to fork out if you’d like to borrow money as a Varo Advance:

AMOUNT YOU BORROW

CASH ADVANCE FEE

$20

$0

$50

$4

$75

$5

$100

$6

$150

$9

$200

$12

$250

$15

Things to Know About the Varo Secured Credit Card

What’s the Varo Believe credit limit?

Varo Believe card limit depends on how much cash you feel comfortable stashing away in a Varo savings account—and that’ll become your credit limit.

Keep in mind there might be some caps or rules set by Varo on how high you can go—so look through Varo’s terms to make sure you know what’s up.

Is Varo Bank’s interest rate really 0%?

Yes, Varo credit card has no APR. But it comes with a caveat—if you pay your statement balance in full by the due date each month.

If you don’t, your card will be suspended. And let’s not forget, any late payments could leave a black mark on your credit history. (That’s Varo’s method of cultivating responsible spending.)

Varo card activation step-by-step

To activate your card, you can pick any of these three options:

  1. Whip out your Varo app, hit “Activate your card,” and set your unique PIN.

  2. Hop over to www.bank.varomoney.com/login, sign in to your account, and then click “Activate your card,” chilling in the upper right-hand corner.

  3. Call 1-877-377-8276 and simply follow the friendly voice guiding you to activate your card and set your PIN.

What’s the Varo withdrawal limit at ATMs?

At ATMs, Varo gives you a daily withdrawal limit of up to $750. For over-the-counter cash withdrawals, the limit is $500 per day.

These limits are subject to change and might also depend on the regulations of the ATM you’re using.

Let’s see how it stacks up against its competitors:

How Does Varo Compare to Other Credit Cards for No Credit?

VARO BANK CARD

3.8/5

PETAL 2

4.4/5

CAPITAL ONE PLATINUM

2.8/5

Annual fee

$0

Annual fee

$0

Annual fee

$0

APR

0%

APR

17.74%–31.74% (variable)

APR

29.99% (variable)

Starting limit

Up to $10,000*

Starting limit

Up to $10,000 (depending on your creditworthiness)

Starting limit

$1,000

Learn more

Learn more

Learn more

*Security deposit isn’t required, but you need cash deposited to your Varo account to even apply for the card.

Read more:

Alternatives: Noteworthy Credit-Builders

There are many other secured and credit-building cards apart from the Varo Believe Card.

Here are a few:

Discover it Secured

This secured card has the unique advantage of offering cashback rewards—which isn’t common for secured cards.

Discover will also match all the cashback you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

OpenSky Secured Visa credit card

If bad or no credit is an issue, this card could help—that’s because it doesn’t require a credit check for approval. It reports to all three major credit bureaus to help build your credit.

It’s important to choose a credit card based on your individual financial situation, credit goals, and spending habits.

VARO BANK CARD

3.8/5

DISCOVER IT SECURED

4/5

OPENSKY SECURED VISA

3.2/5

Annual fee

$0

Annual fee

$0

Annual fee

$35

APR

0%

APR

27.99% variable APR

APR

21.64%

Starting limit

$0*

Starting limit

Up to $2,500, depending on your creditworthiness

Starting limit

$200–$3,000*

Learn more

Learn more

Learn more

*Subject to approval

Useful Links & Details

Apply for a Varo card (by applying for the Varo account first) at the Varo website.

Download the Varo banking app.

Call Varo customer service Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT on 1-877-377-VARO.

Visit Varo Bank’s website for more information.

Varo Believe Credit Card Reviews Found Online

“Nothing wrong, but nothing particularly helpful about getting a boost on your Vantage score. Almost no lender actually uses Vantage for underwriting. In exchange, you sell them a lot of personal data. We’re all different, but it’s not a worthwhile trade-off for me.”

“Remember the amount of money on your Varo card is the amount you “owe” on your credit report I kept mine at zero for a while, and it showed as a dead card now I keep $4 on there, it shows $4 in debt on my score.”

“The money you add is used to automatically make the payment every month. That’s exactly it.

It literally functions only as a debit card, but on paper, it’s a credit card, so it reports to the credit bureaus.”

Is Varo Credit Card Good for Me?

Varo Believe is one of the free credit cards that can help you build credit.

Ask yourself these questions before you lay your hands on it:

  1. Looking to build your credit?

  2. Interested in a 0% APR?

  3. Fancy no annual or foreign transaction fees?

  4. Confident you can pay your full balance every month?

  5. A fan of banking from your phone?

If the answer to most of these questions is “yes,” then the Varo Believe Card could be worth considering.

But then—

It seems like a lot of work for a secured card—you need to open a bank account, reroute your direct deposit, and then deposit $200 to start using it.

We bet you could do much better. Perhaps with the Petal 2 card (or a more standard secured card).

It’s essential to choose the right type of credit card that suits your needs and aligns with your financial goals. Whether you’re seeking rewards points or low-interest rates, understanding the various options available will increase your chances of approval.
Vaibhav Kakkar, CEO Digital Web Solutions

FAQ

Is Varo Believe a credit card?
Is Varo a prepaid card?
How to apply for a Varo credit card?
Is Varo Bank legit?
What bank does Varo use?
Does Varo deposit on weekends?
Does Varo pay two days early?

Sources

See all

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Contributors

Halina Grzeskiewicz
Halina is a content writer with nearly 5 years of experience. She has written about several topics, including human resources, technology, Forex, cryptocurrencies, and personal finance.
Kacper Kozicki
Kacper is an editor, writer, and multilingual translator with expertise in producing tailored content for global online brands.
Deepti Nickam
Fact Checker
Deepti Nickam
Deepti is a content writing and marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in the B2B and B2C sectors. She has written about several subjects, including finance, project management, human resources, and more.
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