4 Ways to Build a Credit Score Without a Credit Card

Using credit cards is one of the easiest ways to build a credit score, but it's not the only way. And depending on your needs and financial situation, credit cards might not be the right fit for you.

Here are a few other options for building credit -- and information about one type of credit card you may want to consider.

1. Get added as an authorized user

This is certainly the easiest option on this list. If you have someone in your life with exemplary credit, you can ask nicely to be added as an authorized user on one of their credit accounts.

You may or may not get a credit card of your own that's tied to their account, but if you use it to make purchases, be sure to pay the account holder back so you don't ruin that relationship. As the account holder makes payments (ideally, on time and in full), the payment history will be reported in your name as well, building up a credit history for you.

Some people add their young children as authorized users to their credit card accounts, giving them a huge leg up on a solid credit score long before they become legal adults and can open cards of their own.

2. Borrow to make a purchase

You may be able to qualify for a loan to buy a car or finance a furniture purchase, for example. Getting a loan to buy a specific item means the loan will be secured. If you buy a car and stop making your monthly payments on it, the lender can repossess the car. This lowers the lender's risk of loss.

It might be easier for you to get a secured loan like this without much credit history. Most credit cards, on the other hand, are unsecured loans, meaning they're only guaranteed by your income, credit, and other factors relating to you as the borrower. As you make payments on a car loan, you'll build a positive credit history.

3. Sign up for a credit-building service

You might assume that if you always pay your streaming service and utility bills on time, you're building a credit history -- but you might need to take an extra step for these actions to work in your favor, credit-wise. You could sign up for a credit-building service that reports to the credit bureaus, like Experian Boost.

When you use this service, you essentially "get credit" for paying for your internet service, Netflix subscription, and other bills that aren't normally reported. This builds that positive payment history that's so crucial for your credit score.

4. Consider a credit-builder loan

Finally, you can take out a loan expressly for the purpose of building credit. Honestly, it's probably better to borrow money for something you actually need (like an education or a vehicle) rather than go this route, but it is an option. And these loans are often on the small side too (say, $300 to $1,000), so they're more accessible than borrowing thousands of dollars to fund a degree or a car purchase.

Credit-builder loans don't work the same way as a traditional loan. Instead of receiving money from a lender that you then pay back over time, you'll make fixed monthly payments to a lender (often a credit union, community bank, or online lender) that are held for you as collateral.

If you make all of your payments on time, you get your money back (in some cases, you may get a portion back when you make a monthly payment). Some lenders even reimburse some of the interest you'll pay. You'll also be building that positive payment history to show future lenders you're a responsible borrower.

What about secured credit cards?

If you're not entirely opposed to the idea of credit cards but are perhaps a little nervous about trusting yourself with this kind of unsecured debt, you do have an option. I said above that most credit cards are unsecured, but not all.

Secured credit cards work by requiring a security deposit when you open the account. This money becomes your credit limit. As you use the card to make purchases and pay back the issuer, you build that positive payment history and build a credit score.

Many of the best secured credit cards will let you "graduate" to an unsecured card after a period of time (perhaps six months to a year) of responsible credit behavior. That means you get your security deposit back and a new card with an unsecured credit line. And they may offer rewards like cash back, just like the best unsecured cards.

We've done the hard work for you -- check out our picks for the best secured credit cards here.

A solid credit score can do a world of good for your finances -- it'll be cheaper for you to borrow money, of course, but you also might have an easier time getting a job, renting an apartment, or even qualifying for lower insurance rates. Even if a credit card isn't quite right for you right now, you should consider these other options to build a credit score.