Why Building Credit Matters for Students
Before jumping into Fizz vs Self vs Grow Credit, let’s quickly cover why credit matters:
Your credit score affects your ability to get credit cards, car loans, or even rent an apartment.
Payment history (on-time payments) is the biggest factor in your credit score.
Having a mix (instalment + revolving) helps.
But for many 18–25 year olds, the challenge is: You barely qualify for anything.
So, tools that help you build credit responsibly, without high risk, can be super helpful.
How the Tools Work: Fizz, Self, and Grow Credit
Here’s a breakdown of how each tool works, especially for students with little to no credit.
What is Self? (Credit-Builder Loans + Secured Card)
Self (formerly Self Lender) offers a credit-builder loan: you “borrow” an amount which is held in a locked account (or CD) while you make monthly payments
When you finish paying, you get the funds (minus interest/fees).
Self reports your payments to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
After some on-time payments, you can often qualify for a secured card through Self (no hard pull) to get revolving credit.
Pros
You don’t need existing credit to qualify.
Builds an instalment payment history.
Eventually gives access to revolving credit.
Cons
You can’t access the funds until you complete all payments (so you don’t get liquidity early).
There are fees, interest, and penalties for late payments.
Because it’s slow and structured, speed is limited by the loan term.
What is Grow Credit?
Grow Credit issues a credit-building Mastercard that lets you build credit by paying for eligible subscriptions (e.g. streaming, phone, etc.).
It doesn’t charge interest because you can’t carry a balance — you must pay each month in full.
There is a “membership” fee or tiering system for accessing higher spending limits.
Pros
No interest, low risk of debt.
Useful if you already have monthly subscriptions you pay for anyway.
Cons
Limited to certain categories (subscriptions).
Some users report difficulties or issues with customer service.
What is Fizz?
Fizz is a debit-credit hybrid built for college students.
You link your checking account; Fizz gives you a credit limit based on how much you actually have in your bank account. Your purchases are fronted by Fizz, then auto-paid daily from your linked account (so you never carry a balance or pay interest).
Fizz reports your payment behaviour to two major credit bureaus.
There is a subscription cost: e.g. around $5.99/month for students in some version reviews.
Features like SafeFreeze lock the card if a daily payment fails, preventing runaway debt.
Pros
No interest, no real “credit card debt” risk.
Very friendly to students with no credit.
Helps build revolving credit behaviour (though with safeguards).
Cons
Subscription cost.
Fizz vs Self vs Grow Credit: Speed, Risk & Student Friendliness
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to see which is likely to build credit fastest for you as a student:
Tool | How Quickly It Can Help | Risk of Late/Defaults | Best for | Weak Spot |
Fizz | Medium to fast — daily autopay + regular reporting helps show many on-time payments early | Low — SafeFreeze and no balance carry limit risk | Very low or no credit score, cautious spenders | Subscription cost |
Self | Slower — you must complete the loan term before seeing full benefit | Moderate — missing payments hurts strongly | People want a steady, structured path | You don’t get funds until you finish |
Grow Credit | Moderate — only builds via subscriptions, so limited transaction volume | Low — you can’t carry balance, must pay full | Students already paying for streaming, phone services | Limited to eligible merchants, membership cost |
Which Builds Credit Fastest?
Fizz tends to be a standout for speed relative to minimum risk. Because it reports on-time behaviour almost from day one (via daily auto-pay) and lets you behave like a revolving account (though controlled), you can rack up a positive payment history faster, especially if you use it consistently.
Self is more conservative and steady, reliable, but slow. You’ll build the bulk of the benefit only after finishing the loan, which may be 12–24 months.
Grow Credit can help if you already have recurring subscriptions, but the limited scope (only subscriptions) caps how fast your credit history can grow.
Real user reviews of Fizz suggest it can be a powerful tool for students because of its combination of control + reporting.
Why Fizz Often Makes the Most Sense for Students
No interest, low risk: Unlike traditional credit cards, you can’t carry a balance you can’t afford.
Automated payments: You don’t have to remember a monthly bill - Fizz handles daily payments.
Revolving-style behaviour: It lets you show responsible usage of a card without the dangers of debt.
Designed for students: Fizz understands the constraints of student life - limited income, need for safety, and desire to build credit early.
Room for growth: As you graduate or get more stable finances, you can transition to full credit cards with a good score behind you.
Tips to Maximise Your Credit Building Journey
Use the tool regularly, even for small purchases.
Don’t max out your daily credit limit - leave a buffer.
Keep a “reserve fund” in your linked checking account to avoid failed payments.
Watch your credit report monthly and dispute errors.
Gradually add other credit types (like a small student credit card) once your score is strong.
Conclusion
When comparing Fizz, Self, and Grow Credit, each tool has strengths:
Self offers a solid, structured path with guaranteed reporting, but it’s the slowest.
Grow Credit helps if you already use subscriptions and want a low-risk option, but its reach is limited.
Fizz strikes a sweet spot — fast enough to make an impact, yet safe for students starting out, with no interest and daily controls.
If you’re a student looking to build credit safely and steadily, Fizz often checks more boxes than the others.
If you’re ready to get started building credit without the risk, Fizz makes it simple and student-friendly.
FAQs
Q1: Can I build credit with Fizz if I have no credit history?
Yes — that’s one of Fizz’s core use-cases. Because it reports your payments from day one, it helps establish your payment history even from zero.
Q2: Will using Self hurt my credit if I miss payments?
Yes — missed or late payments on a credit-builder loan are reported and can damage your credit. So consistency matters.
Q3: Does Grow Credit work outside subscriptions (e.g. buying groceries)?
No — Grow Credit usually only counts payments made to eligible subscriptions and bills, not arbitrary spending.
Q4: If I use Fizz, do I ever carry a debt balance?
No — your purchases are auto-paid daily, so you never carry a revolving balance that accrues interest.
Q5: Once I have good credit, should I stop using Fizz / Self / Grow?
You can transition gradually — for example, open a traditional student credit card or use more conventional credit tools. But continuing to use safe tools like Fizz can help maintain a healthy payment history.
