Arro Credit Builder

Arro Credit Builder is a separate product from the Arro Card. For $12 a month, or $8 a month billed annually, Arro reports a $2,000 tradeline and your monthly payments to Experian and Equifax. There is no hard inquiry and no card to spend with. Arro also presents it as a route to the Arro Card.

Checked November 9, 2026 against Arro's own pages and the independent sources listed below. Written by the ArroCardApply Editorial Team.

Stack of building blocks with a star on top
On this page
  1. Arro Card and Credit Builder side by side
  2. How it works
  3. Who can get it
  4. The path to the Arro Card
  5. Things to weigh before paying
  6. Alternatives

Arro Card and Credit Builder side by side

Arro CardArro Credit Builder
What it isUnsecured MastercardReported line of credit, no spending
Costup to $60 a year$12 a month, or $8 a month billed annually
Reported amountYour real limit, up to $2,500$2,000 tradeline
BureausEquifax, Experian, TransUnionExperian and Equifax only
Bank behind itCommunity Federal Savings Bank, Member FDICCross River Bank, Member FDIC
Credit checkSoft inquirySoft inquiry
InterestFrom 24.99% if you carry a balanceNone, per Arro

How it works

  1. Sign up at Arro's Credit Builder page and choose monthly or annual billing.
  2. Set up a payment method.
  3. Arro reports the account and each monthly payment to Experian and Equifax.
  4. You track your score and use the lessons, Artie and budgeting tools in the dashboard.

Arro states that the line of credit is provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and that the tradeline appears on your report under the name of its partner, Upward, a financial technology company. If you see "Upward" on your credit report after joining, that is why.

Who can get it

Arro lists these requirements: age 18 or older, a physical U.S. address, a valid email and phone number, and a valid SSN, or an ITIN with additional documentation.

The path to the Arro Card

Arro's page describes three things that open the way to the card for Credit Builder members, in any order:

  • Complete a set of lessons. Arro's page shows 10 in one place and 13 in another.
  • Make 6 on-time Credit Builder payments.
  • Connect your primary bank account to Budget Insights.

Six on-time payments means at least six months and $72 on the monthly plan before the card is on the table.

Things to weigh before paying

  • Two bureaus, not three. TransUnion is not included, so lenders that pull TransUnion will not see it.
  • It is a subscription. You pay for reporting. Nothing is saved or returned at the end, unlike a credit-builder loan.
  • Some reviewers feel pushed toward it. A Trustpilot reviewer complained that Arro steers declined card applicants to the Credit Builder.

Alternatives

Kikoff sells a similar reported line from $5 a month and reports to all three bureaus. A secured card with no annual fee builds the same kind of history with money you get back. Both are covered in cards like Arro and Arro vs Kikoff.

Questions people ask

How much does Arro Credit Builder cost?

$12 a month with the option to cancel anytime, or $8 a month billed annually when you pay for 12 months upfront.

Does Arro Credit Builder report to all three bureaus?

No. Arro states that it reports to Experian and Equifax.

Why does Upward appear on my credit report?

Arro says the Credit Builder tradeline is opened through its partner Upward, with the line of credit provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.

Is Arro Credit Builder a loan?

It is a reported line of credit used for building payment history. You cannot spend from it.

Sources

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