You don't need to worry about paying a high annual fee to open one of the best small business credit cards. There's a wide selection of no-annual-fee business cards to choose from, from options that earn cash back to flexible rewards points, and some even offer substantial benefits and an introductory 0% APR that can help you save money.
Credit cards with annual fees usually offer benefits a cut above those from no-annual-fee cards. But if you're not willing to pony up just yet, the below small business credit cards are the best of the best.
Best Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fees
Here are Business Insider's picks for the best no-annual-fee business credit cards to consider right now.
- Best for earning travel points: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Best for earning cash back: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
- Best for maximizing Chase points: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Best for business expenses like office supplies and internet: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Best for a generous welcome bonus with 0% intro APR: U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
- Best ultra-long introductory APR offer: U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
- Best for customizing rewards: Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
- Best for travel purchases: Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
- Best for building credit: Capital One Spark 1% Classic†
No-Annual-Fee Business Card Reviews
Premium credit cards can offer hundreds of dollars in value, but many business owners balk at the idea of paying an annual fee on a credit card. If you want a card that won't cost you anything out of pocket, a no-annual-fee business credit card may be the right financial tool for your company.
This list highlights many of the best no-annual-fee business credit cards available, according to Business Insider's team of credit card experts.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express currently offers a solid welcome bonus offer of 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership. It also earns valuable Amex Membership Rewards points, which you can redeem for flights, hotels, and more through the Amex travel portal or transfer to airline and hotel partners (rates and fees).
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express allows you to earn 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 you spend each calendar year (1 point per dollar after). The card also comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening, then a 17.49% - 25.49% Variable APR.
You'll typically get the most value when you transfer points to American Express transfer partners (like Delta SkyMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors). You can also redeem points through American Express Travel to book airfare, hotels, and rental cars. Other redemption options include gift cards, statement credits, merchandise, and food delivery.
You'll receive additional card benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty, car rental loss and damage insurance, dispute resolution, expanded buying power, access to the Global Assist Hotline, and Amex Offers.
Read more in our review of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card earns cardholders straightforward cash-back on all eligible purchases. Plus, you can earn a solid welcome bonus offer of $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first three months of account opening and take advantage of a good introductory 0% APR (rates and fees).
If you're looking to redeem your rewards as statement credits to lower your monthly expenses, you should definitely consider The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card. If not, there are plenty of other no-annual-fee cards out there that have more flexible redemption options.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1% cash back (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars). For this reason, we rank the card highly on our list of the best 2% cash back credit cards.
What makes The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card unique is that it automatically redeems cash back as statement credits. Statement credits should appear in your next billing cycle and lower the overall cost of your bill, as long as you pay your monthly minimum payment.
The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then a 17.49% - 25.49% Variable APR. You'll also receive other benefits such as car rental loss and damage insurance, access to the Global Assist Hotline, extended warranty, purchase protection, and Amex Offers.
Read more in our review of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns cash back (in the form of points) on all purchases with no cap, comes with an impressive welcome bonus, and has flexible redemption options. You'll also receive free employee cards, as well as travel and purchase protection benefits.
However, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card isn't the only card out there offering these perks. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers the same benefits with the potential to earn more rewards, but only in certain categories.
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns a straightforward 1.5% cash back (1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points per dollar) on all purchases, with no cap. It has one of the most generous welcome bonus offers of any no-annual-fee card, and you'll receive a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a 17.49% - 23.49% Variable APR).
You can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points for cash, gift cards, statement credits, or travel booked through Chase. Plus, if you have other annual-fee Chase cards (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card), you can combine your points in one of those accounts and unlock more redemption options, including transferring points to Chase's airline and hotel partners.
The card has solid benefits like car rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, roadside dispatch, purchase protection, and an extended warranty.
Read more in our Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card review.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a great option for businesses looking to maximize their spending at office supply stores, internet, cable, restaurants, and more. It has a great welcome bonus offer and a decent intro APR deal. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card also has flexible redemption options and travel and purchase benefits.
If your highest expenses aren't at office supply stores — or on any of the other select spending categories — then you're better off with a different no-annual-fee business card. Also, if your yearly business expenses easily exceed a $25,000 cap on select spending categories, then you should consider a card with a higher limit (or no limit).
Although the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is marketed as a cash-back card, it's actually a points card — Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1 cent each towards cash back, travel (booked through Chase), or gift cards.
Cardholders earn:
- 5% cash back (5 points per dollar spent) on the first $25,000 (then 1x) in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet cable, and phone services each year
- 2% cash back (2 points per dollar spent) on the first $25,000 (then 1x) in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year
- 1% unlimited cash back (1 point per dollar spent) on all other purchases
As with the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, you can combine your points with other annual-fee Chase cards to increase your reward value, or redeem for cash, statement credits, gift cards, or travel booked through Chase.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a 17.49% - 25.49% Variable APR). This is great if you need to pay off larger expenses over time without incurring interest. You'll also receive fraud protection, car rental insurance, extended warranty, and travel and emergency assistance services.
Read more in our Ink Business Cash® Credit Card review.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is ideal if you're looking for a card with a generous bonus and intro APR. Plus, it earns decent rewards with no cap, and you'll receive annual software credit.
Unfortunately, you won't earn the welcome bonus unless you've met the high spending requirement. Therefore, it may not be attainable for some businesses, especially smaller businesses or folks with side gigs.
Cardholders earn:
- 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Rewards Center
- 3% cash back at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
You can redeem rewards as statement credits, Real-Time Rewards (to cover eligible purchases as you spend), or a direct deposit (a minimum of $25 to redeem). Plus, the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® gets you $100 software credit every year towards subscriptions like FreshBooks or Quickbooks.
The card has a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles (then a 19.24% - 28.24% Variable APR), which is great for folks paying off debt or wanting to pay off large purchases over time.
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® provides cardholders with World Elite Mastercard benefits, as well as access to the Rewards Center Earn Mall.
Read more in our U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® review.
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card doesn't earn rewards or come with a welcome bonus offer. But it does have an extra-long 0% intro APR, can be especially appealing to businesses looking to avoid incurring high interest on their debt, or for those needing to pay off large purchases over multiple billing cycles.
Unless you need a significantly long intro APR, there are lots of better cards on the market also with 0% APR deals (not nearly as long) that also earn rewards and welcome bonus offers for no annual fee.
The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card has a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles (then a 16.24% - 25.24% Variable APR).
Cardholders also get $0 fraud liability, 24/7 fraud monitoring, the US Bank ExtendPay plan, and management over employee credit cards.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card earns 3% cash back in a category of your choosing (from six predetermined categories) and comes with a solid welcome bonus offer and intro APR.
This is a great card for businesses looking for customizable cash rewards. But if you're not interested in choosing your own rewards categories, you should consider a different no-annual-fee business card.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is unique as it allows cardholders to choose which spending category they'd like to earn 3% cash back in (gas stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services, or business consulting services). It also earns you 2% cash back on dining. But keep in mind that 3% and 2% earnings are capped at a combined $50,000 per year (then 1% cash back).
You'll get a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and on any balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening (then a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR).
You can redeem rewards as statement credits, a direct deposit, or credit to a qualifying Merrill (Bank of America's wealth management division) account. Bank of America Preferred Rewards customers can also earn up to 75% more rewards (amounts depend on deposit/investment with Bank of America or Merill).
The card offers additional benefits like cash flow management tools, travel accident insurance, and car rental insurance. It does charge a foreign transaction fee, so it's not ideal for traveling.
Read more in our Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card review.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card earns straightforward flat-rate rewards on all purchases, plus bonus rewards on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. You'll also get a big welcome bonus and a decent 0% intro APR deal.
Bank of America Preferred Rewards members will earn the most rewards (up to 75% more on purchases), so if you're not a member you'll miss out on the highest rewards opportunity.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card earns unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel bookings (car, hotel, and airlines) through the Travel Center site. You'll also earn straightforward 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
The card has a 0% intro APR for the first nine billing cycles on purchases (then a 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR). The deal only applies to purchases, so it won't help folks trying to pay down credit card debt.
You can redeem rewards earned with the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card as a statement credit towards travel or dining-related purchases, travel at the Bank of America Travel Center, cash back, or gift cards.
The card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, which means it's a good option for international travel. Other benefits include cash flow management tools and travel and emergency services.
Read more in our Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card review.
Capital One Spark 1% Classic†
The Capital One Spark 1% Classic† is significant because those with fair credit scores can get it, and it earns 1% flat-rate cash back on all purchases, with no cap.
However, there's no welcome bonus offer or intro APR deal and it only includes a few additional perks. But if you have limited credit history and need a starter card to help grow your business, the Capital One Spark 1% Classic† is definitely worth considering.
The Capital One Spark 1% Classic† earns unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1% cash back on all purchases.
Although some other business cards have higher rewards rates, better benefits, and include a welcome bonus (all things that the Capital One Spark 1% Classic† doesn't have), what makes this card special is that folks with fair credit are eligible. Most small-business credit cards require you to have at least good credit, so if you're someone with limited credit, this card could be a great starting point.
You can redeem your rewards as a statement credit or check, as credits towards previous purchases, or for gift cards. You can also set up automatic redemption preferences through your Capital One account.
The regular APR is a 30.49% Variable. The Capital One Spark 1% Classic† also has benefits like no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty, and roadside assistance.
Compare the Top No-Annual-Fee Business Credit Cards
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months from account opening
17.49% - 25.49% Variable
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Good to Excellent
- The rare no-annual-fee card to earn Amex Membership Rewards points
- Solid earning rate on the first $50,000 in purchases each year
- For eligible purchases above $50,000 each year, you will only earn 1 point per dollar
If you're a small-business owner looking for a credit card that offers flexible rewards points without paying an annual fee, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is an excellent option. You don't need to own a full-time business to be eligible to apply, either — even freelancers and those with side gigs can qualify for a small-business card.
Amex Blue Business Plus Card- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 25.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening
17.49% - 25.49% Variable
Earn a $250 statement credit
Good to Excellent
- Good choice for earning 2% cash back on all your eligible purchases up to $50,000 a year
- Intro APR offer
- No annual fee
- If your business spends more than $50,000 a year, you'll want to use a different card to earn bonus cash back once you meet that threshold
If you're spending money on your business anyway, you should be rewarded for those purchases by using one of the best small-business credit cards. With The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, you can earn unlimited cash back on your spending with no annual fee.
Amex Blue Business Cash Card- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% – 25.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months
17.49% - 23.49% Variable
Earn $750 bonus cash back
Good to Excellent
- Earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no bonus categories to keep track of
- Intro APR offer
- No annual fee
- You can earn more cash back on some purchases with a card that has bonus categories
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a great option for small business owners who prefer a straightforward earning rate and no annual fee. You'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and there's no limit to what you can earn.
Ink Business Unlimited- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months
17.49% - 25.49% Variable
Earn up to $750 bonus cash back
Good to Excellent
- Broad 5% and 2% cash-back categories (you can earn bonus cash back at office supply stores and at gas stations and restaurants)
- Intro APR offer for purchases
- No annual fee
- You can pair this card with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards to redeem your cash back for travel
- Annual cap on bonus categories
Between offering a big welcome bonus, extra rewards in useful categories, and ongoing benefits like primary car rental insurance and purchase protection, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is an excellent no-annual-fee cash-back business credit card for small-business owners.
Ink Business Cash- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
19.24% - 28.24% Variable
$500 cash back
Excellent/Good
- Strong welcome bonus and bonus categories for a no-annual-fee card
- Introductory 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
- World Elite Mastercard benefits including cell phone protection
- Foreign transaction fees
- Relatively high minimum spending requirement to unlock bonus
- Authorized user purchases don’t count toward minimum spending requirement
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee card for small business owners with a generous welcome bonus and great bonus categories. It's a good pick if you prefer earning straight cash back, especially if you can use the $100 annual software credit.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles
16.24% - 25.24% Variable
N/A
Good to Excellent
- Extra-long introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No rewards or welcome bonus
- Few benefits compared to other small-business cards
- Foreign transaction fees
While it doesn't earn rewards or come with a welcome bonus, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card might be just what your business needs if you don't want to get hit with big interest charges on large purchases you can't pay off all at once.
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles
18.49% - 28.49% Variable
Earn a $300 online statement credit
Excellent
- Good welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee business card
- Cardholders can choose their own 3% cash-back category from a list
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business customers can earn up to 75% more rewards
- 3% and 2% cash back categories are capped at $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%)
- Card only earns 1% back in non-bonus categories
- Foreign transaction fees
The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is great for small-business owners who want to control how they earn rewards and maximize every dollar spent. The card has a solid welcome bonus, good redemption options, and a fair intro APR deal. But if you don't spend big in the select bonus categories, you should consider a different no-annual-fee business rewards card.
Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard
$0
0% intro APR for the first nine billing cycles on purchases
18.49% - 28.49% variable
Earn 30,000 online bonus points
Excellent
- You can earn 30,000 online welcome bonus points
- 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase with no cap
- No annual fee/foreign transaction fee
- Some cards offer longer intro APR
- There are no airline or hotel partners to transfer points to
$0
N/A
30.49% Variable
N/A
Fair
- No annual fee
- Travel and purchase protection
- Some other business cards offer better rewards
- No welcome bonus
Whether you have a new business or just don't have a ton of credit history, the Capital One Spark 1% Classic could be a good stepping stone. It's possible to get approved for the card with just fair credit, whereas most other business cards that earn rewards require a good or even excellent credit score.
Capital One Spark 1% Classic†
No-Annual-Fee Business Card Frequently Asked Questions
To choose the best no-annual-fee business card for you, narrow your search by figuring out how your business wants to use a credit card — whether that's earning cash back rewards, taking advantage of low APR rates, using travel and purchase protection, or unlocking a hefty welcome bonus.
You can use an EIN (Employee Identification Number, issued by the IRS) or your Social Security number (SSN) to apply for business credit cards. Sole proprietors such as online business owners, freelancers, or anyone with a side gig are eligible to apply for business cards with just their SSN — no EIN necessary.
A PG on a small business card means "personal guarantee." If your business is not able to pay off your card's balance, then the card's owner/business owner would be personally responsible for paying it off. Most small-business cards will require you to have a personal guarantee to ensure that debt can be paid off even if your business fails or can no longer provide financially.
If you have a low credit score, you may not qualify for the best small-business credit cards, but you might still be eligible for business cards geared toward those with limited or fair credit. Even if you apply with an EIN, the card issuer will still ask for your SSN to check your personal credit history and factor that into their decision to approve you.
If you have bad credit, you could be eligible for a secured credit card, which can also help you boost your credit score with responsible use.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fees
There are lots of no-annual-fee business credit cards on the market. The ones that made our "best-of" list have one or more of the following characteristics:
- A large welcome bonus
- Above-average earning rates
- Notable ongoing benefits
Business Insider's cards team has evaluated nearly every credit card on the market. You can read about how we rate and review credit cards for a closer look at our methodology.
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