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Prepaid business cards allow you to load funds in advance, helping you stay on budget while controlling employee spending. The best prepaid cards offer low fees, flexible ways to reload, and helpful tools, like an online dashboard to track and manage expenses. Since these aren’t credit cards, approval is quick and easy, making them a great option for businesses of all sizes.
Here are the top eight business prepaid cards:
- Emburse Spend Card: Overall best business prepaid card for earning fixed-rate cash back on all purchases
- Rippling Spend Corporate Card: Best for all-in-one management of employee spending, expenses, and payroll
- Rho Corporate Card: Best for daily or monthly credit terms with exclusive partner rewards
- Brink’s Business Expense Card: Best for free starter package
- dash™ Prepaid Mastercard®: Best for those needing to load $10,000 per card
- PEX Visa Business Prepaid Card: Best for custom payment platform
- Netspend Prepaid Debit Card: Best for earning cash back through Payback Rewards
- Mesh Prepaid Visa Card: Best for high balance limit
Overview of the Best Prepaid Business Card
Best For | Additional Fees | Unique Features | ||
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Emburse Spend Card | Earning fixed-rate cash back on all purchases | None | Offers 1% cash back on all purchases | |
Rippling Spend Corporate Card | All-in-one management of employee spending, expenses, and payroll | $8 per month | Link employee spending directly to roles, departments, and payroll | |
Rho Card | Daily or monthly credit terms with exclusive partner rewards | None | Offers up to 1.25% cash back | |
Brink’s Business Expense Card | Free starter package | Monthly fee after the 60-day trial; plans differ depending on the number of cards needed | Can scan and upload electronic copies of receipts, making it easier for reconciliation and audit | |
dashTM Prepaid Mastercard® | Loading $10,000 per card | None | Allows you to deposit a maximum of $10,000 per card at a time | |
PEX Visa Business Prepaid Card | Custom payment platform | None | Allows each card to have a maximum balance of $25,000 | |
Netspend Prepaid Debit Card | Earning cash back through Payback Rewards | $1.95 per purchase fee applies to Pay-As-You-Go Plan | Provides a purchase cushion—Netspend will cover up to $10 if you fall short on your purchase | |
Mesh Prepaid Visa Card | High balance limit | None | Offers 1% cash back on qualifying purchases after spending $50,000 per month |
Emburse Spend Card: Overall Best Business Prepaid Card for Earning Fixed-rate Cash Back on All Purchases
Emburse Spend CardBEST FOR: Earning unlimited cash back rewards | |
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Why We Like It
The Emburse Spend Card stands out in our list because it offers unlimited 1% cash back and no local transaction fees. It allows real-time transaction tracking, issues unlimited employee cards for free, and integrates with expense management platforms for seamless financial tracking.
- Fees: Free for businesses with under 100 employees. Custom pricing applies for larger organizations.
- Free trial: Offers a 30-day free trial to explore features
- Funding method: Connect your business bank account for ACH transfers to load funds onto cards. ATM withdrawals are not supported.
- Ideal for: Those who want to automate their expense policies and approval workflows
Benefits and Features
- Emburse Card Issuing: Issue virtual and physical cards for employees.
- Expense Policy Controls: Set spending limits and enforce policies.
- Accrual Accounting Sync: Automatically track expenses by accrual accounting.
- ACH Reimbursements: Reimburse employees via ACH transfers.
- ERP and Accounting Connections: Seamlessly integrate with Netsuite, Intacct, QuickBooks Online, and Xero.
- Email Support: Access prompt assistance via email.
- SAML-Based SSO: Ensure secure, single sign-on access.
Rippling Spend Corporate Card: Best for All-in-one Management of Employee Spending, Expenses, and Payroll
Rippling Spend Corporate CardBEST FOR: All-in-one management of employee spending, expenses, and payrol | |
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Why We Like It
Rippling Spend simplifies employee spending by combining corporate cards, expense management, bill payments, and payroll into one seamless platform. It eliminates the need for multiple systems, automates manual reconciliation, and provides greater control over company expenses. With Rippling, you can streamline the financial closing process and gain clear visibility into all spending, making it an effortless solution for managing company finances.
- Fees: Starts at $8 per user per month for its core platform, with additional costs for advanced features
- Free trial: Offers a free trial for its Spend Management software
- Funding method: Connect your business bank account to facilitate ACH transfers for funding.
- Ideal for: Small to midsize companies, especially those planning international growth
Benefits and Features
- Bill pay: Streamline client billing and monitor spending in real time with bills routed to approvers based on employee data.
- Card issuance: Issue physical or virtual cards with customizable spending limits.
- Policy automation: Create and enforce role-based or group policies, integrated with Rippling’s HR software.
- Expense management: Manage bills, expenses, reimbursements, and card issuance in one platform.
- HR integration: Connect Rippling Spend with Rippling’s HCM for seamless onboarding, automated controls, and real-time expense tracking. You can read our review of Rippling for additional information.
Rho Card: Best for Daily or Monthly Credit Terms with Exclusive Partner Rewards
Rho Card | |
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Why We Like It
The Rho Card is perfect for daily or monthly credit terms because of its flexibility in repayment options from 1 to 60 days. It provides cash back on purchases, $600,000-plus in partner perks, and simplifies expense management—all with $0 annual or subscription fees.
- Fees: No monthly subscription
- Free trial: Not available
- Funding method: Set up ACH or wire transfers through the Banking Tab on the Rho platform.
- Ideal for: US incorporated businesses (not available for sole proprietorships or unincorporated entities)
Benefits & Features
- Up to 1.25% cash back: Earn 1.25% cash back for 1-day repayment terms; cash back decreases for longer terms, up to 60 days.
- Over $600,000 in partner perks: Access perks from partners like QuickBooks, AWS, Google Cloud, and more.
- Advanced expense management tools: Streamline reimbursements, approvals, and reporting.
- No personal guarantee or credit check required: Easily qualify without affecting your credit.
- Scalable credit limits: Limits increase as your business grows.
- Unlimited virtual and physical cards: Issue cards with customizable spending limits and restrictions.
Brink’s Business Expense Card: Best for Free Starter Package
Brink’s Business Expense CardBest for: Free starter package | |
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Why We Like It
The Brink’s Business Expense Card stands out for its free starter package, offering businesses a cost-effective way to manage expenses. It provides two card options: fixed-value cards for per-diems or one-time requests and spend-limit cards for daily expenses. Key tools like employee cards, spending controls, and real-time tracking are included, making it ideal for budget-conscious businesses.
- Fees: Free cards for the business owner and one team member
- Free trial: Includes a 60-day free trial with $0 setup fees
- Funding method: Load funds through the Funds tab in the mobile app.
- Ideal for: Businesses needing up to two cards to maximize the free starter package
Benefits and Features
- Real-time dashboard: Track top-spending employee cards, detect unusual activity, and monitor spending by categories or dates.
- Admin controls: Assign leaders to oversee spending and assist with account management.
- Customizable reports: Scan and upload receipts, set custom tags, and simplify bookkeeping and audits.
- Automatic transfers: Schedule reloads daily, weekly, monthly, or based on balance thresholds.
- Virtual cards: Instantly create virtual cards for immediate use.
dash™ Prepaid Mastercard®: Best for Those Needing to Load $10,000 Per Card
dashTM Prepaid Mastercard®Best for: Those who need to load $10,000 per card | |
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Why We Like It
The dash™ Prepaid Mastercard®, issued by Sunrise Banks, N.A. (Member FDIC), allows businesses to load up to $10,000 per card and a total of $100,000 across the entire account or company vault. It offers robust tools to manage employee spending, track transactions in real time, and set spending limits. With flexible reload options, it’s a great fit for companies handling significant operational expenses.
- Fees: $0 setup and monthly or annual fees; transaction fees may apply
- Free trial: Not available
- Funding method: Load funds via ACH transfers, direct deposit, or through the card management platform.
- Ideal for: Businesses requiring high-load limits for operational expenses
Benefits & Features
- Virtual and physical cards: Flexible card options for business needs.
- Fund control: Manage users, approve requests, reallocate funds, and suspend accounts.
- Easy reconciliation: Export data, customize categories, autoreload funds, and store digital receipts.
- Employee-friendly: Accepted globally, request funds on demand, and categorize purchases easily.
PEX Visa Business Prepaid Card: Best for Custom Payment Platform
PEX Visa Business Prepaid CardBest for: Those who want a custom payment platform | |
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Why We Like It
The PEX Visa Business Prepaid Card, issued by Fifth Third Bank, N.A., or The Bancorp Bank (Member FDIC), is known for its highly customizable payment platform. It gives businesses complete control over spending, allowing them to issue employee cards, set spending limits, and approve transactions in real time. The card also offers real-time visibility into expenses, making it easier to track and manage spending. With advanced tracking tools and seamless integration with accounting software, it’s an excellent choice for businesses needing tailored payment solutions.
- Fees: Monthly plans start at $0 to $200. Choose between 3 plans: Base, Core, and Pro.
- Free trial: Offers a 60-day free trial
- Funding method: Load funds via ACH transfers or through the PEX platform.
- Ideal for: Business owners who want real-time visibility into their business expenses
Benefits & Features
- Customizable controls: Set spending limits, restrict merchant categories, and approve transactions instantly.
- Real-time tracking: Monitor transactions as they happen for better visibility.
- Integration options: Connect seamlessly with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
- Unlimited cards: Issue as many physical or virtual cards as your business requires.
- Expense reporting: Simplify reconciliation with detailed transaction reports and receipt uploads.
Netspend Prepaid Debit Card: Best for Earning Cash Back Through Payback Rewards
Netspend Prepaid Debit CardBest for: Earning cash back through Payback Rewards | |
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Why We Like It
The Netspend Prepaid Debit Card stands out for its Payback Rewards program, which lets businesses earn cash back on eligible purchases. It’s easy to manage funds, set spending limits, and track transactions using its user-friendly online platform or mobile app. With no credit checks required, it’s accessible to businesses of all sizes.
- Fees: Monthly fees start at $9.95, with optional plans for reduced fees based on usage. A $1.95 per purchase fee applies to the Pay-As-You-Go Plan.
- Free trial: Not available
- Funding method: Load funds via direct deposit, ACH transfer, or at participating retailers.
- Ideal for: Those wanting customized rewards based on spending habits—rewards are personalized based on your daily expenses.
Benefits & Features
- Anytime Alerts™: Get notified of your transactions to ensure they are all authorized. Netspend supports most major mobile phone service carriers, including:
- AT&T
- BOOST
- Cricket
- Metro PCS
- Nextel
- Sprint
- US Cellular
- T-Mobile
- Verizon
- Virgin Mobile
- Zero liability: Netspend ensures that cardholders are protected from fraudulent transactions.
- Purchase cushion: Netspend will cover up to $10 if you fall short on your purchase.
- Customizable Netspend cards: You can customize your Netspend card by adding a photo to help merchants know when it’s not you.
- Tax refunds: The IRS can electronically deposit your refund directly to your Netspend card account.
- Easy fund management: Set spending limits and track expenses in real time.
- Mobile-friendly: Manage your card via a user-friendly mobile app or online dashboard.
- No credit checks: Available to businesses regardless of credit history.
Mesh Prepaid Visa Card: Best for High Balance Limit
Mesh Prepaid Visa CardBest for: High balance limit | |
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All plans include unlimited physical and virtual Visa debit cards, real-time spend tracking, and integration with accounting software.
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Why We Like It
The Mesh Prepaid Visa Card is perfect for businesses with high spending needs, offering a $10 million balance limit and daily loads of up to $20,000. It features a Spend Management Platform for tracking, controlling expenses, and issuing employee cards. Businesses spending $50,000-plus monthly can earn 1% cash back on qualified expenses, making it ideal for managing significant operational costs.
- Fees: Mesh Payments offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate various business needs:
- Pro Plan: Free of charge, providing essential features suitable for many businesses
- Premium Plan: Priced at $10 per user per month, offering advanced features for enhanced spend management
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored to large organizations with specific requirements
- Free trial: Not available
- Funding method: Load funds via ACH transfer, wire transfer, or credit/debit card.
- Ideal for: Businesses managing high-volume transactions or requiring large fund capacities
Benefits & Features
- Spend insights: Gain detailed visibility into spending patterns to make informed financial decisions.
- Accounting automation: Simplify bookkeeping with automated transaction categorization and integration with accounting tools.
- Spend controls: Set limits and restrictions to manage employee and departmental expenses efficiently.
- Real-time reporting: Access up-to-the-minute data on transactions and spending trends.
- Spend optimization: Identify areas to reduce costs and improve budget management.
- Smart virtual cards: Create unlimited virtual cards free of charge for specific use cases.
- Plug & Pay™ cards: Innovative cards designed for easy setup and immediate use.
- AI-powered receipt collection: Automatically capture and categorize receipts for seamless expense tracking.
- Compliance automation: Ensure adherence to company policies and regulatory requirements effortlessly.
When to Consider a Business Prepaid Card Alternative
Business prepaid cards are useful, but there are scenarios where alternatives might be a better fit:
- You need to build credit: Prepaid cards don’t help build credit since they don’t report to credit bureaus. If improving your business credit score is a priority, explore our guide to the best small business credit cards or leading secured business credit cards for more options.
- You have high spending needs: Prepaid cards often have balance and reload limits. For businesses with substantial spending, start with our list of the top purchasing cards to find the right fit.
- You want extended payment terms: Prepaid cards require funds upfront, making them less flexible for managing cash flow. A small business credit card or P-card allows you to float expenses and pay later, giving you more time to manage cash flow.
- You need advanced expense management: While some prepaid cards offer basic tracking tools, alternatives like corporate credit cards often include comprehensive expense management systems, detailed reporting, and integration with accounting platforms.
- You’re looking for better rewards: Prepaid cards may have limited or no rewards programs. If earning rewards on business purchases is important, check out our guide to the best corporate cards to look for the card that fits your needs.
How We Selected the Best Business Prepaid Cards
To determine the best business prepaid cards, we considered cost, load limits, spending limits, and convenience. We also looked at additional features and loading funds to the card. Prepaid cards that offer rewards are a plus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Prepaid cards are widely accepted anywhere credit or debit cards are accepted, as long as they are issued by major networks like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. However, some transactions, such as hotel bookings, car rentals, or online subscriptions, may have restrictions or require a credit card for pre-authorization. It’s always a good idea to check with the merchant beforehand to confirm acceptance.
Prepaid business cards work by loading funds onto the card in advance, allowing businesses to control spending without the need for a credit line. You can issue cards to employees, set spending limits, and monitor transactions in real time through an online platform or mobile app. Since funds are preloaded, there’s no risk of overspending, and no credit check is required to qualify. These cards are ideal for managing business expenses, especially for those looking to avoid debt or build credit.
Prepaid business cards do not impact your credit score because they don’t involve borrowing or a credit line. Payments and spending activity aren’t reported to credit bureaus, making them a good option for managing expenses without affecting your business or personal credit history. However, if building credit is a priority, you may want to consider a secured or traditional business credit card instead. For options, check out our list of the leading secured business credit cards.
Bottom Line
The best business prepaid cards offer flexible and convenient solutions for managing expenses, offering tools like spending controls, real-time tracking, and rewards. Whether you’re looking to streamline employee spending, manage operational costs, or avoid credit checks, there’s a prepaid card to suit your business needs. Use our recommendations to find the card that aligns with your goals and helps you manage your finances more effectively.