The best business credit cards for startups allow you to keep more money for your growing business. They charge no annual fees and offer lower APRs and advantageous rewards for early-stage businesses. What’s more, these types of cards offer new firms easy ways to qualify and begin building business credit.
The best business credit cards for startups of 2020 are:
- Chase Ink Business CashSM: (Best overall) Best for entrepreneurs who run office-based businesses and want premium cash back rewards
- Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM: Best for earning a big introductory bonus while paying no annual fee
- Brex Card for Startups: Best for no personal liability and a high credit limit
- American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for earning the highest fixed-rate return
- U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card: Best for a long 0% introductory APR offer
- Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for fair credit (580 to 669)
For details on how we evaluated new business credit cards for this list, see our methodology.
Chase Ink Business CashSM: Overall Best Business Credit Card for Startups
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
Best For: Office-based businesses that want top cash back rewards
| Intro APR ?0% APR for 12 months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% Intro APR on Purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Why we like it: Chase Ink Business CashSM lands in the No. 1 spot because it offers top-of-the-line cash back rewards for office-based startups. If you find you spend a lot on office supplies, these 5% cash back rewards can save you a ton of money over time. Plus, if you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months, this small business credit card gives you a welcome offer worth several hundred dollars.
Owners also will benefit from interest-free financing on purchases, making it easier to buy what you need to grow your business. Choosing new business credit cards that offer an introductory 0% APR period can help you get your startup off the ground. However, this interest-free offer doesn’t apply to balance transfers, so look elsewhere if you want to consolidate other high-interest debts.
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM: Best for Fixed-rate Rewards & Big Introductory Bonus
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card
Best For: Pocketing 1.5% cash back on every single purchase
| Intro APR ?0% APR for 12 months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% Intro APR on Purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Why we like it: Use this business credit card for new businesses if one of your concerns in a card is earning consistent rewards on every purchase. Every time you swipe your card, you’ll get 1.5% cash back. This can save you from having to think about which card in your wallet offers bonus category rewards. Similar to our top pick, you also can pocket a few extra hundred dollars through its sign-up bonus. You just need to spend at least $1,000 per month on average.
You’ll also reap the benefits of an interest-free financing period on purchases. This introductory financing period can give your startup some breathing room as you’re starting out. You’ll receive these benefits—fixed ongoing rewards, cash welcome offer, and 0% APR—all while using a no-annual-fee credit card.
Brex Card for Startups: Best for No Personal Guarantee & High Credit Limits
Brex Card for Startups
Best For: No personal guarantee and startups with investment funding
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | $0 | N/A |
Why we like it: Brex offers a one-of-a-kind corporate card that’s tailored to startup owners. It requires no personal guarantee, which means you can protect your personal credit and assets. Plus, it offers stellar rewards in categories like ridesharing and travel, and credit limits 10 to 20 times higher than traditional business credit cards. Your limit is based on the amount of cash you’ve raised and/or equity in your business, alongside your spending patterns.
If your company has raised at least $100,000, this card could be a massive advantage for your business. You can also use it to build your business credit and avoid interest because it charges no APR. However, this means your balance is due every month, so only apply if you can afford those repayment terms.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for Earning the Highest Fixed-rate Return
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Best For: Earning 2% cash back every time you swipe and 0% introductory APR for 12 months
| Intro APR ?0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% on purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | No annual fee | Good, Excellent |
Why we like it: If you’re a sole proprietor or self-employed, and you want to earn consistent rewards, this sole proprietor credit card can be your savior. You’ll earn the same rewards rate on every purchase, which means you don’t have to hassle with bonus categories. This makes it a solid startup business credit card if you spend across a variety of categories. The only downside to this card is that it doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus.
What’s more, if you need to finance purchases, this card has you covered. For 12 months, you’ll have the opportunity to pay down those balances over time with zero interest. However, don’t forget to pay them off by the end of the introductory period and before the ongoing APR becomes a factor.
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card: Best for Introductory 0% APR for 20 Billing Cycles
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
Best For: Extended 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers
| Intro APR ?0% APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0%* | 9.99% - 17.99% Variable | $0 | Excellent |
Why we like it: As a startup business owner, you may just want a card that offers stellar introductory financing. Well, here’s the offer of your business financing dreams: 0% APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. This business credit card for new businesses tops the 0% APR category easily. Offers like this can help you finance large purchases or transfer a balance from a high-interest credit card.
You should only apply for this LLC credit card to help you pay down your debt as fast as possible. This card does not offer any introductory or ongoing rewards. This means it doesn’t hold much value after your introductory 0% APR period is over. However, if you want to avoid interest, you won’t find a better introductory financing offer on a business credit card.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best New Business Credit Card for Fair Credit
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Best For: Fair credit business owners (580 to 669)
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 26.99% (Variable) | $0 | Average, Fair, Limited |
Why we like it: If you’re an entrepreneur with a personal credit score between 580 and 669, this business credit card for new businesses is fit for you. You’ll have fewer qualification requirements and be able to earn cash back every time you use your card. While you can earn some rewards, the main purpose of this card is to build your business credit.
When you use this business credit card for no credit responsibly, you can improve your credit over time. We recommend doing so until you have the necessary credit to qualify for a traditional business credit card. Once you’re eligible, you can unlock more robust rewards and even introductory financing depending on the specific card.
Business Credit Cards for Startups vs Personal Cards
Business credit cards for startups are an excellent way to build business credit while minimizing credit card costs. The best business credit cards for new businesses offer cheap introductory financing, low ongoing APRs, and no annual fees. Plus, they let you separate your business and personal finances.
Use business credit cards to:
- Build your business credit: Using a new business credit card responsibly can help you build your business credit history. Conversely, personal credit cards don’t report to business credit bureaus and, therefore, don’t help build your business credit.
- Access cheap financing and minimize credit card costs: Most business credit cards for startups offer cheap introductory and ongoing financing. Plus, you won’t have to pay annual fees on the cards we include on our list.
- Separate your business and personal finances: It’s important to open a business credit card so that you don’t commingle your business and personal finances. This will help you track expenses more easily.
When you apply for a startup business credit card, it’s also likely you’ll need to provide a personal guarantee. This means if your startup fails to repay its debt, you’ll become liable for those debts. However, you can avoid this by applying for a business credit card with no personal guarantee.
How We Evaluated New Business Credit Cards
Using credit cards to fund startups allows entrepreneurs to rely on their personal credit to open an account—even before they have a tax ID or employer identification number (EIN). Along with a low barrier to entry, we prioritized business credit cards that charge no annual fees, have introductory 0% APR offers, and offer ongoing rewards worth up to 5%. These cards also help establish business credit, similar to startup business loans.
Bottom Line
The best business credit cards for startups give entrepreneurs easier credit access to build their firms. These new business credit cards allow owners to enjoy low annual percentage rates (APRs), rewards tailored to growing businesses, and no annual fee, helping them to keep more money in their companies. Compare the top cards to find the right one for you.
For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card, please click here.
