10 Best Business Credit Cards for Startups in 2023
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
Startup businesses that cannot qualify for a small business loan may consider business credit cards as a good alternative source of funding. The best business credit cards for startups come with a 0% annual percentage rate (APR) period, low annual fees, generous introductory and ongoing rewards, and low ongoing APRs. When selecting new business credit cards, it’s crucial to consider these factors and other features that your business may need.
Here are the 10 best business credit cards for startups:
- Chase Ink Business Cash: Best overall credit card for startups with premium rewards on office expenses
- American Express Blue Business Cash: Best for quick approval, up to 2% cash back, and flexible credit limit
- Emburse Spend Card: Best prepaid card with no personal credit check and no personal guarantee
- Chase Ink Business Unlimited: Best for simple unlimited rewards and no business credit history
- U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard: Best for earning up to 5% cash back with a long 0% APR period
- Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards: Best for easy sign-up bonus and unlimited rewards
- U.S. Bank Business Platinum: Best for 18-month interest-free financing period
- Capital One Spark Classic for Business: Best for startup business owners with fair credit
- Chase Ink Business PremierSM Credit Card: Best charge card for frequent large purchases
- Brex Card: Best for daily or monthly payment options with ongoing rewards
Best Startup Business Credit Cards at a Glance
Best for | Annual Fee | Sign-up Bonus | Ongoing Rewards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chase Ink Business Cash | Best overall credit card for startups with premium rewards on office expenses | $0 | $900 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 in three months | Up to 5% cash back |
Credit Needed: Good to Excellent | ||||
 American Express Blue Business Cash | Quick approval, up to 2% cash back, and flexible credit limit | $0 | None | Up to 2% cash back |
Credit Needed: Good to Excellent | ||||
 Emburse Spend Card | Prepaid card with no personal credit check and no personal guarantee | $0 | None | 1% cash back |
Credit needed:Not Applicable | ||||
 Chase Ink Business Unlimited | Simple unlimited rewards and no business credit history | $0 | $900 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 in three months | 1.5% cash back |
Credit needed: Good to excellent | ||||
 U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard | Earning up to 5% cash back with long 0% APR period | $0 | $500 cash back bonus when you spend $4,500 within the first 150 days | Up to 5% cash back |
Credit needed: Good to excellent | ||||
 Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards | Easy sign-up bonus and unlimited rewards | $0 | $300 statement credit when you spend $3,000 within 90 days | 1.5% cash back |
Credit needed: Excellent | ||||
 U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card | 18-month interest-free financing period | $0 | None | None |
Credit needed: Excellent | ||||
 Capital One Spark Classic for Business | Startup business owners with fair credit | $0 | None | Up to 5% cash back |
Credit needed: Fair | ||||
 Chase Ink Business PremierSM Credit Card | Charge card for frequent large purchases | $195 | $1,000 bonus cash back after spending $10,000 in three months | Up to 5% cash back |
Credit needed: Good to excellent | ||||
 Brex Card | Best for daily or monthly payment options with ongoing rewards | $0 | None | Up to 7x points |
Credit Needed: Not Applicable | ||||
To see how these cards stack up against others we reviewed on our site, click Add to Compare on a card below and choose up to two additional cards for comparison.
Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best Overall Credit Card for Startups With Premium Rewards on Office Expenses
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Office-based businesses that want top cash back rewards
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from 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
- 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.
- 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
Pros
- Top rewards for office supply spending
- Introductory APR on purchases
- Cash sign-up bonus
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- High balance transfer fee of 5%
- Designed mainly for office-oriented companies
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the United States and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the United States manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from 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
- 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.
- 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
Pros
- Top rewards for office supply spending
- Introductory APR on purchases
- Cash sign-up bonus
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- High balance transfer fee of 5%
- Designed mainly for office-oriented companies
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the United States and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the United States manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
Why we like it: Chase Ink Business Cash® is our best overall credit card for startups because it offers generous rewards and opportunities to lower your credit cost. When you’re a new business owner setting up an office (or a home office), you can take advantage of its premium rewards on office-related expenses.
You can earn:
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 each year on office supplies, internet, cable, and phone services
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 per year at restaurants and gas stations
- 1% cash back on all other business purchases
Plus, there’s no cap on rewards earned, and your cash back doesn’t expire as long as your account remains in good standing. You can redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and merchandise through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Other benefits:
- 0% APR for the first 12 months of card ownership, which is useful if you plan to make a large purchase
- $900 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening an account
- No annual fee and free employee cards
Chase Ink Business Cash® is also our best credit card for limited liability companies (LLCs) and one of our leading credit cards for consultants because of its strong rewards program and low cost.
American Express Blue Business CashTM: Best for Quick Approval, Up to 2% Cash Back & Flexible Credit Limit
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
BEST FOR:
Those who want better cash back rewards
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 26.49% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, 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.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 26.49% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, 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.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Why we like it: The American Express Blue Business CashTM card is a great choice if you need to use a card right away. This is because it offers a quick approval process when you meet the requirements, making it our top instant approval business credit card.
What’s more, it features expanded buying power, which allows you to spend beyond your credit limit when you need to. The amount you can spend above your credit limit will adjust based on your card usage, payment behavior, credit record, and financial resources.
On top of that, it offers lucrative rewards:
- 2% cash back on the first $50,000 purchases per calendar year
- 1% cash back on all eligible purchases after the cap is met
Your rewards are automatically credited to your account as a statement credit.
Other benefits:
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases
- No annual fee
- $250 statement credit when you spend at least $3,000 on purchases within the first three months
American Express Blue Business CashTM is also our top-recommended business credit card for self-employed because of its rich rewards and flexible credit limit.
Emburse Spend Card: Best Prepaid Card With No Personal Credit Check & No Personal Guarantee
Why we like it: If you need a business card that does not require a personal credit check, consider a prepaid card like the Emburse Spend card. It allows startup owners to monitor real-time transactions and request virtual and physical employee cards at no cost.
Since it doesn’t perform a credit check, it is one of our top-recommended business cards for bad credit. Keep in mind, however, that this is a prepaid card, so you need to load your card before you can use it. You can load up to $100,000.
Other benefits:
- No annual or monthly fees
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- Unlimited employee cards
- Robust spending control and streamlined expense reporting software
Emburse Spend card is one of our top-recommended business prepaid cards and leading business cards with no personal guarantee. However, it cannot be used to build business credit, and using the card will not affect your personal credit score.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®: Best for Simple Unlimited Rewards & No Business Credit History
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those who want fixed-rate 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $900 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
Pros
- With interest-free financing option on purchases
- Fixed unlimited cash back on all purchases
Cons
- Does not have interest-free financing option on balance transfers
- Charges high foreign transaction fees
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You can decline the company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to this card.
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance.
- Purchase protection: You can ensure that your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Zero liability protection: Chase will not hold you responsible for unauthorized transactions made with both your card and your account information.
- Cellphone protection: Receive up to $1,000 per claim in cellphone protection against covered theft or damage for you and your employees included in your monthly cellphone bills when using your card to pay for it. This applies for a maximum of three claims within a 12-month period and will charge a $100 deductible per claim.
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $900 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
Pros
- With interest-free financing option on purchases
- Fixed unlimited cash back on all purchases
Cons
- Does not have interest-free financing option on balance transfers
- Charges high foreign transaction fees
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You can decline the company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to this card.
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance.
- Purchase protection: You can ensure that your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Zero liability protection: Chase will not hold you responsible for unauthorized transactions made with both your card and your account information.
- Cellphone protection: Receive up to $1,000 per claim in cellphone protection against covered theft or damage for you and your employees included in your monthly cellphone bills when using your card to pay for it. This applies for a maximum of three claims within a 12-month period and will charge a $100 deductible per claim.
Why we like it: Chase Ink Business Unlimited® is a great option if you want a straightforward rewards structure. It offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it ideal for startup owners who don’t have time to keep track of their spending categories. It is our top business credit card for new businesses with no business credit history—meaning you can easily qualify for the card as long as you meet the personal credit score requirement.
You can redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and merchandise through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Note that your rewards don’t have a cap limit or expiry as long as your account is open and in good standing.
Other benefits:
- No annual fee
- Free employee cards
- 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months of opening an account
- $900 cash bonus when you spend at least $6,000 within the first three months of card ownership
Since Chase Ink Business Unlimited® has a straightforward rewards program, it is also an excellent choice for sole proprietors with expenses in various categories, making it our best sole proprietorship business credit card.
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for Earning Up to 5% Cash Back With Long 0% APR Period
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
BEST FOR:
0% APR for 15 billing cycles
Intro APR
Regular APR
19.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.24% - 28.24%.
- No annual fee.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
Pros
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- Unlimited cash back rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Intro APR doesn’t apply to cash advances
- MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a car using your U.S. Bank credit card, you’re covered in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. Coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is capped at $50,000.
- Purchase assurance: U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your U.S. Bank business credit card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per loss, up to $25,000 per year, per account. Lost items and items left out of reach that others can see are not covered.
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year from the expiration of warranties of five years or less. An item with a six-month warranty would be backed for an additional six months, for example. The issuer will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your U.S. Bank card up to $10,000.
Intro APR
Regular APR
19.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.24% - 28.24%.
- No annual fee.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
Pros
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- Unlimited cash back rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Intro APR doesn’t apply to cash advances
- MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a car using your U.S. Bank credit card, you’re covered in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. Coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is capped at $50,000.
- Purchase assurance: U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your U.S. Bank business credit card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per loss, up to $25,000 per year, per account. Lost items and items left out of reach that others can see are not covered.
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year from the expiration of warranties of five years or less. An item with a six-month warranty would be backed for an additional six months, for example. The issuer will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your U.S. Bank card up to $10,000.
Why we like it: If you’re looking for a business credit card with a long interest-free period on both purchases and balance transfers and want to earn rewards on your purchases, the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is a great option. You can take advantage of zero-interest financing for the first 15 months of card membership.
Plus, you can earn up to 5% cash back:
- 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center
- 3% cash back at eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, restaurants, office supply stores, and mobile phone service providers
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Other benefits:
- $500 cash back bonus when you spend $4,500 within the first 150 days after opening an account
- Annual $100 statement credit when you use your card to pay for your recurring software subscription like QuickBooks or FreshBooks
- ExtendPay® Plan feature lets you divide your large purchases into fixed monthly payments with no interest—just pay a small monthly fee
The generous rewards on gas and other purchases make U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® our best fuel card for small businesses. It is also our top-recommended business card with no annual fee.
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards: Easy Sign-up Bonus & Unlimited Rewards
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
BEST FOR:
Those with an existing business checking account with Bank of America
Intro APR
0%
9 billing cycles
9 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire.
- No annual fee.
- You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62% cash back on all purchases.
- Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 18.49% to 28.49% will apply.
- Contactless Cards - the security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Pros
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- Flexible redemption options
- With sign-up bonus
- With 0% introductory APR on purchases
Cons
- 0% introductory APR isn’t applicable to balance transfers
- With foreign transaction fees
- Access to a business credit score: Bank of America lets you view and monitor your Dun & Bradstreet business credit score for free through Business Advantage 360.
- Balance Connect®: This helps prevent declined purchases, returned checks, or other overdrafts when you link your Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards to a Bank of America business checking account for overdraft protection.
- Fraud monitoring: Bank of America will block potential fraud if it detects abnormal patterns in your transactions. It’ll also notify you if it suspects any fraudulent activity.
- Zero liability protection: Stay protected against unauthorized transactions. Bank of America offers additional protections that cover certain purchases against loss, damage, theft, or fire and provides extended warranty coverage.
Intro APR
0%
9 billing cycles
9 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire.
- No annual fee.
- You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62% cash back on all purchases.
- Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 18.49% to 28.49% will apply.
- Contactless Cards - the security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Pros
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- Flexible redemption options
- With sign-up bonus
- With 0% introductory APR on purchases
Cons
- 0% introductory APR isn’t applicable to balance transfers
- With foreign transaction fees
- Access to a business credit score: Bank of America lets you view and monitor your Dun & Bradstreet business credit score for free through Business Advantage 360.
- Balance Connect®: This helps prevent declined purchases, returned checks, or other overdrafts when you link your Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards to a Bank of America business checking account for overdraft protection.
- Fraud monitoring: Bank of America will block potential fraud if it detects abnormal patterns in your transactions. It’ll also notify you if it suspects any fraudulent activity.
- Zero liability protection: Stay protected against unauthorized transactions. Bank of America offers additional protections that cover certain purchases against loss, damage, theft, or fire and provides extended warranty coverage.
Why we like it: If you can spend at least $3,000 in the first 90 days that your account is open, Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards gives you a $300 statement credit as a bonus—this is the highest sign-up bonus given the spending requirement. What’s more, you’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases without the need to track spending categories.
There’s no limit to the rewards you can earn, and your cash back rewards don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. You can redeem your rewards as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, a card statement credit, or a check mailed to you.
Other benefits:
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles
- No annual fee
- 75% more cash back for those who have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards is also part of our roundup of the best business credit cards for real estate agents because of its easy rewards program. On a tangent, if you’re interested in a business checking account with the provider, read our Bank of America business checking review to see which account fits the bill.
U.S Bank Business Platinum: Best for 18-month Interest-free Financing Period
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
BEST FOR:
Extended 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Intro APR
Regular APR
17.24% - 26.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good Credit
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 17.24%-26.24%.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- With a long 0% introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers
- Does not charge annual fees
- Offers ExtendPay® Plan
Cons
- No introductory and ongoing rewards
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Needs Excellent/Good credit score to qualify
- SinglePoint® Essentials: SinglePoint® Essentials is U.S. Bank’s one-stop tool for viewing account balances and transaction details, transferring funds between existing U.S. Bank accounts, downloading statements, and making payments.
- Fraud protection: U.S. Bank offers fraud protection to ensure the safety and security of all cardholders. To learn more about U.S. Bank’s fraud protection services, you can set up a virtual appointment, call U.S. Bank, or go to the nearest U.S. Bank branch.
- ExtendPay® plan: This allows you to pay off balances over time by dividing eligible credit card purchases into affordable monthly payments with no interest—you only need to pay a fixed monthly fee.
Visa Spend Clarity: Another tool that cardholders can use to track spending and manage finances is Visa Spend Clarity.
Intro APR
Regular APR
17.24% - 26.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good Credit
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 17.24%-26.24%.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- With a long 0% introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers
- Does not charge annual fees
- Offers ExtendPay® Plan
Cons
- No introductory and ongoing rewards
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Needs Excellent/Good credit score to qualify
- SinglePoint® Essentials: SinglePoint® Essentials is U.S. Bank’s one-stop tool for viewing account balances and transaction details, transferring funds between existing U.S. Bank accounts, downloading statements, and making payments.
- Fraud protection: U.S. Bank offers fraud protection to ensure the safety and security of all cardholders. To learn more about U.S. Bank’s fraud protection services, you can set up a virtual appointment, call U.S. Bank, or go to the nearest U.S. Bank branch.
- ExtendPay® plan: This allows you to pay off balances over time by dividing eligible credit card purchases into affordable monthly payments with no interest—you only need to pay a fixed monthly fee.
Visa Spend Clarity: Another tool that cardholders can use to track spending and manage finances is Visa Spend Clarity.
Why we like it: If your startup’s primary need is more time to pay off costly purchases, such as equipment and furniture, then the U.S. Bank Business Platinum card is a great choice. It has the longest 0% APR period among all the cards on this list, making it our best 0% APR business credit card.
It gives you zero-interest financing options on both purchases and balance transfers for a full 18 billing cycles. This lets you budget your monthly payments because, within a year and a half, your balance will likely be zero by the time the regular APR kicks in.
Other benefits:
- Lower ongoing APR compared to U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
- No annual fee
U.S. Bank Business Platinum card is also our leading business credit card for balance transfers. It’s worth noting that while its 0% APR period is shorter compared to the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®, this card does not offer introductory and ongoing rewards.
Capital One® Spark® Classic: Best for Startup Owners With Fair Credit
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
BEST FOR:
Those with fair credit
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
30.49% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Fair
- 1% cash back every time you swipe
- Build your business credit through responsible usage
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- Opportunity to build business credit
- Only requires fair credit to qualify
- Doesn’t charge annual and balance transfer fees
Cons
- Charges high ongoing APR
- Has no 0% introductory APR
- No sign-up bonus
- Automatic payments: Setting up AutoPay in the Capital One mobile app will save you from having to worry about signing in to your account every month
- $0 fraud liability: If your card is either lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement and cash advance.
- Purchase records: You can download all purchase records quickly and securely in multiple formats, including Quicken®, QuickBooks®, and Excel®.
- Extended warranty: Get free additional warranty and protection on eligible items purchased with your business credit card.
- Free employee cards: You can create multiple employee cards, track employee spending, and customize spending limits while earning all the rewards from their purchases.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
30.49% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Fair
- 1% cash back every time you swipe
- Build your business credit through responsible usage
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- Opportunity to build business credit
- Only requires fair credit to qualify
- Doesn’t charge annual and balance transfer fees
Cons
- Charges high ongoing APR
- Has no 0% introductory APR
- No sign-up bonus
- Automatic payments: Setting up AutoPay in the Capital One mobile app will save you from having to worry about signing in to your account every month
- $0 fraud liability: If your card is either lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement and cash advance.
- Purchase records: You can download all purchase records quickly and securely in multiple formats, including Quicken®, QuickBooks®, and Excel®.
- Extended warranty: Get free additional warranty and protection on eligible items purchased with your business credit card.
- Free employee cards: You can create multiple employee cards, track employee spending, and customize spending limits while earning all the rewards from their purchases.
Why we like it: When you have a fair credit score (580 to 669) and are starting a new business, you may qualify for the Capital One® Spark® Classic, our best business credit card for fair credit. When used responsibly, you can build your credit over time and eventually qualify for other business credit cards with better terms.
It also offers ongoing rewards:
- 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 1% cash back on all business purchases with no limits
Other benefits:
- No annual fee
- Cash back is redeemable upon request as a statement credit, a check sent by mail, or through automatic redemption
It’s important to note that this card does not offer a zero-interest financing option. Also, it comes with a high ongoing APR compared to most business credit cards, so it’s best to pay your balance in full each month to avoid paying a high interest rate.
Chase Ink Business PremierSM Credit Card: Best Charge Card for Frequent Large Purchases
Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those who frequently make large purchases
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
Flex for Business variable APR: 19.49% - 27.49%
Annual Fee
$195
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
- Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
- The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
- For businesses who prefer to pay their balance in full each month, Ink Business Premier gives access to increased spending power, rich rewards, and premium benefits.
- Pay off eligible purchases over time with interest up to assigned Flex for Business limit. All other purchases must be paid in full each month.
- Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
- There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
- Member FDIC
Pros
- Offers premium rewards for new and existing cardholders
- Does not charge foreign transaction fees
- Has the option to pay for qualifying purchases in installments through Flex for Business
Cons
- Does not have interest-free financing option on both purchases and balance transfers
- Charges a high annual fee of $195
- Requires for you to pay in full each month
- Need to make large purchases within a short period of time to qualify for its sign up bonus
- Cellphone protection: You and your employees listed on your monthly cellphone bill can get up to $1,000 per claim against covered theft or damage
- Extended warranty protection: You can extend the US manufacturer’s warranty period by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, and other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses, which includes passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
- Flex for Business: Allows a portion of your Credit Access Line to be used for qualifying purchases over time with interest.
- Free employee cards: You can request employee cards at no additional cost and set individual spending limits—helping you earn rewards faster.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
Flex for Business variable APR: 19.49% - 27.49%
Annual Fee
$195
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
- Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
- The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
- For businesses who prefer to pay their balance in full each month, Ink Business Premier gives access to increased spending power, rich rewards, and premium benefits.
- Pay off eligible purchases over time with interest up to assigned Flex for Business limit. All other purchases must be paid in full each month.
- Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
- There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
- Member FDIC
Pros
- Offers premium rewards for new and existing cardholders
- Does not charge foreign transaction fees
- Has the option to pay for qualifying purchases in installments through Flex for Business
Cons
- Does not have interest-free financing option on both purchases and balance transfers
- Charges a high annual fee of $195
- Requires for you to pay in full each month
- Need to make large purchases within a short period of time to qualify for its sign up bonus
- Cellphone protection: You and your employees listed on your monthly cellphone bill can get up to $1,000 per claim against covered theft or damage
- Extended warranty protection: You can extend the US manufacturer’s warranty period by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, and other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses, which includes passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
- Flex for Business: Allows a portion of your Credit Access Line to be used for qualifying purchases over time with interest.
- Free employee cards: You can request employee cards at no additional cost and set individual spending limits—helping you earn rewards faster.
Why we like it: If your startup needs to make frequent large single-transaction purchases, Chase Ink Business PremierSM Credit Card gives you 2.5% cash back on transactions of $5,000 or more—this is equivalent to $125 savings per $5,000-transaction. Plus, you’ll also earn rewards on other purchases:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 2% cash back on all other purchases
Remember that this is a pay-in-full card, meaning your entire balance is due each month. It doesn’t come with an APR—but you’ll be charged $40 or 2% of the minimum payment due (whichever is greater) if you fail to pay your full balance by the due date.
Other benefits:
- $1,000 bonus cash back after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of card ownership
- Access to increased buying power and premium benefits
- Flex for Business feature allows you to pay off eligible purchases over time with interest
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases
- Free employee cards
Keep in mind that the card comes with an annual fee of $195. It is also one of our top choices for the best business cards for nonprofits because of its generous rewards on large purchases.
Brex Card: Best for Daily or Monthly Payment Options With Ongoing Rewards
Why we like it: If your startup has sufficient cash on hand to use as working capital, Brex Card is an excellent option. You can use it either as a charge card or a prepaid card—it gives you the option to pay your balance monthly or daily. If you choose to use it as a prepaid card, you need to open a Brex Business account, and your purchases will be directly deducted from your balance.
It also offers rewards on your purchases, as follows;
- 7x points on rideshare
- 4x points on Brex travel
- 3x points on restaurants
- 2x points on software
- 1x points on everything else
You can redeem your Brex points for travel, gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash back, statement credit, or mental health benefits, You can also transfer your points to miles on selected airline loyalty programs.
Other benefits:
- No annual or monthly fees
- High credit or load limits:
- Credit limit for monthly payment option: 5% to 20% of your aggregate bank balance plus 30% of your Brex Business account balance
- Load limit for daily payment option: 100% of your Brex Business account balance—your balance on your connected bank accounts won’t be considered
- Exclusive discounts on Brex partners, including Amazon, Slack, Experian, Apple, QuickBooks, and Freshworks
- Seamless expense management system with multi-currency functionality
Brex card is also one of our recommended alternatives for the best secured business credit cards because of its flexibility and lucrative rewards. And for more on the provider’s account for startups, read our review of Brex Business Account.
When choosing the best new business credit cards, we prioritized cards with low or no annual fees to help startup owners minimize their credit costs. We also considered the overall value of these cards, their requirements, and the various features that startup owners may need—such as rewards, flexible spending categories, an easy application process, introductory bonuses, and introductory APRs.
Learn more about the advantages and limitations of using credit cards to start a business. Read our articles on when to use a credit card to fund your business.
What Are the Alternatives to Business Credit Cards for Startups?
Aside from using a business credit card, other options for funding your startup business include:
- Personal loans: These are money borrowed from banks, credit unions, or other lenders. They are usually unsecured, which means you don’t need to provide collateral. See our top-recommended personal loans for business funding for a place to start.
- Small Business Administration (SBA) loans: These are loans issued by eligible lenders and are partially guaranteed by the SBA. For an in-depth guide, read our article on SBA loan types, rates, and requirements.
- Microloans: These are loans of $50,000 or less, usually offered by lenders through SBA microloan programs.
- Equipment financing: This is either a loan or a lease that’s intended to finance the purchase of equipment for your business. The equipment will serve as collateral for the loan. If you choose a lease, the equipment will be returned to the lease provider after the lease term. To learn more, read our article on equipment financing: loans vs leases.
- Rollover for business startups (ROBS): This financing method allows you to use funds from your retirement account to start or purchase a business. It allows you to access your retirement funds early without paying the usual taxes or early withdrawal penalties. Read our guide on ROBS for more information.
- Home equity loan: This is a startup financing that lets you use the equity in your primary residence for your startup capital needs. Learn about the process through our guide on how to use a home equity loan to finance your business.
- Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A HELOC is also a good option for those who have equity in their primary residence. It gives you access to a business line of credit equivalent to around 90% to 95% of your home’s value. Read our article on how to use a HELOC to fund your business for guidance.
- Small business grants: These are essentially free money for financial assistance provided to new business owners by various organizations, including government agencies, non-profit entities, and private companies. See our lists of the leading small business grants and top small business grants for women.
- Crowdfunding: This financing method sources funds from several investors in exchange for goods, services, or even equity in your company. See our guide on how to crowdfund your small business if you require assistance.
Read our guides to alternative funding options for startups and ways to fund your startup for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Using business credit cards to finance a startup business is a good idea if you don’t qualify for a small business loan or need immediate funding for working capital. A credit card application usually involves a simpler process and typically results in fast approval compared to a small business loan. Ideally, you can use a business credit card to purchase equipment and other supplies that you need to get your new business off the ground.
The qualification requirements may differ from one business credit card to another. Make sure that your credit score meets the credit requirements. Also, prepare the following documents and information:
- Business legal name, address, and contact details
- Type of business or industry type
- Business entity or legal structure
- Federal tax ID or social security number
- Number employees
- Annual business revenue
- Estimated monthly expenses using the credit card
- Owner’s information and personal credit history
The best business credit card for your startup will vary depending on your business’s unique funding needs and preferences. To help you choose the right one, consider factors like fees, rewards and bonuses, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other features and perks that may be valuable to your business.
Also, decide whether a prepaid card or a charge card may be more beneficial than a regular business credit card. If you choose a prepaid card, ensure that you have enough working cash on hand. If you go with a charge card, pay your balance in full each month to avoid hefty fines.
To qualify for a business credit card as a startup, you need to meet the card issuer’s personal credit requirements. Also, most credit card companies require a personal guarantee, and you need to provide your personal and business information, including your personal and business address, business name, contact information, and EIN. While some card issuers will ask for your business’s annual revenue, this is not always a deciding factor, especially for newly established businesses.
Bottom Line
The best business credit card for your startup is one tailored to your needs. Select a card that can give you lucrative rewards for every expense and interest-free financing options on substantial purchases. Check the credit requirements and other needed documents first to ensure a smooth application process. If you’d like to see other credit card alternatives, check out our list of the best small business credit cards.
