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.
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
- U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card: Best for a long 0% introductory APR offer
- American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for earning the highest fixed-rate return
- Brex Card for Startups: Best for no personal liability and startups with professional funding
- Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for fair credit (580 to 669)
- Citi® Double Cash: (Personal credit card) Best for receiving up to 2% cash back
For more details on how we evaluated 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 | 14.74% - 20.74% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Why we like it for startups: 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 lot of money in the long run. Plus, if you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months, this small business credit card gives you a sign-up bonus 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.
If you need to make a balance transfer, compare this card to the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card.
Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM: Best for Fixed-rate Rewards & Big Intro 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 | 14.74% - 20.74% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Why we like it for startups: Use this business credit card for new businesses if one of your concerns in a business credit card is earning the same rewards on every purchase. Every time you use 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 welcome offer. You just need to spend $1,000 per month on average.
You’ll also reap the benefits of an introductory 0% APR period on purchases. This interest-free financing period can give your startup some breathing room as you’re getting it up and running. You’ll receive all of these benefits—fixed ongoing rewards, cash welcome offer, and 0% APR—all while using a no annual fee credit card.
Compare this LLC credit card’s rewards with the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card.
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 for startups: 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 easily tops the 0% APR category. 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 card to help you pay down your debt as fast as possible. This card does not offer any introductory or ongoing rewards. This means the card 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.
Compare this 0% APR with the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for No 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 and balance transfers | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% on purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | No annual fee | Good, Excellent |
Why we like it for startups: 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 any introductory rewards.
Plus, if you need to finance purchases or balance transfers, this card has you covered. For 12 months, you’ll have the opportunity to pay down those balances over time without interest. However, don’t forget to pay them off by the end of the introductory period and before the ongoing APR becomes a factor.
If you value a sign-up bonus, compare this card to Chase Ink Business UnlimitedSM.
Brex Card for Startups: Best for Startups with $100,000 in a Corporate Bank Account
Brex Card for Startups
Best For: No personal guarantee and startups with professional funding
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | $0 | N/A |
Why we like it for startups: Brex offers a one-of-a-kind corporate credit card that’s tailored to startup business owners. It requires no personal guarantee, which means you can protect your personal credit and assets. Plus, it offers stellar ongoing rewards in categories like ridesharing and travel, and credit limits 10 to 20 times higher than traditional small business credit cards. It’s best for startup businesses with professional funding and $100,000 in a corporate bank account.
If you meet that balance requirement, this card could be a massive advantage for your business. You can use it to build your business credit and avoid interest because it charges no APR. However, this means your balance is due at the end of every month, so only apply if you can afford to meet those repayment terms.
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 | 24.49% (Variable) | $0 | Average, Fair, Limited |
Why we like it for startups: 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 business 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.
Citi® Double Cash: Best Personal Card for Startups
Citi® Double Cash Card
Best For: Extensive 0% APR period on balance transfers
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 15.49% to 25.49% Variable | None | Good - Excellent |
Why we like it for startups: If you’ve had trouble qualifying for a startup business credit card, you’re in luck. The Citi® Double Cash card is a solid pick for startups that aren’t yet up and running and may not qualify for a small business credit card. You’ll earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and 1% when you make at least the minimum payment on your card. Plus, you’ll have access to a long introductory 0% APR period on balance transfers.
While the rewards and perks you’ll receive are strong, you won’t be able to build business credit with this card. This card does not report to the main business credit reporting bureaus. If you want to build business credit, you’ll need to apply for a new business credit 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, business credit cards for startups let you separate your business and personal finances.
You should use business credit cards for startups to:
- Build your business credit: Using a 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, the best business credit cards for startups charge no annual fee, have introductory 0% APR offers, and offer ongoing rewards worth up to 5%. They also help establish business credit, similar to startup business loans. See the methodology in detail.
Bottom Line
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, new business credit cards offer new firms easy ways to qualify and begin building business credit.
For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card, please click here.
