10 Best Sole Proprietorship Business Credit Cards of 2023

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.

The best sole proprietorship business credit cards allow you to earn rewards on your purchases. When choosing a card, prioritize one that offers sign-up bonuses, has a zero or low annual fee, charges low ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs), and provides a 0% introductory APR to finance a large purchase or balance transfer. Sole proprietors can also benefit from cards that can help build business credit.

Here are the 10 best sole proprietor business credit cards:

• Chase Ink Business Unlimited®: Best overall business credit card for sole proprietors
• Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for sole proprietors with fair credit
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured: Best for sole proprietors with bad credit
• Amazon Business Prime American Express Card: Best for Amazon Prime members and recurring Amazon purchases
• U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for long 0% APR period with cash rewards
• American Express® Blue Business® Plus: Best for everyday expenses
• Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business: Best for earning travel rewards
• PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card: Best for low starting APR
• Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best for office-based sole proprietors
• Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card: Best for earning flexible rewards

To see how these cards stack up against others we reviewed on our site, click Add to Compare on a card below and select up to two additional cards for comparison.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited®: Best Overall Business Credit Card for Sole Proprietors

Why we like it: The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® card is our overall best sole proprietorship business credit card because it offers a simple cash back rewards program. You can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all business-related purchases, regardless of spending categories. In addition, you’ll receive $900 cash back when you spend at least $6,000 in the first three months of card membership.

It also comes with no annual fee and a low ongoing APR. Plus, if you plan to make a significant purchase, you can enjoy 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months. Note, however, that this interest-free financing period doesn’t apply to balance transfer transactions.

In general, this card is straightforward and uncomplicated, making it an excellent choice for sole proprietors with varied expenses. It’s also named one of our best credit cards for startup businesses due to its easy rewards program and low fees.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for Sole Proprietors With Fair Credit

Why we like it: If you’re a sole proprietor with fair credit (580 to 669), the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is a great option as it can help you grow your credit score—as long as you use it responsibly. Your payment history will be reported to the major credit bureaus, so consistent on-time payments can help you improve your credit over time.

In addition, it has no annual fee and offers 1% cash back on all business purchases. There’s no cap on the number of rewards you can earn, and rewards will never expire. While this card is our best business credit card for fair credit, keep in mind that it’s important to pay your balance for each statement period since it comes with a high APR.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured: Best for Sole Proprietors With Bad Credit

Why we like it: If you have a low credit score and cannot qualify for an unsecured business credit card, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured is an excellent alternative. You only need to make a security deposit of at least $1,000 to qualify, and the amount of your security deposit will determine your credit limit.

It’s our top choice for secured business credit cards and business cards for bad credit because it can help you build or improve your business credit while earning unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. 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.

Moreover, it comes with no annual fee, so you can save on your overall credit cost. With consistent on-time payments, you’ll be able to raise your credit score and eventually qualify for an unsecured business credit card.

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card: Best for Amazon Prime Members & Recurring Amazon Purchases

Why we like it: If you have a Prime membership at Amazon, you can earn substantial cash back when you use the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card to purchase business-related goods. You’ll get 5% cash back on US purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon, and Whole Foods Market on the first $120,000 each calendar year, then 1% cash back thereafter.

If you don’t want to earn premium rewards on Amazon purchases, you could opt for a 90-day interest-free billing cycle instead. Also, you’ll get 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and wireless phone services and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.

There’s no annual fee outside of the Amazon Business Prime membership fee. As a member, you’ll gain access to quantity discounts and thousands of products only available to Business users. On top of that, you’ll receive an automatic $125 bonus Amazon.com gift card upon approval, with no spending requirements. This card is the only co-branded credit card on this list, and it’s our leading Amazon business credit card.

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for Long 0% APR Period With Cash Rewards

Why we like it: The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is a great option if you need to make a substantial purchase or consolidate your debts from other credit cards. You can take advantage of zero-interest financing for 15 months after opening an account on both purchases and balance transfers.

Plus, you can earn unlimited rewards on your purchases—5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals directly booked in the Travel Rewards Center, 3% cash back on fuel, office supplies, cellphone service providers, and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. High cash back on gas purchases is one of the reasons why it’s our top-recommended fuel business credit card.

With this card, you’ll also receive bonus cash back of $500 when you spend $4,500 on eligible purchases within the first 150 days of opening your account. In addition, if you have recurring software subscription expenses, such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks, you’ll get a $100 statement credit. On top of all these rewards, there’s also no annual fee, which is why it’s our overall best credit card with no annual fee.

American Express® Blue Business® Plus: Best for Everyday Expenses

Why we like it: You can earn 2x points on all eligible purchases with the American Express® Blue Business® Plus on up to $50,000 in a single calendar year. When the cap is met, you’ll earn 1x points on all purchases. It has no annual fee and features expanded buying power, which lets you spend beyond your credit limit. The amount you can spend over your credit limit will adjust based on your credit, usage, payment history, and financial resources.

You can also enjoy a 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months and earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card ownership. This card is among our recommendations for the best small business credit cards.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business: Best for Earning Travel Rewards

Why we like it: The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business is best for sole proprietors who travel frequently and is our leading travel business card. You can earn unlimited 1.5x miles on all business-related purchases and redeem them to book flights, rent cars, and pay for hotel stays.

You can also use your rewards for past travel purchases within 90 days of the date of the travel purchase. Moreover, Capital One allows you to transfer your miles to any of its travel partners. Because of its simple rewards program, it’s also among our top business credit cards for miles.

Cardholders can also enjoy other travel benefits, such as roadside assistance services and zero foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the US. Plus, you can take advantage of 0% APR on purchases for the first nine months of card ownership.

PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card: Best for Low Starting APR

Why we like it: If your business needs to carry a balance, the PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card is your best choice because it offers the lowest starting APR on our list. Plus, you can enjoy 0% financing on purchases for the first nine billing cycles.

You also get unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible business purchases and earn $400 if you spend $3,000 in qualifying purchases within the first three months of opening an account. What’s more, it comes with no annual fee, allowing you to save on costs. It’s one of our leading cash back business credit cards because of its low APR and fixed-rate rewards.

Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best for Office-Based Sole Proprietors

Why we like it: If your office expenses include internet, phone, and office supplies, you’ll get an impressive 5% cash back on up to $25,000 per year for these purchases with the Chase Ink Business Cash® card. You’ll also get 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants and 1% cash back on all other purchases. It’s our best business credit card for startups.

Similar to the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® card, this offers a $900 cash back bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months. It also has no annual fee and a low ongoing APR. If you plan to make a large purchase, you’ll enjoy zero-interest financing for the first 12 months. Note that this introductory rate isn’t applicable to balance transfer transactions.

Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card: Best for Flexible Rewards

Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card allows you to pick your preferred rewards program. You can choose between earning 1.5% cash back or 1x point for every dollar spent on all purchases, regardless of spending categories. It also offers $300 cash back or 30,000 bonus points when you spend at least $3,000 in qualifying purchases in the first three months. Its rewards flexibility is  one reason it made our list of the top-recommended credit cards for the self-employed.

If you opt for points, you’ll receive 1,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 or more in any monthly billing period. There’s no annual fee, and you can enjoy a 0% introductory rate for nine months on both purchases and balance transfers.

You can also use this card for travel abroad as it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. And if you don’t want your business card transactions to affect your personal credit, this card would make a great option, as it’s our top choice for business credit cards that don’t report to personal credit bureaus. Note, however, that Wells Fargo reports your payment history to business credit bureaus.

How We Selected Sole Proprietor Business Credit Cards

When choosing the best business credit cards for sole proprietors, we looked for cards with the most flexibility for a variety of purchases. We also looked at low interest rates and fees, introductory bonuses, rewards, and the ability to build business credit.

Best Practices for Applying for a Sole Proprietor Business Credit Card

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Bottom Line

The best credit card for sole proprietors should suit your spending style. Maximizing the 0% APR period and earning introductory and ongoing bonus rewards will help save more money for your business in the long run. Also, choose a card that can help build your business credit as this will be useful when you need to qualify for other business financing options in the future.