5 best business credit cards with no annual fee for April 2025
- 5 best business credit cards with no annual fee
- How to choose the right no-annual-fee business card
- Get a Ramp Business Credit Card with no annual fee
Business credit cards with no annual fee offer a flexible way to manage day-to-day expenses without paying for the privilege of access. These cards often come with cashback programs, allowing you to earn value on essential spending while also building business credit separate from your personal profile.
For startups and growing companies, no-fee cards can be especially valuable. Many are designed for businesses with recently established credit, making them more accessible than other cards with strict qualification requirements. Without an annual fee to offset, you can focus on earning immediate rewards rather than calculating if the card's benefits justify its cost.
Credit limits vary significantly between providers. While some providers still rely on traditional credit checks, others evaluate your company’s revenue or spending patterns to determine your credit limit, making them more accessible to younger or fast-growing businesses.
5 best business credit cards with no annual fee
No-annual-fee business credit cards offer various reward structures tailored to different spending habits. Flat-rate cards deliver consistent returns across all purchases, eliminating the need to track specific categories and providing predictable rewards for diverse spending. Category-specific cards boost rewards on certain business expenses like office supplies or travel, while point-based systems offer redemption flexibility but often with more complex value calculations.
Each card balances these rewards against additional benefits like intro APR periods and welcome bonuses.
Ramp Business Credit Card
- Higher credit limits: Ramp offers credit limits up to 30 times higher than traditional business credit cards by evaluating factors like your company’s cash flow and bank balance, not your credit score.
- Expense controls: You can easily enforce company spending policies by setting limits on vendors, categories, or individual transactions. Ramp also flags out-of-policy spending automatically.
- Exclusive partner rewards: Ramp users can access over $350,000 in rewards and perks from major business partners, including discounts with companies like Amazon, UPS, and QuickBooks.
- Comprehensive financial platform: Beyond being a credit card, Ramp gives you access to a suite of tools, including expense management, financial reporting, and accounting integrations, all in one platform.
- Real-time spend visibility: Ramp gives you immediate insights into your company’s spending, allowing you to track and monitor expenses in real time, so you can make adjustments on the fly.
- Unlimited virtual cards: You can generate an unlimited number of virtual cards for your employees, each with custom spending controls, providing flexibility and added security for online purchases.
- Automated receipt matching: Ramp automatically matches receipts to transactions, reducing the manual workload for your team and helping ensure compliance with your company’s expense policies.
- Not available to sole proprietors: Only registered businesses are eligible to apply for Ramp.
- Requires cash-on-hand to qualify: Businesses must have at least $25,000 in a U.S. business bank to qualify.
The Ramp Business Credit Card gives you cashback on all purchases with zero annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It offers integrated tools for expense management, including spend controls and automated reporting features. The card does not require a personal guarantee, and there is no preset spending limit, allowing for flexibility based on business needs.
Ramp also integrates with accounting software to help businesses track spending and simplify reconciliation. Its analytics tools provide detailed reports on financial activity, enabling businesses to monitor and control expenses effectively. The card is designed to help businesses manage costs while earning cashback on their purchases.
Ramp Business Credit Card is a scalable card program for companies of all sizes, from small businesses to enterprises.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard
- No annual fee: Save money by avoiding annual fees while enjoying card benefits.
- 3% cashback on eligible purchases: Earn cashback on purchases like gas, office supplies, and cell phone services.
- Welcome bonus of $500 cashback: After meeting spending requirements, you can earn a generous cashback bonus.
- 3% foreign transaction fee: Additional costs when making international purchases.
- Late payment penalty APR up to 29.99%: High penalty APR for late payments.
- Rewards are capped: Cashback is capped at $50,000 in annual spending; beyond that, the rate may decrease.
- Cashback only in certain categories: Rewards are limited to specific spending categories.
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard provides 3% cashback on eligible purchases such as gas stations, office supply stores, cell phone services, and restaurants, with 1% on other purchases. It includes a $500 bonus after spending $4,500 within the first 150 days and has no annual fee. The card offers 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR of 18.49% to 27.49%.
While the card offers elevated rewards for certain categories, businesses with diverse spending patterns may find the 1% rate on non-category purchases limiting. The variable APR can be on the higher side for cardholders who carry a balance after the introductory period. Additionally, the cashback structure may not suit businesses that prioritize flat-rate rewards over category-specific bonuses. The approval process for a U.S. Bank business credit card typically takes from one to two weeks after the application is submitted.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- Cash back rate: Provides 1.5% cash back on all purchases, without category restrictions.
- Annual fee: Includes no annual fee.
- Introductory bonus: Offers a $750 cash back bonus after spending $6,000 within the first 3 months.
- Introductory APR: Features a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months.
- Employee cards: Allows employee cards with spending limits at no additional cost.
- Bonus categories: Does not offer higher earning rates in specific spending categories.
- Foreign transaction fees: Charges a 3% fee on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Credit requirement: Typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card provides 1.5% cashback on all purchases, regardless of category. It has no annual fee and offers a $750 cashback bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months. The card’s variable APR ranges from 17.74% to 23.74%, depending on creditworthiness.
The card does not include an introductory 0% APR period, which could be a drawback for businesses looking to finance purchases over time. Credit limits typically start between $5,000 to $10,000 but can vary significantly based on your business's financial profile and creditworthiness. To qualify, you'll need a good to excellent credit score, typically 670 or higher. The card performs best for businesses with diverse spending patterns who value simplicity over category-specific rewards.
Capital One Spark Classic
- No annual fee: Access credit without additional costs.
- 1% cashback on all purchases: Earn unlimited cashback on every transaction.
- No foreign transaction fees: Useful for businesses with international expenses.
- Available to business owners with fair credit: More accessible approval compared to cards requiring excellent credit.
- High 29.99% APR: Significantly higher than average, costly if carrying a balance.
- Lower rewards rate: 1% cashback is lower than many competitors.
- Lower spending limits: May not meet the needs of businesses with higher expenses.
- Few additional perks or business tools: Limited extra benefits beyond basic cashback.
The Capital One Spark Classic provides 1% cashback on all purchases with no annual fee and is available to businesses with fair credit. It offers standard features like fraud protection and the ability to issue employee cards without additional costs. The card is designed to help businesses build credit while earning consistent rewards.
The 29.99% variable APR is relatively high, making the card less suitable for businesses that carry a balance. Additionally, the 1% cashback rate is lower than many other business credit cards, which may limit its appeal to businesses seeking more substantial rewards on their spending.
American Express Blue Business Plus
- No annual fee: Access Amex benefits without annual costs.
- 2X Membership Rewards points: Earn double points on the first $50,000 spent annually, then 1X points thereafter.
- Access to American Express benefits: Utilize Amex's expense management tools and customer service.
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee: Adds costs for international purchases.
- Points cap at $50,000 annually: After reaching the cap, rewards rate decreases.
- Limited flexibility for higher spending: May not suit businesses with spending over $50,000 per year.
- Few business-specific perks beyond points: Lacks extensive business management features.
The American Express Blue Business Plus provides 2X Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 spent annually, with 1X points thereafter. The card has no annual fee and offers features like purchase protection, extended warranty benefits, and the ability to spend above the credit limit with timely repayment.
While the rewards program allows for flexibility in point redemption, the higher earning rate is capped at $50,000 annually, which may not meet the needs of businesses with substantial expenses. Additionally, the lack of cashback rewards may not align with the preferences of businesses looking for immediate savings rather than points-based redemptions.
Compare card features
Net Savings
5% on average
APR
N/A
Fees
No annual fee
Personal guarantee
None
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite MastercardAnnual Fee
$0
APR
18.49%–27.49% variable
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit CardRewards
1.5%
APR
17.49%–23.49% variable
Fees
$0
Capital One Spark Classic for BusinessAnnual Fee
$0
APR
29.99% variable
American Express Blue Business Cash™ CardNet Savings
N/A
APR
0% intro APR, then 18.49%–24.49% variable
Fees
No annual fee
Rewards
Cashback
How to choose the right no-annual-fee business card
When deciding on a business credit card with no annual fee, it's important to consider other ongoing fees, rewards, introductory offers, and the cards' impact on your credit score.
Consider ongoing fees that can add up
Although no annual fee cards save you from an annual charge, be aware of other potential fees, such as:
- Foreign transaction fees: Some cards charge a fee (typically 2-3%) on international purchases. If your business operates globally, a card with no foreign transaction fees is essential.
- Late payment fees: Missing a payment can result in late fees and higher interest rates. Ensure you're aware of these costs and the card’s penalty APR before applying.
- Balance transfer fees: If you plan to transfer balances from another card, review the card’s balance transfer fee, which can be a percentage of the amount transferred.
Even though a card may have no annual fee, these other costs can add up, depending on your business's spending and payment habits.
Ramp eliminates many common fee categories that other business cards charge, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, and card replacement fees. This transparent fee structure means you avoid unexpected charges while still benefiting from cashback rewards, making it easier to predict your total card-related costs.
Pick a rewards program that aligns with your spending
The rewards program significantly impacts a no-annual-fee card's value for your business. Different cards offer varying types of rewards, and the best choice depends on your spending habits and how you plan to redeem those rewards.
- Earning structure: Some cards provide a flat percentage of cash back or points on all purchases, while others offer higher rewards in specific categories like travel, office supplies, or gas. Choose a card that matches your business’s main expenses to maximize your earning potential.
- Redemption options: Flexibility matters when using your rewards. Check if you can redeem points for cash back, statement credits, or travel. Some cards allow transfers to hotel and airline partners, which can add value if your business requires frequent travel.
- Reward limits: Some cards impose spending caps in bonus categories. After hitting the limit, you'll typically earn at a lower rate for the remainder of the year. Be aware of these limits to avoid earning less than expected.
Make sure the rewards structure fits your business’s spending habits and offers the most value for your typical expenses.
Check how the card may impact your credit
Business credit cards have varying credit requirements, and not all applications involve hard inquiries on your credit report:
- Minimum credit score: Before applying, check the card's typical credit score requirement to avoid unnecessary inquiries. Most business cards require a score of at least 670 or higher.
- Credit utilization: Keep in mind that using a high percentage of your available credit can hurt your credit score. Consider whether the card's credit limit is high enough for your needs without negatively impacting your credit utilization ratio.
- Personal guarantees: Some business cards require a personal guarantee, meaning your personal credit score could be affected if you fail to pay off the card’s balance.
Be sure to assess how applying for and using a business credit card will impact your credit score in the long term.
Prioritize long-term value over introductory offers
Some no annual fee business credit cards offer lucrative introductory offers to attract new cardholders. These can include:
- Sign-up bonuses: Cards often provide bonus points, cashback, or miles after meeting specific spending thresholds. Compare bonuses and redemption options, but verify your regular spending will qualify.
- 0% APR periods: Some cards offer an introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers for a limited time. If you need to make a large purchase or consolidate debt, this feature can save your business money in the short term.
While these introductory offers can provide significant value upfront, they are temporary. Make sure the card’s long-term benefits meet your ongoing business needs.
Get a Ramp Business Credit Card with no annual fee
If you’re looking for a fee-free card for your business, consider Ramp. Our business credit cards come with no annual fees, late fees, card replacement fees, or interest. Plus, earn cashback on purchases.
All you need to sign up for Ramp is an EIN number attached to a registered business and at least $25,000 in a U.S. bank account for your business. We don’t need your SSN or business credit score. Plus, our e-commerce underwriting program may help you get a higher credit limit than a traditional credit card.
Ramp’s spend management software and real-time insights also help you manage business expenses and get control of your cash flow. We also empower employees to spend responsibly with customizable spend limits and vendor controls on unlimited free employee business cards.
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