- What are the easiest business credit cards to get approved for?
- Comparing the 7 easiest business credit cards to get
- What businesses of every size should look for in a credit card
- Small business owners
- Startups
- Mid-size companies
- Enterprise companies
- How your business credit score affects approval
- How to increase your chances of getting approved for a business credit card
- Apply for Ramp’s business credit card with just your EIN
Need quick financing for your business? While secured cards offer one pathway, other alternatives exist for those with fair credit scores, including corporate cards with flexible requirements.
This article reviews business credit card options accessible without excellent credit or, in some cases, without a personal guarantee requirement.
The easiest business credit cards to get include:
- Ramp Business Credit Card
- FNBO Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card
- Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Business Credit Card
- Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
- Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
- Capital One Spark 1% Classic
- Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card
Let's explore each of these cards in detail to help you determine which option best suits your business type and current credit situation.
What are the easiest business credit cards to get approved for?
If you have good or excellent personal credit, or if you have an established business with a good business credit score, most business credit cards should be fairly easy to get approved for. However, if your personal credit score is less than stellar, you still have some options:
- Secured business credit cards: You can typically get a secured credit card no matter your personal credit score. This type of business credit card requires an initial deposit that acts as your credit limit. Secured business credit cards are a great way to help you build credit as you pursue some of the more attractive business credit cards.
- Fair-credit business credit cards: A fair credit score is generally around 580–669 in the FICO range or 601–660 for VantageScore. You can find business credit cards for fair credit, though your options are more limited, and they typically don’t offer competitive rewards or rates.
- Corporate credit cards: Most corporate cards don’t require a credit check or personal guarantee. Instead, they rely on factors like your business revenue or cash on hand, and you can typically apply with your Employer Identification Number (EIN) only. However, these cards usually aren’t available to sole proprietorships or partnerships.
Here are our top 7 picks for the easiest business credit cards to get, featuring a mix of secured cards, fair-credit cards, and corporate cards:
Ramp Business Credit Card
- No interest charges or fees
- Cashback on all purchases
- Automated expense tracking and real-time insights
- Unlimited physical and virtual cards for employees
- Seamless integration with accounting tools and ERPs
- Requires a business bank account
- Only available to U.S.-based businesses
The Ramp Business Credit Card is designed to save your business time and money. Ramp’s built-in credit card expense management software offers customizable spend controls and automated expense tracking and reporting. Ramp also integrates with popular accounting platforms like QuickBooks, and it has no fees or interest rate.
Key features:
- 0% APR and no fees
- Cashback rewards on all purchases that you can apply as a statement credit
- Real-time expense tracking and insights
- Integrates with major accounting software and ERPs
- Unlimited virtual and physical cards for employees
- Custom spend limits and approval workflows
FNBO Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit Card
- Helps build or rebuild business credit
- Secured with a refundable deposit
- Reports to business credit bureaus
- Charges an annual fee
- No rewards program
- High variable APR
This secured business credit card from the First National Bank of Omaha is ideal for small business owners with little to no credit history. Your credit line is based on a refundable security deposit, and on-time payments help establish your business credit profile. However, it comes with no rewards and a relatively high APR.
Key features:
- Secured card with deposit-based credit line
- Reports to business credit bureaus
- Annual fee of $39
- Online account management
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Business Credit Card
- 1.5% cashback on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Helps build business credit
- Converts to unsecured version with responsible use
- Requires a security deposit
- High variable APR
- 4% balance transfer fee
- Foreign transaction fees apply
This secured version of Bank of America’s Unlimited Cash Rewards card is great for new or rebuilding businesses. It earns 1.5% cashback on every purchase and has no annual fee. After consistent on-time payments, you may be upgraded to an unsecured card and receive your deposit back.
Key features:
- 1.5% cashback on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Reports to business credit bureaus
- Potential to upgrade to unsecured card
- Security deposit required
Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR supports large upfront expenses
- Simple rewards program with 1.5% cashback on all purchases
- Foreign transaction fees apply
- Rewards structure may not suit category-specific spending
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card offers straightforward rewards and 0% intro APR, making it an excellent choice for new or growing businesses looking to manage upfront costs. With no annual fee and unlimited 1.5% cashback on every purchase, it’s easy to use without tracking spending categories. Pairing it with other Chase cards can unlock even more value through point transfers.
Key features:
- 0% intro APR on purchases for the first year
- Unlimited 1.5% cashback on every purchase
- $750 cash back after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months
- Free employee cards with individual limits
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
- Simple 1.5% cashback on all purchases
- Fast application and approval process
- No annual or foreign transaction fees
- High credit limits available
- APR can be extremely high, depending on credit profile
- Fewer business perks than larger issuers
- Only for U.S. or U.K. businesses registered as an LLC, corporation, or partnership
Capital on Tap offers a straightforward small business credit card with quick access to credit, simple rewards, and no fees. It’s great for businesses that need funding fast and want to earn cash back without worrying about categories. The platform also includes tools for managing multiple employee cards. However, the variable APR can get prohibitive on the high end.
Key features:
- Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases
- Credit limits up to $50,000
- No annual or foreign transaction fees
- Quick online application
- Free employee cards with spending controls
Capital One Spark 1% Classic
- Unlimited 1% cashback on all purchases
- Unlimited 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No annual or transaction fees
- Fair credit scores accepted
- Cashback rewards are slightly less than average
- High APR
The Spark 1% Classic is a solid starter card for businesses with fair or average credit. It offers unlimited 1% cashback on every purchase and helps you build credit while managing expenses. With no annual or foreign transaction fees, it's a cost-effective way to establish a financial foundation for your business.
Key features:
- Unlimited 1% cashback on all purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Helps build or rebuild business credit
- Free employee cards with spending controls
Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card
- Helps build business credit
- No annual fee
- Customizable credit line based on deposit
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fees apply
- Requires an upfront deposit of 110% of your credit limit
- Must apply in person in a physical branch
The Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card is geared toward businesses that need to establish or rebuild their credit history. Your credit limit is determined by the amount you deposit, giving you control over your available credit. With 1% cashback rewards, it offers a no-fee path to building a stronger business credit profile.
Key features:
- Secured card with adjustable credit limit
- Reports to business credit bureaus
- No annual fee
- Online account management
- In-person application required
Comparing the 7 easiest business credit cards to get
While these cards are all easier to get than many traditional business credit cards, they differ quite a bit across details like fees, rewards, and business features. Here's a summary of each card so you can compare options at a glance:
Card feature comparison
Annual Fee
$0
APR
N/A
Rewards
Cashback
FNBO Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® Credit CardAnnual Fee
$39
APR
24.99% variable
Rewards
Earn interest on security deposit
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit CardAnnual Fee
$0
APR
27.49% variable
Rewards
Cashback
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit CardAnnual Fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 12 months
APR
17.49%–23.49% variable
Rewards
Cashback
Capital on Tap Business Credit CardAnnual Fee
$0
APR
17.49%–57.49% variable
Capital One Spark 1% ClassicAnnual Fee
$0
APR
29.74% variable
Rewards
Cashback
Valley Secured Business Credit CardAnnual Fee
$0
APR
0% for first 6 months, then 15.20%–26.50% variable
Rewards
Cashback
Discover Ramp's corporate card for modern finance
What businesses of every size should look for in a credit card
Not all business credit cards are created equal, and what works for a startup won't necessarily benefit an enterprise. Here’s an overview of the key features to look for based on your company's size and its unique needs.
Small business owners
When you're building a small business, accessible credit is key. The right card establishes your financial credibility while supporting your day-to-day operations.
What to look for:
- Cards with minimal or no personal credit requirements that approve based on your business revenue. These cards protect your personal credit while giving you the business financing you need.
- Secured card options that have clear paths to upgrade to unsecured cards. The best secured cards report to business credit bureaus and automatically review your account for upgrades.
- Low or no annual fees to keep costs down as you grow. Fee-free cards give you essential credit without adding extra expenses to your new business.
- Simple, flat-rate rewards structures so you don't have to track complex categories. Straightforward cashback programs let you maximize returns without spending time optimizing rewards.
Startups
As a startup, you need financing that's as flexible as you are. The right credit card gives you room to grow while helping you manage unpredictable cash flow.
What to look for:
- Cards with 0% introductory APR periods of at least 9-12 months for your initial investments. This interest-free time helps you manage cash flow during your critical early growth phase.
- Built-in expense management software that connects with your accounting platforms. These tools automate categorization and reporting, saving your finance team valuable time.
- Virtual card capabilities for short-term projects and controlled vendor spending. Virtual cards boost security while letting you control exactly where company money is spent.
- Higher credit limits based on cash in the bank rather than your business credit history. Revenue-based underwriting gives fast-growing startups the financing capacity they need, even with a limited track record.
Mid-size companies
As a mid-size business, you need card solutions that can scale with you. Look for cards with custom controls and reporting features, plus integration capabilities.
What to look for:
- Comprehensive expense management platforms with customizable policies and approval workflows. These systems automatically enforce your policies while giving you real-time visibility into spending across the company.
- Employee card programs with individual spending limits and category restrictions. Customizable controls let you empower your team while keeping spending in check.
- Advanced reporting and analytics to identify spending patterns and savings opportunities. Data-driven insights help you optimize vendor relationships and spot potential consolidation opportunities.
- Integration capabilities with your accounting software, ERP systems, and business checking account. Seamless data flow eliminates manual reconciliation and keeps your financial systems accurate.
Enterprise companies
Enterprise organizations need sophisticated card programs built around control, security, and integration with existing systems. The ideal enterprise card solution works as a comprehensive spend management platform.
What to look for:
- Enterprise-grade spend management systems with department-level dashboards and controls. These platforms give you centralized oversight and decentralized administration to manage complex organizational structures.
- Advanced fraud protection features including real-time monitoring and customizable alerts. Sophisticated security measures protect you against increasingly advanced financial threats that target larger organizations.
- API access and developer tools for custom integration with your proprietary systems. Open APIs enable seamless connection with your enterprise financial infrastructure and custom reporting solutions.
- Dedicated account management with customized service level agreements. Look for enterprise-level support that offers strategic guidance to help you get the most out of your program.
The right business credit card is an essential tool in your financial toolkit. Whether you're an entrepreneur just starting out or an enterprise with complex needs, there's a card out there that will help you reach your goals. Focus on the features that matter most for your business size and stage, and you'll be well on your way to growth.
How your business credit score affects approval
Your business credit score is one of the key factors that lenders may consider when evaluating your application. Most traditional business credit cards require a good to excellent personal credit score, but some secured or corporate cards rely more on business financials, like revenue or cash flow.
If you’re just starting out or have limited credit history, more accessible options like secured cards and corporate card programs like Ramp that don’t require a personal guarantee can help you build a business credit profile over time. Regular use and on-time payments will gradually improve your business credit score, opening up better credit opportunities in the future.
How to increase your chances of getting approved for a business credit card
Your chances of getting approved for a business credit card rely heavily on your personal credit score and your business’s cash flow. If you’re concerned about whether you’ll qualify for the card you want, here are some tips to help increase your chances of getting approved:
- Check your credit reports: Review your personal and business credit reports and dispute any errors or incorrect information. Pay down your existing balances as much as possible, and avoid new hard inquiries before applying for your chosen card.
- Start with a secured credit card: You can usually get a secured business credit card even with bad personal credit. Although you’ll need to put down a deposit, these cards can help you build credit and put you in a better position to get approved on future applications.
- Build your business credit: An established business credit report can help increase your approval odds and get you a higher credit limit. Once you set up your business entity and get an EIN, there are some simple steps you can take to build business credit, including getting a DUNS number and opening a business bank account.
Once you're approved, make sure you use your business credit card the right way. Responsible use of your card over time is the best way to build credit and increase your chances of getting approved for the best business credit cards.
Apply for Ramp’s business credit card with just your EIN
Businesses get approved for the Ramp Business Credit Card in less than 48 hours on average, and there’s no credit check or personal guarantee. All you need to qualify is a registered business with an EIN and at least $25,000 in a U.S. business bank account.
Ramp has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no interest. On top of that, you get:
- Unlimited physical and virtual employee cards
- Automated expense policy enforcement with custom spending limits at the employee, vendor, or card level
- Built-in expense management features that automatically track and categorize transactions in real time
- Access to more than $350,000 in partner rewards, including exclusive credits and discounts with major vendors like Amazon Business and UPS
Watch a demo video to learn about all the benefits you get as a Ramp cardholder.
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