The best business credit cards for startups in December 2024

Business credit cards are an essential tool for startups, giving entrepreneurs a way to build credit and a source of capital to help grow their businesses. But there are so many options out there that choosing the best startup business credit card for your new venture can feel overwhelming.

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We’ve pulled together 10 of the best business cards for startups based on a variety of factors:

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1. Ramp Business Credit Card
2. Capital One Spark 1% Classic
3. Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
4. American Express Blue Business Cash Card
5. Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
6. United Business Card
7. Capital One Quicksilver Secured
8. U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard
9. Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
10. Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

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The best cards for startups don’t just give you access to capital—they provide effective tools and integrations for better accounting and expense management. Some of the products we feature in this article, including our own Ramp Business Credit Card, offer these tools.

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Read on to learn about the best startup business credit cards for new businesses.

Can a startup get a business credit card?

Yes—startups, LLCs, and sole proprietorships can all qualify for a business credit card, even if you don’t have an established business credit history. If that’s the case, you can apply using your personal credit score or by offering a personal guarantee.

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If you don’t have any credit or your credit score isn’t very good, secured cards are an option that doesn’t require any credit history and can help you build business credit. Once you’ve built your credit using a secured card, you may become eligible for a traditional business credit card.

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Corporate cards offer another option for startups and new businesses. Instead of looking at your business credit history, some cards offer sales-based underwriting based on your monthly revenue. So if your business is generating enough money, you may be eligible for a card even if you don’t meet the requirements for a traditional credit card.

Why do startups need a business credit card?

Launching a startup is exciting, but managing your finances can be a real challenge. You’ll likely have to juggle a number of financial responsibilities as you get off the ground. Luckily, the right tools can make this job a lot easier.

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This is where business credit cards, especially options that come with integrated expense management software, can be a huge help to startups. Some key benefits include:

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1. Smooth out cash flow: Income can be unpredictable when you’re just starting out. A business credit card gives you a buffer to cover essential expenses during lean periods, keeping your operations running smoothly.
2. Build business credit: Just like personal credit, your startup needs to build its own credit history. Using a business credit card responsibly can help you build a healthy credit profile, making it easier to attract investors or secure new business loans.
3. Expense tracking and organization: Business credit cards help you centralize your spending, giving you a clearer picture of how you’re spending money. This is especially valuable when you’re setting budgets or predicting future spend needs.
4. Separate personal and business finances: Making business purchases on a personal credit card and vice versa can get messy fast. Having a dedicated corporate credit card for business spending helps you stay organized, simplifies bookkeeping, and reduces headaches at tax time.
5. Enhanced security and fraud protection: Business credit cards have robust security features and fraud protection. Modern cards let you spin up virtual corporate cards that don’t reveal your primary account number, providing an extra layer of security against cyberthreats.

10 best business credit cards for startups

Ramp Business Credit Card: The best overall card for startups

Annual fee: $0 | APR: N/A

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The Ramp Business Credit Card is the ideal choice for startups looking for higher credit limits, cashback rewards, advanced expense management software, and flexible ways to qualify. All you need is an EIN and $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify, and there’s no credit check or personal guarantee.

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Once you’re approved, you can issue as many physical or virtual cards as you need, and you get instant access to Ramp’s modern financial software at no additional cost. On top of Ramp’s built-in card controls, you get receipt matching, travel booking, automated expense reporting and approvals, and AI-powered spending insights to help you save time and money.

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Here’s an overview of why Ramp is our choice for the best business credit card for startups:

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• Access higher credit limits: Ramp bases your credit limit on factors like revenue and cash on hand rather than just your business credit score. As a result, Ramp offers credit limits up to 30x higher than traditional business credit cards.
• More ways to qualify: Ramp’s sales-based underwriting offers a flexible way for startups to access more working capital. Ramp uses connections to commerce platforms like Stripe, Shopify, and Amazon to underwrite credit limits for startups that can show a year of sales data.
• Exclusive perks and rewards: Cardholders get access to over $350,000 in rewards from Ramp’s partners. Get exclusive credits, discounts, and other perks from partners like Amazon Business, Slack, AWS, Google Cloud, Linear, and more.
• Custom spend controls: Ramp’s business credit cards give you a smarter way to control spend. Ramp lets you set custom spending limits at the card, vendor, or category level, and automatically flags suspicious or out-of-policy transactions.
• Complete finance operations platform: Ramp is more than just a business credit card. When you qualify for Ramp, you get automated expense reporting, employee reimbursements, corporate travel management, accounting integrations, bill pay automation, and more—at no extra cost.

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Discover Ramp's corporate card for modern finance

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Capital One Spark 1% Classic: Best for fair credit

Annual fee: $0 | APR: 29.99% variable

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The Capital One Spark 1% Classic card is tailored for small business with limited or fair credit, which makes it a good choice for startups that are looking to build or improve their business credit score. Cardholders especially appreciate that there’s no annual or transaction fees.

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True to its name, the Spark 1% Classic offers 1% cashback on every purchase, making it one of the most straightforward rewards programs on our list. In terms of business benefits, you get free employee cards, fraud coverage, and year-end spending summaries, which can be valuable for managing business finances and monitoring expenses.

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for travel rewards

Annual fee: $95 | APR: 20.74–25.74%

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The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is best suited for businesses with frequent travel needs, but it’s also a good choice for startups looking for rewards on categories like shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and digital advertising. Any spending in these categories earns 3x points per $1 spent up to $150,000.

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Additional features include travel insurance, purchase protection, cell phone protection, and additional employee corporate cards at no extra charge. The card carries a fairly reasonable annual fee of $95, and the large welcome bonus of 90,000 points is attractive. However, you’ll need to hit $8,000 in spending within your first three months—pretty steep.

American Express Blue Business Cash Card: Best for straightforward cashback

Annual fee: $0 | APR: 0% for the first year, then 17.99–25.99%

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The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is ideal for startups that want simple, straightforward rewards. The card’s 2% cashback applies to all purchases regardless of category—but only up to the first $50,000. If you have lots of expenses, or you spend a lot in particular categories, you could probably get more value from another card.

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With that said, the Blue Business Cash Card has some other appealing features. Expanded Buying Power in particular is a valuable tool for cash-strapped startups: Amex gives you the option to spend over your credit limit if you have an urgent need for cash. Coupled with the 0% intro APR, you could use the card to finance a large capital expense that otherwise might be out of reach.

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card: Best for flexible rewards

Annual fee: $0 | APR: 17.99–35.99%

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The Capital on Tap Business Credit Card is another good option for straightforward cashback rewards. The card offers unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases, with the option to earn up to 2% cashback if you enroll in weekly autopay. You also get free employee cards with built-in spend controls, and you can easily connect the card to accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks.

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On the other hand, the card lacks many of the business benefits available on other business credit cards, like travel insurance and purchase protection. And Capital on Tap’s variable APR may be attractive on the low end, but it’s extremely high on the upper end. If that’s a concern, you may want to consider a card with a more stable rate.

United Business Card: Best for United Airlines perks

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99  | APR: 21.49–28.49%

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The United Business Card is the clear choice for small businesses that prefer traveling on United Airlines. You can quickly rack up United miles with double mileage rewards on business expense categories like dining, gas, and office supplies. Plus, perks like a free checked bag, two passes a year for United lounge access, and priority boarding are appealing to business travelers.

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With that said, if your team only flies on United a few times a year, you may want to look elsewhere. There are better options out there for startups that want more flexibility from their card—particularly mileage transfers or other redemption options.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured: Best for bad credit

Annual fee: $0 | APR: 29.99% variable

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured card is a good choice for startups looking to build their business credit responsibly. As a secured card, your initial deposit serves as your credit line. But as you build your payment history over time, you can choose to upgrade to an unsecured card.

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Even with unlimited 1.5% cashback, if you have good or even fair credit, the Quicksilver Secured card probably isn’t your best choice. The card lacks basic expense management features, and if you want more flexible rewards, bonus categories, or travel perks, you should look elsewhere.

U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard: Best for hotel and car rentals

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 | APR: 19.49–26.49%

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The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard is an attractive choice for startups that want flexible and extensive travel rewards. You can earn 5x points on hotels and rental cars booked through U.S. Bank’s travel portal, 4x points on airfare, gas, alternative fuels, and dining, and 1x point on all other purchases.

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These extensive rewards come at a price: After the first year, your annual fee is $95, and the card requires good credit for approval. If you don’t travel often for business, or if you’re looking to build or improve your credit, you may need to look for other options.

Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for office supplies

Annual fee: $0 | APR: 0% for the first year, then 17.99–23.99%

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The Ink Business Cash Credit Card from Chase is ideal for startups with elevated spending on office supplies and telecoms. With no annual fee and a 0% intro APR offer for the first year, it’s a solid cashback credit card.

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However, your elevated rewards across categories are capped at $25,000 per calendar year, and many startups will hit that mark easily. It also lacks many of the standard travel perks offered by competing cards.

Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card: Best secured card

Annual fee: $0 | APR: 27.99% variable

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The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is designed for small business owners looking to build or rebuild their credit. It’s a great choice for startups with limited or poor credit, and it offers the aded bonus of unlimited 1.5% cashback across all spending categories.

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As a secured credit card, it requires an initial cash deposit, which acts as your line of credit. If you consistently make timely payments, you could eventually upgrade to an unsecured credit card. However, aside from cashback rewards—which are solid—the card doesn’t offer many of the perks and rewards small business owners have come to expect from their startup business credit card.

How to choose the best business credit card for your new business

It’s important to choose a credit card issuer that offers you all the tools you need for success. Consider the tips below as you decide which business credit card is best for your startup.

1. Know the eligibility requirements

Each business credit card comes with its own eligibility requirements. To qualify for most offers, you typically need:

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• Good credit: The most attractive small business credit cards typically require a personal guarantee from the business owner, backed by a credit score of 700 or higher. However, if you have an adequate business credit score, you may be able to bypass the personal guarantee and credit check.
• Proof of profitability: It may be difficult to qualify for a business credit card if your company isn’t profitable yet or if your profit margin is slim
• Agreement among ownership: If your startup is a partnership, lenders will typically require all members of the partnership who own more than 25% of the business to agree to open the account. As such, anyone who owns more than 25% of your business will likely need to be listed on the application, including their names, addresses, birthdays, and Social Security numbers.

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If you don’t meet the requirements above, don’t worry: Some business credit cards can use your sales data to underwrite your business instead of showing years of business credit history or a personal guarantee.

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2. Look for rewards that help your startup

Credit card rewards are commonplace among credit card issuers today. Rather than thinking of rewards and perks as extras, it’s better to consider them tools to help you grow your company.

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Most cards only offer rewards or bonus points on eligible purchases in certain spending categories like office supplies, travel expenses, or dining. How you can redeem your membership rewards also varies by card, so you’ll want to consider your options: Do you want elevated travel rewards or more flexible ways to redeem your points?

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To avoid the complexity of trying to spend within the right bonus categories, you might consider looking for a card that offers universal cashback on all purchases. That way, you don’t have to tailor where you spend your money, and you’ll know the value of the rewards every time you make a purchase.

3. Evaluate potential fees and interest

If you don’t anticipate paying off your balance in full every month, look for cards that offer a low interest rate. Some cards come with a 0% introductory APR period when you open your account, which you can use to perform balance transfers and pay down debts on other cards.

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However, interest often isn’t the only fee you’ll pay as a cardholder. Some other fees to watch for include:

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• Annual fees
• Cash advance fees
• Balance transfer fees, both during and after the intro APR period
• Foreign transaction fees
• Late payment fees
• Returned check fees

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Make sure you’re aware of any fees you might have to pay before you fill out any business credit card application since these can really add up (particularly foreign transaction fees). As an alternative, you can avoid those fees altogether by going with a corporate purchase card. Because they function as charge cards, they won’t charge you any interest.

4. Compare terms and conditions

Each card has different terms and conditions, so you should familiarize yourself with your provider’s business credit care agreement.

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For example, some credit cards automatically revert to a default interest rate if you make a single late payment. In other cases, you won’t experience a default rate unless you completely miss a payment or make multiple late payments over a predetermined period.

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On top of that, as the business owner, you may be personally liable if your business can’t make payments, which could lead to collection actions, poor credit, and even bankruptcy.

5. Prioritize spend management features

Quality spend management is essential for every business, but for startups, it can mean the difference between growth and bankruptcy. The best cards for startups come with spend management software built in. Some features to look for include:

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• Employee cards: Look for cards that offer unlimited physical and virtual cards, allowing your team to make purchases while minimizing the need for reimbursement
• Real-time reporting: Automated expense tracking and reporting features let you see where you’re spending your money. The best spend management software will identify savings insights to help you optimize your business spending, like flagging duplicate software subscriptions or redundant vendor charges.‍‍
• Receipt matching: Automated receipt matching can help automate your expense reporting workflow, freeing up hours of work

How to get a business credit card as a startup

So, you’re ready to get a business credit card. What are your next steps? Read on to learn everything you need to know.

1. Build business credit history

If your business isn’t at least three years old, you’ll likely need to rely on your personal credit history when you apply for a business credit card. Even if your business is over three years old, if it doesn’t have any credit history, you’ll need to rely on your personal credit report for approval.

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With that in mind, it’s important to work on your credit history and improve your score. One way to do that is by opening and using a secured credit card, which requires you to make a security deposit that becomes your credit limit.

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The good news is that once you do get a business credit card that reports to the business credit bureaus, you’ll be able to start building your business credit score. And as long as you use your credit card responsibly, your business will qualify for a credit card on its own in time.

2. Gather and submit required documents

Once you find an offer that meets your business needs, it's time to submit an application. In most cases, you’ll be required to submit supporting documents for review by the lender’s underwriters. These documents typically include:

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• Information like your business name, address, and business type (partnership, LLC, etc.)
• Identification documents for all owners who hold more than a 25% stake
• Your incorporation documents to prove the number of years you’ve been in business
• Your most recent financial data, including P&L reports. Some lenders may also ask for bank statements.
• Documents for personal assets. Note that you may have to make a personal guarantee to access credit for your startup. This could mean securing the credit for your home, car, or other property.

3. Wait for approval

Several factors influence how long you may have to wait for approval. In some cases, you’ll receive an instant decision within a matter of seconds. If the lender needs more information or further review, the process could take anywhere from a couple days to a few weeks.

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‍What is the easiest business credit card to get for a new business?

If your business lacks an established credit history, secured credit cards are the most accessible option for getting a business credit card. Unlike traditional credit cards, which often have stringent credit score and revenue requirements, secured cards are more lenient.

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This is because you provide an upfront cash deposit that serves as your credit limit. For companies with a low (or nonexistent) business credit score, secured credit cards offer an alternative way to build business credit.

Get Ramp’s business credit card for startups

If your startup needs a spending card, the Ramp Business Credit Card may be the answer. Unlike traditional business credit cards, Ramp doesn't require a credit check or a personal guarantee. Plus, our cards come with integrated expense management software to help you manage your business expenses and close your books faster each month.

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Some of Ramp’s most exciting features include:

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• Free to use: Get started with Ramp’s business credit card for startups and finance automation software for free. No annual fees or setup fees.
• Expense management tools: Set spending limits, automate receipt collection, and streamline your expense reporting workflow
• Accounting integrations: Connect Ramp with leading accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, and NetSuite and close your books 8x faster