Best startup business credit cards with no credit check in January 2025

As a startup, having no credit history or a bad personal credit score can make it nearly impossible to get approved for a business credit card. Thankfully, some types of business credit cards don’t require a credit check, helping you access financing even with low creditworthiness.

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This article will review four of the best startup business credit cards with no credit check and share all the details you need to make an informed decision about which to choose. We'll look at a range of features, benefits, drawbacks, and available options for startups, including:

1. The Ramp Business Credit Card
2. BILL Divvy Corporate Card
3. OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
4. Stripe Corporate Card
5. Nav Prime Card

Best business credit cards with no credit check for startups

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The Ramp Business Credit Card is ideal for startups without a credit history. You just need an EIN and $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify—no credit check or personal guarantee required. Once you’re approved, you can issue as many physical or virtual cards as your startup needs at no additional cost.

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Ramp's corporate business credit credit card offers cashback on purchases and built-in expense management software to help streamline your business finances. On top of Ramp’s built-in card controls, you also get receipt matching, corporate travel management, automated expense reporting and approval workflows, and AI-powered spending insights to help you save time and money.

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BILL, formerly known as Bill.com, is best-known for its AP/AR automation software. After acquiring Divvy, it added corporate cards with integrated expense management features to its product offerings. BILL’s corporate card is available to registered businesses with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a US business bank account.

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Like Brex, the BILL card offers a points-based rewards program with bonus points in various purchase categories. Unlike other options we review here, BILL does require a credit check for approval—luckily, it’s only a soft credit check, so it won’t affect your credit score.

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The OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card works a bit differently than the other small business credit cards we’ve listed here, but it’s worth mentioning as an option for new businesses with no credit history. The OpenSky Secured Visa doesn’t require a credit check, but because it’s a secured credit card, it does require a refundable security deposit. The deposit then acts as your credit line.

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The downside is that this means your line of credit will be limited by the amount of cash you have on hand to pay the security deposit. On the positive side, though, you don’t need a business bank account to qualify, there’s no personal credit check required, and regular, timely payments will help you build business credit.

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Stripe operates differently than traditional credit cards. It's a payment processing platform that allows businesses to accept various online payment methods, including credit cards.

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Unlike a credit card issued by a bank, Stripe doesn't provide you with a line of credit. Instead, it acts as an intermediary between your customers and your bank account. When a customer makes a payment through Stripe, the funds are transferred to your account, minus a processing fee.

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The Nav Prime Card is a unique option for businesses, particularly those just starting out. Unlike traditional credit cards that require a credit history, the Nav Prime Card focuses on building business credit with no personal credit check.

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Instead of a traditional credit limit, you link an external bank account to the Nav Prime Card. This linked account acts as the source of funds for your purchases.

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Summary of the best business credit cards for startups

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How a business credit card with no credit check works

When your startup applies for a business credit card that doesn’t require a credit check, lenders judge your application against other factors, such as your business revenue and history. This makes them more accessible to businesses with less established credit scores.

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The application process is usually simpler than traditional credit cards, requiring only basic information like your business name, address, and contact details. Once approved, you can use your card immediately up to your specified credit limit.

Why choose a credit card with no credit check?

Applying for your first business credit card will typically trigger a hard inquiry into your personal credit history. In the absence of established business credit, credit card issuers need a way to check your creditworthiness before approving you for a business credit card. Personal credit history is usually the best proxy in these cases.

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A credit card with no credit check is ideal for startup founders who don't have an established business credit history or who are looking to build business credit. Here are a few situations when these cards can be beneficial:

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• You need to build your business credit score
• You want to get access to a higher credit limit
• You need extra funds for business expenses
• You’re starting a new business with no credit history and need access to credit
• You’re not eligible for traditional credit cards due to no or bad credit history
• You need to make purchases online or abroad
• You want to spread the cost of purchasing equipment or supplies

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By demonstrating responsible credit use on a business credit card with no credit check, you can gradually increase your credit limit.

Things to consider before applying for startup business credit cards with no credit

Securing a business credit card can be a valuable tool for not only startups, but businesses at all stages, and it's essential to approach the application process with careful consideration. Here are some key factors to weigh before applying for a startup business credit card with no credit check:

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• Eligibility/business structure. While some cards bypass personal credit checks, they may have strict requirements like documented business revenue and may only accept applications from LLCs or corporations, excluding sole proprietors.
• Introductory and ongoing APRs: Introductory 0% APR periods can be enticing for businesses; however, these offers often favor applicants with good to excellent credit. Be mindful of ongoing APRs too, which can exceed 20%.
• Rewards options. If you’re interested in travel rewards, only consider cards that offer those types of points-earning opportunities. Since cashback is king, you might prefer a more streamlined loyalty program with flat-rate rewards.
• Fees. Annual fees, transaction fees, interest rates. Factor these in as you consider applying for credit cards for new businesses with no credit history.
• Business bank account requirements. Some cards, like the Nav Prime card, require that you use the Nav platform, while the iO Card’s primary requirement is maintaining an average cash balance of roughly $25,000 in your Mercury account.

Pros and cons of business credit cards with EIN-only

Before applying for a business credit card with no credit check, it’s important to understand the pros and cons. Here are some of the key benefits and drawbacks to consider.

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Pros:

• Quick and easy application process
• Accessible for those with little or no credit history
• Low interest rates
• Ability to build your business credit score over time
• No credit check necessary for approval

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Cons:

• May require a personal guarantee
• Lower credit limits than traditional cards
• Fewer rewards and benefits than traditional cards
• Some business credit cards with no credit check may require a higher minimum deposit as collateral

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» Learn more: How to get a business credit card with EIN only

Alternatives to startup business credit cards with no credit

If your startup or small business is seeking financing, there are several alternatives to business credit cards worth exploring. These options can provide opportunities for growth and financial stability without a credit check. Plus, they offer ways for business owners to build business credit without using a credit card.

Trade credit

Trade credit allows businesses to make purchases on credit without requiring a credit check. By building a strong relationship with suppliers and consistently making timely payments, you can establish business credit and gain access to the essential resources you need to operate and expand.

Alternative lending

Another option is to seek out alternative lending sources such as online lenders or peer-to-peer lending platforms. These options often have more flexible lending criteria and may be willing to extend small business loans to businesses with no credit check.

Invoice factoring

Invoice factoring involves selling unpaid invoices to a third-party company in exchange for immediate cash. This can help businesses improve their cash flow and access funds without relying on credit.

Merchant cash advances

Merchant cash advances provide businesses with a lump sum of cash in exchange for a percentage of future sales. This option can be particularly beneficial if your business has a consistent stream of revenue.

Partnerships

Finally, business owners can consider establishing partnerships or joint ventures with other companies. By pooling resources and sharing risks, your business can access capital and resources without the need for a credit check.

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Another option: Secured credit cards

Although they typically require a credit check, secured business credit cards are another good alternative to traditional business credit cards if you or your business have low or no credit. Your personal credit score tends not to be a major factor for approval because of the way these cards work.

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Secured credit cards differ from unsecured credit cards in a few ways.With a secured credit card, you make an initial cash deposit that acts as collateral. This deposit directly determines your card's credit limit. For example, a $1,000 deposit would typically allow for a $1,000 line of credit. You then use the secured card just like a traditional credit card by making purchases up to your credit limit and paying down your balance monthly.

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When you use a secured credit card responsibly by making timely payments and keeping your balance low, it reflects positively on your business’s credit report because secured credit card issuers report to the major business credit bureaus. Over time, as you build business credit, you can eventually qualify for the best business cards.

What is the easiest business credit card to get?

Business charge cards, like the Ramp Corporate Card, are one of the easiest business credit cards to get. These cards typically require you to pay the balance in full each month and require no credit check—just EIN only. Ramp is designed to support businesses of all sizes and tenures, and you only need to have $25,000 in cash in any U.S. business bank account to qualify.  

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If you have steady business revenue, business charge cards will be easier to qualify for and have the upside of fewer credit checks. And as one of the best business credit cards for new business with no credit, it’s a no-brainer for new and small businesses to consider applying for Ramp.

Consider Ramp's startup business credit card with no credit check

Does your startup or small business need access to credit, but you don’t have the necessary credit score?

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Ramp is a business credit card and expense management platform with no credit check or personal guarantee required. Instead, our qualification process depends on the amount of capital you have in your business bank account, or you may be eligible for our sales-based underwriting.

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Here are a few of the features you can expect from us:

• Unlimited physical and virtual employee cards
• Automate your expense policy and set custom spending limits at the card level
• No foreign transaction fees when using your card abroad

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