Best no annual fee business credit cards

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There are many reasons it pays to have a dedicated business credit card, and the benefits can extend far beyond the rewards you earn. Having a business credit card in your wallet makes it easier to keep your business expenses separate from personal expenses for tax purposes, and the best business cards even come with unique cardholder perks, like travel protections or accounting integrations.

There are plenty of no-annual-fee credit cards for businesses that can help you reap rewards on business expenses without having to pay for the privilege. Here are a few of our favorites.

Comparing the best no-annual-fee business cards

Top no-annual-fee business cards

Best for business startups

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5

4.3

• Bankrate’s view

  The American Express Blue Business Cash Card earns a generous flat rate of rewards for each dollar you spend. Along with a fair rewards rate, this card includes extended warranties on eligible purchases, purchase protection against damage or theft, dispute resolution, access to Amex Offers and more. The card’s well-rounded nature makes it a simple, valuable option for startups that want to focus on their business instead of juggling rewards.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • The Expanded Buying Power feature offers flexibility to business owners who need to purchase beyond their credit limit.
  • Its introductory APR period for new purchases can help business owners avoid interest on upcoming costs.

  

  Cons

  • Its foreign transaction fee can cut into your rewards earnings if you use your card for international purchases.
  • The $50,000 annual spending limit for boosted rewards may limit earning potential for larger businesses.

Best for reward flexibility

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5

4.1

• Bankrate’s view

  The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express works similarly to its cash back counterpart, except that you earn 2X Amex Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 you spend, then 1X points. You can redeem points you earn in American Express Membership Rewards on a range of options including merchandise, gift cards, travel through AmexTravel.com and transfers to Amex airline and hotel partners.

  This card also comes with extended warranties for eligible purchases, purchase protection against damage or theft, dispute resolution, access to Amex Offers and additional cardholder benefits.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • Its intro APR on purchases is on par with other business credit cards and can serve as a lifeline for business owners with upcoming expenses.
  • Expanded Buying Power allows you to spend a limited amount beyond your regular credit limit, making it a flexible option for business owners who need funds.

  

  Cons

  • The spending cap for earning boosted rewards may limit the card’s rewards-earning potential for big spenders.
  • It lacks an intro APR on balance transfers, so it’s a poor choice for managing high-interest debt from other cards.

Best for its welcome bonus

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5

4.2

• Bankrate’s view

  The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card doesn’t have the highest rewards rate available on a flat-rate business rewards card, but it offers a generous 1.5 percent cash back for each dollar you spend and currently has one of the best sign-up bonuses on any card for no annual fee. This bonus can prove useful if you need to invest in your business for growth.

  You can also qualify for a primary auto rental collision damage waiver when you rent a car for business purposes, fraud protection, purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranties, travel and emergency assistance services.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • You can pool your points onto other eligible Chase cards to unlock more value via point transfers and boosted redemptions.
  • It carries a fair intro APR on purchases and a relatively low ongoing APR, making it an affordable option for budget-minded business owners.

  

  Cons

  • There’s no intro APR on balance transfers, so it’s not a good choice for existing credit card debt management.
  • The spending requirement for this card’s welcome offer may be tough to reach for some businesses.

Best for business purchases

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5

4.1

• Bankrate’s view

  The Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers tiered rewards rates that can help you earn plenty of rewards in specific business-related categories. The highest rewards tier includes office supply stores and Internet, cable and phone services, while the second tier rewards generously for purchases at gas stations and restaurants. Although your rewards are capped in each tier, you’ll still earn plenty of points before you see diminishing returns for your spending.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • Its flexible redemption options through Chase Ultimate Rewards provide a unique feature compared to other small-business credit cards.
  • The card offers a strong variety of business-themed reward categories useful for most businesses.

  

  Cons

  • The annual $50,000 spending cap on boosted rewards may not keep pace with the spending volume of larger businesses.
  • Its boosted rewards categories may not appeal to remote or strictly online businesses.

Best for big spenders

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

3.5

• Bankrate’s view

  The Capital on Tap Business Credit Card earns unlimited 1.5 percent back on purchases and comes with a potentially higher-than-average credit limit. Business owners with excellent creditworthiness stand to benefit from up to $50,000 in available credit, making it a generous and flexible pick for business owners with plenty of ongoing costs.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • Depending on your creditworthiness, you can qualify for a credit limit as high as $50,000, which will provide plenty of flexibility.
  • Applying won’t impact your credit score, so you can gauge your offer before moving forward with opening an account.

  

  Cons

  • The card’s high-end APR is much higher than the rate you’ll find on most competing cards.
  • It lacks a sign-up bonus, so it lacks in up-front value compared to other cards on this list.

How to choose the best no-annual-fee business card

While no annual fee business credit cards can offer generous rewards rates and bonus offers, these rates and bonuses are generally lower than you’ll find on an annual fee card.

With that being said, there are plenty of valuable factors you should compare before you settle on a business card, including the following:

• Rewards rates

  If you want to earn rewards on your business purchases, rewards rates and categories for everyday business spending should be on your radar. If your business spends more at gas stations and office supply stores than restaurants or home improvement stores, you should compare cards that offer boosted rewards rates in those categories. If your business spending is spread out uniformly, then a business credit card with a flat rate of rewards could prove more valuable.

• Bonus offers

  Ideally, you want a business credit card that offers a generous bonus with a minimum spending requirement you can easily meet. These offers can bring significant value alongside an intro APR offer, and are worth factoring in when choosing a card, especially if you have upcoming large purchases for your business.

• Introductory APR offers

  The best business credit cards with no annual fee also tend to offer a 0 percent intro APR on purchases or balance transfers for a limited time.  You should compare these offers based on how long they last, whether or not you’ll carry a balance for the first year and the variable APR you’ll have to pay on the remaining balances once the intro APR offer is over.

• Cardholder benefits

  Business cards may come with an assortment of additional perks and benefits, including auto rental insurance, extended warranties, roadside dispatch or purchase protection. No-annual-fee business cards tend to come with fewer perks than their annual fee counterparts, but even the common benefits can add value to your business.

Frequently asked questions

• What's the best way to build business credit?

  You can build business credit the same way you build personal credit: borrowing and repaying lines of credit or loans. Secure a business credit card, keep utilization low and always pay on time or early. You can also open trade lines with vendors that report to credit agencies and consistently make timely payments. Regularly check your business credit reports for accuracy and to track your progress.

• Which is the easiest business card to get?

  The Capital One Spark Classic for Business* is often the easiest business card to obtain, especially for those with fair credit or a less-than-perfect credit history. It offers the opportunity to earn unlimited cash rewards while also helping to build credit.

Bottom Line

A dedicated no-annual-fee business credit card can help you keep your business expenses separate for tax purposes, cover expenses during cash flow fluctuations, earn rewards, and provide additional perks and protections.

But don’t settle for a card without fully exploring your options, including annual fee business cards. Depending on your needs, you may find an annual fee business card is also a valuable choice.

*The information about the Capital One Spark Classic for Business has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.