Skip to content

Best No Annual Fee Business Credit Cards of December 2024

There is no cost to carry these small-business credit cards.
Written by

Kelsey Sheehy

Edited by

Ryan Lane

Last updated on December 20, 2024

Fact checked and reviewed
Question mark icon

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

No annual fee business credit cards are free to carry, and the best options put extra cash in your pocket with rewards and perks like an intro APR period. Since they have no fee, using more than one of these business credit cards can maximize your rewards — for instance, by combining a flat-rate cash-back card and one with bonus categories that fit your spending.
Note: Some of our selections can be applied for through NerdWallet, and others cannot. Below, you’ll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose your business type to find the best options for you.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

No annual fee business credit cards are free to carry, and the best options put extra cash in your pocket with rewards and perks like an intro APR period. Since they have no fee, using more than one of these business credit cards can maximize your rewards — for instance, by combining a flat-rate cash-back card and one with bonus categories that fit your spending.
Note: Some of our selections can be applied for through NerdWallet, and others cannot. Below, you’ll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose your business type to find the best options for you.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Here are the best no annual fee business credit cards

Best forNerdWallet ratingAnnual feeRewards rateIntro offerLearn more

Welcome bonus + cash-back rewards (1.5%)

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

4.9/5
$0

1.5%

Cashback

$750

Apply now

on Chase's website

Businesses setting up an office

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

4.6/5
$0

1%-5%

Cashback

$350

Apply now

on Chase's website

No-fee business travel card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

4.2/5
$0

1.5x

Points

30,000

Points

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Flexible cash-back bonus categories (up to 3%)

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

3.9/5
$0

1%-3%

Cashback

$300

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

New businesses spending less than $50,000 annually

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.5/5
$0

1%-2%

Cashback

$250

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Flexible rewards redemption (cash back or travel)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.4/5
$0

1x-2x

Points

15,000

Points

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

3% cash back on gas and other business essentials

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

4.4/5
$0

1%-3%

Cashback

$750

Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Flat-rate cash-back rewards (1.5%)

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

4.6/5
$0

1.5%-5%

Cashback

$500

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Business owners with fair/average credit

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

4.6/5
$0

1.5%

N/A

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

I'M INTERESTED IN:

Our pick for

Welcome bonus + cash-back rewards (1.5%)

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • No bonus categories

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.9/5
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Our pick for

Businesses setting up an office

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350

Pros

  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.6/5
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350

Our pick for

No-fee business travel card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Read Review
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR offer
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • No reward caps
  • Bonus rewards for qualifying Preferred Rewards for Business members

Cons

  • Requires excellent credit
  • Multiple accounts, high combined balance required to get Preferred Rewards bonus
  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

NerdWallet rating 

4.2/5
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points

Our pick for

Flexible cash-back bonus categories (up to 3%)

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Read Review
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$300

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate in bonus categories
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Bonus rewards for qualifying Preferred Rewards for Business members

Cons

  • Requires excellent credit
  • Complicated rewards
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Multiple accounts, high combined balance required to get Preferred Rewards bonus

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

NerdWallet rating 

3.9/5
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$300

Our pick for

New businesses spending less than $50,000 annually

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Read Review
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Low rate after you hit bonus cap

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.5/5
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250

Our pick for

Flexible rewards redemption (cash back or travel)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Read Review
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Low rate after you hit bonus cap

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

NerdWallet rating 

4.4/5
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points

Our pick for

3% cash back on gas and other business essentials

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Read Review
Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • No cap on bonus rewards
  • Intro APR period on purchases
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

NerdWallet rating 

4.4/5
Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Our pick for

Flat-rate cash-back rewards (1.5%)

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Read Review
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$500

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No reward caps
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Requires excellent credit
  • Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
  • No Intro APR period

Capital One Spark Cash Select

NerdWallet rating 

4.6/5
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$500

Our pick for

Business owners with fair/average credit

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Read Review
Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%
Intro offer
N/A

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No reward caps
  • Available with fair credit

Cons

  • Not available to sole proprietors, charities or nonprofits
  • Must enroll in automatic payments
  • Potential for very high APR
  • No new cardholder bonus offer

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.6/5
Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%
Intro offer
N/A

NerdWallet's editorial picks: Best no annual fee business credit cards

Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card

Best for: Cash-back rewards (2%)

NerdWallet star rating: 5

Among big-name card issuers, the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card is the only no-annual-fee business credit card to offer all business owners unlimited 2% back on all purchases. Combine that high rewards rate with a long intro APR period and a competitive welcome offer — earn a $500 cash rewards bonus when you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first three months — and you have a top-notch card that is unmatched on simplicity and ongoing value. Note: You need to have a Wells Fargo checking or savings account to apply for the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card. Other applicants need to visit a branch location. Learn more.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Best for: Welcome bonus + cash-back rewards (1.5%)

NerdWallet star rating:
4.9

The
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
earns a simple, flat cash-back rate on every purchase, with no limit on how much you can earn. The sign-up bonus is outstanding for a cash-back card, particularly one with no annual fee, and there's an intro APR period for purchases. Learn more and apply.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Best for: Welcome bonus + cash-back rewards (up to 5%)
NerdWallet star rating:
4.6
If your business's spending matches the bonus categories on the
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
, including 5% cash back on spending at office supply stores, you can rack up some serious cash back. (If not, then look elsewhere.) There's an excellent sign-up bonus for a no-annual-fee cash-back card, plus an introductory APR period for purchases. Learn more and apply.

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Best for: 0% intro APR on purchases
NerdWallet star rating:
4.4
The
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
is a solid cash-back card for business owners.
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs). Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
Plus, the card offers a competitive welcome bonus and
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 17.99%-26.99% Variable APR
— all with a $
0
annual fee. Learn more and apply.

Capital One Spark Cash Select

Best for: Flat-rate cash-back rewards (1.5%)
NerdWallet star rating:
4.6
The
Capital One Spark Cash Select
offers a generous, attainable sign-up bonus, no annual fee and flat-rate cash-back rewards. (See rates and fees.) Businesses that expect to spend $30,000 or more in their first three months should look to the
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
, which offers a higher bonus and rewards rate (for a higher annual fee). (See rates and fees.) Learn more and apply.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Best for: Intro APR period + flat-rate cash-back rewards (2%)
NerdWallet star rating:
4.5
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
boasts one of the better introductory APR offers among business credit cards. Beyond that, you earn a solid cash-back rate (at least for a while — the rate drops after you hit a spending threshold). There's also a
$0
annual fee. Terms apply. Learn more and apply.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best for: Flexible rewards redemption (cash back or travel)
NerdWallet star rating:
4.4
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
is a near-twin to
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, with one key difference: Rather than cash back, it pays you in AmEx Membership Rewards points. Learn more and apply.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Best for: Flexible cash-back bonus categories (up to 3%)
NerdWallet star rating:
3.9
The
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
gives entrepreneurs a little control over their credit card rewards by letting them choose which category earns the highest cash-back rate. Options include gas (EV charging stations qualify as well), office supplies, travel, computer services and more. There are also bonus rewards on dining and no annual fee. Learn more and apply.

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Best for: Business owners with fair/average credit
NerdWallet star rating:
4.6
The
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
issued by WebBank offers
1.5
% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee and the potential for a low APR. And it's available to business owners with fair credit:
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
says applicants with a FICO score of 670 or higher have the best chance of approval. One important note: This card is not available to sole proprietors, which excludes the majority of businesses. Learn more and apply.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Best for: No-fee business travel card
NerdWallet star rating:
4.2
The
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
pays solid rewards on every purchase and gives you wide flexibility in redeeming your points for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Learn more and apply.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card

Best for: Secured business credit card
This card has not been rated by NerdWallet.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no cap or expiration date on the rewards you earn. The card has a minimum security deposit of $1,000, which is equal to your credit limit and subject to credit approval. Bank of America® will periodically review your secured card and may upgrade you to an unsecured card if and when you qualify. This card has no annual fee.
To view rates and fees of
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, see this page.
To view rates and fees of
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
, see this page.
The information related to the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

What is a no-fee business credit card?

A no-fee business card typically refers to a business credit card with no annual fee. However, these cards still have other costs, including interest on purchases (avoidable if you pay your balance in full) and incidental fees, such as foreign transaction fees, balance transfer fees or late payment fees.

Should you get a business credit card with no annual fee?

The annual fee is only one factor to consider when comparing business credit cards. And in some cases, you can earn more rewards if you opt for a card with a higher annual fee.

🤓 Nerdy Tip

The annual fee on your business credit card can be a tax-deductible expense if you use the card exclusively for business purposes.
If you want a cash-back business credit card, for example, choosing an option with no annual fee often makes the most sense. You can earn top-rate rewards and a solid welcome bonus without shelling out for an annual charge. 
Eyeing a travel card? Most of the best business travel cards have an annual fee of $95 or higher. But you can easily recoup that cost with the rewards you earn.
The
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
, for example, has an annual fee of $
95
. The card also has a massive welcome offer:
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Beyond that bonus, you earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel, shipping, advertising (social media and search engines), and internet, cable and phone service. Spend just $5,000 per year in those categories and you’ll net 15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth $187.50 in travel booked through Chase.
While there are a few business travel cards that don’t charge an annual fee —
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
, for example — you typically earn fewer points and a smaller signup bonus.
Last updated on December 20, 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards for small businesses based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of small-business operators. Factors in our evaluation include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as special financing arrangements, free cards for employees or tools for managing business expenses. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

NerdWallet Home Page
Finance Smarter
Learn more about the app

Download the app

QR code for downloading the app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product’s site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly.

NerdUp by NerdWallet credit card: NerdWallet is not a bank. Bank services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC. The NerdUp by NerdWallet Credit Card is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Inc.

Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.

NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539

NMLS Consumer Access| Licenses and Disclosures

California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812

Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033)   Insurance Licenses

NerdWallet has an engagement with Atomic Invest, LLC (“Atomic Invest”), an SEC-registered investment adviser, to bring you the opportunity to open an investment advisory account (“Atomic Treasury account”). Investment advisory services are provided by Atomic Invest. Companies which are engaged by Atomic Invest receive compensation of 0% to 0.85% annualized, payable monthly, based upon assets under management for each referred client who establishes an account with Atomic Invest (i.e., exact payment will differ). Atomic Invest also shares a percentage of compensation received from margin interest and free cash interest earned by customers with NerdWallet. NerdWallet is not a client of Atomic Invest, but our engagement with Atomic invest gives us an incentive to refer you to Atomic Invest instead of another investment adviser. This conflict of interest affects our ability to provide you with unbiased, objective information about the services of Atomic Invest. This could mean that the services of another investment adviser with whom we are not engaged could be more appropriate for you than Atomic Invest. Advisory services through Atomic Invest are designed to assist clients in achieving a favorable outcome in their investment portfolio. They are not intended to provide tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not include investments that clients may hold outside of Atomic Invest. For more details about Atomic Invest, please see the Form CRS, Form ADV Part 2A, the Privacy Policy, and other disclosures.

Brokerage services for Atomic Invest are provided by Atomic Brokerage LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC and an affiliate of Atomic Invest. Due to the relationship between Atomic Brokerage and Atomic Invest, there is a conflict of interest due to Atomic Invest directing orders to Atomic Brokerage. For additional information regarding conflicts, please see Items 5, 12 and 14 of Atomic Invest's Form ADV Part 2A. For more details about Atomic Brokerage, please see the Form CRS, the Atomic Brokerage General Disclosures, and the Privacy Policy. Check the background of Atomic Brokerage on FINRA's BrokerCheck. Fees such as regulatory fees, transaction fees, fund expenses, brokerage commissions and services fees may apply to your brokerage account.

Neither Atomic Invest nor Atomic Brokerage, nor any of their affiliates is a bank. Investments in securities are Not FDIC insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged. Custodial and clearing services used by Atomic Brokerage can be found on its BrokerCheck report. Technology services may be provided by AtomicVest, Inc.

NerdWallet™ | 55 Hawthorne St. - 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105

© 2024 NerdWallet, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Apple Podcasts
  • TikTok
Close
Find a business credit card that works as hard as you do

Looking to earn rewards or build your credit? We’ll help match you to the perfect business credit card based on your qualifications.

Close
Find a business credit card that works as hard as you do

Looking to earn rewards or build your credit? We’ll help match you to the perfect business credit card based on your qualifications.