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Best Business Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

  • Various business credit cards don’t require cardholders to pay an annual fee for card ownership.
  • No-annual-fee options are often cash-back business cards, but some may provide flexible rewards.
  • It may be worth it for frequent business travelers to pay a moderate annual fee in exchange for additional perks.

Our top picks for the best business cards with no annual fee

Advertiser Disclosure

Best for bonus categories + welcome bonus

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Click here to learn more
 Go to review
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on Bankrate's secure site
Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back in select business categories (on up to $25,000 per year) and earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $25,000 per year). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Up to $750
Regular APR
18.49% to 24.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If your business spends a lot in traditional categories like office supplies and telecommunications, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card may make a perfect addition to your wallet. With 5% back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases per year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services, this car​​d can reward you handsomely for business expenses you’d already be making. Plus, the welcome offer on this card is generous, with up to $750 in value. On top of that, cardholders can take advantage of a 12-month intro APR offer on purchases, giving you an extra year to pay off a large purchase.

Best for flat-rate cash back + welcome bonus

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Click here to learn more
 Go to review
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on Bankrate's secure site
1.5% Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases made for your business.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$750
Regular APR
18.49% to 24.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If you can’t utilize the cash-back categories of the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card takes out the guesswork. With unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make, there’s no need to keep track of complicated categories or worry about spending caps. This card also comes with a nice welcome offer worth $750 and an intro APR offer for 12 months on purchases. And if you already have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can pool together rewards for additional value. Altogether, the Ink Business Unlimited is a solid option for a no-annual-fee business card.

Best for flexible rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
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 Go to review
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Rates & Fees /Terms Apply on Bankrate's secure site
Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business expenses up to $50,000 per year (then 1X points).

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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
15,000 points
Regular APR
18.49% to 26.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers cardholders Membership Rewards® points instead of cash back, so they can be redeemed for statement credits or travel. It also comes with an intro APR offer and a decent welcome bonus.
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Card Details

More card info

  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
  • You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate
  • Earns Membership Rewards points for more flexible redemption options
Cons
  • Spending cap for 2X rewards
  • Requires good to excellent credit
  • Large spending requirement for welcome bonus

Best for flat-rate cash back

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Click here to learn more
 Go to review
LEARN MORE
Rates & Fees /Terms Apply on Bankrate's secure site
Up to 2% Reward Rate

Earn 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in combined purchases each year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.

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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$250
Regular APR
18.49% to 26.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If earning points and redeeming rewards for travel doesn’t appeal to you, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers all of the same benefits as The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express but it earns flat-rate cash back instead of Membership Rewards points.
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Card Details

More card info

  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
  • You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate
  • Simple cash back structure
Cons
  • Spending cap for 2% rewards
  • Requires good to excellent credit
  • Limited redemption options

Comparing no-annual-fee business credit cards

Advertiser Disclosure
Card name
Best for
Reward rate
Welcome offer
Learn more
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
See Review
LEARN MORE
Best for bonus categories + welcome bonus
1%-5% cash back
Up to $750
LEARN MORE
See Review
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
See Review
LEARN MORE
Best for flat-rate cash back + welcome bonus
1.5% cash back
$750
LEARN MORE
See Review
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
See Review See Rates & Fees
LEARN MORE
Best for flexible rewards
1X-2X points
15,000 points
LEARN MORE
See Rates & Fees See Review
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
See Review See Rates & Fees
LEARN MORE
Best for flat-rate cash back
1%-2% cash back
$250
LEARN MORE
See Rates & Fees See Review

Best no-annual-fee business cards: Editorial reviews

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

[ jump to details ]

The Ink Business Cash® Card’s 5% back on $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and telecommunication services can easily help traditional businesses earn a boatload of cash back on expenses they’d already be making. But for high-spending businesses or those with miscellaneous expenses, the spending cap and categories may not get you very far.

▶︎ Read more: Ink Business Cash review

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

[ jump to details ]

Other cards may earn more than the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card’s 1.5% cash back on all purchases, but this card has no spending cap. This unlimited flat-rate cash-back could be insanely valuable for high-spending businesses who don’t want to track categories. If you already have an Ultimate Rewards® earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, your rewards can be pooled together for additional value.

▶︎ Read more: Ink Business Unlimited review

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

[ jump to details ]

If you like to (or have to) travel for business, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card’s flexible points may be more valuable than cash back. You have to be committed to redeeming them this way, though, because other Membership Rewards redemption options are worth far less.

▶︎ Read more: Blue Business Plus card review

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

[ jump to details ]

For businesses with less than $50,000 in spending per year, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card may be a fantastic option. Earning 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in combined purchases each year (then 1%) offers a great way to rack up solid rewards without needing to track spending categories. But for high-spending businesses, the fallback rate of 1% is less than ideal.

▶︎ Read more: Blue Business Cash card review

What is a no-annual-fee business credit card?

A no-annual-fee business credit card doesn’t require you to pay a yearly fee to keep your account open. While these cards don’t have annual fees, they may have other associated fees like foreign transaction fees, interest charges, and balance transfer fees. 

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

If you don’t want the hassle of managing a credit card’s annual fee, one without a yearly cost may be a good option. However, these cards come with fewer additional benefits than their paid-fee counterparts. 

If you travel frequently for business, a business travel credit card may provide more value, as they often come with benefits like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits, travel credits, and even airport lounge access. These perks can easily offset the yearly cost if they fit into your lifestyle.

Best business cards with no annual fee: FAQ

Do all business credit cards have an annual fee?

No, some business credit cards don’t require cardholders to pay an annual fee. However, these cards tend to have fewer benefits than paid-fee cards.

Who has the best business card?

No issuer has the best business card, as the best choice is consumer-specific, but American Express, Capital One, and Chase Bank all offer excellent options.

What credit score do I need for a business credit card?

Most business credit cards require good to excellent credit (670 to 850 FICO) to qualify for.

What is the best no-annual-fee business credit card?

The best business credit card with no annual fee varies depending on your spending habits. We think the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card are two of the best options.

About the Author

Jaiden Hart
Jaiden Hart Writer & Content Manager, Credit Cards

Jaiden Hart serves as a credit card writer and content manager at LA Times Compare. Beginning her career as an intern on the Compare team, she has since amassed considerable expertise and passion in the credit card industry. 

Jaiden’s primary objective is to simplify the process of choosing and managing a credit card through engaging and honest content so individuals can more effectively maximize their benefits and meet their financial goals.

* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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