A credit card with a 0 percent introductory APR can be a smart choice for a small business or a startup. If you own a business, you can use this type of credit card to pay off large purchases over time without worrying about accruing expensive interest charges on what you spend.
And, there are plenty of great small-business credit cards that offer 0 percent interest on new purchases for the first few months of card ownership. But it’s important to note that the 0 percent intro offer won’t last forever. Your interest rate will eventually change to the regular APR, and the interest rate you receive at the end of the 0 percent introductory periodwill depend heavily on your business credit profile.
As such, it’s important to pick a card that works well for you both during and after the intro period ends. To help you get started, here are our picks for the best 0 percent APR business credit cards on the market.
Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for office supplies
Why we picked it: The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers one of the longer introductory periods on the market — 0 percent APR for the first 12 months on purchases (18.49 percent to 24.49 percent variable APR thereafter). Plus, it comes with a competitive earning rate that makes it a particularly good choice for small business owners who need to stock up on office supplies.
The Ink Business Cash Card offers plenty of potential value for cardholders, with 5 percent cash back on internet, cable, phone services and office supplies, as well as 2 percent cash back on gas and dining. It’s worth noting that you’ll earn 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively, in those bonus categories on up to $25,000 in purchases per year.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Variety of ways to redeem cash back, such as statement credits, Amazon purchases, direct deposits and more
- Works great alongside other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards
- $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months
Cons
- 5 percent and 2 percent bonus categories each have an annual $25,000 spend limit
- Low cash back rate on general purchases
Who should apply: If you spend significant amounts of money on office supplies or frequently charge client dinners to your card, you may benefit from the cash back that the Ink Business Cash Card racks up.
Who should skip: If you spend more than $25,000 in the card’s bonus categories, you may want to look at other cards. Or, if you don’t spend much on office supplies, internet or dining, this card may not be the right fit.
American Express Blue Business Cash Card: Best flat-rate cash back card
Why we picked it: The The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers an intro APR of 0 percent on new purchases for the first 12 months of account opening (18.49 percent to 26.49 percent variable APR thereafter). Unlike the Ink Business Cash, it offers the same 2 percent cash back on all purchases, on a maximum of $50,000 per calendar year (1 percent thereafter).
Pros
- Travel insurances like baggage insurance, travel accident insurance, etc.
- Business perks like expense tracking tools and Working Capital Terms
- Free employee cards
- Flexible credit limit
Cons
- 2 percent cash back capped at $50,000 in purchases per year
- Relatively small welcome bonus
- Can redeem cash back only as a statement credit
Who should apply: If you have purchases to make for your business across a wide variety of categories, this flat-rate cash back card might offer you more rewards than a bonus category card.
Who should skip: If you easily spend more than $50,000, it could make sense to find a card with no spending limit. Or, if you prefer to redeem your rewards as something other than statement credit (travel, merchandise, gift cards, etc.), you may benefit more from another card.
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: Best card with no spending cap
Why we picked it: For a business card with no spending cap, consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, which offers the same 12 months interest-free for new purchases (18.49 percent to 24.49 percent variable APR thereafter) as the Ink Business Cash. But unlike its sister card, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited offers a flat rate of 1.5 percent unlimited cash back on all purchases.
Though slightly lower than the Amex Blue Business Cash, this earning rate is still great for cardholders who don’t spend heavily in one particular category. And, for a business credit card with no annual fee, it offers a pretty generous rewards structure.
Pros
- Earn unlimited cash back
- $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months
- Rewards don’t expire; no blackout dates
- Can transfer points to other Ultimate Rewards cards
Cons
- Lacks perks like travel insurance or access to business tools
Who should apply: If you easily spend more than $50,000 per year on your business, the unlimited cash back might make sense for you. The card’s flat rate is also good for businesses that make purchases in a range of categories, not just a small handful.
Who should skip: If a spending cap is not a problem, and you would like to earn more rewards per dollar on your purchases, there are better options to choose from.
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best for travel points
Why we picked it: If points are a better fit for you than cash back, the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers the same generous rewards rate as the Blue Business Cash — with one key difference. Rather than cash back, cardholders earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 in spending each year and 1 point per dollar on all purchases thereafter.
Plus, the Amex Blue Business Plus offers the same lengthy introductory interest rate of 0 percent APR for 12 months from account opening on new purchases — making it a top-notch card for financing large purchases in the first year (after that, the APR is 18.49 percent to 26.49 percent variable).
Pros
- Can earn Membership Rewards points
- Offers many different redemption options
- Points don’t expire
- May transfer points to Amex travel partners
Cons
- $50,000 annual spending cap
- Fees for transferring points or booking airfare with American Express Travel
Who should apply: If your business requires you or your employees to travel frequently, this card could be a good fit. It’s also great for existing Membership Rewards enthusiasts, since your rewards pool to a primary account under your name instead of on separate card accounts.
Who should skip: If you prefer cash back rewards or most of your business expenses go toward your office or storefront, this card probably isn’t for you. Or, businesses that easily spend over $50,000 a year may want to look for a card that offers unlimited rewards.
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards: Best for flexibility
Why we picked it: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is great for those who spend mostly on office supplies and gas, but not all year. With 3 percent cash back on a category of your choice (gas & EV charging stations, office supplies, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer service and business consulting services) and 2 percent cash back on dining, this card provides great rewards on some of the most popular categories for small businesses. However, there is a $50,000 combined yearly cap on the 3 and 2 percent categories (then 1 percent cash back).
And, it comes with a 0 percent intro APR on new purchases, as well as balance transfers, for nine billing cycles, with an 18.49 percent to 28.49 percent variable APR thereafter. That, plus the $300 statement credit if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days, makes the Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards quite a deal, particularly since it charges no annual fee.
Pros
- Can change choice category up to once a month
- No expiration on cash back as long as the account stays open
- Can increase cash back rate by up to 75 percent with Preferred Rewards for Business
Cons
- $50,000 annual cap on 2 percent and 3 percent categories
- Limited redemption options
Who should apply: If you already have a business checking account with Bank of America, chances are you’ll get good value from this card, especially if you qualify for a Preferred Rewards tier. The card can also be a great option if you don’t mind a relatively short introductory APR period but want flexibility in your chosen categories.
Who should skip: If you spend across various categories that are not included in the card’s available choice categories, a flat-rate card may suit you better. Or, if your business spends over $50,000 a year, you may want to keep shopping.
Comparing the best 0 percent intro APR business credit cards
It can be difficult to choose between all the different cards, especially since they all seem so great. Check out the chart below to see how they compete side by side.
| Card | 0% intro APR period (new purchases) | Rewards | Regular APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Cash Credit Card | 12 months |
| 18.49%-24.49% variable |
| American Express Blue Business Cash Card | 12 months |
| 18.49%-26.49% variable |
| Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card | 12 months | 1.5% cash back on every purchase | 18.49%-24.49% variable |
| The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express | 12 months |
| 18.49%-26.49% variable |
| Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card | 9 billing cycles |
| 18.49%-28.49% variable |
How to choose a 0 percent APR business credit card
A 0 percent intro APR has can be appealing to a small-business owner, especially if you anticipate a large purchase like a refrigerator, an industrial printer or 10,000 screen-printed t-shirts. However, you should also ensure that the rewards rate on the card closely matches your spending habits. This will boost your ability to draw plenty of value out of the cards even after the intro APR ends. Be sure to check the following before signing on the dotted line:
- Rewards structure: Which sounds better, bonus categories or flat rate? This could very well depend on the nature of your business. If all your spending is focused on just a few categories, a bonus category business card may be better. For businesses that spend across different categories, a flat-rate card would do well.
- Cash back or points: More incoming cash is always a good thing for any small business. However, if your business requires a ton of travel, points (or miles) may suit your purposes better.
- Spending cap: Again — a spending cap could really reduce the value your business card brings. Business owners who know they spend more than $50,000 should steer clear of cards with spending caps so they don’t miss out on any rewards they would earn otherwise.
- Extra perks: Does your business need a connection to QuickBooks, roadside assistance or free employee cards? Business credit cards often offer helpful benefits to oil the gears and aid your business in running smoothly, so be sure to choose a card with the perks you need.
Bottom line
Business credit cards with 0 percent intro APR are a valuable resource, as they can improve your cash flow while enabling you to rack up rewards on all of your business purchases, rather than using a personal credit card. By choosing a card with a 0 percent introductory APR, you can pay off large purchases or debt over time without accruing interest — saving yourself money to reinvest in your business.
Furthermore, business credit cards with 0 percent APR periods can help you build business credit without interest charges like you would have on other business credit cards.
Methodology
CreditCards.com’s editors considered dozens of cards on the market and weighed a variety of factors to determine the best business credit cards with a 0 percent intro APR. We looked at 0 percent intro APR periods, regular APRs and whether the offer extended to balance transfers or new purchases. We also examined card features like annual fees, rewards structures and spending caps to narrow down the pool of cards. We reviewed these characteristics to decide which may suit specific types of business owners.
Editorial Disclaimer
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.
Emily Sherman is a senior editor at CreditCards.com, focusing on product news and recommendations. She is also one of the founders of To Her Credit, a biweekly series of financial advice by women, for women. When she's not writing about credit cards, she's putting her own points and miles to use planning her next big vacation.
