Best business credit cards with no annual fee in 2025

I’ve seen way too many business leaders treat their first business credit card like a golden ticket. They chase flashy perks, cough up the annual fee, and then realize that the “free” airport lounge visits don’t mean much when you’re too busy coordinating payroll to actually get on a plane. More than once, I’ve seen a team cancel their exclusive premium card out of frustration after asking, “Why are we paying for this again?” 

That’s where no-fee cards come in. In this guide, I’ll walk through the best no fee business cards and best corporate cards for 2025, comparing rewards, employee policies, and costs that don’t always show up in the marketing. We’ll also look at the tradeoffs, so you can feel confident that they’re the smarter choice for your business. 

Why choose business credit cards with no annual fee?

No-fee cards work best when you want access to credit without adding fixed costs. They build business credit history, cover day-to-day spending, and avoid the drag of a high annual fee. The real advantage is flexibility: you can use them as lightly or as heavily as needed without worrying about breaking even on rewards.

Cost savings for small businesses

For a small team, trimming even a few hundred dollars in fees can free up money for payroll or inventory. I like that every dollar earned on rewards is pure upside, not just making up a sunk cost.

Lower barrier to entry for new businesses

At account opening, it’s easier to say “yes” to a card that doesn’t come with a built-in expense. For newer businesses or those with limited credit history, no-fee cards help you establish trust with credit bureaus without pressure to justify the cost.

Better long-term value for moderate spenders

I’ve found these cards suit businesses with regular expenses and run-of-the-mill spending patterns. You don’t need to chase rewards thresholds, and the value holds up year after year simply because you’re not paying extra to keep the card. 

Simplified cost structure

I like the clarity of knowing that your costs tie directly to your expenses. With no annual charge, you can read your statement without second-guessing whether rewards cover the fee. 

Easier to justify multiple cards for different purposes

Since there’s no cost associated with the card, you can mix and match cards more freely. One card might offer better cash back, another stronger expense management tools, and you don’t need each one to pay for itself. 

When annual fees might still be worth it

There are times when a paid business credit card makes more sense:

• If your company spends heavily in categories with big rewards

• If your team spends a lot of time (and money) on the road

• If premium benefits like insurance and big statement credit offers can put the fee in context

Best business credit cards and card alternatives with no annual fee in 2025

No-fee cards are popular because they keep costs predictable without giving up access to rewards. For a lot of business owners, they’re also the easiest business credit cards to get when you’re starting out. Below, I’ll cover the best no fee business cards currently on offer and break down how they stack up when it comes to rewards, fees, and day-to-day utility.

1. Rippling Corporate Card

The Rippling Corporate Card is a corporate charge card tailored to startups and small businesses. It has no annual fee, no variable APR, and no personal guarantee, but offers 1.75% cash-back* on qualifying purchases (higher than other corporate cards in this roundup). Cards also link directly to the Rippling payroll, HR, and IT systems, so automated expense tracking, approval workflows, and real-time control come standard.  

Rippling Corporate Card: Feature snapshot

Is the Rippling Corporate Card right for you?

• I’d recommend this if you’re looking for the benefits of cash back and want to integrate employee spend directly into HR, payroll, and expense workflows to reduce manual work for finance admins.

• I’d avoid this if you prefer a standalone rewards card without a full spend management suite.

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2. Chase Ink Business Unlimited

This Ink Business Unlimited is Chase’s no annual fee business credit card option with a flat-rate rewards setup. You get 1.5% cash back on every purchase and a $750 bonus if you spend $6,000 in the first three months. It also comes with a 0% APR for the first year, though that rate jumps to a variable APR between 17.49% and 23.49%, depending on your credit score.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited feature snapshot

Is the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card right for you?

• I’d recommend this if you want a straightforward business credit card for LLCs or small businesses with consistent rewards and low cost.

• I’d avoid this if you need higher cash back rates or travel extensively.

3. American Express Blue Business Cash Card

I appreciate that the American Express Blue Business Card gives you 2% cash back on qualifying purchases and charges 0% APR for the first 12 months, but the $50,000 spending cap might prove problematic if you plan to rely on it for big-ticket costs. The expanded buying power also stands out. You can go over your credit limit, with the amount adjusting based on payment history and creditworthiness.

American Express Blue Business Cash feature snapshot

Is the American Express Blue Business Cash card right for you?

• I’d recommend this if you’re looking for a no-annual fee card with a higher cash back rate on everyday purchases — as long as you stay under the $50,000 annual cap.

• I’d avoid this if your business spending is heavier or international, since the rewards drop off after the cap, and this card charges hefty foreign transaction fees.

4. Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards

Unlike Chase’s flat 1.5% or AmEx’s capped 2%, Bank of America lets you choose where you earn 3% cash back. Categories include gas, office supplies, travel, and others. Dining earns 2%, and all other purchases earn 1%. The catch is that the 3% and 2% rewards apply only up to $50,000 in combined purchases each year, after which everything falls back to just 1%. 

Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards feature snapshot

Is the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards card right for you?

• I’d recommend this if your company spends consistently in one big category and you can truly maximize the cash back.

• I’d avoid this if you have broad, uncapped spending needs or make frequent international purchases.

5. U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Business Card

I think of this one as something of a “jack of four rewards categories” card. It has no annual fee and pays 3% cash back in four common spend categories: gas, office supplies, cell phones service, and restaurants. You can calso earn 1% on everything else. There’s also a $500 bonus if you spend $4,500 in the first 150 days after account opening. The 0% into APR looks attractive, but remember that the variable APR can shoot up to 26.74% and you’ll pay hefty foreign transaction fees.

U.S Bank Triple Cash Rewards feature snapshot

Is the U.S Bank Triple Cash Rewards card right for you?

• I’d recommend this if most of your spend falls into the main buckets and you plan to carry a low balance or none at all.

• I’d avoid this if you need uncapped flat-rate rewards or plan to use the card overseas — that 3% foreign transaction fee can sting.

6. Brex Corporate Credit Card

Brex positions itself as a corporate card for scaling businesses and leans hard on its no personal guarantee and credit limits tied to business performance.  The rewards structure can look flashy, up to 7x points in certain categories — but you have to pay the balance in full every month. That can be limiting if you want financing flexibility. 

Brex Corporate Card feature snapshot

Is the Brex Corporate Card right for you?

• I’d recommend this if you want high-category rewards and credit limits tied to your business performance rather than a personal credit check.

• I’d avoid this if you prefer predictable flat-rate rewards or need long-term financing.

7. PNC Cash Rewards Business Credit Card

I see the PNC Cash Rewards card as a simple tool for cash back. IT has no annual fee and pays 1.5% on all purchases, with a promotional 3% cash back in the first year. It’s a nice intro bonus, but the standard cash back rate and variable APR make it a safe option more than a standout. 

PNC Cash Rewards Business Credit Card feature snapshot

Is the PNC Cash Rewards Business Credit card right for you?

• I’d recommend this if you need a simple, no annual fee cash back structure with a generous first-year bonus.

• I’d avoid this if you do a lot of cross-border spending or have intensive reporting and spend management needs.

Best business credit cards and card alternatives with no annual fee: overview

Key features to compare in no annual fee business cards

Even with no fee, cards differ widely. I like to compare them the same way that I would paid cards, going beyond the “free” label to see how the terms line up with real spending. The differences often show up in rewards structures, interest rates, and how the card handles employees and expenses. 

Cash back rates and reward structures

Some cards keep it simple with flat-rate cash back, while others connect rewards to categories like gas or dining. A few rotate categories quarterly, which can be tricky to track. Spending caps are another catch: once you hit the limit, rewards shrink, which makes a big difference for companies with higher volumes. 

• Flat-rate vs. category-based rewards: Flat-rate cards give you the same cash back on every purchase, while category-based rewards pay more in specific areas like gas or dining.

• Quarterly rotating categories: Quarterly rotating categories change which purchases earn higher rewards, which can be lucrative if you have the wherewithal to stay on top of tracking.

• Spending caps and limitations: Spending caps limit how much you can earn in bonus categories, so heavy spenders may hit the ceiling quickly. 

Sign-up bonuses and welcome offers

Many cards dangle a statement credit or bonus points for hitting an early spending target. It’s a nice upfront boost, but I look at it as secondary. The ongoing structure matters more than a one-time perk. 

Interest rates and payment terms

A no-fee card can still carry a high variable APR. That matters if you ever roll a balance, since the cost of interest can outweigh rewards. I also check how the issuer defines billing cycles, since some give more flexibility than others. 

Employee card policies and fees

Not every “no fee” card extends that benefit to employees. Some issuers include them for free, others charge per cardholder. If you’re issuing cards across a team, those extra fees can erase the value of skipping the annual charge. 

Expense management tools

Basic cards often come with minimal controls, while others offer tools like category tracking, spending alerts, or integration with accounting software. (If you’re among the 64% of finance leaders focused on controlling operational costs, I’m sure that resonates with you.) Teams with strong expense management in place might not need this, but for lean teams it can also save a lot of manual work. 

Integration capabilities

I pay attention to whether the card links with payroll, HR, or accounting platforms. That kind of integration reduces manual reconciliation and gives real-time visibility into spend. It’s rare on free cards, which is why corporate cards with no annual fee like Rippling get my attention. 

Foreign transaction fees

The absence of an annual fee doesn’t guarantee low international costs. Many free cards still charge 2-3% on foreign purchases. If your business works across borders, those foreign transaction fees can quickly surpass anything you might’ve paid in annual fees. 

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Benefits of no annual fee business credit cards

I see free business credit cards as a way to access core features like cash back, expense tracking, and a line of credit without justifying an annual fee. They strip the decision down to whether the rewards and credit access can do my business some good, rather than whether they’ll manage to offset the fixed costs of the card itself. 

Cost predictability and budgeting

No annual fee means one less variable in your budget. I like that it makes cash flow easier to plan, since every dollar you spend on the card links back to an actual purchase instead of overhead.

Lower total cost of ownership

With no fee attached, the total expenses tied to the card stay lower over time. This matters most when margins are thin, since you avoid the pressure of chasing rewards just to break even. 

Flexibility to carry multiple cards

Because you aren’t paying per account, you can hold several cards tailored to different needs. That might mean one for travel, another for expense management, and one for general cash back, without stacking fees. Just make sure you’ve got a crystal-clear corporate card policy in place to keep spending in line.

Better for seasonal businesses

In my view, no annual fee cards are the best fit for businesses with uneven cash flow, like those tied to tourism or retail cycles. You don’t get stuck paying a high annual fee in months when spending is light.

Ideal for new businesses testing the waters

For startups and other new businesses, a no-fee card is a low-risk way to build business credit history and prove reliability to credit bureaus. They also come with lower upfront costs than a secured business credit card or a prepaid card. And you can always upgrade later if you end up needing more features or a higher limit.

Long-term value for consistent users

If you’re disciplined in your spending, the value adds up. Over years, not paying hundreds in fees while still getting rewards creates meaningful savings. For me, that’s where these cards stand out — compunding benefits without compounding costs. 

No annual fee vs. paid annual fee business cards

I look at the choice between no annual fee and paid business credit cards as a cost tradeoff. A no-fee card helps build business credit history and can help limit your spending, but a paid card can justify its high annual fee if you spend heavily in specific categories or sign up for targeted benefits. It’s less about which card is “best” and more about whether your business uses the card enough to unlock its full value.

Break-even analysis for annual fee cards

I start with simple math. If a card charges an annual fee of $95 and offers 2% cash back, for example, you need $4,750 in yearly spend just to break even. Below that, the rewards don’t cover the fee.

Premium benefits comparison

Paid cards typically come with more comprehensive perks like purchase protections and comprehensive travel insurance. Free cards skip some of these sweeteners. On the other hand, if your business doesn’t travel much or use the card often, you’re paying for rewards you don’t use.

Spending thresholds that justify annual fees

I also check where multipliers land. Heavy spend on flights on software can help tip the balance toward paid cards. If your spend is spread out, on the other hand, business credit cards without annual fees might make more sense.

Business size considerations

Small businesses, startups, and sole proprietors might stick with a no annual fee card for the simplicity, even if the rewards aren’t as rich as with premium cards. Bigger teams with steady revenue, on the other hand, might place more value on higher credit limits, extensive travel rewards, or flexible billing cycles, which are more typical of paid cards.

Long-term value calculations

Free cards can lead to a healthy business credit score and low cost. Paid cards only win if their perks stay useful as you grow, so I try to project two to three years ahead before choosing.

Streamline business expenses with Rippling's Corporate Card

Rippling Corporate Cards unifies employee and spend data, allowing you to create hyper-custom card policies and automate control over how, when, and where employees can spend. By connecting corporate card usage directly with employee data, Rippling gives you precise control over spending and policy enforcement, leading to better financial oversight with less administrative work. Enforce spend exactly the way you want — automatically.

What’s more, Rippling's global payroll and expense management features make it an ideal choice for businesses with international teams or those looking to expand globally. Whether paying international contractors or hiring a full-time employee in a new global market, Rippling can support you as you scale worldwide. 

With Rippling you get: 

• Zero annual fees or per-employee card fees

• All-in-one platform combining HR, payroll, and expense management

• No personal guarantees or credit checks required

• Automated expense tracking and approval workflows

• Real-time spending controls and visibility

• Cashback rewards on eligible business purchases

• Scales from startup to enterprise

FAQs about business credit cards with no annual fee