For new businesses, getting a business credit card can be a tricky process. It’s not just about having a good credit score, but also about having proof of your business’ financial health.
If you’ve never had a business before, it may be hard to get the best startup business credit cards with no credit.
In this article, I’ll tell you all about the best startup business credit cards for people with no experience in business finance.
Best Startup Business Credit Cards With No Credit
What Are Startup Business Credit Cards With No Credit
One of the best ways to start your business is with a credit card. Most startup businesses don’t have the time or energy to run around trying to get a loan or bank account.
A good credit card will help you fund your company and give you cash flow early on. Plus, there are many benefits to having a business credit card:
A credit card can help you build your credit rating and make it easier for you to access future loans and other financial services in the future.
Businesses typically offer better interest rates than personal accounts. This includes both regular purchases and cash advances.
You can use your business credit cards for more than just business expenses; you can also use them for personal expenses like groceries and gas when you travel for work or when an emergency comes up at home.
What Are The Best Startup Business Credit Cards With No Credit?
There are two main types of startup business credit cards: secured and unsecured. Both are designed for people who want to start their own company but don’t have any experience managing finances.
The difference between these two types of cards is that secured cards require an upfront deposit that will serve as collateral against your purchases.
If you don’t pay off your balance by the end of the month, then this deposit gets lost too!
This means that if you use a secured card sparingly and pay off your balance each month, it could be a very useful tool for building up your credit history quickly.
On the other hand, if you use it carelessly or don’t pay off your balance regularly then you could lose everything!
1. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. This card is issued by American Express National Bank and has an APR of 18.24%.
If you are looking for a no-annual-fee business credit card, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is worth considering. It offers 1% cash back on all purchases, with no limit on how much cash back can be earned.
There are also no categories to worry about, so you can earn cash back everywhere. You can also get 2% cash back on purchases made through Paypal Digital Gifts or 3% cash back on airfare and hotels booked through Amex Travel.
The card doesn’t have a signup bonus or rewards points program; instead it focuses on getting users real money back in their pockets as quickly as possible. As long as you make sure to pay off your balance each month — which shouldn’t be difficult given that there’s no annual fee — this card will be a great addition to your wallet.
Best for getting an approval decision in 30 seconds or less
It’s not easy to get a loan approved. But it can be easy to get an approval decision in 30 seconds or less.
That’s what we hope to provide you with our online mortgage calculator, which can help you determine how much your monthly payments are after you’ve entered some basic information about yourself and your home loan.
You’ll also see how much extra money you’ll pay each month if you choose a longer-term fixed-rate loan over a shorter one — that is, the difference between an APR of 4% for 30 years versus 5% for 15 years.
Features
– Approvals in 30 seconds or less
– Automatic approvals for qualified users
– Flexible approval rules to match your business needs
– Free credit card processing
Best for getting an approval decision in 30 seconds or less. Features:
– Instant approval decisions, typically within seconds
– No paperwork required
– No credit check
– No application fee
– No minimum balance requirements
– No monthly service fees
The American Express Business Blue Cash Card is a cash back rewards business credit card ideal for small business owners who spend equal to or not much more than $50,000 each year.
2. Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®. is a cash-back rewards card that offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on select business expenses, including office supplies, phone services, and internet/cable services.
Benefits of Chase Ink Business Unlimited®.:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no rotating rewards categories or limits. No annual fee, ever.
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases in the first year at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet and cable TV services (up to $200 max per account year). After that earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- Plus get 10% bonus cash back when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® for your first 3 months (15% total).
Best for small business owners seeking a card with no annual fees
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® credit card is designed for small business owners who need a flexible and simple cash back rewards program. With this card, you earn 3% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping expenses, Internet, cable and phone services; 2% on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants; and 1% on everything else.
The card also gives you a sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. There are no foreign transaction fees or annual fees with this card.
Features
- $500 sign-up bonus after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account
- 5% cash back on office supply stores and cell phone expenses (capped at $25 per monthly billing cycle)
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
The Chase Ink Business Preferred card offers one of the most lucrative signup bonuses and up to 3 points per dollar on purchases.
3. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
If you’ve ever looked at a credit card statement and thought, “There has to be a better way,” then the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is for you. OpenSky® is a new kind of credit card that helps you build or rebuild your credit score without having to worry about paying interest.
It’s also a great way to help prepare for an unsecured credit card.
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is issued by Comenity Capital Bank, which determines applicants’ creditworthiness. The card has no annual fee and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide.
The minimum security deposit required to open an account is $200; there’s no maximum limit on the amount of money you can deposit into your account.
Best for a straightforward application without a credit check
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card. Best for a straightforward application without a credit check. The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a good option if you have no other credit history.
You don’t need a credit check, and there are no annual or monthly fees.
If you pay your balance in full each month, you’ll also get 1% cash back on every purchase.
What makes this card different?
If you’re trying to build or rebuild your credit, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card can help you do that — as long as you’re willing to put down a deposit and pay an annual fee.
There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fee with this card, which is rare among secured cards. And unlike some other secured cards, there’s no late payment fee or penalty rate.
Plus, it comes with perks like extended warranty protection and purchase security insurance — both of which are usually only included with unsecured cards rather than secured ones.
Features
- Secured by a cash deposit, not a credit check
- Earn 1% cash back on all purchases
- Get access to exclusive events, offers and more from OpenSky
- No annual fee
The OpenSky® Secured Visa®Credit Card is a secured credit card that's not only packed with features, it's also a powerful credit-building tool.
4. Wells Fargo Business Secured Card
Wells Fargo Business Secured Card is a great way to help manage your business expenses. The card offers you a free business credit report and free online training, along with the option to build your business credit.
The Wells Fargo Business Secured Card is designed for small businesses that want to establish or rebuild their credit history.
The card requires a security deposit in an amount equal to your credit limit, which can be as low as $300.
The card features:
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- Fraud liability protection and zero liability on unauthorized purchases and fraudulent transactions after you’ve notified Wells Fargo of the loss or theft of your card
- Purchase Assurance Plan, which provides reimbursement for eligible items purchased with the card if they are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase
Best for giving your business the jump start it needs
Wells Fargo Business Secured Card. Best for giving your business the jump start it needs.
If you’re a small to medium-sized business owner, you know that credit cards can be extremely useful for helping you grow. However, it’s not always easy to get a credit card as a new business owner.
If you have bad credit or no credit history, it can be difficult to find a lender willing to take a chance on you (and your business). Fortunately, Wells Fargo offers the Wells Fargo Business Secured Card, which is designed specifically for small businesses looking to improve their credit profile and build their financial profile.
The card’s application process is relatively simple: You’ll need to provide proof of eligibility by providing some basic information about your business and then submitting documentation of your assets and liabilities.
Once that’s complete, Wells Fargo will determine whether or not they can provide you with a line of credit based on your assets and liabilities (you’ll have up to 90 days from when the line is approved for them to do this).
If approved, you’ll receive your card in the mail within five business days!
Features
- Interest rate of 14.74% APR, variable
- No annual fee
- Rewards: 1 point per $1 spent on gas and dining, 2 points per $1 spent on travel, 3 points per $1 spent on shipping purchases, and 4 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Bonus: 5,000 bonus points if you make a purchase within the first 60 days of opening your account.
The Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card is an excellent option for businesses that need to establish or improve their credit.
5. First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is a credit card for people with bad credit, who have had trouble qualifying for other cards.
It is a secured credit card, which means you must deposit a minimum of $200 when you apply. This money acts as collateral for the account, and you cannot spend more than the total balance in your account.
The card has an annual fee of $49 and no interest on purchases if paid in full by the due date each month (but it does have a 29.99% APR).
You can get your deposit back after 12 months of on-time payments. The card also offers fraud protection and ID theft resolution services at no additional cost.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Features:
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Easy access to your FICO ®
Best for getting a credit card with a refundable minimum deposit
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card. est for getting a credit card with a refundable minimum deposit.
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is our top pick for people who have bad credit and are looking for a secured card. The card offers an excellent APR and no annual fee, making it an easy choice for anyone who is trying to rebuild their credit.
If you’re looking for a secured card with no annual fee that’s simple to use and can help you establish or rebuild your credit history, this card is worth considering. The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card doesn’t charge any annual fees and offers an introductory interest rate of 9.99% on purchases and balance transfers when you open the account — which makes it one of the best deals available today if you want to improve your credit score without paying interest right away.
The biggest downside to this card is that there’s a minimum security deposit required in order to open an account — $200 — but if that amount isn’t too much trouble for you, this could be a good bet!
Features
- No annual fee.
- $300 credit limit.
- Solid APR of 12.99%, 17.99% or 20.99% variable based on your creditworthiness.
- Build your credit history with monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus.
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is a great way to get started building or rebuilding your credit history and earning rewards at the same time. Apply Today!
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured is a great card for building credit. The First Progress Platinum Prestige card includes free real-time access to your credit score and ongoing credit monitoring powered by Experian.
6. Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is an online savings account that offers a competitive interest rate, no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements.
Capital One Spark Classic for Business account features include:
Competitive interest rate.
Capital One Spark Classic for Business pays a competitive interest rate of 0.85% APY on balances up to $10,000.
That’s higher than many other banks’ savings accounts and money market accounts.
No monthly service fee or minimum balance requirement.
There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about with this account, making it easy to store your money in an FDIC-insured account that grows with the help of compound interest.
FDIC insurance coverage of up to $250,000 per depositor — including primary and secondary accounts — is available through Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., which is chartered by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) as a federal savings bank in the District of Columbia.
Best for making the safest payments online
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is a free credit card that can help you make safe and secure purchases online. It comes with a 1% cash back rewards program, so you’ll earn money back on your purchases — and you can use your rewards to buy more things from Capital One or other merchants.
Plus, there are no annual membership fees or foreign transaction fees, making it easy to pay at home or when traveling abroad. If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills way to make purchases online, Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business may be right for you.
Features
- Earn 2% cash back on every purchase, every day.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Get up to $600 in combined referrals and rewards paid out annually.
- No spending caps or foreign transaction fees
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus* is an excellent business cash-back card for those with strong credit. The annual fee of $150 is palatable compared to many high-end card fees.
7. Brex Corporate Card for Startups
Best for expense tracking for new businesses
Business credit cards can be an excellent option for startups to manage their expenses. If you are a small business owner or someone who works for a startup, you may already have your own personal credit card for your personal expenses.
But what about the expenses that are related to your business? This is where a business credit card comes in handy. Brex Corporate Card for Startups.
Best for expense tracking for new businesses. The Brex Corporate Card is a great solution for startups who want to track their expenses more closely than they would with personal cards.
The card has no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee, so it makes sense if you are just getting started out and don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with other cards. It also has some great features like mobile payments and fraud protection services, which can help make life easier as well!
The Brex Corporate Card is perfect if you’re looking to manage all of your company’s expenditures in one place — whether it’s travel expenses or just everyday office supplies.
And because it’s not linked directly to your bank account (like many other business cards), there’s less risk involved if someone steals or loses the card itself, so there are fewer worries about fraud when using this card compared
Features
- 5% cash back on all purchases made at restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations.
- No annual fee.
- $25 credit for every approved employee you add to your account.
- A $250 credit on your first purchase with the card. This can be used to pay off a portion of your first bill or used toward any other type of expense with Brex.
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for 6 months after account opening and a 14.99% – 20.99% variable APR after that, depending on creditworthiness.
Brex offers everything you need to grow your company faster, from cards and capital to built-in spend management software and live support.
What are Startup Business Credit Cards with No Credit?
Startup business credit cards are not only meant for new businesses but also for existing businesses who want to expand their business by making some purchases. If you are looking to grow your business, it is always a good idea to start small and then go big.
The first priority of a startup business is to get the right funding so that they can expand their business.
If you have been in the industry for a while, you must have come across many companies who have failed because they did not get the funding from banks or other financial institutions. When you apply for a startup business credit card, you will be required to provide details about your company and its financial status.
If your startup is new, then it is quite possible that your credit score might not be very high as yet. However, there are certain companies that allow new startups to apply for their cards without any credit history at all.
Features to look for when choosing a Startup Business Credit Card
When you’re starting up a business, you may not be sure where to begin. Getting a startup credit card is a great way to get the ball rolling and build your credit history.
Startups are typically small businesses that have been in operation for less than two years, so they can qualify for lower rates on their business credit card. Here are some things to consider when choosing a startup business credit card:
Low introductory APR: If you plan to pay off your balance in full each month, look for an APR that’s low enough to help you avoid interest charges. Most startups only carry a balance for part of the year, so it’s important to find an introductory APR that fits into this timeframe.
No annual fee: You don’t want to pay any fees just for using your card — especially with limited funds at first! So make sure there aren’t any annual fees associated with using your card or getting rewards points or cash back.
Rewards program: Some cards offer cash back bonuses on purchases made within specific categories (such as gas or groceries), while others provide points that can be redeemed for gift cards or merchandise from top retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart.
1. Annual Fee
When choosing a Startup Business Credit Card, the most important thing is to find the card that fits your business needs. There are several features to consider when making this decision, including:
The annual fee is an upfront cost of owning the credit card. It can be paid in full or spread out over a number of months.
The fee can range anywhere from $0 to $500 annually. The average annual fee for small business credit cards is $127.46 according to Bankrate’s 2019 Credit Card Fee Study.
Rewards programs are another way to earn rewards on purchases with your credit card. You can earn points or cash back on every purchase made with your card, which can be redeemed for certain items, such as travel and dining experiences or gift cards for retailers like Amazon and Target.
Most rewards programs require you to reach a minimum spend before you’re eligible for rewards redemption.
Interest Rates
Business credit cards typically have lower interest rates than personal cards — although some business cards have higher interest rates than others. Interest rates vary based on factors such as your credit score and annual income (among other factors).
In addition, some companies offer introductory 0% APR periods for purchases and balance transfers that last up to 18 months depending on
2. Rewards
Your business needs a startup credit card. You may even have heard about how important it is to open a business bank account and get a credit card for your business.
But with so many different options out there, how do you choose the right one?
We’ve rounded up some of the best rewards cards for small businesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
Rewards can be very appealing, but they’re not always the best option if you’re trying to keep costs down. Here are some features that can help you avoid getting stuck with high interest rates and fees:
No annual fee: All of the cards on our list have no annual fee, but there are some other options if you don’t mind paying a fee every year (which means they’ll be more expensive in the long run).
If you’re looking for something that doesn’t have an annual fee, here are some great options: Chase Ink Business PreferredSM Credit Card offers 3 points per dollar spent on travel or shipping purchases; 2 points per dollar spent on internet, cable TV and phone services; and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
3. Minimum Credit Required
When choosing a Startup Business Credit Card, you need to know what kind of credit you have and the minimum credit required. This will help you find the right card for you and your business.
If you have less than perfect credit, or no credit at all, there are some credit cards that can help you build or rebuild your credit history. These cards often require a deposit or collateral and charge high interest rates.
Other cards may require good or excellent credit but offer lower interest rates and rewards programs, which can help build your business. The best way to start building your business credit is by using a secured card.
The minimum amount of required credit varies from bank to bank and card type to card type. Some banks may require that you have at least $500 in available funds in order to qualify for their secured cards.
Others may only require $200 or less in order to qualify for their secured cards. Make sure that the bank’s minimum requirements meet your needs before applying for any secured business cards.
4. Welcome Offer or Sign-Up Bonus
As a small business owner, you’re looking for ways to reduce your expenses and increase your profits. One of the easiest ways to do that is by finding the right credit card for your needs.
When shopping around for a new credit card, it’s important to read the fine print. While many cards offer welcome offers and sign-up bonuses, not all of them are created equal.
Some cards offer high rewards rates on specific purchases while others have higher annual fees.
Many cards also come with restrictions on how much you can earn with their rewards program. For example, some may only offer 2% cash back on one type of purchase, while others may offer up to 5% cash back on all purchases.
A good rule of thumb is to look for cards that offer a good introductory rate on purchases made with the card and an additional bonus for spending a certain amount within the first few months after opening an account (the “bonus” portion).
5. Additional Cards
For some businesses, a single credit card may not be enough. If your business has multiple locations, employees or contractors, you may need to have a separate card for each of them.
While some business credit cards offer flexibility by allowing you to add authorized users to the account, most don’t go this far. You may find that some startup business credit cards are more difficult to get approved for than others due to your business’s revenue and earnings history.
Some issuers will allow you to add additional cards but only if they’re attached to existing accounts with similar limits and fees. Other features that can make it easier for you to manage multiple accounts include:
Cardholder notifications: Some issuers send out alerts when transactions take place on an account, while others require manual intervention from the user in order to see transaction details or make changes. This feature can help prevent unauthorized purchases or fraud if multiple people have access to the same account.
Alerts can also be useful if someone loses their phone and their card is used without authorization after it’s been deactivated by contacting customer service.
6. Security
When you’re choosing a startup business credit card, it’s important to consider the features that will best meet your business’s needs.
Here are some things to look for:
Security features.
Look for a card with built-in security features, such as chip technology and biometrics. These can help protect your card from fraud and identity theft.
Convenience features.
Look for a card with easy-to-use online tools, such as online bill pay, online account management and rewards tracking.
Rewards program.
Consider whether you want rewards for purchases or just cash back (or both). A rewards program that gives you cash back may be more beneficial if you plan to use the money you earn from credit card rewards for everyday expenses like gas and groceries.
If your business does a lot of traveling — or just wants to reward employees — then look for cards that offer travel rewards programs.
7. Interest Rates
Banks often offer special interest rates for new businesses, but it’s important to read the fine print before you sign up. Some cards offer lower rates if you meet certain criteria — such as paying your balance in full each month — while others offer lower rates only on purchases made with that specific bank.
It’s also worth checking out whether any introductory offers will last for the entire first year or if they’ll expire after six months or so.
If your company is expanding rapidly or taking on new employees, chances are good that you’ll need some extra cash to make payroll and pay other bills. Unfortunately, most banks don’t allow transfers between personal accounts and business accounts — but some do! If this is important to you, be sure to ask about it before applying for an account.
8. No Preset Spending Limit
There are a number of different things to consider when choosing a credit card for your startup business. If you’re looking to keep your spending under control and avoid interest charges, then you’ll want to choose a credit card that has no preset spending limit.
This means that there is no preset spending limit set on the card and you can spend as much as you’d like without restriction — until the credit line has been reached, of course. This is great if you’re planning on doing a large purchase in the near future (like buying equipment or inventory) but don’t want to be limited by what you can purchase.
It’s also helpful if you’re planning on using cash advances instead of paying off your bill each month because it will allow you to use the entire amount at once without worrying about making payments later on down the road.
10. Reputation of the company
You should find out how long the company has been in business, what their reputation is and how well they treat their customers before you sign up for one of their cards. You can check out reviews online and ask around to see what people think of them.
If you’re considering an online-only bank, make sure they’re FDIC insured so that your account will be protected if anything happens to them.
11. Applying for Other Accounts
The right credit card can be a great way to help your business grow. The wrong one can sink it. Before you apply for a startup business credit card, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Here are some of the most important features to look for when choosing a startup business credit card:
Low introductory rates.
These rates will last for a specified period of time after your account is opened, and they typically range between 0% and 9%. These introductory offers can be very helpful if you use them wisely, but it’s important to remember that they don’t last forever.
If you don’t pay off your balance before the end of the promotional period, you’ll have to pay interest on everything from then on.
Rewards programs.
Some cards offer cash back or points toward gift cards or travel plans as rewards for using their services but only if you spend money on things like office supplies or food at local restaurants.
If this sounds like something that could help you save money, it might be worth looking into further before applying for an account in this category.
Other cards give away other types of bonuses such as free car rentals when used at certain gas stations or hotel stays when used at certain hotels — so check out what each
12. Separation between business and personal finances
Separation between business and personal finances is one of the main features to look for when choosing a Startup Business Credit Card. You don’t want your personal expenses mixed up with your business expenses, so make sure that there is no cross-over between these two types of spending.
This will help you monitor your spending more easily as well as help keep track of tax deductions for your business!
Other considerations before you apply for a business credit card
When choosing a business credit card, there are many things to consider:
- No annual fee. Most small businesses don’t have the cash flow to pay an annual fee on top of everything else they need to spend money on each month.
- If you can find a no-annual-fee option that still offers good rewards, that will help you keep more money in your pocket.
- Rewards that fit your spending habits. This is where most people get hung up — if you travel often for work or have high monthly expenses like utilities and office equipment, then travel rewards cards may be worth considering; if not, cash back or other types of rewards may be better suited for your needs.
Best Startup Business Credit Cards – Wrap Up
The Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express is one of the best cards to use if you’re looking to earn miles on everyday purchases.
The card offers 3x miles on every purchase and an extra 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
If you want to pay off your debt quickly, this is a good option for you. You also get access to PriorityPass airport lounges and access to Delta’s SkyClub for elite members and Platinum members.
The card also comes with 12 months of Global Entry or TSA Precheck that can save you time at security.