Find the business credit card that fits how your business actually spends. Enter your monthly spending and a few preferences, and you’ll get a personal report: the best fits, what each card would earn after fees, how the cards compare and what to do next.
Free and independent. Advanton doesn’t earn commissions or take payment from card issuers. Cards are ranked only by estimated value for your answers, and every link goes to the issuer’s own website.
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How we rank the cards
For each card, we estimate a year of rewards from your spending, using the card’s real rules: bonus categories, spending caps, "top two categories" bonuses and bonuses for large purchases. Then we subtract the annual fee, foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad and, if you carry a balance, estimated interest.
- Welcome offers aren’t used for ranking. They change often and can differ between an issuer’s own pages, so we show them separately. You can include them in the first-year value.
- Points are valued conservatively: 1 cent each when redeemed as cash back (about 0.6 cents for American Express points used as statement credits), or 1.25 cents for transferable points used for travel.
- Card credits and perks aren’t counted, because they only pay off if you use those specific merchants.
- Card terms come from issuers’ websites, with the date we checked them. Cards we’ve only partly confirmed are labeled, with the details to confirm.
What to know before you apply
You’re usually personally responsible. Most small business cards require a personal guarantee: if the business can’t pay, the owner must. The card agreement usually makes you and the business jointly responsible.
Business cards have fewer protections. Many protections in the federal Credit CARD Act, such as limits on raising your rate on an existing balance, apply to consumer cards, not business cards. Some issuers offer similar protections voluntarily, so read the card agreement.
Your personal credit is involved. Applying usually means a hard inquiry on your personal credit report. Issuers differ on whether they report everyday business card activity to your personal credit reports, but most report serious late payments. Ask the issuer if it matters to you.
Charge cards must be paid in full. Some cards are designed to be paid in full every month, though some let you pay certain purchases over time with interest. If you sometimes carry a balance, choose a regular credit card, ideally with a 0% intro period.
You don’t need a big company. Sole proprietors and freelancers can usually apply using their name and Social Security number if they don’t have an EIN.
Interest wipes out rewards. A typical business card rate of 20% or more on a carried balance costs far more than any card earns. If you can’t pay in full, focus on the lowest rate and a 0% intro period, and plan how you’ll pay the balance down.
Fees and interest may be deductible. Annual fees and interest on cards used only for business are generally deductible business expenses. Check with your tax adviser.
When a card isn’t the right tool
- For ongoing cash shortfalls, a business line of credit or loan usually costs less than carrying a card balance.
- If you’re rebuilding credit, a secured business card or a business debit card may be a better start.
- For big equipment purchases, compare equipment financing and 0% intro offers.
Use our cash and payroll planner to see whether you can pay a card in full each month.
Estimates only, using card terms checked on issuers’ websites. Terms, rates and offers change, so always confirm on the issuer’s site before applying. This is information, not financial advice.
Sources
- Chase, Ink Business credit cards
- American Express, Business credit cards
- Capital One, Small business credit cards
- Wells Fargo, Business credit cards
Last reviewed November 4, 2026.
