Business Credit Cards for Startups: Top 5 Reviewed (2023)

Best Overall Startup Credit Card

Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months, then 18.24% – 24.24% variable

Welcome offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening

Regular APR: 18.24% to 24.24% variable

Annual fee: $0

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The Chase Ink Business Cash is our choice for the number one overall startup credit card. This card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases over the first year, and 18.24% to 24.24% variable thereafter, and a $750 bonus cash back once you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months upon account opening. This is useful for business owners who want to make large eligible purchases and finance them over a specific period.

This card has no annual fee and a great rewards system. They offer 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each year.

This card also offers 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year. In addition, they offer 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no earning limitations. All rewards can be redeemed for gift cards, account credits, cash back, travel, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

This Chase Ink Business Cash credit card is our number one option for LLCs and consultants due to its great rewards program and low-cost fees.

Best for Travel Rewards

Intro APR: N/A

Welcome offer: 100,000 Bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months

Regular APR: 20.99% to 25.99% variable

Annual fee: $95

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is our top choice for travel rewards and lucrative welcome bonuses. For starters, you can earn 100,000 bonus points once you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. That equates to $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel rewards when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

After that, you can earn 3x rewards points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases such as shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable, and phone services, and travel in each account anniversary year. These rewards can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel experiences, and more.

This card is best for travel rewards because points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward travel.

This card has an annual fee of $95, and you can add on employee cards at no extra charge, which will help you to gain rewards points faster.

Due to their 25% additional travel points, Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is our top choice for startups looking for rich travel perks.

Best for Cash Back 

Intro APR: 0% on purchases for the first 12 months, then 18.24% – 24.24% variable

Welcome offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Regular APR: 18.24% to 24.24% variable

Annual fee: $0

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card is a competitive, no annual fee business credit card that allows cardholders to earn 1.5% unlimited cash back rewards on every business purchase. This card is our top choice for their cash-back program, along with their welcome bonus rewards of $750 bonus cash back when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Chase Unlimited Rewards can redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more.

Another perk of this credit card is its intro APR of 0% on purchases for the first 12 months, which allows business owners the luxury of financing big purchases at no interest rates for a calendar year. After the intro period, there is a 18.24% – 24.24% variable APR.

With all benefits and no annual fee, Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card is our top choice for cash back rewards, allowing cardholders to earn 1.5% in all categories, yielding no hassle spending.

Best for Low Annual Spending and Maximum Rewards

Intro APR: 0% on purchases for the first 12 months, then 18.24% to 26.24% variable

Regular APR: 18.24% to 26.24% variable

Annual fee: $0 *See Rates and Fees

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is our top choice for business owners who spend on the lower end (less than $50,000) annually. This card offers 0% interest on purchases for the first 12 months upon account opening. As well, there is no annual fee and low maintenance costs.

Ways to earn with this credit card consist of 2% cash back on everyday eligible business purchases up to $50,000 annually and 1% cash back on all other assets after the first $50,000 spent on your card and is automatically credited back to your account. Terms Apply.

This credit card is ideal for startup businesses or freelancers who do not need a large amount of credit or make smaller annual purchases and want to reap generous cash back rewards and flexible spending limits.

With this credit card, business owners can enjoy management tools such as additional employee credit cards at no extra charge, auto-expense categorization with QuickBooks, a designated account manager, automated account alerts, year-end summary, vendor pay by Bill.com, and the American Express app.

If you are looking to make minimal spending while enjoying maximum rewards points and elite management tools, the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is for you.

Best for 0% Intro APR and Welcome Bonus Offer

Intro APR: 0% on purchases for the first 15 months of account opening

Welcome offer: $500 cash back after spending $4,500 within 150 days

Regular APR: 18.99% to 27.99% variable

Annual fee: $0/year

Recommended Credit Score: Good-Excellent

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard is our top choice for its intro interest offer of 0% for the first 15 months and its welcome bonus offer of $500 cash back rewards after spending $4,500 within the first 150 days upon account opening.

Earning rewards couldn’t be easier with 5% cash back rewards on travel, including the following:

• Prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center
• 3% cash back on eligible gas station purchases
• EV (electric vehicle) charging stations, office supply stores
• Cell phone service providers and restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Plus, there is no limit on the total rewards you can earn, and your rewards will never expire.

Using software such as Quickbooks or Freshbooks can earn an annual $100 statement credit for these subscriptions.

If you prefer a long intro APR period, this credit card may work best for your needs.