5 Best Business Credit Cards for Startups: 2025 Rankings

Need business credit cards for your startup? You’re making a smart move.

Business credit cards are great tools for new ventures. They help separate business expenses from personal ones, which simplifies bookkeeping and tax filing by a lot. On top of that, it helps you track spending and manage cash flow better.

We reviewed more than 44 business credit cards to create this list of best options for startups. Our research looked at annual fees, redemption options, insurance coverage, and welcome offers. These cards give impressive rewards for gas, travel, and dining purchases. Some cards even offer unlimited miles on every purchase without category limits [-2].

Let’s explore the five best business credit cards for new businesses. We’ll compare their features, pros and cons, pricing, and match each card with the right type of startup.

Brex Card

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The Brex Card is changing how funded startups handle their finances without putting personal assets at risk. This corporate card breaks away from traditional business credit cards by focusing on what fast-growing companies need.

Brex Card Key Features

Brex rewards you generously for your startup expenses. You’ll earn 7x points on rideshare services, 4x points on travel booked through the Brex portal, 3x points on restaurants, 2x points on recurring software subscriptions, and 1x points on everything else. These points can help grow your business beyond simple cashback options.

Brex’s credit limit system makes it unique. The company looks at your cash flow and funding status instead of personal credit scores. This means you could get limits 10-20x higher than standard business cards. Your growing business gets the spending power it needs while keeping your personal assets safe.

The platform comes with built-in expense management tools such as:

• Automated receipt collection that meets IRS requirements
• Customizable spending limits with built-in controls
• Up-to-the-minute expense tracking for teams and subsidiaries

Global businesses will appreciate Brex’s worldwide card acceptance and local currency cards in over 50 countries. You won’t need complex intercompany transactions, and you’ll save on foreign exchange fees.

Brex Card Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Your personal assets stay protected – no personal guarantee needed
• Credit limits based on business cash flow, not personal credit
• Zero annual fees make it perfect for new ventures
• Save 2-3% with no foreign transaction fees
• Unlimited rewards in key business categories
• Built-in expense management and accounting tools

Cons:

• You must pay the balance in full – it’s a charge card
• Mainly for venture-backed or professionally-funded companies
• Maximum rewards require using Brex exclusively
• Some accounts start with daily payments before moving to monthly

Brex Card Pricing

Brex uses a tiered pricing structure that’s surprisingly affordable. The simple “Essentials” plan costs $0 per user per month. This includes global card acceptance, AI-powered custom rules, accounting integrations, and instant reporting.

The “Premium” plan costs $12 per user per month and works well for growing companies. You get multiple expense policies, dynamic review chains, AI-powered compliance audits, and support for multiple entities.

Larger companies can access custom pricing with unlimited entities, local cards, and personalized setup services.

Your first five cards come free. Each extra card costs $5 monthly. Since it’s a charge card, you won’t pay interest – but you’ll need to pay your balance in full each cycle.

Brex Card Best For

Venture-backed startups and high-growth companies with strong cash positions will get the most from Brex. The card’s unique approach looks at business finances instead of personal credit, making it perfect for:

1. Well-funded startups with seed or venture funding that need higher limits
2. Tech companies spending heavily on software, ridesharing, and travel
3. Businesses operating internationally that want to avoid foreign fees
4. Companies building business credit without personal guarantees

The rewards program offers great perks. You can use points for executive coaching, billboard ads, offsite planning, and mental healthcare. New customers can earn 10,000 points after spending $3,000 in three months.

Companies using Brex as their only corporate card get access to $180,000 worth of partner perks. These include $5,000 in AWS credits, 30% off QuickBooks for a year, and 25% off eligible Slack paid plans.

Brex works best for companies that value financial discipline. The full payment requirement promotes responsible spending while giving you tools to grow quickly.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express brings great value to small business owners who want simple rewards without complex categories. This card doesn’t have an annual fee and combines reward points, intro financing, and flexible spending limits that new ventures will find attractive.

Blue Business® Plus Key Features

The rewards structure keeps things simple. You’ll earn 2X Membership Rewards points on all everyday business purchases up to $50,000 each year. Purchases beyond this amount earn 1 point per dollar. The card doesn’t make you track rotating categories or specialized spending.

Expanded Buying Power lets you spend beyond your credit limit. The extra amount you can spend changes based on your payment history, credit record, financial resources, and how you use your card. This flexibility is a great way to get help when your business needs extra inventory or faces unexpected costs.

New members can earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within three months. These points merge with American Express’s broader Membership Rewards ecosystem that has 20 transfer partners (17 airlines and 3 hotels). This gives you many ways to redeem your points.

The card has these practical business tools:

• Account Manager feature lets you give account access to trusted people
• Spend Manager helps you add notes and receipts to transactions
• Free employee cards with spending limits you can control

Blue Business® Plus Pros and Cons

Pros:

• No annual fee maximizes your reward value
• 2X points on all purchases up to $50,000 yearly with no category limits
• 0% introductory APR on purchases lasts 12 months
• Expanded Buying Power lets you spend beyond your credit limit
• Free employee cards for up to 99 additional users
• Access to valuable Amex Membership Rewards program
• Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

Cons:

• 2X points stop after $50,000 in yearly spending
• 2.7% foreign transaction fee makes international purchases cost more
• Welcome offer is smaller than other business cards
• Travel benefits aren’t as good as premium business cards
• Visa and Mastercard have better international acceptance than American Express

Blue Business® Plus Pricing

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card stands out because it’s affordable. The card has no annual fee, making it available to businesses watching their expenses.

Your first 12 months come with a 0% introductory APR on purchases. After that, the regular variable APR ranges from 17.49% to 27.49%, based on your credit. This intro period helps you finance bigger business expenses without paying interest.

The 2.7% foreign transaction fee is slightly better than the usual 3% other business cards charge. Think about this fee if your business often makes international purchases.

The Expanded Buying Power feature requires you to pay the over-limit portion in full by the due date. This helps you manage spending while giving you flexibility.

Blue Business® Plus Best For

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express works best for:

Small businesses with moderate spending needs: The 2X points on your first $50,000 yearly purchases make this card perfect if you spend less than this amount. Other cards might work better once you spend more.

Startups that need flexible financing: The 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases gives new businesses room to make essential investments. Combined with Expanded Buying Power, this creates great financial flexibility for growing ventures.

Entrepreneurs who like simplicity: The card keeps rewards simple with no complicated bonus categories to track. This makes financial management easier for busy business owners.

Businesses with steady cash flow: You must pay the over-limit portion in full each billing cycle. This works best if your company has reliable revenue.

Companies using other Amex products: The card works great with other American Express products to create a complete rewards strategy. Pairing it with cards like the American Express Gold Card helps maximize points on all purchases.

This card serves as an excellent foundation for business spending. The combination of no annual fee, solid rewards, and flexible financing helps new businesses during their crucial growth phases.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

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The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is perfect for companies that spend heavily on office supplies and telecommunications services. This no-annual-fee card rewards common business expenses generously. Small businesses with specific spending patterns will find this card especially appealing.

Ink Business Cash Key Features

This card’s appeal comes from its tiered rewards structure. You’ll earn an impressive 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services. The card gives 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and restaurants. Every other purchase earns 1% cash back with no earnings limit.

Right now, the card has a two-part welcome bonus: you get $350 after spending $3,000 in the first three months and $400 more after spending $6,000 in the first six months (adding up to $750). Businesses get more time to meet spending requirements compared to typical three-month offers.

New cardholders get a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months. This gives you room to finance startup costs or major purchases without interest. After this period ends, the variable APR ranges from 17.49% to 25.49%.

The card’s protection benefits are substantial. You get primary rental car insurance for business purposes. Your purchases receive protection up to $10,000 per claim if items are lost or damaged within 120 days. The card also adds an extra year to manufacturer warranties that are three years or less.

Ink Business Cash Pros and Cons

Pros:

• No annual fee maximizes your reward returns
• Top-tier 5% cash back on office supplies and telecommunications services
• Strong 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants
• Great two-part welcome bonus with longer qualification period
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• Primary rental car insurance for business use
• Purchase protection and extended warranty benefits
• Credit limit reviews happen automatically every six months

Cons:

• $25,000 spending cap on 5% and 2% bonus categories annually
• 3% foreign transaction fee makes overseas purchases costly
• Some cardholders report low credit limits at first
• Non-bonus purchases earn just 1% cash back
• Regular APR can run high after intro period

Ink Business Cash Pricing

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card keeps pricing simple with no annual fee. Businesses working with tight margins will appreciate not having yearly charges.

Your first 12 months come with 0% introductory APR on purchases. After that, the regular variable APR runs from 17.49% to 25.49%, based on your credit. Late payments might trigger a penalty APR up to 29.99%.

Other fees include balance transfers at $5 or 5% (whichever is more). Cash advances cost $15 or 5% of the amount (whichever is more). The card charges 3% on foreign transactions.

Ink Business Cash Best For

This card works best for small to medium-sized businesses that spend money in its bonus categories. It’s especially good for:

1. Traditional office-based businesses that buy office supplies and pay for internet, cable, and phone services regularly. Spending $300 monthly on these services alone brings in $180 cash back yearly.
2. Companies with modest credit needs that want to finance initial investments or equipment upgrades interest-free during the intro period.
3. Businesses that meet clients at restaurants or drive frequently can benefit from 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations.
4. Chase relationship customers can get more value through the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem. Pairing this with premium Chase cards lets you transfer points between accounts for more redemption options, including travel partners.
5. Startups building business credit can avoid annual fees while growing their operation.

You can redeem rewards flexibly as statement credits or direct deposits. The card also lets you get gift cards, book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, or shop on Amazon.com. Most redemptions value points at 1 cent each, though Amazon gives you 0.8 cents per point.

Businesses that spend heavily in bonus categories can rack up hundreds in rewards yearly without an annual fee eating into their earnings. The card becomes even more valuable when used with other Chase business or personal cards through Chase’s point transfer system.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

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The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is perfect for businesses with big purchasing needs. This card offers unlimited rewards and flexible spending capacity. It’s a charge card with a straightforward rewards structure that works best for companies that are several years old with substantial monthly expenses.

Spark Cash Plus Key Features

This card’s main attraction is its simple rewards system—unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no category restrictions. Businesses with different types of expenses will find the flat-rate structure helpful because there’s no need to track spending categories.

The card gives you better rewards for travel expenses—5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site. Businesses that book accommodations and ground transportation often will find extra value here.

The Spark Cash Plus works as a charge card with no preset spending limit. Your spending capacity changes based on your payment history, spending patterns, and credit profile. This flexibility helps businesses that face changing expenses or need to make big purchases occasionally.

The card has business tools that make operations easier:

• Free employee cards with customizable spending limits
• Transaction details with merchant information including logos and maps
• Year-end summaries that help with tax preparation
• Purchase records you can download in QuickBooks, Quicken, and Excel formats

Spark Cash Plus Pros and Cons

Pros:

• You get 2% cash back on everything without category limits
• New cardholders can earn up to $4,000 or more in first-year cash bonuses
• No fees for international purchases
• Annual fee comes back when you spend $150,000+ yearly
• No preset spending limit gives you more buying flexibility
• Free employee cards let you control spending

Cons:

• You must pay the full balance monthly
• $150 annual fee (but you can get it back with enough spending)
• You need to spend $30,000 in first three months to get the welcome bonus
• Some people say purchase approvals aren’t always consistent despite no formal limit
• Late payments cost 2.99% of your balance

Spark Cash Plus Pricing

This card costs $150 yearly. The good news is that your business gets this fee back each year by spending at least $150,000 (about $12,500 monthly).

New card members can earn big welcome bonuses in two ways:

• $2,000 cash back after spending $30,000 in the first three months
• Extra $2,000 bonus for every $500,000 spent in year one, with no limit on bonus earnings

The Spark Cash Plus needs full payment each billing cycle. You can’t carry a balance month to month, which helps build good financial habits but might be tough for businesses with uneven cash flow.

Other costs to know about:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Cash advances cost 5% (minimum $5)
• Late payments cost 2.99% of what you owe

Spark Cash Plus Best For

This card works best for:

Big spenders with established businesses that spend over $150,000 yearly. At this level, you won’t pay the annual fee and get unlimited 2% rewards.

Businesses wanting simple rewards without category tracking. The flat 2% structure means spending just $7,500 yearly ($625 monthly) covers the annual fee, and spending more earns you more.

Companies with good cash flow that can pay balances fully each month. The charge card setup needs discipline but removes interest worries.

Organizations that travel often and can make use of the 5% back on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.

Businesses that want financial control through employee card management, spending limits, and detailed reports.

Businesses spending over $30,000 monthly will find this card better than many others because it combines unlimited rewards with spending flexibility. The simple 2% structure means you earn substantial cash back whatever you buy.

American Express® Business Gold Card

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The American Express® Business Gold Card stands out with its smart rewards system. The card adapts to your business spending patterns automatically, making it one of the best business credit cards for companies with changing monthly expenses.

Business Gold Key Features

This card’s most important feature is how you can customize your rewards. You’ll earn 4X Membership Rewards points on your top two spending categories each month. The system picks these automatically from six eligible categories. Here’s what you can earn points on:

• U.S. advertising purchases with select media providers
• U.S. electronic goods retailers and software/cloud system providers
• U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
• U.S. gas stations
• Transit (trains, taxis, ride-hailing, tolls, ferries, busses, subways)
• U.S. wireless phone service providers

You’ll get 4X points on your first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each year, then 1X after that. The card also gives you 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com.

The card’s premium benefits include valuable statement credits worth up to $395 yearly:

• Up to $240 per year ($20 monthly) for eligible purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores
• Up to $155 annually ($12.95 monthly plus applicable taxes) for Walmart+ membership

Business travelers get access to The Hotel Collection. This perk gives you up to $100 in property credit and room upgrades if available during stays of two consecutive nights or more.

Business Gold Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Your top two spending categories earn 4X points automatically each billing cycle
• No extra fees on international purchases
• Statement credits up to $395 yearly can cover the annual fee
• Welcome bonus worth up to $2,000 based on current valuations
• Complete protection benefits including cell phone coverage up to $800 per claim
• Business management tools with year-end summaries and expense tracking

Cons:

• Annual fee of $375
• $150,000 spending cap on 4X points categories
• You need good to excellent credit
• Credits need enrollment and monthly use to get full value
• Some purchases need full payment while others qualify for Pay Over Time

Business Gold Pricing

You’ll pay $375 annually for the American Express® Business Gold Card. Businesses that use all statement credits can effectively reduce their net cost below zero.

New cardholders can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points by spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in their first three months. These points are worth about $2,000 when transferred to travel partners, based on December 2024 valuations.

The variable APR on “Pay Over Time” purchases ranges from 18.49% to 29.24%. Other “Pay In Full” purchases need complete payment each billing cycle without interest charges.

Business Gold Best For

The American Express® Business Gold Card provides excellent value for several types of businesses:

Businesses with changing spending patterns will benefit from bonus categories that adjust automatically. The card identifies your top spending areas monthly, so you don’t need to manage categories as your business needs change.

Companies that spend heavily in bonus categories can earn up to 600,000 points yearly by reaching the $150,000 annual cap. These points could be worth around $12,000 through travel partner transfers.

Startups with high monthly costs in advertising, software, and telecommunications can rack up valuable points while getting essential services.

Organizations that regularly use FedEx, Grubhub, office supplies, and Walmart+ can maximize statement credits. These credits help reduce the card’s annual cost for businesses already spending in these areas.

The card works great for businesses that want flexible redemption choices. You can transfer points to various airline and hotel programs to get more value than standard cash back.

The American Express® Business Gold Card proves to be a smart choice for growing businesses and established startups. It combines premium perks with rewards that naturally match your actual spending habits.

Comparison Table

Card Name	Annual Fee	Welcome Bonus	Key Rewards Rate	Notable Features	Best Suited For	Major Drawbacks
Brex Card	$0	10,000 points after $3,000 spend in 3 months	7x on rideshare, 4x on travel, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software	– No personal guarantee needed – Credit limits based on cash flow – Built-in expense management tools	– Venture-backed startups – Tech companies – Global operations	– Full balance payment required – Only available to funded startups – Daily payments may be needed at first
Blue Business® Plus	$0	15,000 points after $3,000 spend in 3 months	2X points on first $50,000 annually, then 1X	– 0% intro APR for 12 months – Expanded Buying Power option – Employee cards at no cost	– Small businesses with moderate expenses – New companies needing payment flexibility – Businesses wanting straightforward rewards	– 2X points limit at $50,000 yearly – 2.7% fee on foreign transactions – Basic travel perks
Ink Business Cash®	$0	$750 ($350 + $400) after spending $6,000 in 6 months	5% on office supplies/telecom (first $25k) 2% on gas/restaurants (first $25k)	– 0% intro APR for 12 months – Main rental car coverage – Purchase protection	– Traditional office businesses – Companies with basic credit needs – Existing Chase customers	– Limits on category spending – 3% fee on foreign transactions – Credit limits may start low
Spark Cash Plus	$150	Up to $4,000 cash bonus	2% cash back on all purchases 5% on hotels/rental cars via Capital One Travel	– Flexible spending limits – No annual fee with $150k+ spending – Employee cards included	– Established businesses with high spending – Companies wanting simple rewards – Businesses with reliable cash flow	– Monthly payment in full required – High spend needed for bonus – $150 yearly fee
Business Gold Card	$375	100,000 points after $15,000 spend in 3 months	4X points on top 2 spending categories (up to $150k) 3X on travel	– Annual credits up to $395 – Categories optimize automatically – No fees on foreign transactions	– Businesses with diverse expenses – Companies spending heavily in categories – Businesses using statement credits	– Substantial annual fee – 4X points have category limits – Top-tier credit needed

Conclusion

Your startup’s financial health and growth potential depends heavily on picking the right business credit card. Let me walk you through five excellent cards that can match different business needs.

The Brex Card works great for funded startups that don’t need personal guarantees. You’ll get excellent rewards on rideshare, travel, and dining expenses. The credit limits adjust based on your business cash flow instead of personal credit.

The Blue Business® Plus from American Express might be your best bet if you want to keep things simple. You get 2X points on all purchases up to $50,000 each year without annual fees. There’s no need to track complicated categories.

The Ink Business Cash® Card makes perfect sense for traditional office-based companies. Your business can earn 5% cash back on office supplies and telecommunications services when these are your main expenses.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus shines when you have high-volume transactions with its unlimited 2% cash back and flexible spending limits. On top of that, you can skip the $150 annual fee if you spend over $150,000 yearly.

The American Express® Business Gold Card works well for businesses with changing monthly expenses. The $375 annual fee might seem steep, but the card automatically gives you 4X points on your top two spending categories each month. This can add up to real value quickly.

Take time to review your startup’s spending patterns, cash flow, and growth plans before you decide. Think about whether cash back or travel rewards make more sense for you, and make sure you can pay off the balance monthly.

A good business credit card acts as a financial tool that matches your company’s needs and rewards your regular spending. This creates extra capital you can put back into your business growth.

Remember to look at your options again each year as your business grows. The card that fits perfectly now might not be the best choice when your startup expands and your spending changes.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right business credit card can significantly impact your startup’s financial health and growth trajectory. Here are the essential insights from our comprehensive analysis of the top 5 business credit cards for startups in 2025:

• Match your card to your spending patterns – Cards like Ink Business Cash excel for office supplies/telecom (5% back), while Brex Card rewards tech spending with 7x on rideshare and 2x on software subscriptions.

• Consider your cash flow stability – Charge cards like Brex and Spark Cash Plus require full monthly payments but offer higher limits, while traditional credit cards provide payment flexibility with intro 0% APR periods.

• Leverage no-fee options for maximum value – Three of our top picks (Brex, Blue Business Plus, Ink Business Cash) charge zero annual fees, making them ideal for cost-conscious startups building credit.

• Funded startups can access unique benefits – Brex Card offers credit limits 10-20x higher than traditional cards based on business cash flow rather than personal credit, with no personal guarantee required.

• Annual fee cards can pay for themselves – Capital One Spark Cash Plus refunds its $150 fee with $150k+ annual spending, while Amex Business Gold provides up to $395 in statement credits against its $375 fee.

The right business credit card serves as more than just a payment method—it becomes a strategic financial tool that separates business expenses, builds credit history, and generates rewards you can reinvest into growth.

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