Top 10 Best Business Credit Cards for Startups Today

Starting a business is an inspiring yet financially demanding journey, especially for startups and new ventures. The right credit card can help you manage cash flow, cover expenses, and enjoy exclusive perks. Join NextSky as we explore the best business credit cards for startups in 2025 and key criteria to make choosing easier on your growth journey.

What is a business credit card?

A business credit card is a financial tool that helps companies manage and pay for daily expenses. With a pre-approved credit limit, businesses can make purchases, withdraw cash, transfer funds, and flexibly settle balances. Today, many cards offer cashback, rewards points, and tools to build business credit. For newly established businesses, banks may require collateral or personal guarantees to ensure repayment.

Top 10 business credit cards for startups

Based on rewards, fees, credit requirements, and startup-friendly features, here are the top business credit cards for startups and new businesses in 2025:

1. Shopify Credit

If you're a Shopify-based startup, this card is a perfect fit. You can activate a virtual card immediately upon approval, with credit limits increasing based on revenue. This allows flexible spending and business scaling without credit barriers.

Key features:

• No credit check or personal guarantee required.
• Credit limit grows with sales performance, supporting business expansion.
• 3% cashback on eligible marketing spend (TikTok, Meta, Google, etc.) up to $100,000/year, and 1% on other transactions.
• No annual fee or interest charges.
• Flexible payments via a percentage of daily revenue.

Additional benefits:

• Extended purchase protection for added peace of mind.
• Free employee cards for easy team expense management.
• Rental car collision insurance and travel insurance for business trips.

Best for: Startups with no credit history or Shopify users.

2. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

With simple, trackable cashback and low spending requirements for welcome bonuses, this card is ideal for startups with modest budgets. It maximizes daily spending benefits without an annual fee.

Key features:

• 2% cashback on all purchases up to $50,000 annually, then 1% thereafter.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months, then variable APR of 17.49%–27.49%.
• $250 welcome bonus after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
• No annual fee.

Additional benefits:

• Rental car loss and damage insurance for business travel.
• Extended warranty for eligible purchases.
• Global assist hotline for worldwide business support.

Best for: Startups seeking simple cashback with low spending thresholds.

3. Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

Perfect for startups with frequent travel expenses, this card offers flexible mile rewards, no annual fee, and credit reporting to major bureaus, helping businesses enjoy travel perks while building a strong credit profile.

Key features:

• Earn 1.5X miles on all purchases and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• 50,000-mile welcome bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months.
• No annual fee.
• Variable APR from 17.49% to 23.49%.

Additional benefits:

• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit to save time during travel.
• No foreign transaction fees, ideal for global business trips.

Best for: Travel-heavy startups building business credit.

4. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

This card offers a compelling welcome bonus and generous rewards for everyday business expenses. It's ideal for startups investing heavily in advertising, marketing, or business travel during the early stages.

Key features:

• 3X points on up to $150,000 in combined spending (travel, shipping, advertising, internet/phone services), 1X on other purchases.
• 90,000-point welcome bonus after spending $8,000 in 3 months (worth $1,125 via Chase Travel).
• $95 annual fee.
• Variable APR from 20.24% to 26.24%.

Additional benefits:

• Free employee cards.
• Comprehensive travel insurance for worry-free business trips.
• No foreign transaction fees, optimizing global operations.

Best for: Startups with high spending on ads or travel.

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

This card suits founders with rewards for everyday expenses like gas, office supplies, phone services, or dining. A 12-month 0% APR period eases cash flow pressures for startups.

Key features:

• 5% cashback on prepaid hotels and car rentals via U.S. Bank Travel.
• 3% cashback on essentials: gas, EV charging, restaurants, office supplies, phone services.
• 1% cashback on all other purchases.
• $750 welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
• 0% APR for 12 months, then variable APR of 17.99%–26.99%.
• No annual fee.

Additional benefits:

• $100 annual software credit for operational expenses.
• Easy employee card management for tighter expense control.

Best for: Startups with diverse operational expenses.

6. Zeni Business Credit Card

Ideal for tech startups or businesses seeking innovative, transparent financial management, this card uses AI for real-time expense tracking and integrates with accounting platforms, saving time and clarifying cash flow.

Key features:

• 1.75% cashback on all purchases, no category restrictions.
• No annual fee or personal guarantee.
• Unlimited physical and virtual cards with customizable employee limits.
• AI-driven expense categorization for transparent, quick management.

Additional benefits:

• Financial advisory services for strategic spending.
• Seamless integration with Zeni's accounting platform for streamlined financial data.

Best for: Tech startups prioritizing efficient financial management.

7. Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus Card

Perfect for startups with high spending and the ability to pay balances in full monthly, this card offers unlimited cashback and premium travel perks, balancing savings and luxury.

Key features:

• 2% cashback on all purchases, 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel.
• Up to $2,000 cash bonus after spending $30,000 in 3 months, plus $2,000 for every $500,000 spent annually.
• The $150 annual fee is waived with $150,000 in annual spending.
• It requires a full monthly balance payment (no APR).

Additional benefits:

• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit for faster travel.
• Airport lounge access for elevated business trip experiences.

Best for: High-spending startups with strong cash flow.

8. Brex Card

Designed for tech startups aiming to optimize spending without personal guarantees, this card offers flexible credit limits based on revenue or funding, making it ideal for businesses with fluctuating cash flow.

Key features:

• 7X points on rideshare, 4X on Brex Travel, 3X at restaurants, 2X on software, 1X on other purchases.
• No annual fee or personal guarantee.
• Flexible credit limits based on business performance or funding.

Additional benefits:

• AWS credits for tech infrastructure.
• Software discounts, like QuickBooks.
• Expense management tools for budget control.

Best for: Tech startups with dynamic cash flow.

9. American Express Business Gold Card

Ideal for startups with varied expenses, from advertising and tech to dining and travel, this card offers flexible points for top spending categories and valuable monthly credits to offset its annual fee.

Key features:

• 4X points on the top two categories from advertising, tech, restaurants, gas, transit, or phone services (up to $150,000/year).
• 3X points on flights and hotels via AmexTravel.com.
• 1X points on other purchases.
• 150,000-point welcome bonus after spending $15,000 in 3 months.
• 0% APR for 6 months, then variable APR of 18.49%–27.49%.
• $375 annual fee.

Additional benefits:

• $20 monthly credits for FedEx, Grubhub, or office supplies, up to $240/year.
• Walmart+ credit for convenient shopping and delivery.

Best for: Startups with diverse, high-volume spending.

10. BILL Divvy Corporate Card

Perfect for scaling startups with growing teams, this card combines valuable rewards with comprehensive expense management tools, enabling efficient cash flow control and flexible credit for growth.

Key features:

• Up to 7X points at restaurants, 5X at hotels, and 2X on software (with weekly payments; lower points for biweekly/monthly payments).
• No annual fee.
• Credit limits up to $5M, based on business financials.

Additional benefits:

• Free employee cards for department or individual expense tracking.
• Integrates with BILL Spend & Expense for streamlined cost management.

Best for: Scaling startups with expanding teams.

How to choose the best business credit card for your startup

• Align with business goals: Each card serves different needs. For expense control, choose cards with detailed reporting and employee-specific limits. For savings, opt for cashback cards linked to business accounts.
• Manage costs and APR: Business cards often have high APRs, averaging 30%. Interest applies only if you carry a balance, so a low-APR card reduces financial strain for revolving credit, factor in annual fees and transaction costs to compare total value.
• Leverage reward programs: Many cards offer rewards for categories like travel, office supplies, or operations. Even without a spending history, base your choice on projected budgets. Welcome bonuses, like cash or points after minimum spending, can boost initial capital.
• Value-added perks: Beyond cashback or points, cards offer perks like trip insurance, expense management tools, or employee cards. Premium cards may include luxuries like airport lounge access but have higher annual fees.
• Credit score matters: For startups without a business credit history, issuers rely on the owner's personal credit score. A strong score and payment history unlock higher limits, better rewards, and more perks. Average scores may still qualify, but with limited benefits.

Building business credit with a startup credit card

A key benefit of business credit cards is their ability to build a business credit profile, which is essential for securing larger loans or credit lines in the future. Here's how to maximize this:

• Choose cards that report to bureaus: Select issuers like Chase, Capital One, or American Express that report to major business credit agencies (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business) to ensure your payment history boosts your business credit score.
• Get an EIN and DUNS number: Establish your business as a separate entity with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet for business credit tracking.
• Pay early or on time: Consistent, timely payments (or early for a perfect PAYDEX score) are critical for building strong business credit.
• Monitor your credit: Regularly check your business credit reports for accuracy and track progress. Note: Some cards, like Brex or Stripe Corporate Card, may not report to all bureaus, so prioritize issuers like Chase or Capital One if building credit is a primary goal.

Alternatives to business credit cards for startups

If you struggle to qualify for a business credit card due to limited personal credit or other barriers, consider these alternatives:

• Vendor credit lines: Net-30 accounts with suppliers (e.g., Quill, Uline) report payment history to business credit bureaus, helping build credit without personal guarantees.
• Secured business credit cards: Cards like Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards require a deposit as the credit limit, which is ideal for those with average credit.
• Business lines of credit: Fintech lenders like Kabbage offer credit lines based on revenue rather than credit history.
• Personal credit cards: While not ideal, using personal cards for business expenses can work temporarily, but keep costs separate to avoid complications.

Choosing the best business credit card for startups and new businesses. With NextSky's insights, you can find the perfect fit, whether it's Shopify Credit with no credit check, Ink Business Preferred® with rich rewards, or the tech-savvy Zeni Business Credit Card.