Small business owners may find low interest-rate business credit cards convenient for flexible short-term financing. They can be useful for startups trying to finance initial costs, as well as for established businesses that need to smooth out cash flow. 

Here’s how to find the best business credit cards with low APRs and use them successfully. 

Do Business Credit Cards Have APRs?

Yes, just like with personal credit cards, business credit card issuers are required to disclose an APR, or annual percentage rate. The APR is designed to help borrowers compare costs by expressing the cost of borrowing over a year. 

Here are some really important points you should understand about business credit card APRs:

1. Most Credit Cards Feature Variable APRs

Most credit cards carry variable interest rates that can change. The rate will be tied to an index, such as the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate. When that rate goes up, so does the APR on the card. The Federal Reserve has increased rates several times in 2022 and 2023, and most credit card rates have risen as a result. 

2. You Probably Won’t Know Your Rate Until You Are Approved

Most card issuers disclose a range of interest rates for new purchases to prospective cardholders. The actual APR you get will depend on your qualifications, including your credit score, income and other qualifications. The interest rate you’ll pay will be disclosed when you are approved. 

3. Introductory APRs Can Be Lower

Some low intro APR offers allow you to borrow interest-free, or at a very low interest rate, for a period of time. For example, a card issuer may offer 0% for the first 9 billing cycles after account opening. This can be an appealing way to finance business expenses for a short period of time, but be careful. The interest rate after the intro period expires will likely be expensive. Try to pay the card balance in full before the introductory period ends and the rate goes up to a higher regular APR. 

4. Charge Cards May Not Have an APR

Business charge cards are also known as “pay in full cards,” because the full balance must be paid on the due date. In other words, you don’t have the option to make minimum payments over time. When that’s the case, there may be no APR listed. 

5. Different Transactions May Have Different APRs

You’ll often see card issuers offering different APRs for different types of transactions. New purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances can each have their own APRs.

5. Pay Off Your Balance and APRs Don’t Matter

Most credit cards that allow you to pay for purchases over time will also offer a grace period. If you pay the card off during the grace period, you can avoid interest charges. Typically you’ll see two balances listed on your credit card statement: the last statement balance and the current balance. If you pay off the last statement balance by the due date each month you should be able to avoid interest charges. (Confirm with your card issuer.) 

What Credit Score is Needed for a Low APR Business Card?

Most business card issuers will review the business owner’s personal credit report.

Good credit or excellent credit is required for many business credit cards (though not all). That usually means you need a FICO score of at least 670—680 to qualify, though some issuers require higher credit scores (700+) and others may approve cardholders with lower credit scores. 

Most card issuers don’t check business credit scores, but will report payments to business credit bureaus, which can help the business establish good business credit. 

Credit history can also help you qualify for larger credit limits. 

5 Business Credit Cards With the Lowest Interest Rates

The challenge with finding the cards with the lowest APRs is mentioned above; most issuers offer a range of interest rates and determine which rate you’ll get when you  apply. 

Generally, you’ll get the lowest APR from a card offer with an intro APR. We have listed five of the best 0% APR business credit card offers here. 

Again, the overall, or long-term, interest rate you’ll get on a small business credit card will often depend on your qualifications. 

1. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

This popular Amex business credit card offers a number of benefits, including:

• 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
• $0 annual fee
• Strong welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

The ongoing rewards rate is solid as well: Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.

Note there is a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

2.

With this card you’ll get a generous 0% Intro APR for the first 12 months; 21.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that. And the annual fee is .  While there is no welcome bonus currently, the ongoing rewards are solid:

3. Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card 

Get 0% for 9 billing cycles on purchases. The ongoing rate is 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR on purchases.

The annual fee is  $0.00. The welcome bonus is a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

This card also offers a very flexible cash back rewards program. 3% cash back in the category of your choice (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter), 2% cash back on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter), and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

4. U.S. Bank Business Platinum

This card offers a long 0% intro period for purchases and balance transfers, but there are no rewards offered. 

• The APR for new purchases is a 0% introductory APR for the first 18 billing cycles and, after that, a variable APR based on creditworthiness when the account is opened. 
• 0% introductory APR for the first 18 billing cycles for balances transferred within 30 days from account opening and, after that, a variable APR based on creditworthiness when the account is opened. The balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount transferred or a $5 minimum whichever is greater. 
• This card requires payment in full each month, but with the U.S. Bank ExtendPay^® Plan you can divide eligible purchases into equal monthly payments with no interest during your chosen repayment period. A fixed monthly fee will be charged instead. 
• No annual fee. 

*All information about the U.S. Bank Business Platinum card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit Nav’s credit card page.

5.  Ink Business Cash Credit Card

This Chase Ink card has a good combination of benefits: 

• 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months.
• Sign-up bonus: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• No annual fee

This card offers higher rewards in certain bonus categories. You can earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn a flat-rate of 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.

*All information about the Ink Business Cash Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit Nav’s credit card page.

Which Is Better: Low APR or Rewards?

Many business credit cards offer rewards such as cash back or travel rewards for qualifying purchases. These rewards programs can be quite lucrative, especially when you take advantage of welcome bonuses or extra points or miles for purchases in specific spending categories. Employee cards typically earn rewards as well. 

The consensus is that carrying a balance will often cost more than the benefit of the perks earned. However, there is an interesting twist here, because most of the low-intro rate cards listed above offer a low interest rate for a period of time and also earn rewards. If you use the card to purchase items your business needs and then pay off your balance before the intro APR period ends, you can get the best of both worlds: a low APR and rewards. 

Here’s the other thing to keep in mind. While business credit cards may carry higher interest rates than small business loans from banks, for example, their interest rates may be cheaper than some types of alternative business financing. And, of course, low APR offers can be a very cheap way to borrow. It’s worth including business credit cards in your comparisons when you’re shopping for small business financing. 

And credit card perks are another story altogether. If offered, benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone protection, or car rental coverage apply, apply whether or not you carry a balance. 

The Bottom Line: Low APR Business Credit Cards

When you’re looking for a smaller amount of short-term financing for your business, or you need to pay for large purchases over time, a low APR business card can be helpful. It offers fast, flexible access to financing without an extensive business loan application process. However, qualifying often requires good personal credit. And it’s important to understand the terms of your card, and to pay off any purchases made with an intro APR before the rate expires and the cost of financing goes up. 

Nav can help you find credit cards based on your qualifications. Get started now.