Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Just as with personal credit cards, there’s a range of factors to consider before deciding if a business credit or charge card is right for you. Use the table above to compare UK business credit cards and find the lowest rates and fees.
The best business credit card option for you is going to depend on what you need the card to do. Let’s break it down.
Our top picks
Redeem points for Avios
Exclusive business offers
All-in-one integrated system
Custom spending limits
No annual fees
Up to £250K credit limit
- Best for cashback: Capital on Tap
- Best for rewards: American Express Business Gold Charge Card
- Best for improving your credit score:Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
- Best for frequent flyers: Capital on Tap Business Credit Card with Business Rewards
- Best for 0% purchases: Funding Circle FlexiPay Business Credit Card
- Best for low rate: Funding Circle FlexiPay Business Credit Card
- Best for travel: Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
- Best for startups: Capital on Tap
Best business credit cards by types
Our experts put the full UK business credit market to the test and picked out the best credit cards and charge cards available for September 2024 listed below.
Our best pick for cashback
Annual/monthly fees | £99 per annum |
---|---|
Purchases | 36.19% |
Rewards earn rate | 1 point per £1 spent |
Just as with personal credit cards, certain providers focus on specific card types. To find the most suitable credit card for your business, delve into what different cards do. Here are some of the most popular business credit card categories in the UK.
Cashback business credit cards: Earn when you spend
With cashback credit cards, you earn cashback every time you use your business card. Cashback is usually paid into your business current account, so you can use it as you wish. Why not use it to treat your team to lunch?
Many of these cards come with an annual fee and may also offer added rewards or perks, such as travel insurance. They don’t tend to have the most competitive APRs, so they’re best for businesses that plan to use the credit card heavily, to maximise their cashback, and then pay back the balance in full every month.
Compare cashback business credit cards
Pros
- Get back a percentage of your credit card spending.
- All your business spending counts, so you should be able to earn cashback quite quickly.
- Earning cash instead of rewards points means freedom in how you use this benefit.
Cons
- The annual card fee can be expensive.
- The interest rates on purchases aren’t especially competitive, so these cards aren’t great for borrowing.
- There are usually strict eligibility criteria for cards with the best cashback rates.
Our best pick for rewards
Annual/monthly fees | Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 |
---|---|
Rewards earn rate | 1 points per £1 spent |
Rewards business credit cards: Free treats from your business spending
These business cards reward you for paying with your credit card or charge card, usually offering reward points for every £1 spent on eligible purchases. A business card with rewards will let you earn points on your work spending (potentially even on your PPC spending).
It’s important to remember that these business cards usually come with higher annual fees and interest rates. So, like cashback cards, these are best for businesses that plan to use their credit card quite heavily and pay off their credit card bill in full every month (and in the case of charge cards, you will need to clear your balance each month). What’s more, you’ll need to make sure that the value of the rewards outweighs the card fee.
Pros
- Earn rewards on your business card spending.
- All your business spending counts, so you should be able to earn points more quickly than with your personal credit card.
- Treat yourself and your team to benefits and experiences you wouldn’t normally get.
Cons
- The annual card fee can be high, so weigh it up against your card usage.
- Many of these cards leave much to be desired when it comes to the cost of borrowing.
Our best pick for improving your credit score
Capital on Tap’s preloading feature is unusual for a business credit card, and means that users can boost their spending power beyond their credit limit by topping up the card with their own funds.”
Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
---|---|
Purchases | 36.19% |
Rewards earn rate | 1 point per £1 spent |
Bad credit business credit cards: Get your business credit score back on track
These cards can offer a credit facility to your company even if a few funding issues in the past mean that your company’s credit score is less than ideal – for example, if you’ve repeatedly missed credit repayments in the past.
Bad credit credit cards tend to have a high interest rate, so you must clear your card balance in full every month. Using a bad credit credit card correctly for a while will help your business rebuild its credit history and improve its credit score.
Compare bad credit business credit cards
Pros
- You can successfully apply for a credit card to help with your business’ cash flow even if your credit history isn’t perfect.
- Improve your business’ credit score by paying the credit card bill in full every month.
- Have your credit limit reviewed as your credit score improves.
Cons
- High interest rates mean you need to avoid carrying a balance on these cards.
- Very few perks and rewards.
Our best pick for frequent flyers
Small business owners who are frequent flyers might want to opt for Capital on Tap’s Business Rewards plan and take advantage of earning Avios points, if the value of those points will outweigh the card’s annual fee.”
Annual/monthly fees | £99 per annum |
---|---|
Purchases | 36.19% |
Rewards earn rate | 1 point per £1 spent |
Frequent flyer business credit cards: Earn air miles for your business trips
This is a particular type of rewards business credit card which will be linked to an existing frequent flyer programme, such as Avios. Some frequent flyer schemes are tied to a specific airline, while others allow you to get points which can be redeemed at a number of airlines.
This kind of business credit card can be particularly lucrative for companies that do a lot of travelling, but as these are rewards cards which may have a higher APR, it’s best to clear the balance in full each month.
Compare frequent flyer business credit cards earning Avios
Pros
- Earn air miles every time you use your card.
- All your business spending counts, so you should be able to earn points more quickly than with your personal credit card.
- Exchange your miles or points for free flights, hotel stays or flight and room upgrades.
Cons
- These cards usually come with a not-so-cheap annual fee.
- The interest rate typically offered by these cards isn’t great.
Our best pick for 0% purchases
Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
---|---|
Purchases | 0% interest, flat fee per transaction |
Rewards earn rate | N/A |
0% purchase business credit cards: Spread the cost of a large purchase
These credit cards charge no interest on your purchases for a few months, allowing you more time and flexibility to pay for them: ideal if your company needs to spread the cost of a major purchase, or if it’s expecting to spend more than usual for a few months. Unlike with personal 0% purchase cards, the introductory deal won’t usually be super long, but if you need to buy, say, a piece of equipment, it’ll give you a bit more time to even out your cash flow. Don’t forget to make a note in your calendar of when the 0% period ends, because that’s when your balance will go back to accruing interest.
Pros
- Get a few months to pay back the cost of a large purchase or deal with an emergency without paying interest.
- Some of these cards may come with extra rewards and perks.
Cons
- The revert rate can be quite high, so you need to clear your balance before the 0% deal ends.
- The introductory 0% period usually only lasts a few months.
Our best pick for low rate
Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
---|---|
Purchases | 0% interest, flat fee per transaction |
Rewards earn rate | N/A |
Low rate business credit cards: Borrow at a competitive rate
These business credit cards have low standard variable interest rates for purchases and can give companies a more affordable option if they need to pay off spending over a longer period of time. This makes them a good choice for small businesses, businesses with seasonal or otherwise variable revenue, or any businesses that want a credit card on hand for any unexpected costs.
Some business credit cards with low rates even extend the same standard interest rate for purchases to cover cash advances and balance transfers. Additionally, a number of these business credit cards with low rates come with a minimal annual fee.
Pros
- Affordable rates allow for some flexibility when it comes to paying back the credit card balance.
- Annual fees are usually quite competitive as far as business credit cards go.
- Good choice if you’re more worried about the financial features of a card than about earning rewards.
Cons
- They require a good credit score (or your business won’t get the advertised rate).
- Don’t expect many rewards or perks to come with these cards.
Our best pick for travel
The fee-free spending abroad is a great travel feature of the Capital on Tap Business Credit Card, especially when combined with its 1% cashback.”
Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
---|---|
Purchases | 36.19% |
Rewards earn rate | 1 point per £1 spent |
Travel business credit cards: Spend abroad with no fees
Fees for spending in a currency other than pounds sterling can be as much as 3%. That means if you make a £500 foreign transaction, you’ll be charged £15 in fees. If you do a lot of business spending abroad, that can quickly add up. With a travel business credit card, making payments abroad is free; and some also offer reward points for your spending. Travel credit cards can also sometimes offer fee-free cash withdrawals, but keep in mind that interest is usually charged from the moment you get your cash out.
Compare business cards with no foreign transaction fees
Pros
- Avoid expensive currency conversion fees when you spend overseas.
- These cards sometimes come with additional travel rewards and perks.
- As long as they’re on the Mastercard or Visa networks, these cards will be widely accepted abroad.
Cons
- Not necessarily the cheapest option if you can’t clear your balance in full every month.
- Even though cash withdrawals abroad may also be free, you’ll usually still be charged interest on the amount you take out.
What are business credit cards?
Business credit cards are designed to suit the financial needs of different types of companies, ranging from small startups to major corporations. These cards allow you to keep your business and personal expenses separate, assign cards to employees, manage your cash flow, track your finances and earn rewards.
How to choose the best business credit card in September 2024
- Work out what you need from a credit card. Are you looking for a business credit card with the lowest rates and fees? Do you want extra features, like rewards when you spend? Or do you want a card designed for business travel?
- Find providers that offer the type of card you’re after. Some business credit card providers specialise in just one type of card and may not offer other types at all.
- Compare cards. Once you’ve identified providers, compare cards to find the one that best suits your business.
- Check the whole package. Look at the APR, annual fees, foreign exchange fees, and perks when making your decision.
- Check you qualify. Most business credit cards have specific eligibility criteria that you must meet to be able to get that card. These typically include a minimum trading period and minimum turnover. Make sure you meet these requirements before applying for any credit product.
Business credit cards vs personal credit cards
Unlike personal credit cards, business credit cards are designed for work spending and many include features such as additional cards for employees, customisable spending limits for different users and expense tracking. Some business credit cards may even have analytics tools to help with business reporting and budgeting.
But in most other ways, business credit cards are similar to personal credit cards. With either option, you’ll get access to funds up to a specified limit and be able to pay off what you spend over time (with interest charges). They both also have annual fees and interest rates, as well as perks such as rewards or complimentary insurance.
What are business charge cards?
A charge card is an alternative to a business credit card and acts as a short term (usually monthly) loan to a business for items you buy which are charged to the card. These cards allow you to defer payment until the end of the statement period, when you must pay off the account in full. Interest rates don’t apply but many providers apply a hefty late fee.
Business charge cards are designed for organisations that can clear their balance each billing cycle, which is typically between 25 and 51 days. If you are looking to borrow funds over a longer period, business credit cards may offer more flexibility.
Despite having a different account structure, charge cards share features with traditional credit cards, including expense tracking tools, supplementary cards, rewards programmes and complimentary extras.
Full guide to business charge cards
Does your business use company cars?
If you or your team frequently use company vehicles or rental cars as part of their day-to-day job, it’s worth considering getting a fuel card. Fuel cards are a simplified form of business charge cards that can only be used to purchase petrol and related products, and generally offer discounts on fuel. They are popular with transport companies or those with multiple company cars as they let drivers pay for their fuel costs without having to give them a full-featured credit card.
How to compare business credit cards
Comparing business credit cards side-by-side allows you to find an option that is suited to your business’s specific needs. Some of the core factors to compare when weighing up business credit cards include:
- Business spending habits. The card you need depends largely on the spending habits of your business. If your business uses a credit card to purchase flights, and regularly pays it off, then a frequent flyer card might offer competitive value. On the other hand, if your business needs the card primarily for borrowing, look for a low-interest rate, low fee and/or interest-free days. Business cards offering a lot of “bells and whistles” may seem appealing, but ask yourself if they will have a positive impact on your bottom line.
- Interest rates. Interest rates can vary hugely from card to card. Some cards charge the same rate for all transactions and others apply different rates depending on whether the transaction is a purchase, cash advance or balance transfer.
- Fees and charges. Business credit cards feature a range of fees and charges. Some of the most common include:
- Annual or monthly fees. Business credit card annual fees are usually around £30 a year but can be more.
- Supplementary cardholder fees. While some business credit cards offer additional cardholders at no extra cost, others may charge up to £75 for extra cards. Check whether fees are “one-offs” or regular charges.
- Currency conversion fees. This charge is applied for transactions made overseas or in a foreign currency and is typically 3% to 3.5% of the transaction value.
- Over-limit fees. If you or an employee goes over the credit limit on the account, a fee of around £12 may be applied. Additionally, this may be visible in your business’s credit history.
- Late payment fees. If you don’t make the minimum payment on your business credit card by its due date, a fee is likely to be applied. This may be visible in your business’s credit history.
- Interest-free days. Business credit cards offer an interest-free period on purchases – usually around 55 or 56 days – provided you pay your balance in full by the statement due date. This can offer valuable short term cash flow flexibility. Note that non-sterling transactions and cash advances will usually be exempt from this perk.
- Minimum required monthly payments. Business credit cards generally have minimum payments of 2% to 4% of the outstanding balance, unless they are charge cards, in which case they need to be paid in full each statement cycle.
- Extra perks. These may include:
- Rewards points. Collect reward points per pound spent and redeem these with anything from equipment to days out.
- Air miles. Collect air miles for popular programmes such as Avios.
- Online business banking. Business credit cards usually give you all the access you would expect from banking online, such as 24/7 access to your account plus business security options such as encryption technology for peace of mind. Business applications may also allow mobile management so you can bank on-the-go with your business.
- Complimentary insurance. Many business credit cards include complimentary travel insurance and liability insurance for the account.
- Airport lounge access. Travel like a VIP with free access for cardholders and, potentially, their guests too.
- Expense management systems. Keeping on top of business expenses and consolidating your credit card transactions can be difficult among all the other tasks involved in running a business. Expense management systems give you 24/7 control and visibility with standard or custom reports.
When comparing business credit cards, check if you need to sign a personal guarantee to be approved. This is more likely if your business has a limited credit history and means you’ll be personal liable for the debt if your business can’t repay it.”
Pros and cons of business credit cards
Pros
- Potential tax deductions for claiming annual fees
- Simplified bookkeeping/accounting process
- Expense and cash flow management
- Liability options
- Security features
- Customisable credit limits
- Builds business credit
- Additional cardholders
- Complimentary extras specifically designed for businesses
Cons
- Require a good credit record and business turnover
- Potentially expensive fees
- Interest charges if you carry a balance
- Can be hard to keep track of employee spending if you’re a small business
- Limits spending to business expenses only
Are there eligibility checker tools for business credit cards?
Business credit card providers, such as Capital on Tap, have an eligibility verification tool on their website. Currently, you can only assess your eligibility for specific cards on the issuer’s site and you can’t yet check multiple card issuers in one go.
How to apply for a business credit card
If you’re interested in getting a business credit card, the first step is to compare a range of options to find one that is convenient and affordable for your business. Once you have found one, you can usually apply online. Before you apply for a credit card, you’ll need to make sure that you meet the following eligibility requirements and have organised the necessary documents to complete the application:
Eligibility requirements
Much like personal credit cards, cardholders will need to be over 18 and residents of the UK. More often than not, your business needs to be UK-based too. Some lenders will also stipulate a minimum annual turnover and how many years you’ve been trading for. While cards are available for pretty much any size and kind of company, lenders may have specific products for specific categories of businesses (for example sole traders, limited companies, self-employed and freelancers).
Documents and details you need to supply
The details you’ll be asked to provide vary depending on the card, but generally include:
- Contact details. Contact details for you and/or your business.
- Proof of identification. A valid form of identification, such as your driver’s licence or passport.
- Financial information. You may need to provide information about your business income and/or revenue as well as any assets and liabilities, including investments, debts and regular expenses.
- Additional cardholders. If you wish to manage employee spending under one account, you’ll also need to provide details of all cardholders.
- Accountant’s information. Information on the person or organisation that manages your company books and financial records.
- Other documents. Supporting documentation such as tax statements and investor reports may also be required.
If you’re approved, you could have your card in as few as 5-10 business days (depending on the account and issuer). You can then activate the card, and start using it for your business.
With expense tracking features, additional cards, interest free periods and reward options, credit cards can be a convenient option for both big and small businesses. Now that you know more about them, you can compare your options and find a product that suits your business’ needs.
Have you considered a card payment machine for your business?
Business credit cards are only one element of managing your company’s cash flow. When it comes to streamlining payments, a card payment machine could be a game-changer.
If your business needs to take card payments, having a dedicated card machine to process payments swiftly and securely can avoid the hassle of manual inputs, and also help free up your accounts team’s time that could then be put back into the business.
Card readers can also provide valuable insights through detailed transaction data, enabling better financial management and informed decision-making for your business. You can compare a range of card payment machines in our guide.
Overview of business credit cards
Lowest representative APR | 16% |
---|---|
Longest 0% purchases offer | 6 months |
Longest 0% money transfer offer | 12 months |
Lowest cash advance | 13.9% |
Highest credit limit | £250,000 |
Highest cashback earn-rate | 1% |
Highest introductory bonus offer | 80,000 points |
The best business card issuer for customer satisfaction
We asked cardholders to rate their satisfaction with service, and whether they’d recommend their card issuer to a friend. We’ve shown both for each brand in the table below. Our independent survey of 400 card customers was carried out in December 2023. The table is ordered by the percentage of customers who said they’d recommend the brand to a friend.
Our customer satisfaction league table 2024
Card issuer | Logo | Overall satisfaction | Would recommend | Review | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allied Irish Bank (GB) | ★★★★★ | 97% | Allied Irish Bank (GB) was the winner in this year’s awards, scoring 4.6 out of 5 stars for overall customer satisfaction and receiving a recommendation score of 97%. Allied Irish Bank offers both standard and premium business cards, the latter of which come with extra customer benefits such as travel perks. | See range | |
American Express | ★★★★★ | 100% | American Express was highly commended in this year’s awards with an overall customer satisfaction score of 4.4 out of 5 stars and a recommendation score of 100%. It offers a range of business credit and charge cards, helping customers manage their company’s cash flow, often while earning exclusive card rewards. | See range | |
Lloyds Bank | ★★★★★ | 97% | Lloyds Bank offers a business credit card with relatively low interest rates and flexible repayment options. It received an overall satisfaction score of 4.4 out of 5 stars and a recommendation score of 97% from its customer in our survey. | Read review | |
Bank of Scotland | ★★★★★ | 97% | Bank of Scotland’s business credit card offers a credit limit of up to £10,000 and you can get up to 20 additional cards for your employees (subject to an annual fee per card). The provider scored 4.3 out of 5 stars for overall customer satisfaction. | Read review | |
Santander | ★★★★★ | 94% | Santander offers a flexible business cashback credit card with a reasonable annual fee. It received an overall satisfaction score of 4.2 out of 5 stars from its customers in our survey. | Read review | |
Barclaycard | ★★★★★ | 92% | Barclaycard offers business credit cards to suit a range of business needs, with a variety of benefits and perks. It scored 4.2 out of 5 stars, with its customers in our survey praising the brand’s customer service. | See range | |
HSBC | ★★★★★ | 95% | One of the world’s largest banks, HSBC offers a competitive interest-free period and purchase rate with its business credit card. Barclays received an overall business card customer satisfaction score of 4.1 out of 5 stars. | Read review | |
Allstar | ★★★★★ | 93% | Allstar offers a business credit card as an all-in-one card, combining a regular business credit card with a fuel card. The provider scored 4.1 out of 5 stars for overall customer satisfaction. | Read review | |
Capital on Tap | ★★★★★ | 90% | Capital on Tap offers a versatile everyday credit card, with the opportunity to earn rewards. Its customers in our survey gave the brand 4 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction, citing the card’s ease of use. | See range | |
Royal Bank of Scotland | ★★★★★ | 94% | Royal Bank of Scotland offers its business banking customers a straightforward credit card with a competitive purchase rate. It scored 3.9 out of 5 stars for overall customer satisfaction. | Read review | |
NatWest | ★★★★★ | 92% | NatWest’s range of credit cards for its existing business customers come with a variety of features and benefits. Its business card customers in our survey scored NatWest 3.9 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction. | See range | |
Juni | ★★★★★ | 71% | Juni’s charge card offers 1% cashback on eligible spend and helps you keep track of your ad spend. Juni rounds out our customer satisfaction league table this year, with a score of 3.4 out of 5 stars. | Read review |
How satisfied are UK business owners with their business credit card provider?
Response | % of respondents |
---|---|
Very satisfied | 37.75% |
Reasonably satisfied | 45.25% |
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | 12.50% |
Moderately dissatisfied | 3.25% |
Highly dissatisfied | 1.25% |
Finder business card ratings
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
To find out more, read our full methodology.
Ready to compare business credit cards?
Frequently asked questions
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
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