Getting a business credit card with no credit history is tough — but not impossible. We break down the best secured cards, cash-based corporate cards, and prepaid options that actually work for freelancers and solopreneurs.
if you're a freelancer with no business credit history — or thin personal credit — most banks will turn you away. the good news: there are three real paths forward, and each works for a different kind of freelancer.
here's the landscape.
secured cards — you put down a refundable deposit that becomes your credit limit. the card reports to credit bureaus, so it builds your score over time. best for freelancers who want to establish credit and eventually graduate to an unsecured card.1
cash-based corporate cards — these check your personal bank account cash flow instead of your credit score. no hard pull, no interest, but you typically need to pay off the balance in full each month. best for freelancers with steady income but thin credit.2
prepaid options — you load money onto the card before spending. no credit check at all, but also no credit building. best for strict budget control or if you can't qualify for anything else.3
the bank of america business advantage secured card is the top pick for freelancers who want to build credit from scratch. you put down a deposit of $1,000–$50,000, and that becomes your credit limit. it reports to both personal and business credit bureaus, so every on-time payment helps your scores.1
you earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases — no categories to track. after responsible use, you may qualify to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back. this is the most straightforward path to building business credit if you have the cash for the deposit.
ramp is a corporate card that doesn't check your credit score. instead, it links to your business bank account and evaluates your cash flow. if you have consistent deposits, you can get approved with no personal guarantee required in many cases.4
ramp offers unlimited 1.5% cash back and powerful expense management software built in — automatic receipt matching, spend controls, and accounting integrations. it's best for established freelancers and small businesses with healthy bank balances who want to avoid personal credit checks entirely.
lili is a banking app built specifically for freelancers and the self-employed. their business credit card is integrated directly with their checking account, and approval is based on your account activity rather than a traditional credit pull.5
you get 2.5% APY on savings, automatic tax savings buckets, and expense categorization. the card itself offers cash back on eligible purchases. lili is ideal if you want your banking and credit in one place and have a history of consistent deposits into your lili account.
emburse is a prepaid card system designed for businesses. you load funds onto individual cards and set spending limits per card. there's no credit check whatsoever — you can only spend what you've loaded.3
this is the safest option for freelancers who struggle with overspending or who need to issue cards to contractors or team members with strict controls. it won't build your credit, but it also carries zero risk of debt.
| feature | boa business secured | ramp | lili | emburse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| credit check | yes (secured) | no (cash flow) | no (account-based) | no (prepaid) |
| builds credit | yes (personal + biz) | no | reports to bureaus | no |
| cash back | 1.5% unlimited | 1.5% unlimited | varies | none |
| deposit needed | $1,000–$50,000 | none | none | load as you go |
| best for | building credit | high cash flow | freelancer banking | strict budgets |
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