Starting a business is hard enough without getting denied for credit. We compared secured cards, corporate cards, and hybrid options to find the best business credit cards for new businesses with little or no history. Our top pick is the American Express Blue Business Cash Card for its $0 annual fee and intro APR, but we also cover options for cash-rich startups and sole props building credit from scratch.
You've filed the paperwork, set up the domain, maybe even landed your first client. Then you apply for a business credit card and get denied — because your business has no credit history. It's a frustrating catch-22: you need credit to build credit.
The right first business card changes that. It gives you a tool to manage cash flow, earn rewards on spending you're already doing, and — most importantly — establish a credit profile that opens doors later. Here are the best business credit cards for new businesses in 2025, broken down by what kind of new business you're running.
| Card | Best For | APR | Rewards | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Blue Business Cash | New businesses overall | 0% intro APR then 18.49%-26.49% variable | 2% cash back on first $50k/yr, then 1% | $0 |
| Ramp Corporate Card | Cash-rich startups (no personal guarantee) | N/A (pay-in-full) | 1.5% cash back on all spend | $0 |
| Lili Business Card | Credit building for new businesses | N/A (pay-in-full) | No rewards | $0 |
| Nav Secured Card | Dual credit reporting | Variable | 1% cash back | $500+ |
| Valley Strong Secured | Entry-level secured with intro APR | 0% intro then variable | 1.5% cash back | $200+ |
If you're a new business with limited credit history but decent personal credit, this is the card to start with. NerdWallet ranks it as the best business credit card for new businesses, and for good reason: $0 annual fee and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months.1
You earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in purchases each year (then 1% after that). That's straightforward, no rotating categories, no caps to track. For a new business putting supplies, software subscriptions, and marketing costs on the card, that's real money back.
The intro APR period is especially valuable when you're bootstrapping and need to spread out big initial expenses. Just know that after 12 months, the variable APR kicks in at 18.49%-26.49%.
Best for: Sole props and LLCs with good personal credit who want a simple, no-fee card with a long intro APR window.
Ramp is different. It's a corporate card, not a consumer credit card, which means there's no personal guarantee required — the company's cash reserves back the spending. This makes it ideal for funded startups or established small businesses with at least $25,000 in a business bank account.
There's no credit check on founders, no security deposit, and no annual fee. You earn 1.5% cash back on all spending, and the software includes automated expense management and receipt matching.
The trade-off: you must pay the balance in full each month. There's no revolving credit line. If your business has strong cash flow and you want to avoid personal liability, this is the move.
Best for: LLCs and corporations with $25k+ in the bank that want to avoid personal guarantees and credit pulls.
Lili is a banking app designed for freelancers and sole proprietors, and their business card is built specifically for credit building. The key feature: it reports your payment activity to Dun & Bradstreet, one of the major business credit bureaus.1
Many new business owners don't realize that personal credit cards — even ones used for business — don't build business credit. Lili's card does. It's a pay-in-full card (no revolving balance), so treat it like a debit card that reports to the business bureaus.
There's no annual fee and no security deposit. The trade-off is that there are no rewards — this is purely a credit-building tool.
Best for: Freelancers and sole props who need to establish a Dun & Bradstreet business credit file.
Nav is a platform that helps small businesses access credit, and their secured card is one of the few that reports to both personal and business credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Dun & Bradstreet).1
You put down a security deposit of at least $500, and that becomes your credit limit. You earn 1% cash back on purchases. The dual reporting means you're building two credit profiles at once — useful if you plan to apply for larger loans or lines of credit down the road.
The downside: it's a secured card, so you need cash upfront. But the deposit is refundable if you close the account in good standing.
Best for: New businesses that want to build both personal and business credit simultaneously.
If you're starting with very limited credit and want a traditional secured card, Valley Strong's offering stands out because it includes a 0% intro APR on purchases — rare for a secured card.1
The minimum deposit is just $200, making it the most accessible option on this list. You earn 1.5% cash back on purchases, and after responsible use, you may graduate to an unsecured card.
Best for: New businesses with minimal credit history who need a low barrier to entry and want to manage startup costs with an intro APR period.
A few things to know before you apply:
EIN vs. SSN: If you're a sole proprietor, you can apply using your Social Security number. If you have an LLC or corporation, you'll need your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Some issuers will still pull your personal credit regardless, especially for new businesses.
Sole prop vs. LLC: Sole proprietors typically apply as individuals using their SSN. LLCs and corporations can apply under the business EIN, but many issuers still require a personal guarantee from the owner — unless you go with a corporate card like Ramp.
What issuers look for: For a new business, the issuer will evaluate your personal credit score, your business revenue (even if modest), and your time in business. Some cards on this list (like the Amex Blue Business Cash) are more lenient with new businesses than traditional bank cards.
The cards above serve three distinct new-business profiles:
Pick the category that matches where your business is today, not where you hope it'll be next year.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you apply and are approved, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've researched and believe add real value for new business owners.
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