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6 Best Business Credit Cards for Sole Proprietorships

Sole proprietors and freelancers can use a business credit card to earn rewards, bridge cash flow gaps and finance larger purchases. Plus, they can help you establish and build your business credit history.
Kelsey Sheehy

Written by

Kelsey Sheehy
Kelsey Sheehy
Ryan Lane

Edited by

Ryan Lane
Ryan Lane

Edited by

Ryan Lane
Last updated on Feb 26, 2026

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What’s most important to you in a new business card?
Kelsey Sheehy

Written by

Kelsey Sheehy
Kelsey Sheehy
Ryan Lane

Edited by

Ryan Lane
Ryan Lane

Edited by

Ryan Lane
Last updated on Feb 26, 2026

Expert verified

Why trust NerdWallet

Advertiser disclosure

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Credit card
Credit card
 		Best for
Best for
 		NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet rating
 		Annual fee
Annual fee
 		Rewards rate
Rewards rate
 		Intro offer
Intro offer
 		Learn more
Learn more
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Cash back on office spending

4.7 /5
$0

1%-5%

Cashback

$750
Apply now

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Sign-up bonus

4.7 /5
$95

1x-5x

Points

100,000

Points
Apply now

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card

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

Intro APR + cash back on gas

4.5 /5
$0

1%-5%

Cashback

$750
Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • No cap on bonus rewards
  • Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card

Flat-rate cash rewards

5.0 /5
$0

2%

Cashback

$500
Apply now

on Wells Fargo's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps

Cons

  • No bonus categories
U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Travel rewards

4.6 /5
$0 intro for the first year, then $95

1x-5x

Points

75,000

Points
Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High bonus rewards rate
  • Annual fee waived for the first year
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet

Cons

  • No intro APR offer
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Secured card to build your personal credit

4.8 /5
$0

N/A

N/A
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Report to three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Requires minimum deposit
  • No rewards
  • High APR

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Best for Cash back on office spending

Close
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card Credit Card

4.7

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer
$750

External link icon Apply now

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for Sign-up bonus

Close
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

4.7

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$95

Rewards rate
1x-5x

Points

Intro offer
100,000

Points
External link icon Apply now

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits

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

Best for Intro APR + cash back on gas

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

4.5

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer
$750

External link icon Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • No cap on bonus rewards
  • Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card

Best for Flat-rate cash rewards

Close
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card

5.0

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
2%

Cashback

Intro offer
$500

External link icon Apply now

on Wells Fargo's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps

Cons

  • No bonus categories

U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Best for Travel rewards

Close
U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

4.6

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate
1x-5x

Points

Intro offer
75,000

Points
External link icon Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High bonus rewards rate
  • Annual fee waived for the first year
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet

Cons

  • No intro APR offer
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Best for Secured card to build your personal credit

Close
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

4.8

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
N/A

Intro offer
N/A

External link icon Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Report to three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Requires minimum deposit
  • No rewards
  • High APR
Filter by:
  • Circular arrow around dollar sign Cash Back
  • Award trophy Points
  • Credit card with award badge No Annual Fee
  • Zero with a percent sign 0% intro APR
  • Good (690+)
  • Fair (630+)
Sort by:
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Showing 0 out of 6 cards

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Best for Cash back on office spending

Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Best for Cash back on office spending

4.7

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer
$750

External link icon Apply now

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Earn $750 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening
  • 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 on dining and gas each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Complimentary three-month lnstacart+ membership.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Earn $750 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening
  • 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 on dining and gas each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Complimentary three-month lnstacart+ membership.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • Intro APR period
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High reward rate in bonus categories

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for Sign-up bonus

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for Sign-up bonus

4.7

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$95

Rewards rate
1x-5x

Points

Intro offer
100,000

Points
External link icon Apply now

on Chase's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits
  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
  • Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits
  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
  • Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Transfer partners

Cons

  • Does not include lounge access or travel credits

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

Best for Intro APR + cash back on gas

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

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

Best for Intro APR + cash back on gas

4.5

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer
$750

External link icon Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • No cap on bonus rewards
  • Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
  • Earn $750 in cash back. Just spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days of opening your account.
  • Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
  • Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center when using your card.
  • Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
  • No limit on total cash back earned.
  • Redeem Cash Rewards right away or save them for later. Cash Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active.
  • Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • No cap on bonus rewards
  • Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
  • Earn $750 in cash back. Just spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days of opening your account.
  • Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
  • Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center when using your card.
  • Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
  • No limit on total cash back earned.
  • Redeem Cash Rewards right away or save them for later. Cash Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active.
  • Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High cash-back bonus rate
  • No cap on bonus rewards
  • Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
  • New cardholder bonus offer

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card

Best for Flat-rate cash rewards

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card

Best for Flat-rate cash rewards

5.0

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
2%

Cashback

Intro offer
$500

External link icon Apply now

on Wells Fargo's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps

Cons

  • No bonus categories
  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $500 cash rewards bonus when you spend $5,000 in purchases for your business in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases for your business – without caps or spending categories.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases for your business. After that your variable APR will be 16.74%-24.74%.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass™ membership access to more than 1,300 participating airport lounges worldwide with “pay as you go” lounge visit fees.
  • Easily apply the cash rewards you've earned as a statement credit to an eligible account. Your rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Add employee cards: Give your employees cards of their own at no additional cost and earn rewards on their business purchases.

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps

Cons

  • No bonus categories
  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $500 cash rewards bonus when you spend $5,000 in purchases for your business in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases for your business – without caps or spending categories.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases for your business. After that your variable APR will be 16.74%-24.74%.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass™ membership access to more than 1,300 participating airport lounges worldwide with “pay as you go” lounge visit fees.
  • Easily apply the cash rewards you've earned as a statement credit to an eligible account. Your rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Add employee cards: Give your employees cards of their own at no additional cost and earn rewards on their business purchases.

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • No reward caps

Cons

  • No bonus categories

U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Best for Travel rewards

U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Best for Travel rewards

4.6

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Rewards rate
1x-5x

Points

Intro offer
75,000

Points
External link icon Apply now

on U.S. Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High bonus rewards rate
  • Annual fee waived for the first year
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet

Cons

  • No intro APR offer
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
  • Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center when using your card.
  • Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations* on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
  • Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers.
  • Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
  • Earn a $25 statement credit for every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare trips.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter.
  • Points transfer between business and consumer U.S. Bank Altitude products (excluding Reserve).
  • Airport lounge access - Priority Pass™ Digital annual membership with access to more than 1,700 VIP lounges worldwide, plus four complimentary visits per membership year.
  • Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High bonus rewards rate
  • Annual fee waived for the first year
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet

Cons

  • No intro APR offer
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
  • Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center when using your card.
  • Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations* on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
  • Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers.
  • Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
  • Earn a $25 statement credit for every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare trips.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter.
  • Points transfer between business and consumer U.S. Bank Altitude products (excluding Reserve).
  • Airport lounge access - Priority Pass™ Digital annual membership with access to more than 1,700 VIP lounges worldwide, plus four complimentary visits per membership year.
  • Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • High bonus rewards rate
  • Annual fee waived for the first year
  • Reports to Dun & Bradstreet

Cons

  • No intro APR offer
  • Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Best for Secured card to build your personal credit

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Best for Secured card to build your personal credit

4.8

 
Read expert review
Annual fee
$0

Rewards rate
N/A

Intro offer
N/A

External link icon Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Report to three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Requires minimum deposit
  • No rewards
  • High APR
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
  • Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line
  • You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
  • Top rated mobile app

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Report to three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Requires minimum deposit
  • No rewards
  • High APR
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
  • Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line
  • You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
  • Top rated mobile app

Rates & Fees

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Qualify with limited/bad credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Report to three major credit bureaus

Cons

  • Requires minimum deposit
  • No rewards
  • High APR

Other picks: Best business credit cards for sole proprietors

The following cards are not available through NerdWallet. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card

Our pick for: Secured card to build business credit
NerdWallet rating: 4.4
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no cap or expiration date on the rewards you earn. The card has a minimum security deposit of $1,000, which is equal to your credit limit and subject to credit approval. Bank of America® will periodically review your secured card and may upgrade you to an unsecured card if and when you qualify. This card has no annual fee. Read our full review.
» Resources for sole proprietors: Bank accounts for sole proprietors | Do sole proprietors need EINs? | Insurance for sole proprietors

How to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor:
  • Business name: Use your own name if you don’t have a formal business name.
  • Business contact information: Use your personal address and phone number if you don’t have a dedicated office or business phone.
  • Federal Taxpayer Identification Number: Use your Employer Identification Number. Don’t have one? Your Social Security number will also work.
  • Industry type: Note what field you work in, whether it’s retail, professional services or deliveries.
  • Annual revenue: Your total business income for the previous year before taxes and expenses. New businesses with no prior revenue can put $0.

Do sole proprietors need business credit cards?

Not necessarily. There’s no rule against using a personal credit card for business purposes. However, if you do so, keep one card dedicated for your sole prop’s use and a separate one for personal spending. Mixing the two can cause accounting and tax headaches.
There are additional drawbacks to be aware of if you go that route as well:
  • A personal credit card will not build your business credit history. Business and personal credit are two separate things. A sole proprietor can have excellent personal credit but no business credit history. Opening a business credit card is one way to establish and build your business credit history — which may make it easier to get a business loan or line of credit in the future — as a sole proprietor.
  • But a personal card will definitely affect your personal credit. When you use a personal credit card, issuers report lots of information to the three personal credit bureaus. If you put a bunch of business expenses on this card, that could affect your personal debt-to-income and credit utilization ratios — which in turn could affect your credit score. With business credit cards, on the other hand, credit card companies typically only report late payments to consumer credit bureaus.
Last updated on February 26, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, sole proprietors can open business credit cards. Approval for most small-business credit cards largely depends on your personal credit history, not factors like your time in business or annual revenue. You typically need a personal FICO score of at least 690, though there are some fair-credit business credit cards (630-689) that have fewer bells and whistles. Business owners with bad credit (a FICO score between 300-629) can use a secured credit card to build credit history. These cards require a deposit, typically equal to your requested credit limit.
Yes, sole proprietors can open business credit cards. Approval depends largely on your personal credit history rather than factors like your time in business or annual revenue. You need a personal FICO score of at least 690 to qualify for most business credit cards.
Sole proprietors can get lines of credit in the form of business credit cards. They can also apply for business lines of credit, which may offer higher credit limits and longer payback periods than business credit cards. However, business lines of credit also have more stringent qualification requirements — they’ll consider your time in business and annual revenue alongside your personal credit score, whereas business credit cards may only consider your credit score.
Yes, you can apply for a business credit card without any business income. You’ll just need to provide your business name (sole proprietors can use their own names), federal tax ID (sole proprietors can use their Social Security numbers) and a description of your business.
If you use your business credit card only for your business expenses, then the annual fee will generally be tax-deductible — along with late fees, balance transfer fees, and potentially interest and credit card processing fees. Learn more about which business credit card fees are tax-deductible.

Methodology

NerdWallet's writers and editors monitor more than 70 business credit cards to select the best options without outside input from partners or other business interests. We evaluate business cards based on value and simplicity, weighing fees, sign-up bonuses and reward rates, alongside perks like interest-free periods, statement credits and elite status (for travel cards).
We consider more than 20 data points for each card we score, including detailed information about rewards, credits and fees. We gather this information from rates and fees documents, deposit account agreements, financial institution websites and company representatives.
Our editorial team regularly reviews and updates our data to ensure consistency and accuracy. We also update our scoring on an ongoing basis to reflect changing industry norms and business owner needs. For instance, in 2026, we added a small deduction for cards that don’t allow users to issue virtual cards and removed the small increase for cards with no preset spending limit.
Final star ratings range from one to five stars. A five-star score represents the best available product for the largest number of business owners. Learn how NerdWallet rates small-business credit cards.