Top 5 Most Popular Credit Cards for Small Businesses (2025 Edition)
Small businesses rely on flexibility, and few tools offer more of it than the right business credit card. Whether you’re trying to optimize cash flow, earn valuable rewards, or separate your business and personal expenses, a good credit card can go a long way toward helping your company run more smoothly.
In this guide, we break down the five most popular and well-reviewed small business credit cards in 2025. These cards stand out for their robust features, generous rewards, and business-friendly perks. We’ll cover the strengths and drawbacks of each, so you can make an informed decision based on your unique needs.
1. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best For: Travel rewards and flexible points
Why It’s Popular: The Ink Business Preferred is a powerhouse for businesses that spend big in key categories like advertising, travel, and shipping. You earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent annually in these categories, and 1X on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for cash, travel, gift cards, or transferred to popular airline and hotel partners.
Key Benefits:
- 3X points on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and advertising purchases with social media/search engines (up to $150,000 per year)
- 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months (worth $1,250 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠)
- Cell phone protection (up to $1,000 per claim when you pay your phone bill with the card)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel and purchase protections
Annual Fee: $95
APR: Variable, based on creditworthiness
Who Should Get It: Businesses that travel often, spend heavily on digital advertising or shipping, or want to bank points for flexible redemptions.
Drawbacks:
- Requires good to excellent credit
- No 0% introductory APR offer
2. American Express® Business Gold Card
Best For: High spenders who want customizable rewards
Why It’s Popular: The Business Gold card from AmEx is designed for businesses with fluctuating spending patterns. It automatically gives you 4X Membership Rewards® points in your top two spending categories each month (from a list of six options), making it both flexible and powerful.
Key Benefits:
- 4X points on the two categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 annually; 1X thereafter)
- Categories include airfare, U.S. purchases at restaurants, advertising, technology, gas stations, and shipping
- 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months
- Points can be transferred to 15+ airline and hotel partners
- Expense management tools and year-end summaries
Annual Fee: $375
APR: Pay Over Time feature available with variable APR
Who Should Get It: Businesses with dynamic expenses that want to earn premium rewards without constantly adjusting categories manually.
Drawbacks:
- High annual fee
- Not ideal for small businesses with lower monthly spending
3. Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Best For: Straightforward 2% cash back on everything
Why It’s Popular: This card keeps things simple: earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase—no categories, no caps, no complicated reward programs. It’s a charge card, not a credit card, so your balance is due in full each month. But for businesses with steady revenue, it offers straightforward value.
Key Benefits:
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- Earn a $1,200 cash bonus if you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- No preset spending limit (your purchasing power adjusts based on your spending habits, payment history, and credit profile)
- $200 annual cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more
- Free employee cards with customizable limits
Annual Fee: $150
APR: No APR (balance must be paid in full each month)
Who Should Get It: Businesses that want a generous flat-rate cash back program without having to track spending categories.
Drawbacks:
- Full balance due every month
- Requires excellent credit
4. Brex Card for Startups
Best For: Startups and tech-forward businesses with variable income
Why It’s Popular: The Brex Card has become a favorite for fast-growing startups because it doesn’t require a personal guarantee or credit check. Instead, Brex underwrites your business based on its cash flow and financial profile. You can earn up to 7X points in certain categories, and everything is designed to integrate with accounting platforms like QuickBooks and NetSuite.
Key Benefits:
- Up to 7X points on ride-sharing, 4X on travel, 3X on restaurants, and 2X on recurring software (with Brex Exclusive status)
- No personal guarantee or credit inquiry required
- Instant approvals and expense tracking tools
- Seamless integration with accounting software
- Daily or monthly payment options
- Virtual cards and spend management for teams
Annual Fee: $0
APR: N/A (daily or monthly autopay required)
Who Should Get It: Venture-backed startups and tech-savvy companies that need flexibility and fast scaling without a credit history.
Drawbacks:
- Must qualify for Brex’s underwriting (not available to sole proprietors)
- Less rewarding if you don’t qualify for “Brex Exclusive” status
5. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best For: Everyday business spending with no annual fee
Why It’s Popular: The Blue Business Plus is a favorite for business owners who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It offers 2X Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 spent annually (then 1X), making it an excellent companion to higher-tier cards or a standalone option for low-overhead businesses.
Key Benefits:
- 2X points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year (1X after that)
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases
- Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners
- Expanded buying power feature (can spend above credit limit with conditions)
- Employee cards at no additional cost
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 0% intro for 12 months, then variable APR applies
Who Should Get It: Small businesses or freelancers who want to earn valuable rewards while keeping costs low.
Drawbacks:
- 2X earnings capped at $50,000 annually
- Lacks some premium perks offered by higher-end business cards
How to Choose the Right Business Credit Card
Picking the right credit card for your small business depends on a few core factors:
- Spending Habits: If you spend heavily in specific categories (e.g., advertising, travel), choose a card that rewards those purchases.
- Cash Flow Needs: Some cards offer 0% intro APRs, which can help with short-term financing.
- Reward Preferences: Decide if you prefer cash back, travel points, or flexible reward options.
- Annual Fees: Make sure the rewards outweigh the cost of the card.
- Employee Use: Consider cards that offer free employee cards and spend tracking tools.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re running a solo consultancy or managing a team of 50, a small business credit card can provide real financial advantages. The best card for your business will align with your spending patterns, reward preferences, and growth goals.
- Want premium travel perks? Go with the Ink Business Preferred or AmEx Business Gold.
- Prefer simplicity? Spark Cash Plus or Blue Business Plus will keep things easy.
- Running a fast-moving startup? Brex offers modern tools without personal liability.
No matter your choice, use your business credit card responsibly: pay off balances on time, monitor your spending, and maximize the benefits. Done right, a great business card can be more than a payment tool—it can be a business accelerator.
Disclaimer: Terms and offers are subject to change. Always review the card issuer’s current terms before applying.
