Best Business Credit Cards of 2026
Compare the best business credit cards by real costs, features, and eligibility. We break it down so you can choose the right card for your business.
By Editorial
In this guide we compare whole-of-market UK business credit cards across cost, features, eligibility, and practical usage. This isn’t just about low APRs, it’s about what matters most to decision-makers: real fees, spend tools, credit building, and suitability for your business’s stage and needs.
To make choosing easier, we’ve broken down each card’s annual fees, interest rates, interest-free periods, credit limits, eligibility, and additional charges so you can quickly identify the right fit. We’ve also highlighted the best options for different use cases below.
Best Business Credit Cards Summary
- Best for startups & new businesses: Capital on Tap, Zempler Bank
- Best for fast approval & high limits: Capital on Tap
- Best for established SMEs: Funding Circle, NatWest, RBS, HSBC
- Best high-street bank cards: Barclaycard, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland
- Best for rewards & high spend: American Express, Funding Circle, Santander
- Best low-APR options: Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, Metro Bank
- Best for branch access: Metro Bank, Virgin Money
- Best for ethical banking: The Co-operative Bank
- Best for international spending: Santander, Metro Bank, Virgin Money
- Best for spend management & scaling teams: Moss, Payhawk
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
Best for: Startups, SMEs, fast approval, flexible limits
- Annual fee: £0–£299 (plan dependent, two available)
- Representative APR: 34.65%–110.33% variable (plan dependent)
- Interest-free period: Up to 42 days
- Typical credit limit range: £1,000 – £250,000
Eligibility requirements
- You must be registered as a private limited company or limited liability partnership
- Be active on Companies House
- Be 18 or over and a UK resident
- Have no unsatisfied county court judgements (CCJs) against you or your business in the last 12 months
- Turnover at least £2,000 per month (£24,000 per year)
Additional details
- Rewards: Unlimited 1% cashback on all card spend and redeem reward points for cash, Avios, gift cards, or against your balance
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- Late payment fees: Not stated
- Cash withdrawal fees: None
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes (Experian)
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Capital on Tap website
More infoFunding Circle Business Cashback Card
Best for: Established SMEs looking for cashback rewards
- Annual fee: £0
- Representative APR: 34.9% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 42 days
- Typical credit limit range: £1,000 – £250,000
Eligibility requirements
- You must be a limited company or limited liability partnership
- Be based in the UK
- Have at least one year of trading history
- Have an annual turnover of at least £30,000
- Not be an existing customer, only available to new customers
Additional details
- Rewards: 2% cashback for first six months (up to £2,000), then 1% uncapped on all spend
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- Late payment fees: Not stated
- Cash withdrawal fees: Not supported
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Funding Circle website
Barclaycard Business Credit Cards
Best for: Businesses wanting a traditional high-street bank
- Annual fee: £0–£150 (two cards available)
- Representative APR: 25.5%–54.3% variable (card dependent)
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £1,000 – £50,000+
Eligibility requirements
- You will have to hold a UK business current account
- Are a business owner or director over 18 years old
- Be a UK-based business
- Turnover, or have a business plan to, between £10,000 and £6.5 million per year
Additional details
- Rewards: 1% uncapped when you spend a minimum of £2,000 each month or 0.5% cashback on spend up to £400 (depending on card)
- Foreign transaction fees: 0.99%–2.99% (varies by product)
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3% (minimum £3)
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Barclaycard website
American Express Business Cards
Best for: High spenders, rewards, travel perks
- Annual fee: £0–£650+ (depending on card, multiple credit and charge card options)
- Representative APR: 37.6%–104.9% variable (depending on card & on credit cards only)
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: No pre-set limit
Eligibility requirements
- You must have a business bank account with a UK bank or building society
- Have a permanent UK home address
- Be aged 18 or over
- Turnover at least £20,000 per year
Additional details
- Rewards: Welcome rewards plus Amazon credit or Avios points on spend, depending on card
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.99% typical
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3%
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Charge card and credit card options
See more on the American Express website
Metro Bank Business Credit Card
Best for: SMEs wanting branch access
- Annual fee: £0
- Representative APR: 18.9% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £500 – £25,000
Eligibility requirements
- You will need a Metro Bank Business Current Account or Commercial Current Account
Additional details
- Rewards: None
- Foreign transaction fees: None in Europe, 2.99% outside Europe
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: None in Europe, 2.99% + £1.50 outside Europe
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Metro Bank website
Lloyds Bank Business Credit Card
Best for: Existing Lloyds business customers
- Annual fee: £32 per card holder, free for the first year and ongoing if you spend £6,000 or more each year
- Representative APR: 15.95% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £1,000 – £50,000
Eligibility requirements
- You must be an existing Lloyds Business Current Account holder
- Be a sole trader, partner or company director with the authority to borrow on behalf of your business
- Be 18 or older and a UK resident
Additional details
- Rewards: 1% cashback on fuel and charging and 0.5% on other spend, minimum payment thresholds apply
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.95%
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 2.5% (minimum £2.50)
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Lloyds Bank website
Bank of Scotland Business Credit Card
Best for: Scottish SMEs, Lloyds Group customers
- Annual fee: £32 per card holder, free for the first year and ongoing if you spend £6,000 or more each year
- Representative APR: 15.95% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £1,000 – £50,000
Eligibility requirements
- You must be an existing Lloyds Business Current Account holder
- Be a sole trader, partner or company director with the authority to borrow on behalf of your business
- Be 18 or older and a UK resident
Additional details
- Rewards: 1% cashback on fuel and charging and 0.5% on other spend, minimum payment thresholds apply
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.95%
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 2.5% (minimum £2.50)
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Bank of Scotland website
NatWest Business Credit Cards
Best for: Established SMEs with stable finances
- Annual fee: £30 per card holder (free for the first year and each spend exceeds £6,000) or £70 per card holder (two credit cards available)
- Representative APR: 24.3%–29% variable (depending on card)
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £500 – £50,000+
Eligibility requirements
- You must have a NatWest business bank account
- Have a registered business address in the UK
- Be a UK resident aged 18 or over
- Turnover up to £2 million or £6.5 million, depending on the card
Additional details
- Rewards: 1–3% cashback at eligible fuel and EV charging stations, terms and conditions apply
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.95%
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3%
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the NatWest website
Royal Bank of Scotland Business Credit Cards
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Best for: Scottish businesses aligned with NatWest Group
- Annual fee: £30 per card holder (free for the first year and each spend exceeds £6,000) or £70 per card holder (two credit cards available)
- Representative APR: 24.3%–29% variable (depending on card)
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £500 – £50,000+
Eligibility requirements
- You must have a Royal Bank of Scotland business bank account
- Have a registered business address in the UK
- Be a UK resident aged 18 or over
- Turnover up to £2 million or £6.5 million, depending on the card
Additional details
- Rewards: 1%–3% cashback at eligible fuel and EV charging stations, terms and conditions apply
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.95%
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3%
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Royal Bank of Scotland website
HSBC Commercial Card
Best for: Larger SMEs, international businesses
- Annual fee: £32 per card, free for the first year
- Representative APR: 22.0% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £5,000 – £100,000+ (subject to status)
Eligibility requirements
- You must have an HSBC business current account
Additional details
- Rewards: None
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.99%
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 2.99%
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the HSBC website
Virgin Money Business Credit Card
Best for: Growing SMEs looking for branch access or international spending
- Annual fee: £28 per card (free for the first year)
- Representative APR: 27.7% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 59 days
- Typical credit limit range: £500 – £25,000 (subject to status)
Eligibility requirements
- You must hold one of Virgin Money's business current accounts
- Be 18 or over and a UK resident
- Have at least 12 months of trading history
Additional details
- Rewards: 1% cashback on business spending, T&Cs and exclusions apply
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.95% (no charge for Euro, Swedish Kronor or Romanian Lei if the payment takes place in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA))
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3%
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
The Co-operative Bank Business Credit Card
Best for: Ethical-focused businesses
- Annual fee: £24
- Representative APR: 21.8% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £500 – £25,000
Eligibility requirements
- You will need to have a Co-operative Bank business bank account
- Be a UK resident with a business or charity address in the UK
- Be authorised to borrow on behalf of your business or charity
- Be 18 or over
Additional details
- Rewards: None
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.95%
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3%
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the The Co-operative Bank website
Santander Business Cashback Credit Card
Best for: Existing Santander business customers
- Annual fee: £30, additional cards available at no extra cost
- Representative APR: 23.7% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £500 – £50,000
Eligibility requirements
- You must have an existing Santander Business Current Account
- Be a sole trader, partnership, limited liability partnership or private limited company
- Be registered and based in the UK
- Be 18 or over and a UK resident
Additional details
- Rewards: 1% cashback paid monthly on all business spend with no cap (T&Cs apply)
- Foreign transaction fees: No foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad when paying in the local currency
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3% (minimum £3)
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Santander website
Zempler Bank Business Credit Card
Best for: New businesses, limited credit history
- Annual fee: £0
- Representative APR: 29.9% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
- Typical credit limit range: £300 – £5,000
Eligibility requirements
- You must have a Zempler Bank business account and be invited to apply
- Be a limited company registered on Companies House, or be a sole trader
- Be a UK resident over the age of 18
- Not have a recent county court judgement (CCJ), individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) or a company voluntary arrangement (CVA)
Additional details
- Rewards: 1% cashback on business spend, subject to terms and conditions
- Foreign transaction fees: 2.99%
- Late payment fees: £12
- Cash withdrawal fees: 3%
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Yes
- Card type: Credit card
See more on the Zempler Bank website
Moss Corporate Card
Best for: Spend management, finance teams, scaling businesses
- Annual fee: £0–£99pm (plan dependent)
- Representative APR: N/A (pay-in-full model)
- Interest-free period: Up to 60 days
- Typical credit limit range: £5,000 – £1m+
Eligibility requirements
- Your business must have more than 10 employees and turnover more than £2 million per year
Additional details
- Rewards: None
- Foreign transaction fees: Custom by plan
- Late payment fees: Depends on plan
- Cash withdrawal fees: Not typical
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Not typical
- Card type: Charge card
See more on the Moss website
Payhawk Corporate Card
Best for: Larger SMEs, finance automation
- Annual fee: Custom pricing
- Representative APR: N/A
- Interest-free period: Up to 60 days
- Typical credit limit range: Custom (often £50k+)
Eligibility requirements
- Your business must be a limited company registered in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA), or have registered entities in the UK or EEA
- Have at least filed Year 1 accounts
- Turnover 250,000 GBP or EUR annually
Additional details
- Rewards: None
- Foreign transaction fees: Custom
- Late payment fees: Depends on plan
- Cash withdrawal fees: Depends on plan
- Reports to UK credit agencies: Yes
- Personal guarantee required: Rarely
- Card type: Charge card
See more on the Payhawk website
What is a business credit card?
A business credit card is a revolving credit facility designed for limited companies, sole traders, and partnerships in the UK. Unlike personal cards, business credit cards are used to cover company expenses such as stock purchases, travel, advertising, and cash flow gaps, all while keeping business and personal finances separate.
Many business credit cards require a personal guarantee from a director, meaning you may still be personally liable if the business fails to repay the balance.
How to apply for a business credit card
Applying for a business credit card is usually straightforward, but the approval process depends heavily on your business structure, trading history, and credit profile. Understanding what lenders look for can significantly improve your chances of acceptance.
Here’s how the process typically works:
1. Check your eligibility first
Before applying, make sure your business meets the lender’s basic criteria. Most providers will expect:
- A UK-registered business (limited company, LLP, sole trader or partnership)
- At least one UK-resident director or owner, aged 18+
- A UK business bank account
- A minimum trading history (this can range from 0 months with fintechs to 12–24 months with high-street banks)
- Sufficient turnover or projected income
If your business is new, expect the provider to rely more heavily on your personal credit history.
2. Understand the role of personal guarantees
Most UK business credit cards require a personal guarantee, especially for SMEs and startups. This means:
- You agree to repay the debt personally if the business cannot
- Your personal credit file may be checked
- Late payments or defaults could impact your personal credit score
Fintech providers may be more flexible, while traditional banks almost always require one.
3. Gather the information you’ll need
You can usually apply online, but you’ll need to provide details, which can include:
Business information
- Registered business name and address
- Companies House number (for limited companies)
- Nature of the business/SIC code
- Time trading and annual turnover
Director/owner details
- Full name, date of birth, and UK address
- Personal credit history (checked behind the scenes)
Banking details
- Business bank account information, having this ready helps avoid delays or declined applications.
4. Apply online or in-branch
- Fintech providers (e.g. Capital on Tap, Funding Circle) usually offer fast online applications, with decisions in minutes or hours.
- High-street banks (e.g. Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest) may take longer and sometimes require you to be an existing customer or visit a branch.
Some providers offer soft eligibility checks first, which won’t affect your credit score.
5. Credit checks and approval
The lender will assess:
- Your business credit profile (if established)
- Your personal credit history (especially for newer businesses)
- Turnover, cash flow, and risk level
If approved, you’ll be given:
- A credit limit
- An interest-free period
- Your card details (often instantly via a virtual card), its typical for physical cards to arrive within 5–10 working days.
6. Use the card responsibly from day one
Once approved:
- Keep spending within your limit
- Set up direct debits to avoid missed payments
- Use the card for business expenses only
- Pay off the balance in full where possible to avoid interest
Responsible use can help build your business credit profile over time and unlock higher limits in the future.
How business credit cards work
Business credit cards give companies access to short-term borrowing that can be used for everyday operational expenses. While they work in a similar way to personal credit cards, there are important differences around liability, credit checks, and consumer protection that business owners need to understand before applying.
Below are the key mechanics and considerations that decision-makers typically care about.
Interest-free purchase periods
Most UK business credit cards offer an interest-free period on purchases, usually ranging from up to 56 days. This period starts from the date of purchase and resets each statement cycle.
- If you pay the balance in full by the due date, no interest is charged
- If you carry a balance, interest is charged on the remaining amount at the card’s APR
- Cash withdrawals and balance transfers usually do not benefit from interest-free periods
For many businesses, this interest-free window can act as a short-term cash flow buffer, but only if balances are managed carefully.
Revolving credit vs charge cards
Business cards fall into two main categories:
Revolving credit cards
- Allow you to carry a balance month to month
- Require a minimum monthly repayment
- Interest is charged on unpaid balances
- Common with high-street banks and fintechs
Charge cards
- Require the balance to be paid in full each month
- Often have no preset spending limit
- Typically used by higher-spending or established businesses
- Common with providers like American Express, Moss, and Payhawk
Understanding the difference is essential, as charge cards offer flexibility but less forgiveness if cash flow tightens.
Monthly minimum repayments
With revolving credit cards, providers will require a minimum monthly repayment, usually expressed as:
- A percentage of the outstanding balance (e.g. 2–5%), or
- A fixed minimum amount (e.g. £25)
Paying only the minimum keeps the account in good standing, but it significantly increases the total cost due to interest. Businesses that rely heavily on minimum repayments may find credit card debt becoming expensive over time.
Impact on business credit scores
Responsible use of a business credit card can help build your business credit profile, especially if the provider reports to agencies such as Experian or Equifax.
Positive behaviours include:
- Paying on time
- Staying within credit limits
- Maintaining consistent usage
However, missed payments, defaults, or over-limit spending can damage both business credit and, in some cases, the director’s personal credit file.
Personal liability and risk
One of the most important differences between business and personal credit cards in the UK is liability.
- Most UK business credit cards require a personal guarantee
- This means directors may be personally responsible for the debt if the business fails
- Limited company status does not automatically protect personal assets
- Consumer credit protections (such as Section 75) are often limited or unavailable
This makes it critical for directors to understand the risks before applying, especially in early-stage businesses.
Key takeaway: Most UK lenders assess the director’s personal credit history, and many cards do not fully separate personal and business financial risk.
Pros and cons of business credit cards
Advantages of business credit cards
- Helps manage cash flow: Interest-free periods allow businesses to delay payments without immediate borrowing costs.
- Keeps finances separate: Using a dedicated business card simplifies bookkeeping, VAT returns, and tax reporting.
- Builds a business credit profile: Consistent, responsible use can strengthen your company’s creditworthiness over time.
- Rewards and cashback: Many cards offer cashback, points, or travel rewards on everyday business spending.
- Flexible short-term financing: Useful for covering gaps between invoices, payroll, or unexpected expenses.
Disadvantages of business credit cards
- High APRs if balances aren’t cleared: Interest rates on business cards are often higher than loans or overdrafts.
- Personal guarantees are common: Directors may be personally liable for business debt.
- Lower protection than consumer cards: Business cards do not benefit from the same regulatory protections as personal credit cards.
- Risk of over-reliance on credit: Easy access to credit can mask cash flow problems if not managed carefully.
How businesses actually use credit cards
Modern business credit cards go beyond borrowing and are often used as financial management tools. Some features include:
Expense management tools
- Real-time transaction tracking
- Categorised spending reports
- Digital receipt capture
Multiple employee cards
- Issue cards to staff without sharing credentials
- Reduce expense claims and reimbursements
- Centralise spending visibility
Spending controls
- Set individual limits per cardholder
- Restrict merchant categories (e.g. travel, online spend)
- Freeze or cancel cards instantly
Accounting software integrations
Many providers integrate directly with:
- Xero
- QuickBooks
- Sage
This helps automate reconciliation, reduce admin time, and improve financial accuracy.
Final thoughts
A business credit card can be a powerful financial tool when used correctly but it’s not risk-free. Understanding how interest, liability, and credit reporting works allows business owners to use credit cards strategically rather than reactively.