6 of the best $0 Annual Fee Cards

If you're hesitant to take the first leap into the credit card world because of annual fees, there are a handful of no-annual-fee cards that make great first choices. We've listed some of our favorite—from points-earning options to even cash-back. Browse through this selection and consider what perks and benefits you might want out of a card. Whether you're looking to rack up rewards or just keep things simple, there's definitely something here for you!

🏆 Best for renters

Bilt Mastercard®

Bilt Mastercard®

Bilt Mastercard®

🏆 Best for renters

This card does not offer a welcome offer.
0
Bonus Points
If you're a renter, do yourself a favor and earn points for paying rent each month (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year, just use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points)!
0
Bonus Points
If you're a renter, do yourself a favor and earn points for paying rent each month (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year, just use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points)!
The Bilt card truly is a game changer for those who pay rent and want to earn points doing just that. BUT, its decent earning structures and monthly bonuses are also solid perks that any travel hacker should consider.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee

Up to $300
Cash Back
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20k spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash-back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300
Cash Back
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20k spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash-back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited isn't your average cash-back card. It offers solid earning categories on both travel and everyday purchases making it an excellent choice to keep in your wallet. Plus, it will unlock even more value if paired with one of Chase's more premium cards—the ability to turn your cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points!
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for Capital One Cash Back

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

🏆 Best for Capital One Cash Back

$250
Cash Back
LIMITED TIME OFFER
For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$250
Cash Back
For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
The Capital One Savor card is tailored for foodies and entertainment enthusiasts, providing generous cash back on dining and entertainment purchases, making it perfect for those who love dining out and experiencing entertainment.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best For Office Supply Purchases

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

🏆 Best For Office Supply Purchases

Up to $750
Cash Back
LIMITED TIME OFFER
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.
Up to $750
Cash Back
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is an ideal choice for small business owners. With this card, you can earn cash back on a range of business expenses, including office supplies, internet, cable, and phone services, while enjoying valuable perks such as employee cards at no extra cost, making it a practical and cost-effective solution for managing your business finances!
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee (Business)

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee (Business)

$750
Cash Back
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$750
Cash Back
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is one of the BEST business cards on the market with no annual fee! With this card, you can earn unlimited cash back on all your business purchases, and it offers a simple and straightforward way to manage expenses, making it a practical choice for businesses of all sizes.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for rotating categories

Chase Freedom Flex®

Chase Freedom Flex®

Chase Freedom Flex®

🏆 Best for rotating categories

$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
The Chase Freedom Flex definitely flexes on us a bit with its solid earning structures that cover the bases of just about all our regular spending needs. Plus, you can pair the Flex with a Sapphire card to turn those cash-back rewards into Ultimate Rewards points!
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

6 of the best $0 Annual Fee Cards

If you're hesitant to take the first leap into the credit card world because of annual fees, there are a handful of no-annual-fee cards that make great first choices. We've listed some of our favorite—from points-earning options to even cash-back. Browse through this selection and consider what perks and benefits you might want out of a card. Whether you're looking to rack up rewards or just keep things simple, there's definitely something here for you!

🏆 Best for renters

Bilt Mastercard®

Bilt Mastercard®

Bilt Mastercard®

🏆 Best for renters

This card does not offer a welcome offer.
0
Bonus Points
If you're a renter, do yourself a favor and earn points for paying rent each month (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year, just use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points)!
0
Bonus Points
This card does not offer a welcome offer.
If you're a renter, do yourself a favor and earn points for paying rent each month (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year, just use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points)!
The Bilt card truly is a game changer for those who pay rent and want to earn points doing just that. BUT, its decent earning structures and monthly bonuses are also solid perks that any travel hacker should consider.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee

Up to $300
Cash Back
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20k spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash-back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300
Cash Back
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20k spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash-back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited isn't your average cash-back card. It offers solid earning categories on both travel and everyday purchases making it an excellent choice to keep in your wallet. Plus, it will unlock even more value if paired with one of Chase's more premium cards—the ability to turn your cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points!
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for Capital One Cash Back

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

🏆 Best for Capital One Cash Back

$250
Cash Back
LIMITED TIME OFFER
For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$250
Cash Back
For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
The Capital One Savor card is tailored for foodies and entertainment enthusiasts, providing generous cash back on dining and entertainment purchases, making it perfect for those who love dining out and experiencing entertainment.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best For Office Supply Purchases

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

🏆 Best For Office Supply Purchases

Up to $750
Cash Back
LIMITED TIME OFFER
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.
Up to $750
Cash Back
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is an ideal choice for small business owners. With this card, you can earn cash back on a range of business expenses, including office supplies, internet, cable, and phone services, while enjoying valuable perks such as employee cards at no extra cost, making it a practical and cost-effective solution for managing your business finances!
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee (Business)

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

🏆 Best for $0 Annual Fee (Business)

$750
Cash Back
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$750
Cash Back
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is one of the BEST business cards on the market with no annual fee! With this card, you can earn unlimited cash back on all your business purchases, and it offers a simple and straightforward way to manage expenses, making it a practical choice for businesses of all sizes.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for rotating categories

Chase Freedom Flex®

Chase Freedom Flex®

Chase Freedom Flex®

🏆 Best for rotating categories

$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
The Chase Freedom Flex definitely flexes on us a bit with its solid earning structures that cover the bases of just about all our regular spending needs. Plus, you can pair the Flex with a Sapphire card to turn those cash-back rewards into Ultimate Rewards points!
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Personal Cards

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Business Cards

No items found.

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Which Card is Right for You?

When choosing the best $0 annual fee card, consider your spending habits and reward preferences. Are you after cash-back, travel rewards, or specific perks? We’ll help you find the card that fits your lifestyle and delivers value without the cost of an annual fee.

Other Ways to Earn

Even with no annual fee, you can still findways to boost your rewards. Explore additional earning opportunities such as bonus categories, promotional offers, and special partnerships that can enhance the value you get from your card.

Pros and Cons

Pros

[.pro] Allow us to state the obvious -- you are getting all the benefits of a credit card without the added cost of an annual fee [.pro]

[.pro] Many $0 annual fee cards offer competitive rewards rates on everyday purchases, making it easy to earn back what you spend [.pro]

[.pro] With no fee, these cards often provide flexibility to try out different cards without financial commitment [.pro]

Cons

[.con] Cards with no annual fee might offer fewer premium perks compared to those with annual fees, such as travel insurance or luxury perks [.con]

[.con] In some cases, the rewards rates might be lower compared to cards with an annual fee, which could affect your overall earnings [.con]

[.con] Some no annual fee cards may have fewer features or benefits, so you might miss out on certain extras available with fee-based cards [.con]

FAQs

Are $0 annual fee cards as good as cards with annual fees?

While they can be very good, $0 annual fee cards may offer fewer premium perks or lower rewards rates compared to cards with annual fees. The value depends on your spending patterns and what benefits you prioritize. But don't be fooled, $0 annual fee cards can offer some seriously good sign-up bonuses.

Can I earn rewards with a $0 annual fee card?

Yes, many $0 annual fee cards offer competitive rewards rates, including cash back, points, or travel rewards, allowing you to earn on everyday spending.

Can I switch from a $0 annual fee card to a card with an annual fee?

Yes, you can switch to a card with an annual fee if you find one that offers more benefits or rewards that better suit your needs. Check with your card issuer about the process and any potential impacts on your credit before proceeding.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Content Specialist

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor