Finder’s credit card experts spent over 450 hours reviewing more than 500 credit cards to determine which cards are best in their respective categories. Our rankings are based on factors such as reward rates and redemption opportunities for reward cards, and intro period length and revert interest rates for 0% APR cards. Unlike our competitors, Finder’s experts provide unbiased, trustworthy evaluations of all credit cards and providers, not only those we partner with on the site.
A simple travel rewards card that offers great perks and charges you nothing to own the card. The VentureOne Rewards card charges cardholders a $0 annual fee and still offers a host of other benefits, including paying $0 in foreign transaction fees. This card is a gem in the rough among other credit cards whose members could pay an annual fee of anywhere from $95 up to $500 or more for card ownership.
Welcome Offer
20,000 miles
Rewards
Up to 5x miles
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
A simple travel rewards card that offers great perks and charges you nothing to own the card. The VentureOne Rewards card charges cardholders a $0 annual fee and still offers a host of other benefits, including paying $0 in foreign transaction fees. This card is a gem in the rough among other credit cards whose members could pay an annual fee of anywhere from $95 up to $500 or more for card ownership.
Pros
Intro APR period. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening, then 19.49% to 29.49% variable. You’ll pay a 3% fee for balances transferred in the first 15 months, or 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time.
Unlimited 1.25x miles. You'll earn 1.25x miles on all purchases.
Rewards. You'll also earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Cons
Capital One Travel. If you book your travel outside of Capital One Travel, you'll earn 1.25x miles instead of the accelerated 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.49% - 29.49% variable)
Foreign transaction fee
None
Welcome Offer
20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
New earning categories added to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® have elevated this card to new heights. You'll earn great cash back no matter where you spend. And if you want to improve the value of this card further, you can move your rewards over to a Chase Sapphire card as part of the Chase Trifecta.
Welcome Offer
$250
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
New earning categories added to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® have elevated this card to new heights. You'll earn great cash back no matter where you spend. And if you want to improve the value of this card further, you can move your rewards over to a Chase Sapphire card as part of the Chase Trifecta.
Pros
Earn cash back. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery service, on drugstore purchases, as well as 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® where you can redeem rewards for travel, gift cards and more.
Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.49% applies.
Signup bonus. Earn a signup bonus of $250 after you spend $500 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Cons
Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
Business cards with no personal guarantee have become more popular since 2020, thanks in part to the Brex card. By requiring no personal guarantee, the Brex Card protects your personal assets should your business go belly-up. You also get a unique rewards on select purchases. Coupled together, all of these features make for a card rewarding for startups and small businesses alike.
Welcome Offer
Other
Rewards
Up to 8x points
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
Business cards with no personal guarantee have become more popular since 2020, thanks in part to the Brex card. By requiring no personal guarantee, the Brex Card protects your personal assets should your business go belly-up. You also get a unique rewards on select purchases. Coupled together, all of these features make for a card rewarding for startups and small businesses alike.
Pros
Rewards program. Earn 8x points on rideshares, including Uber, Lyft, taxis and scooter, 5x points on flights and hotels booked through Brex Travel, 4x points on restaurants, dining and eligible Apple products purchased through the Brex portal and 3x on recurring software purchases like Salesforce, Zendesk and Twilio. All other purchases earn 1x points.
No personal guarantee. Your startup may fail. With Brex Card, you are not personally liable for the card debt and you don't need a personal guarantee to be approved for the card.
Signup bonus. Get $300 after spending $3,500, or $500 after spending $9,000 on your Brex card within the first 30 days.
Cons
Can’t carry a balance. You must pay your full balance before your due date, which is 30 days after the close of your statement period.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
$300 after spending $3,500, or $500 after spending $9,000 on your Brex card within the first 30 days
With no annual fee, decent cashback rewards, no credit score requirement and unlimited cashback match for your first year, the Discover it® Secured easily takes the win as the best overall secured card in our eyes. Earn 2% cash back at places like gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 per quarter and 1% unlimited on everything else. It requires a minimum deposit of $200, and after some time, Discover will see if you're eligible to upgrade to an unsecured credit card and earn your deposit back. And the cherry on top is that there is no credit score required for this card.
Minimum deposit required
Starting at $200
Purchase APR
27.49% variable
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
300
With no annual fee, decent cashback rewards, no credit score requirement and unlimited cashback match for your first year, the Discover it® Secured easily takes the win as the best overall secured card in our eyes. Earn 2% cash back at places like gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 per quarter and 1% unlimited on everything else. It requires a minimum deposit of $200, and after some time, Discover will see if you're eligible to upgrade to an unsecured credit card and earn your deposit back. And the cherry on top is that there is no credit score required for this card.
Pros
1% to 2% cash back
Unlimited cashback match for first year
No credit score requirement
Ability to upgrade with good repayment history
Cons
Requires minimum $200 security deposit
Annual fee
$0
Minimum deposit required
Starting at $200
Purchase APR
27.49% variable
Balance transfer APR
10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 27.49% variable) Balance transfer fee of 3%
The Step Black card has zero interest, no credit check, no overdraft fees, up to 8% cashback rewards, early direct deposit, access to Visa Signature events and up to $1 million in FDIC insurance coverage. The Step Black card is a secured card backed by the free Step deposit account. Your credit limit is based on what you have in the deposit account. Each month, your Step deposit account covers your outstanding balance on your Step Black card, so there are no interest charges. The Step Black card costs $4.99 per month, but you can get that fee waived with direct deposit of at least $500 per month.
Welcome Offer
n/a
Rewards
Up to 8% cash back
Annual fee
See terms
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
The Step Black card has zero interest, no credit check, no overdraft fees, up to 8% cashback rewards, early direct deposit, access to Visa Signature events and up to $1 million in FDIC insurance coverage. The Step Black card is a secured card backed by the free Step deposit account. Your credit limit is based on what you have in the deposit account. Each month, your Step deposit account covers your outstanding balance on your Step Black card, so there are no interest charges. The Step Black card costs $4.99 per month, but you can get that fee waived with direct deposit of at least $500 per month.
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card combines a $0 annual fee with impressive rewards for a student card. Notably, it doesn't punish late payments with a penalty APR, which is incredibly helpful for students who need credit but aren’t yet in the habit of properly managing their credit account.
Welcome Offer
$50
Rewards
Up to 8% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
New / limited credit
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card combines a $0 annual fee with impressive rewards for a student card. Notably, it doesn't punish late payments with a penalty APR, which is incredibly helpful for students who need credit but aren’t yet in the habit of properly managing their credit account.
Pros
No annual fee. You won't need to pay an annual fee to use this card.
Cash back. Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and eligible grocery stores and 1% back on other purchases.
Open to fair credit. You can qualify for this student card with just fair credit.
Cons
No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
19.49% - 29.49% variable
Balance transfer APR
19.49% to 29.49% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you)
Welcome Offer
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ combines a 15 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers with a lucrative mix of rotating and flat-rate rewards categories. And given the value and flexibility of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ should be one of your top choices if you're looking for value long after your balance transfer period ends.
Intro Balance Transfer APR
0% for 15 months
Rewards
Up to 5% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
670
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ combines a 15 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers with a lucrative mix of rotating and flat-rate rewards categories. And given the value and flexibility of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ should be one of your top choices if you're looking for value long after your balance transfer period ends.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 19.74% to 28.49% variable.
Cons
You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.74% to 28.49% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
Balance transfer fee
For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min)
There is no single “best” credit card out there. A card’s value ultimately comes down to whether it delivers the features you need and you’ll use to your financial benefit. You’ll want to ask yourself a few questions to help you decide which credit card features are most important in your final choice.
Will you need to carry a balance in the future? While it’s a good practice to pay off your credit card balance at the end of each month, a low-interest rate can let you carry a balance without incurring much interest.
Are you looking to save on interest? An intro APR on purchases can let you make several large payments and pay them off over time without interest. However, balance transfer intro APR can let you save interest on your existing debts by moving your debts to the card and paying it off interest-free over the promotional period. Both are powerful ways to save money you may have spent otherwise.
Do you want to pay an annual fee? A credit card that offers rewards and doesn’t charge an annual fee is pure profit back into your account. If you’re given the option to obtain a credit card with rewards, and it otherwise fulfills your other financial needs, you’ll want to take that opportunity.
Are there certain credit card perks you’d like? Many cards offer additional perks, such as cell phone protection or travel insurance. These offer some great additional value to your card, especially if your card also doesn’t require an annual fee.
What does a best credit card look like?
Here are some examples of what standout features some of the best credit cards on the market have.
Type of card and example
What a best card looks like
Intro APR Card: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Long intro APR: 12 months on purchases AND 21 months on balance transfers.
No annual fee
Higher-than-average balance transfer time limit at four months
Cash back card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Unlimited 1.5% cash back AND accelerated earning categories in travel, dining and drugstores
No annual fee
Intro purchase APR: 15 months
Welcome offer: Earn a signup bonus of $250 after you spend $500 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Travel card: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Large welcome offer: 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
Using perks can easily pay for the cost of the card
Secured card: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Doesn’t check credit score during application
Low annual fee
Reports to all three major credit bureaus
How we choose our top credit cards
Though there are numerous factors that go into how we choose the best credit cards in a given category, a few of the more important factors included the card’s value vs. the cost and its unique features and performance vs. the competition. Check out our full methodology for more information on our decisions.
Or compare all credit cards for a better sense of the features you’ll find on the average credit card.
What is the best credit card company?
Just as there’s no single best credit card out there, there’s no single best credit card company that will fulfill all your needs. With that said, many of the most popular credit card companies are sought after for a reason. Here’s a quick look at the top issuers based on market share according to Finder’s most recent research.
Provider
JD Power Rating (1,000 point scale)
Better Business Bureau Rating
American Express
838
A+
Discover
837
A+
Bank of America
812
A+
Chase
809
C+
Capital One
808
A-
Citi
801
F
Synchrony Bank
800
A+
Wells Fargo
800
not rated
Barclays
796
A+
U.S. Bank
786
A+
Credit One Bank
739
A-
What makes a credit card company “the best”?
Credit card companies that are known as the “best” usually specialize in one area where they outperform competitors. They will focus on serving their niche market through quality, variety or both.
Here are a few examples from some of the more popular card issuers today. You’ll note that in each example, a different type of cardholder stands to most benefit from the services offered.
Amex:The products of American Express cater to cardholders in the high-end market, offering numerous perks and benefits. This includes concierge service, Centurion Lounge access, ShopRunner membership after you enroll and more.
Chase: You’ll find that Chase offers a wide selection of credit cards for nearly every type of cardholder. Chase also possesses one of the more valuable rewards programs in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Citi: When it comes to rewards, Citibank runs head to head with Chase and Amex. However, Citi’s cashback cards, in particular, are standouts in the industry and a go-to for consumers looking for a simple and valuable cashback program.
Discover: Discover is known in part for not offering any credit cards that require annual fees. Despite this, Discover still offers some great cards packed with rewards and will match rewards earned at the end of the first year in lieu of a traditional signup bonus.
Our team evaluates credit cards to determine their value against similar cards on the market.
We rank card types — travel, cash back, business — on a set of factors that are most relevant to that type of card. We create these rankings to help you narrow down a credit card that best suits your spending and budget.
Kliment Dukovski was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in investments and cryptocurrency. He's written more than 700 articles to help readers compare the best trading platforms, understand complex investment terms and find the best credit cards for their needs. His expert commentary has been featured in such digital publications as Fox Business, MSN Money and MediaFeed. He’s also well-versed in money transfers, home loans and more — breaking down these topics into simple concepts anyone can understand. In another life, Kliment ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies. See full bio
Kliment's expertise
Kliment has written 86 Finder guides across topics including:
What is the best product for people without credit score (gain credit card for the first time)?
AshDecember 11, 2018
Hi Dmitry,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
It is worth noting that there are credit builder credit cards you can use to build your credit history. So, be sure to explore them.
Also, you may consider comparing secured credit cards as they do not have a credit check and will likely be easier for you to be approved of and build you credit. With a secured credit card, you will have to make a security deposit that will be your initial credit limit. Making on-time payments and having no defaults will build a good credit score.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash
JustinNovember 10, 2017
Is Citibank not as good as AMEX in terms of customer satisfaction? Which no annual fee cash back credit card are highly rated among reviewers for people with excellent credit?
Finder
JudithNovember 10, 2017Finder
Hi Justin,
Thanks for your question. AMEX tends to beat out Citibank in terms of overall customer satisfaction and customer care. However, AMEX is not accepted at as many outlets as a network like VISA or Mastercard, so keep that in mind as you shop for a card.
If you have excellent credit, you have more options when it comes to shopping for perks. If you travel often, AMEX is known for its traveler and airline perks. If you need a balance transfer, Citibank may have a contender with the Citi Simplicity.
For a list of options of No Annual Fee cards, you may check the table of no-fee cards at the top of the page you’re viewing. You may also go check our page on no annual fee credit cards for other options.
Kindly review the relevant details as well as the Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of each option so you could compare and eventually choose the one which suits your needs.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Judith
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What is the best product for people without credit score (gain credit card for the first time)?
Hi Dmitry,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
It is worth noting that there are credit builder credit cards you can use to build your credit history. So, be sure to explore them.
Also, you may consider comparing secured credit cards as they do not have a credit check and will likely be easier for you to be approved of and build you credit. With a secured credit card, you will have to make a security deposit that will be your initial credit limit. Making on-time payments and having no defaults will build a good credit score.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash
Is Citibank not as good as AMEX in terms of customer satisfaction? Which no annual fee cash back credit card are highly rated among reviewers for people with excellent credit?
Hi Justin,
Thanks for your question. AMEX tends to beat out Citibank in terms of overall customer satisfaction and customer care. However, AMEX is not accepted at as many outlets as a network like VISA or Mastercard, so keep that in mind as you shop for a card.
If you have excellent credit, you have more options when it comes to shopping for perks. If you travel often, AMEX is known for its traveler and airline perks. If you need a balance transfer, Citibank may have a contender with the Citi Simplicity.
For a list of options of No Annual Fee cards, you may check the table of no-fee cards at the top of the page you’re viewing. You may also go check our page on no annual fee credit cards for other options.
Kindly review the relevant details as well as the Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of each option so you could compare and eventually choose the one which suits your needs.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Judith