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A 0% APR credit card can be a powerful financial tool, letting you make purchases or transfer balances with no interest for an introductory period. This means you can pay down debt faster or make larger purchases without extra costs piling up.
We've reviewed over 260 credit cards to find the best no interest cards below.
Robin Hartill, CFP®, is Motley Fool Money’s Head of Product Ratings and has worked for The Motley Fool since 2020. Her work has appeared in various national publications, including Yahoo! Finance, NerdWallet, Investopedia, and MSNBC. She previously wrote The Penny Hoarder’s syndicated “Dear Penny” personal finance advice column.
Here are two of our favorite options:
Great for: Balance transfers and cash back
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 6 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
Rewards 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
1% - 2% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
The main draw of this Discover card is the balance transfer offer, which is one of the best we've come across. Unlike many balance transfer cards, it combines that with cash back rewards. But the cash back program doesn't measure up to what other cards offer. Read Full Review
Great for: Long 0% intro APR
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
This no-frills card is a solid choice if your priority is to avoid credit card interest for as long as possible. It offers an incredible intro APR. The balance transfer fee (5%; $5 min.) is higher than some cards, but if you want an equally long intro APR on purchases, this card is hard to beat. Read Full Review
Great for: Unlimited cash rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2% cash rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$200 cash rewards
This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus and a decent intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before. Read Full Review
Great for: No Penalty APR or late payment fee
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months on Purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
18.49% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Long intro balance transfer APR
This is one of our favorite cards for balance transfers. It has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and a discounted balance transfer fee for the first four months. That combo makes it one of the most generous balance transfer offers we’ve seen. But it doesn't have much ongoing value after the intro 0% APR period ends. Read Full Review
Great for: Bonus cash back
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months on Purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
1% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
20,000 ThankYou® Points
We love this card's easy-to-use yet lucrative cash back program. There aren't many no annual fee cards that earn 5% back, and most of the others have rotating bonus categories that change every quarter. This card automatically adjusts to your spending habits, so getting the most out of it is a breeze. Read Full Review
Great for: Cash back versatility with a big bonus
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 28.49% Variable
Rewards 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
5% cash back offer
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
$200 bonus
This Chase card is one of our favorites, and with good reason. You earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, alongside other standout perks (and at least 1% on all purchases). Plus, this one comes without an annual fee and with a generous welcome bonus. Read Full Review
Great for: Purchases and balance transfers
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.24% - 29.24% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 21 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
N/A
Welcome Offer
N/A
Got a big purchase to finance over time? Consider this U.S. Bank card, as it'll give you a whopping 21 billing cycles of 0% APR on purchases. This also goes for balance transfers, making this one a great fit if you have some existing debt to pay off. It also comes without an annual fee.
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Motley Fool Ascent rates credit cards.
The top two features when comparing 0% APR cards are the type of intro offer and the length of the intro period. Here are a few steps you can follow when looking for a 0% intro APR card:
Let's say you have some upcoming expenses that are going to take you two years to pay off. If one card has a 0% intro APR for 18 months and another has it for 21 months, then the second card is probably the better choice.
On the other hand, if you'll only need 12 months to pay back what you spend, there are plenty of cards that have a 0% intro APR period lasting that long. Since you have so many options, it makes sense to compare the sign-up bonuses and cash back rates on those cards, too.
Let's take a deeper look at how to best leverage your 0% intro APR card for maximum benefit.
Some balance transfer cards are light on rewards, or don't offer them at all. That's not the case with this Discover card, which has one of the longest balance transfer offers as well as a rewards program and an excellent welcome offer.
This 0% intro APR credit card is best for:
Apply for the Discover it® Chrome
This award winner is purely a 0% intro APR credit card. Other benefits are limited -- most notably, it doesn't have any sort of rewards program. That means no cash back or points, and no welcome bonus for new cardholders.
This no interest credit card is best for:
Apply for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
This card is The Motley Fool Ascent's award winner for the best no annual fee credit card. Cash back and a 0% intro APR are one of the best combinations you can get from a credit card. It's where this Chase credit card excels, as it's made for earning cash back bonuses and paying off purchases interest-free.
This no interest credit card is best for:
Apply for the Chase Freedom Flex®
This is one of our favorite cash rewards cards, earning an unlimited 2% on purchases. It also has a competitive 0% intro period, although it's not quite as long as some other cards on this list.
This 0% intro APR credit card is best for:
Apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
This Citi card checks all the boxes: A 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, a welcome offer, and an excellent cash back program. It's unique in that it earns 5% back in your top eligible spend category (from a list of 10) every billing cycle, up to a spending cap of $500.
This no interest card is great for:
Apply for the Citi Custom Cash® Card
This Citi card has a lengthy balance transfer offer, and it's also light on fees. There's no annual fee, no late payment fee, and no penalty APR.
This 0% intro APR card is best for:
Read more about the Citi Simplicity® Card
Not only will you have plenty of time to pay off your card's balance, you'll also be able to do it on your schedule, as U.S. Bank lets you pick the due date that works best for you.
This 0% intro APR credit card is best for:
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Balance transfers and cash back |
|
2025 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Long 0% intro APR |
2025 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Unlimited cash rewards |
2025 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: No Penalty APR or late payment fee |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Bonus cash back |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Cash back versatility with a big bonus |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Purchases and balance transfers |
The most important part of getting approved is your credit score. Card issuers consider your credit score and credit history as a whole, and this generally plays the largest role in their decision.
Some card issuer's also have their own rules about applications. These are normally related to the number of credit cards an applicant has opened. If you've opened a large number of cards recently, that could cause your application to be denied, even if you have a high credit score.
Here are more details on each of these factors.
A FICO® Score of around 670 or higher.
The majority of cards with 0% intro APR offers require you to have good credit. However, that's not to say you won't be approved with a lower credit score (or rejected with a higher one). The issuer will consider your entire credit history, as well existing income and debt, when making its decision.
You may be able to check for pre-approved offers if you're unsure of your credit qualifications. Getting pre-approved won't mean you're guaranteed approval, but it's definitely a positive sign that your credit doesn't immediately disqualify you.
Folks with a troubled credit history may not qualify for any 0% APR cards. In that case, you may need to work on rebuilding your credit before you try to apply for a card with an intro APR offer.
If you have average credit, or even no credit, you'll have to look a little harder for a 0% APR card. Some starter cards may come with 0% APR offers, though they aren't usually as appealing as those from cards with higher credit requirements.
You may also need to look at issuers other than the big national banks. Smaller regional banks may have more flexible credit requirements. And local credit unions can have some great credit card offers for all sorts of credit backgrounds.
Expand each section below to learn more.
Credit cards offering 0% APR on purchases
If you're looking to finance a future purchase, you'll want a card with a great zero interest card offer on new purchases. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is built for this job, offering a long intro period that eclipses our other top picks.
While the best no interest credit cards on purchases all have fantastic intro APR offers -- that's about all you get. These cards don't come with rewards or other perks that will make you want to keep them for the long haul.
Credit cards with zero interest on balance transfers
Our top pick here is the Citi Simplicity® Card thanks to its long zero interest introductory period and a low introductory balance transfer fee. If you need as much time as possible to pay off debt, this is the card to choose.
0% APR rewards credit cards
A good pick for most folks will be the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which pairs a high flat rewards rate with a competitive introductory term. Many rewards credit cards also offer intro APR deals, so you can earn rewards and still save money on interest fees. Remember that you only earn rewards on new purchases, not on balance transfers.
Business credit cards with 0% APR
Business credit cards with intro APR offers used to be fairly rare, but they've become increasingly common. You can now find 0% APR offers on business cards that are nearly as good as those on personal cards. Here a few examples:
Anyone with a business can apply for a small business credit card. This includes sole proprietors and independent contractors. There are no minimum revenue requirements in most cases.
Keep in mind that you must personally guarantee your small business credit cards. The issuer will run a personal credit check. As with personal cards, getting approved for 0% APR business cards typically requires good personal credit.
Credit cards with a 0% intro APR are useful if you want to avoid interest charges, either on purchases or balance transfers. Ideally, we'd all pay our credit card balances in full each month. But sometimes you just need a little more time.
You can get that time without the high interest fees if you use a top 0% APR credit card. But once the intro period ends, you'll start accruing interest at the go-to rate.
Make sure to consider how long of a 0% APR period you need. Cards with the longest 0% introductory periods often offer just that -- long 0% APR periods -- but nothing else. If your needs are met with a somewhat shorter introductory APR period, you could get a card with that and other benefits, such as cash back and a welcome offer.
The simple answer here is that it's possible, and it doesn't hurt to ask.
It's not uncommon for issuers to offer you random APR deals on existing credit cards. Sometimes, those deals may even include a 0% APR for a limited time. (In my experience, it's more often a reduced APR, not a 0% APR.)
Anecdotally, I've read stories of people who have successfully called up their issuer and asked for a 0% APR offer. This is most likely to be successful if you have a long history with the issuer, use the card often, and always pay on time.
These plans are different from APR offers in that your actual interest rate won't be impacted. However, they may still be a good option for repaying large purchases in some cases.
Some issuers may offer a payment plan option for large purchases. For example, Chase Pay Over Time® lets you break up purchases into equal monthly payments.
There are also store credit cards that offer zero interest promotional financing on purchases. Note that these are often deferred interest offers. With deferred interest, if you don't pay off your entire balance within the promotional period, the card issuer can charge you interest going back to the purchase date.
A 0% APR credit card doesn't charge interest on purchases for an introductory period. If you carry a balance from purchases during that time, you won't incur any interest charges. You are required to make minimum payments because if you don't, the card issuer may cancel the zero-interest offer.
Once the 0% APR offer ends, the standard credit card APR will apply to the current balance and new charges. You'll be charged the regular interest rate on any remaining balance you couldn't pay off before the end of the intro period. That's why it's highly recommended you pay off your entire balance before the end of the intro 0% APR offer.
The length of the intro period varies by card. Some credit cards offer a 0% intro APR for six months or less, but there are also intro 0% APR credit cards offering 18 months or longer without interest.
You can avoid paying credit card interest on the best 0% APR credit cards by paying off your entire balance before the introductory period ends. This can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars compared to what standard credit card interest rates would cost you.
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