Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content

Best 0% APR Credit Cards for Worry-Free Spending

Review Updated
Lyle Daly
Brittney Myers
By: Lyle Daly and Brittney Myers

Our Credit Cards Experts

Nathan Alderman
Check IconFact Checked Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

What's better than taking that dream vacation, or finally getting that big ticket wish list item? Not having to pay for it right away; enter the 0% intro APR credit card!

These types of credit cards offer zero interest, meaning you don't rack up interest during a set period of time. The best no interest credit cards can give you up to 21 months with no interest on purchases and/or balance transfers, before you start accruing interest on your credit card balance.

Simplify your search for the best 0% intro APR credit cards

With plenty of options on the market, here's a highlight of our expert picks making it easy to cut through the noise.

Great for: Unlimited cash back

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

2% cash rewards

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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 generous intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before. Read Full Review

    • Unlimited 2% cash rewards
    • Long 0% intro APR offer
    • Generous cash rewards welcome bonus
    • No annual fee
    • Cellphone protections
    • Card perks
    • Free FICO® Score updates
    • No bonus categories
    • Foreign transaction fees
    • Balance transfer fee
    • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
    • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
    • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
    • $0 annual fee.
    • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
    • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
    • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Great for: Balance transfers and cash back

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 6 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months

Regular APR

17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

1%-5% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

  • If you want a balance transfer card that still has value after the 0% intro APR period expires, then this may be the card for you. It offers 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers with a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*. That alone makes it a great balance transfer card. The lucrative cash back program means you can continue to reap benefits from this card even after you pay-off your balance transfer. Read Full Review

    • Great intro APR offer
    • Sign-up bonus offer
    • Robust cash back program
    • No annual fee
    • FICO® Score for free
    • No fixed bonus categories
    • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
    • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
    • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
    • Your account may not always be eligible for balance transfers. Balance transfer eligibility is determined at Discover’s discretion.
    • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
    • No annual fee.
    • Terms and conditions apply.
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Great for: Long 0% intro APR

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 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

18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

  • 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 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. The balance transfer fee (5%, min: $5) is higher than some cards — but if you want an equally long intro APR on purchases, then this card is hard to beat. Read Full Review

    • Long 0% intro APR offer
    • No annual fee
    • Cellphone protection
    • Free FICO® Score
    • Balance transfer fee
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
    • 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min $5.
    • $0 Annual Fee.
    • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
    • Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Great for: No Penalty APR or late payment fee

Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 12 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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).

Lower intro balance transfer fee

  • 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. Plus, you can choose from any available payment date. That way, you can set up automatic payments that are aligned with your paycheck. Read Full Review

    • Great intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • No late fees
    • No penalty APR
    • No rewards
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
    • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
    • 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).
    • Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock.
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner

Great for: Cash back versatility with a big bonus

Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠

On Chase's Secure Website.

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular APR

20.49%-29.24% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 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 Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

5% cash back offer

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!

$200 bonus

  • Checks all the boxes for a cash back credit card, with high cash back rates across several categories, a 0% intro APR, and a big sign-up bonus. Read Full Review

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Lucrative cash back program
    • Long 0% intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • Purchase and travel protections
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
    • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
    • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
    • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
    • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
    • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom FlexSM card
    • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
    • Member FDIC

Great for: Bonus cash back

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent), 1% cash back on other purchases

1% - 5% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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. Each billing cycle, cardholders earn 5% cash back in their top spend category (up to $500 spent in eligible categories). Eligible categories include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, select travel and more. The card automatically adjusts to your spending habits, which makes it easy to maximize your rewards. Read Full Review

    • Cash back rewards
    • Sign-up bonus
    • No annual fee
    • 0% intro APR offer
    • Bonus cash back limits
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 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.
    • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
    • 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.
    • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
    • No Annual Fee
    • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.

Great for: Purchases and balance transfers

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable).

Purchases: 0%, 21 billing cycles on purchases

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 billing cycles

Regular APR

18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • With a generous intro APR offer for both balance transfers and purchases, this is one of the best low interest credit cards we've come across.

    • Long 0% intro APR offer
    • No annual fee
    • Cellphone protection
    • Free credit score monitoring
    • No rewards
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.74% - 29.74%.
    • Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
    • Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
    • No Annual Fee
    • Terms and conditions apply.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Expert Reviews of 0% APR Credit Card Offers

Let's take a deeper look at how to best leverage your 0% intro APR card for maximum benefit. Jump to a specific no interest credit card offer review:


Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Expert Review

Our rating: 5.00/5.00 stars. Cardholder Review Ratings for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card not provided on the Wells Fargo site.

This 0% intro APR credit card is best for:

  • Financing purchases while earning big rewards
  • Those who don't want a learning curve to make the most of this card

Apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card


Discover it® Balance Transfer Expert Review

Our rating: 5.00/5.00 stars. Cardholder Review Ratings for Discover it® Balance Transfer not provided on the Discover site.

Many 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 one of the best rewards programs.

This 0% APR credit card is best for:

  • Those who want a balance transfer card that can also earn cash back, while paying off credit card debt.
  • Users who want good customer service (Discover consistently ranks near the top of the J.D. Power studies).

Apply for the Discover it® Balance Transfer


Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Expert Review

Our rating: 4.50/5.00 stars. Cardholder Review Ratings for Wells Fargo Reflect® Card not provided on the Wells Fargo site.

This is 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 sign-up bonus for new cardholders.

This no interest credit card is best for:

  • Cardholders who need as much time as possible to pay off purchases
  • Those dealing with a large amount of credit card debt
  • If you have a sizable purchase to make

Apply for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card


Chase Freedom Flex℠ Expert Review

Our rating: 5.00/5.00 stars. Cardholder Review Ratings for Chase Freedom Flex℠ not provided on the Chase site.

This card is The Ascent award winner for 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:

  • Maximizing your savings on costly expenses with a cash back program
  • A rewards card with no annual fee

Apply for the Chase Freedom Flex℠


Citi Custom Cash® Card Expert Review

Our rating: 5.00/5.00 stars. Cardholder Review Ratings: 628 reviews give it 4.50/5 stars as of 3/12/24.

With 0% intro APR cards, the intro rate applies to any type of purchase you make. That's also the case with this Citi card, but 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:

  • Consumers with high spending in a single category
  • Financing home improvement projects because home improvement stores are one of the eligible 5% back categories
  • Paying off concerts and other event tickets over time, as live entertainment is one of the 5% back categories

Apply for the Citi Custom Cash® Card


U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card Expert Review

Our rating: 4.50/5.00 stars. Cardholder Review Ratings: 9,533 reviews give it 4.20/5 stars as of 3/12/24.

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:

  • Payment flexibility
  • Financing options with the U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan, as it allows you to divide eligible purchases into equal monthly payments
  • Credit monitoring

Apply for the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card


Compare zero APR credit cards

The Picks
Card Rating Great For
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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 back

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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

Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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

Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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

Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

How to compare credit cards offering 0% APR

Most of the top 0% intro APR cards we've reviewed can be compared by these three features:

  • Type of intro offer: The best cards we've seen offer 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers, but some may offer better terms for one over the other.
  • Length of the intro period: How long you can go without incurring interest will depend on the length of the introductory period. Most cards offer at least six months, but some extend it more than three times that long.
  • Purchase rewards: Many of the best no interest credit cards have lucrative sign-up bonuses or offer purchase rewards, most commonly cash back.

What will you use your no interest rate credit card for?

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 also the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card thanks to its long zero interest introductory period and a low introductory balance transfer fee. If you want to compare other options, those are the two main features to consider.

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. You won't earn cash back rewards on any transferred balances.

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, 0% APR business cards typically require good personal credit.

tip_light_bulb exported from figma
TIP
How to maximize your 0% APR credit card

The best way to use 0% intro APR credit cards is use the interest-free period to finance a major purchase or refinance credit card debt. Make at least minimum monthly payments on time, and pay off your balance in full before the intro period ends. This will allow you to avoid interest entirely.

Is the best 0% APR credit card worth it?

Credit cards with a 0% intro APR are useful if you want to avoid interest charges, either on purchases or balance transfers.

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.

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 with a top 0% APR credit card. But make note, once the intro period ends, you'll start accruing interest at the go-to rate.

If your specific needs are met with a somewhat shorter introductory APR period, you may be able to find a card that meets that need and provides rewards or cash back, for instance.

tip_light_bulb exported from figma
TIP
When to get a credit card for 0% APR

If you have any costly purchases coming up that you can't pay for in full, a credit card with 0% intro APR could be the solution. You can stretch your payments out over the card's introductory period, and you'll avoid paying interest as long as you pay off your balance before it ends. But you do need to understand how zero interest credit cards work first, to avoid making any costly mistakes.

How to get approved for a 0% APR card

The key to getting approved is to choose the right credit card in the first place. Here's what I mean. There are two main reasons your card application will be denied:

  • Issuer specific rules
  • Your credit history

To the first point, many issuers have their own rules about applications. For instance, the Chase 5/24 Rule means you won't get approved for a Chase card if you've opened five or more credit cards (from any issuer) in the last 24 months. To avoid these types of rejections, do a quick search to see if the card issuer has any specific rules about who can be approved.

Finding out which card best fits your credit history can be a little harder. Here's why.

What credit score for a 0% APR card?

A FICO credit 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.

Can you get a 0% APR credit card with no credit?

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.

Credit card issuer application rules

A common reason people get rejected for credit cards is because of issuer-specific rules about how many new accounts you can have opened. 

Arguably, the most well-known of these is the Chase 5/24 Rule. This unpublished rule says that you'll be rejected for a new Chase credit card if you've opened five or more new credit cards -- from any issuer -- in the last 24 months. And yes, this applies no matter how good your credit is or how much money you make.

Many issuers have similar rules, though few are quite as strict. Make sure you do a quick search for any known application rules before you apply for a new card.

Can you get 0% APR on an existing card?

The simple answer here is: sometimes.

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.

Per-purchase payment plans

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, both American Express (Pay Over Time) and Chase (My Chase Plan) offer payment plans where you can spread out payments for a purchase over a few months for a set monthly fee.

How do credit cards with 0% APR work?

On intro 0% APR credit cards, the intro APR on purchases is set to 0% for a limited time.

That means you don't need to pay off your full credit card balance every month to avoid interest during the intro period, as you would with other credit cards.

As an example, imagine you get the best 0% APR credit card with an intro 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. You use it to buy a new computer for $1,500. All you need to do is make the minimum payment every month. If you make payments of at least $100 per month toward that purchase, then you'll pay it off interest free.

There are situations where you can be charged interest by your credit card company, even with a 0% credit card APR:

  • You don't make your minimum monthly payment. You're still required to make minimum payments on time. If you don't, the card issuer could cancel the intro 0% APR offer.
  • You use your credit card for other types of transactions. Most cards' 0% intro APR offers don't apply to cash advances.

Alternatives to no interest credit cards

Depending on your financial needs, interest free credit cards with 0% intro APR may not be the right choice. Here are the top alternatives to credit cards with a 0% intro APR.

  • Balance transfer credit cards: Refinance credit card debt by using 0% balance transfer credit cards. Make sure to weigh potential savings against any balance transfer fees. Our balance transfer calculator can help.
  • Credit cards with low interest: Low interest credit cards can help if you need more time to pay off debt. These cards offer ongoing low APRs on purchases and potential cash rewards.
  • Personal loans: Personal loans are also better for extended repayment periods with lower interest rates than credit cards.
  • Debt consolidation loans: These loans can be more versatile than a balance transfer card, because some balance transfer cards (but not all) can only be used for credit card debt.

FAQs

  • 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 credit card APR standard will apply to the current balance and new charges. This means you'll start paying 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.

Our Credit Cards Experts