Compare the Best Business Credit Cards (2026)

By: Money Navigator Research Team

Last Reviewed: 09/12/2025

Choosing a business credit card depends on how your business operates – from everyday spending and cashflow management to travel, employee expenses, and rewards. The right option can help you manage costs, simplify expenses, and keep business and personal finances separate, but features, fees, and eligibility vary widely between providers.

This guide is designed for:

  • UK limited companies and sole traders comparing business credit cards

  • Business owners looking to manage expenses, cashflow, or rewards

  • Companies issuing cards to employees with spending controls

  • Businesses that want a clear, side-by-side comparison before applying

When comparing business credit cards, we considered:

  • Fees, interest, and overall cost

  • Rewards, cashback, and travel benefits (where offered)

  • Eligibility requirements and personal guarantee expectations

  • Expense management tools and employee card controls

  • Transparency of terms and ease of use

This comparison explains how leading UK business credit cards work, who they may suit, and what to watch out for before applying.

We do not provide financial advice. We compare business credit cards objectively and earn a commission if you apply via our links.

Quick Navigation

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk .

Important: Eligibility, fees, and card features vary by provider and can change over time. Approval is not guaranteed, and some business credit cards may require a personal guarantee. Always review the provider’s full terms before applying.

Also Compare: 

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk .

Important: Eligibility, fees, and card features vary by provider and can change over time. Approval is not guaranteed, and some business credit cards may require a personal guarantee. Always review the provider’s full terms before applying.

Also Compare: 

Best Business Credit Cards at a Glance

Compare leading UK business credit cards side by side. This table highlights key features, typical costs, and eligibility considerations to help you narrow down options before reviewing each card in more detail below.

Provider
Rating
Key Features
Action
Capital on Tap
5 / 5
  • 1% Cashback on all spend
  • Credit limits up to £250,000
  • No annual fee
Why it’s here:
Selected for its straightforward cashback, no annual fee, and flexibility for everyday UK business spending.
American Express
Business Gold
4.8 / 5
  • 20,000 Membership Rewards® points bonus
  • Earn points on every £1 spent
  • £0 annual fee for the first year
Why it’s here:
Selected for its rewards programme and added benefits, which may suit businesses with higher spending and travel needs.
PLEO
4.7 / 5
  • Smart Expense Cards for your team
  • Automate receipts with Xero/QuickBooks
  • No credit checks required
Why it’s here:
Selected for its focus on employee expense management, spending controls, and accounting integrations.
Soldo
4.5 / 5
  • Prepaid Expense Cards
  • Set individual spending limits per employee
  • 0% FX fees on some plans
Why it’s here:
Selected for its prepaid expense cards and granular control over employee spending.
Metro Bank
4.2 / 5
  • Competitive Rate Credit Card
  • No annual fee
  • Free transactions in Europe
Why it’s here:
Selected as a more traditional option with simple pricing and no annual fee, which may suit basic business card use.

  • How to read this table: Ratings reflect our assessment of overall value based on fees, features, eligibility, and expense management tools. Details shown are indicative and may change – always check the provider’s full terms before applying.
  • Eligibility: Availability, limits, and approval criteria vary by provider. Some cards may require a personal guarantee.

👉 Links take you to the provider’s website. We may earn a commission if you apply through our links, at no extra cost to you. This does not affect how products are compared or ranked.

Researched & reviewed by the Money Navigator team

Updated regularly to reflect changes in rates, fees and eligibility.

✅ Independent Comparisons

✅ No paid rankings

✅ No sign-ups

✅ We don’t sell your details

Editor’s Top Picks: Best Business Credit Cards by Category

Most business owners just want the card that gives them the most “free money” (rewards) or the best borrowing power. Here are the market leaders for 2026.

 🏆 BEST OVERALL & BEST FOR CASHBACK  

1. Best Overall & Best for Cashback: Capital on Tap

Chosen for specific use cases – not suitable for every business.

Capital on Tap has rapidly become the “go-to” card for UK Limited Companies. It bridges the gap between a credit card and a business overdraft.

  • The Verdict: The best all-rounder. If you are a Ltd company, this is likely the only card you need.
  • Key Pros:
    • Rewards: Earn 1% cashback on all card spend (uncapped). That means for every £10,000 you spend on ads/stock, you get £100 back.
    • Credit Limits: Limits up to £250,000 available for established businesses.
    • Cash Flow: Up to 56 days interest-free on purchases if you pay your balance in full.
  • Watch Out For: Strictly for Limited Companies (Ltd) and LLPs. Sole Traders cannot apply.
  • Not suitable if: You plan to carry balances long-term or prefer a fixed repayment schedule.
capital on tap business loans
Visit Capital on Tap Website

Read our full Capital on Tap Review

 🏆 BEST FOR TRAVEL REWARDS (WHERE AMEX IS ACCEPTED)  

2. Best for Travel Rewards: American Express® Business Gold

Chosen for specific use cases – not suitable for every business.

If your business involves a lot of travel, flights, or client entertainment, “Points” are often more valuable than cashback.

  • The Verdict: The king of travel rewards, provided your suppliers accept Amex.
  • Key Pros:
    • Welcome Bonus: often offers a substantial points bonus (e.g. 20,000 Membership Rewards points) if you hit a spending target in the first 3 months.
    • Flexibility: Convert points to Avios, Virgin Points, or hotel schemes.
    • Charge Card: No pre-set spending limit (purchases are approved based on your profile).
  • Watch Out For: There is usually an Annual Fee (often free for the first year). You must pay your balance in full every month.
  • Not suitable if: Many of your suppliers do not accept American Express.
american express amex business credit cards
Visit AMEX Website

 🏆 BEST FOR EMPLOYEE EXPENSES  

3. Best for Employee Expenses: Pleo or Soldo

Chosen for specific use cases – not suitable for every business.

If you have a team of 5+ people and are tired of chasing receipts, you don't need a traditional credit card; you need a “Smart Expense Card.”

  • The Verdict: The best way to control staff spending without handing over the company credit card.
  • Key Pros:
    • Control: Set individual spending limits for each employee card (e.g., “John can spend £100/month on fuel”).
    • Automation: Integrates with Xero/QuickBooks. Staff snap a photo of the receipt, and the app matches it automatically.
    • No Credit Checks: These are prepaid cards, so there is no hard credit check to open an account.
  • Watch Out For: These are not credit facilities (you load them with your own money), so they don't help with cash flow.
  • Not suitable if: You are looking to borrow money rather than manage company spending.
pleo business credit cards
Visit Pleo Website
soldo business credit cards
Visit Soldo Website

Credit Cards vs. Charge Cards: What is the Difference?

Before you apply, it is vital to know how you intend to repay.

Business Credit Cards (e.g., Capital on Tap)

  • How they work: You have a credit limit and an interest rate (APR). You can choose to pay off the minimum amount, a fixed amount, or the full balance each month.
  • Best For: Businesses that might need to spread the cost of a large purchase over a few months (though interest will apply).

Business Charge Cards (e.g., American Express)

  • How they work: There is no interest rate because you cannot carry a balance. You must pay the bill in full every single month.
  • Best For: Businesses with healthy cash flow that want to maximize rewards points and never intend to borrow long-term.

Do I Need a Personal Guarantee (PG)?

This is the most common question we get.

In most cases, yes. Even though the card is for your Limited Company, most lenders (including Capital on Tap and Amex) require a director to sign a Personal Guarantee.

  • What this means: If your business goes bust and cannot pay the bill, you are personally liable for the debt.
  • Why lenders do it: Small businesses are risky. The PG ensures the director acts responsibly.
  • The Exception: “Corporate” cards for huge businesses (turnover £2m+) sometimes waive the PG, but for most SMEs, it is standard industry practice.
capital on tap business credit cards
american express amex business credit cards

How to Apply (Eligibility Checklist)

Applying for a business credit card is faster than a loan, but strict criteria apply.

Business Status:

  • Limited Companies: Have your Company Number and Registered Address ready.
  • Sole Traders: Very few options exist. You may need to look at a Personal Credit Card or a dedicated Sole Trader account if available.
  • Turnover: Most providers require a minimum turnover (e.g., £2,000 per month).
  • Bank Link: You will likely be asked to link your business bank account via Open Banking during the application. This allows the lender to verify your revenue instantly and give you a higher limit.
  • Director Details: You will need the home address and date of birth for all directors who own more than 25% of the business.

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee approval.

Quick links:

Business Credit Cards FAQ's

Still have questions about business credit cards? We know the jargon can be confusing. Below, we answer the most common questions UK business owners ask before applying.

Does applying affect my credit score?

Modern providers like Capital on Tap use a “Soft Credit Check” to give you an initial decision. This allows you to check your eligibility and see your credit limit without affecting your credit score. A “Hard Check” (which leaves a footprint) is usually only done if you accept the offer and sign the agreement.

This is a standard feature on business credit cards. It means that between the day you buy something and the day your bill is due, you pay 0% interest provided you pay the full balance on the due date. It effectively gives you a free short-term loan for nearly two months, which is excellent for cash flow management.

It is difficult. Traditional credit cards usually require a “Good” credit history. If you have adverse credit, consider a Prepaid Expense Card (like Pleo or Soldo) or a Credit Builder Card (like Cashplus). These don't offer a credit facility, but they help manage expenses and can build your business credit profile over time.

Technically yes, but you shouldn't. It complicates your tax return and pierces the “corporate veil” between you and your company. Always keep business and personal spending separate to satisfy HMRC.

Yes. Any annual fees or interest paid on your business credit card are legitimate business expenses. You can deduct them from your profits to reduce your Corporation Tax bill.

  • Purchase Rate: The actual interest rate you pay on the things you buy.
  • Representative APR: A legal calculation that includes the interest rate plus any annual fees. It is used to compare the “total cost” of different cards so you can see which is truly cheaper.

Yes. Most business credit cards (like Capital on Tap and Amex) allow you to issue supplementary cards for your staff for free. You can usually set individual spending limits for each employee and track their spending in real-time via the app.

Yes, but options are limited compared to Limited Companies. Capital on Tap, for example, is currently only for Limited Companies. As a Sole Trader, you may need to look at specific “Sole Trader” credit cards or personal credit cards used exclusively for business expenses.

This depends on your business turnover and credit history. New businesses might start with a limit of £500-£5,000, while established Limited Companies with healthy accounts can access limits up to £250,000 with providers like Capital on Tap.

A Personal Guarantee means that you (the director) agree to be personally responsible for the card debt if your business cannot pay. Most business credit cards require this to protect themselves against risk. If you want a card without a PG, you usually need to be a large corporation with multi-million pound turnover.

Our Review Methodology

Money Navigator is an independent publisher. We rate business credit cards based on:

  • Rewards: Does the card offer cashback or points that have real value?
  • Cost: We look at annual fees, FX fees, and interest rates.
  • Eligibility: How easy is it to get approved? (We favour “Soft Check” providers).
  • Usability: App quality and integration with Xero/QuickBooks.

Some providers pay higher commissions than others. This never affects how products are ranked or reviewed.

Disclaimer: Money Navigator is an independent comparison service. We may earn a commission if you apply through our links. This does not affect our ratings. Representative APRs are variable and subject to status.

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Sources and resources

The information on this page is based on a review of publicly available regulatory guidance and provider documentation. Sources include:

Information was last reviewed in January 2026. Product features, fees, eligibility, and terms can change. Always check the provider’s website for the most up-to-date details before applying.