Best business credit cards for fair credit in April 2025
- What is a fair credit score?
- Are there business credit cards for average credit?
- Best business credit cards for businesses with fair credit
- Summary of the best business credit cards for businesses with fair credit
- Why do you need a business credit card?
- What’s the minimum credit score needed for a business credit card?
- How to improve your credit score
- How to pick the best credit card for your business
- Qualify for Ramp’s business credit card even with fair credit
If you’ve ever felt like you're stuck in credit limbo—not quite bad credit, but not great either—you’re not alone. Many successful small business owners are operating with fair or average credit, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. In fact, there are tools and credit cards that are built specifically for you.
Maybe you bootstrapped your company and relied on personal credit cards to get started. Or perhaps you had one slow season that led to a few late payments. These situations are common—and they don’t define your business’s future credit potential.
In this article, we'll explore how to get a business credit card with fair credit so you can grow your company and smooth out cash flow. We'll also share our picks for the seven best business credit cards for average credit, including:
- Ramp Business Credit Card
- BILL Divvy Card
- Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
- Capital One Spark Classic for Business
- Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- Nav Prime Card
What is a fair credit score?
Also known as having "average credit," a fair credit score is generally defined as 580–669 in the FICO range or a VantageScore of 601–660. Those with fair credit scores are typically considered subprime borrowers; they might have some late payments or major debts in their credit history, or they might be new to the credit game and simply have limited information to offer lenders.
Can you get a business credit card with fair personal credit?
Yes, you can get a business credit card with fair personal credit, but you might not have access to as many options. Some issuers offer cards specifically geared toward fair credit, and others may weigh additional factors like your business income, banking activity, or require a security deposit to approve your application.
Are there business credit cards for average credit?
You can find business credit cards for fair credit, though your options are more limited. The best business credit card for your needs should evaluate your approval based on factors other than your personal credit score—and offer low enough fees that you’ll be able to use it to build your business credit over time.
The better your business credit score, the lower your interest rate, so business owners with fair credit should pay close attention to each card’s APR. You might end up paying dearly to carry a balance from month to month.
Cards available to those with average credit might also come with other fees. Be sure to check balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees, and others as you research cards.
And, of course, don't forget to research the eligibility requirements for each card since you might not qualify for reasons unrelated to your credit score. The type of business you're operating and your revenue, for example, might be deciding factors.
Best business credit cards for businesses with fair credit
If you’re looking for a business credit card with fair credit, you have several options. Here are our top picks for card issuers who don’t require good credit. Some of the cards on this list are corporate credit cards, which usually don’t rely exclusively on credit rating, and others are secured business credit cards.
Here’s a closer look at each:
Ramp Business Credit Card
- Cashback on purchases
- Built-in customizable spending controls
- Integrated travel management platform
- Accounting integrations
- No annual fee or interest
- Requires a registered U.S.-based business
- Must have $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify
The Ramp Business Credit Card is an ideal solution for businesses with fair or average credit that want to streamline their expenses while building financial discipline. As a corporate charge card, Ramp doesn't require a personal credit check, making it a great option if your credit isn’t perfect—but your business is financially healthy.
Ramp offers unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases and powerful expense management tools, including customizable spending controls and automated categorization. You can issue unlimited free physical and virtual employee cards, giving you full control and visibility over team spending.
There are no annual fees, no interest charges, and no foreign transaction fees. Since balances must be paid in full each month, Ramp encourages responsible cash flow management while helping you avoid costly debt.
To qualify, your business must be registered in the U.S. and maintain at least $25,000 in a business bank account—making this card well-suited for growing businesses with strong revenues, even if the owner's credit isn’t perfect.
Key features:
- $0 annual fee
- N/A APR (charge card)
- Unlimited free physical and virtual employee cards
- Automated expense management features
- Custom vendor and category restrictions
- Integrated travel management platform
- Accounting integrations
- Requires $25,000 in a business bank account
BILL Divvy Corporate Card
- No annual fees or interest
- Integrated expense management software
- Rewards program with bonus points
- Limited to U.S.-registered businesses with an EIN
- Rewards structure may not appeal to those seeking cashback
- Requires a business bank account for qualification
The BILL Divvy Corporate Card combines a corporate card with expense management software, streamlining business expenses and reporting. It offers points-based rewards, with bonus points on eligible purchases, making it suitable for businesses looking to maximize value from spending. The card only requires a soft credit check for qualification, so it won’t temporarily impact your credit score.
There’s no annual fee or APR, and the card is available to businesses with a U.S. business bank account and an EIN. Its integrated software simplifies budgeting, expense categorization, and approvals, making it a robust tool for expense control.
Key features:
- $0 annual fee
- N/A APR (charge card)
- Points-based rewards with bonus categories
- Requires a soft credit check for qualification
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
- Flat-rate rewards for simplicity
- No annual fee
- Unlimited employee cards
- High APR range
- No bonus categories
The Capital on Tap Business Credit Card is a straightforward option for small business owners with fair or average credit who want simple rewards without a complicated approval process. It offers a flat 1% cashback on all purchases, with no annual fee and the ability to issue unlimited free employee cards with basic spending controls.
While the card provides easy access to rewards, it lacks the advanced expense management tools or higher-tier cashback rates found in other business cards. The variable APR, which can range from 17.99% to 35.99%, may also be a consideration for businesses that plan to carry a balance.
Overall, it’s a practical entry-level card for managing everyday business expenses—but it may fall short for those seeking richer rewards or built-in financial tools.
Key features:
- $0 annual fee
- 17.99–35.99% APR (variable)
- 1% cashback on all purchases
- Unlimited free employee cards
Capital One Spark 1% Classic
- No annual fee
- Tailored for fair credit
- Flexible payment options
- High APR
- No bonus categories
The Capital One Spark 1% Classic is designed for small business owners with fair credit or limited credit history. It offers 1% cashback on all purchases and includes fraud liability protection, helping small businesses build credit responsibly.
The card has no annual fee and a variable APR of 29.99%. It allows business owners to choose their own due date for added flexibility in support of on-time payments.
Key features:
- $0 annual fee
- 29.99% APR (variable)
- 1% cashback on purchases
- Fraud liability protection
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
- Helps build credit
- Cashback rewards with no limit
- No annual fee
- High APR
- Requires a security deposit
The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is a good choice for businesses with fair or average credit looking to establish or strengthen their credit profile. As a secured card, it requires a refundable security deposit—equal to your desired credit limit—which lowers the barrier to approval for those with less-than-perfect credit.
The card earns unlimited 1.5% cashback on every purchase, a competitive rate for a secured business card. There’s no annual fee, but it does come with a relatively high variable APR of 27.99%, which makes it less ideal for carrying a balance.
With responsible use and on-time payments, your business may become eligible for an upgrade to an unsecured version of the card, offering a path toward better credit and future financing opportunities.
This card is best suited for newer businesses, startups, or owners working to rebuild their credit while still earning meaningful rewards on everyday spending.
Key features:
- $0 annual fee
- 27.99% APR (variable)
- Unlimited 1.5% cashback rewards
- Requires a refundable security deposit
Nav Prime Card
- Reports to major commercial credit bureaus
- Helps build both personal and business credit
- Includes access to full business credit reports and scores
- No hard credit check
- No interest charges
- Requires paid Nav Prime membership
- No rewards or cashback
The Nav Prime Card is designed for business owners focused on improving their credit profile. Rather than functioning as a traditional credit card, it’s a charge card that reports to multiple credit bureaus, helping you build both personal and business credit. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs who want to establish creditworthiness and monitor their credit health proactively.
To access the card, businesses must subscribe to Nav Prime ($49/month), which also provides full access to business and personal credit reports, tools, and alerts.
Key features:
- $49/month Nav Prime membership (no separate card fee)
- Reports to major commercial bureaus
- No interest charges
- No hard credit check
- Access to full credit insights and tools
Summary of the best business credit cards for businesses with fair credit
Card comparison
- Business credit card with customizable spending controls
- Cashback rewards on purchases
- Unlimited free physical and virtual employee cards
- Must have $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify
- Balance must be paid in full each month
Annual Fee
$0
APR
N/A
BILL Divvy Corporate Card- Corporate card available to registered businesses with an EIN and US business bank account
- Comes with expense management software
- Points-based rewards with bonus points on eligible purchases
- Requires only a soft credit check, so it won't temporarily affect your credit score
Annual Fee
$0
APR
N/A
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card- Business credit card designed for small businesses
- Offers 1% cashback rewards on purchases
- Unlimited free employee cards with custom spending controls
Annual Fee
$0
APR
17.99–35.99%
Capital One Spark 1% Classic- Business credit card designed for small business owners with fair credit or a limited credit history
- 1% cashback rewards on purchases
- Free employee cards and fraud liability protection
- Offers the ability to choose your own payment due date
Annual Fee
$0
APR
29.99% variable
Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card- Secured credit card designed to help you build credit
- Requires a refundable security deposit, which acts as your line of credit
- Only a soft credit check is required
- Offers unlimited 1.5% cashback rewards on purchases
- Option to upgrade to an unsecured card with good payment history over time
Annual Fee
$0
APR
27.99% variable
Nav Prime Card- Helps build business and personal credit
- No interest or traditional APR
- No hard credit check
- Full access to credit reports
- Requires a $49/month membership
APR
N/A
Fees
$49/month
Why do you need a business credit card?
Having a dedicated business credit card can be hugely beneficial for businesses with fair credit For starters, it's a great way to build or improve your business credit score, which may be lacking in your company's early days.
You can also take advantage of perks and benefits geared towards businesses specifically, like additional purchase protection and expense management features. You also get the opportunity to earn rewards at the end of each billing cycle, all while increasing your buying power.
A business credit card can also help you separate your business and personal finances. This means less time and effort spent tracking business expenses on your personal credit card, and a much easier experience come tax time.
Watch your credit utilization
Keep your credit utilization below 30% to signal to lenders that you're a responsible borrower.
What’s the minimum credit score needed for a business credit card?
To qualify for most business credit cards, you’ll likely need a FICO score of 670 or higher and a VantageScore of 661 or higher. So, having a fair credit score can eliminate some options for small business owners.
With that said, you can still qualify for some cards—especially secured business credit cards—if you don’t have the credit score to qualify for your desired choice. Secured cards will ask you to put down a security deposit, which then functions as your credit limit.
Can I get a business credit card with a 500 credit score?
Even with a score in the 500s, you still have access to secured cards. These aren’t just fallback options—they’re powerful credit-building tools. The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is one example of a credit card that you can get with a credit score of 500 or 600.
You may be closer to qualifying than you think—and with the right card, you can actively build stronger business credit month over month.
How to improve your credit score
If you have a fair credit score, there are ways to improve your chances of getting approved for a business credit card and strengthening your credit profile overall.
First, only submit applications for a few credit cards at a time. That's because each time you apply for a credit card, the provider will conduct a hard inquiry into your credit history, which decreases your credit score by at least a few points. For that reason, you want to be selective and choose a card you can realistically qualify for as someone with fair credit.
As for more active steps, pay all your bills before the due date, stay on top of your tax filing, and monitor your credit to ensure no errors that could impact your standing go undetected. Keep solid financial records that you can easily share with potential lenders.
Level up your credit
If your business has strong cash flow, corporate cards like Ramp may approve you—even without a perfect credit score.
Pay attention to your credit utilization rate as well. That's the ratio of your balance to your credit limit, and in general, you want to keep it below 30% (for example, a balance of less than $3,000 if your credit limit is $10,000). All of these steps demonstrate responsible use of credit and the ability to pay off the balances you carry.
Once you have a business credit card, you should take this same approach. Making monthly payments in a timely manner and keeping your balances low can help improve your credit score and bump you from "fair" into the "good" range.
How to pick the best credit card for your business
If you’re looking for a small business credit card with fair credit, the most important factor to consider is whether you’ll get approved. You likely won’t be able to get approved for most of the more attractive business credit cards, especially options that include a lot of travel perks or other bonuses.
For that reason, be sure to review the eligibility criteria for each card you’re considering. You should only apply for business credit cards you have a realistic chance of getting approved for; otherwise, you could get hit with multiple hard inquiries on your credit report, ultimately hurting your score.
If you’re lucky enough to have a few options available to you, then you can start weighing other factors like APR, account fees, intro APR offers, expense management features, and rewards programs. At the end of the day, the best choice will be the card that aligns most closely with your business needs.
Qualify for Ramp’s business credit card even with fair credit
Fair credit isn’t a roadblock—it’s a starting point. With the right tools and a clear plan, your business credit can grow alongside your company.
The Ramp Business Credit Card offers a solution for businesses with fair credit. Unlike many of its competitors, Ramp doesn't run credit checks or require personal guarantees. Instead, we use business revenue and cash balance to determine your eligibility and credit limit. Ramp also has no annual fees, cashback on purchases, and unlimited free employee cards.
We report to the major business credit bureaus, so you can build good credit as you spend with Ramp. Cardholders also get access to modern expense management tools, custom card controls, and accounting tools, allowing you to control business spending, run detailed reports, and scale your business.
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