Getting a credit card with an initial period of zero interest can help you save money when you need to carry a balance.
Business Insider compiled this guide to the best 0% intro APR credit cards by analyzing nationally available credit cards with zero interest offers, prioritizing those with the longest periods of no interest on new purchases.
None of our 0% intro interest credit card recommendations charge annual fees, which helps you keep costs low while you pay off what you owe. Just remember: You're on the hook for the full balance when the zero interest period ends, so start saving well in advance for that final payment.
These are the best credit cards you can get right now for zero interest starting out.
Best Zero Interest Credit Cards of May 2025
| Best For | Card | Annual Fee |
| Best for long 0% APR | U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card | $0 |
| Best for balance transfers | Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (rates and fees) | $0 |
| Best for reward maximizers | Discover it® Cash Back | $0 |
| Best for travelers | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $0 |
| Best for families | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | $0 (rates and fees) |
| Best for foodies | Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for custom bonuses | Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | $0 |
| Best for simple rewards | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for cash rewards | Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (rates and fees) | $0 |
| Best for building credit | Chase Slate Edge℠ | $0 |
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Long 0% APR
The new U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card currently offers the longest zero-interest period available on a mainstream credit card: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 24 billing cycles, then 17.74% - 28.74% Variable APR.
This no-annual-fee 0 interest credit card also earns 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center and a $20 annual statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases. While this is a limited range of rewards, it's also fairly generous for a credit card primarily designed to help you pay off debt over a long period of time without incurring more interest.
You'll also get a $20 statement credit each year after 11 consecutive months of card use; may be able to request a 3-month no-interest payment plan each year after your 0% interest period expires; and can get up to $600 in cell phone protection benefits if that phone is stolen or damaged due to eligible causes.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Balance Transfers
$0
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable
N/A
Good to Excellent
- Extra-long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fees
If you're looking for the best Wells Fargo credit card for balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great choice. And it offers an extra-long interest-free period on new purchases, too.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card- Apply Now to take advantage of this 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. 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% 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.
The no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is great for paying off new expenses and old debt at the same time.
New cardholders get 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days (then 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR).
The card offers a modest array of benefits, including cell phone protection and roadside dispatch, but doesn't earn any rewards. So if rewards are important to you, you might be better off with other cards that offer slightly shorter zero-interest periods while still earning rewards.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Reward Maximizers
$0
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match®
Good to Excellent
- From April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
- Discover will match your cash back earned at the end of your first account year
- No annual fee
- Cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter
- If the quarterly categories aren't convenient for you, you can earn more cash back with a different card
The Discover it® Cash Back is one of the best credit cards that offers 5% back on popular rotating categories each quarter up to a spending limit when activated. Your rewards are matched by Discover after the first 12 months, and the card has no annual fee.
Discover it® Cash Back- 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% Cashback Bonus® at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs, April 1 through June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in purchases, when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- 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. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
The Discover it® Cash Back is the best zero interest credit card for people who don't mind doing extra legwork to maximize rewards.
Cardholders 5% cash back on purchases from rotating categories each quarter up to $1,500 when you activate and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Our Discover cash back calendar tracks bonus categories (from April 1 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). You'll have to activate this promotion each quarter to earn 5% rewards.
First-year cardholders can match their rewards through Discover Cashback Match®: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year for new card members.
This $0-annual-fee card offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Travelers
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Earn a $200 bonus
Good to Excellent
- Solid flat cash-back rate
- You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
- No annual fee
- Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for credit card beginners and experts alike. With no annual fee and a high earnings rate, it's worth considering as an everyday card — and it's even better when you pair it with an annual-fee Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Chase Freedom Unlimited- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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 1.5% 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!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-brainer for travelers who want to earn rewards on travel expenses and pay down their balance over time without interest.
Customers earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
New cardholders get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, followed by a 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR. You can also earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — a generous offer for such low spending.
Rewards are earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be redeemed for gift cards and statement credits. If you also have one of the best Chase cards for travel, you can combine rewards to book with Chase transfer partners or through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Families
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn a $200 statement credit
Good to Excellent
- Good bonus cash-back rate at U.S supermarkets
- No annual fee.
- If you spend more than $6,000 at U.S supermarkets in a year, you should use another card to earn bonus rewards once you hit that cap.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an especially valuable choice for purchases at US supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases, thanks to its bonus earning categories.
Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 20.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card is great for families who spend a lot on gas, groceries, and online shopping. It has a $0 annual fee (rates and fees).
Cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per category per year, then 1%) and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout).
New cardholders get a generous introductory period of zero interest: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by a 20.24% - 29.24% Variable APR (rates and fees).
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Experiences
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)
19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn $200 cash back
Good to Excellent
- No annual fee
- Bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, and grocery store purchases
- Long intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
- Other cards earn more cash back in certain bonus categories
- Not the highest sign-up bonus among cash-back cards
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a good welcome bonus and excellent return rates that can earn you cash back on common expenses like dining, groceries (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), streaming, and entertainment — plus there's no annual fee to worry about.
Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Check out the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want to earn cash back on restaurants, travel, and concert tickets while avoiding credit card interest.
Cardholders earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
New cardholders also get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), followed by a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR.
Finally, this card has an easy welcome offer: $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Custom Bonus Categories
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great choice for people whose spending habits change from month to month.
It earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500, then 1%), 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Qualifying bonus categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.
New cardholders get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, followed by a 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR. You can also earn a welcome bonus of $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Learn more in our Citi Custom Cash card review.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Simple Rewards
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)
19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus
Good to Excellent
- Earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Other cards earn more cash back
If you want to earn cash back with minimal effort and no annual fee, the Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card is a good option. Some cards offer a higher rate of cash back, but there are tradeoffs, such as foregoing a welcome bonus offer or keeping track of bonus categories that earn more rewards.
Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is great for people who value the simplicity of Capital One rewards while paying down large purchases without incurring additional interest.
This $0-annual-fee card earns 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 1.5% cash back on other purchases.
Like many other cards on this list, new cardholders get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), followed by a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR.
There's also an easy-to-earn welcome offer: one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Cash Rewards
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable
Earn $200 cash rewards bonus
Good to Excellent
- Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
- Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
- Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- If you've opened a Wells Fargo card in the past six months, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card
- Foreign transaction fees
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases without rotating categories or earning caps and with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and intro APR offer, which puts it high on our list of the best zero-interest credit cards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card- Apply Now to take advantage of this 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 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% 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.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice for people who value flat-rate cash rewards with no bonus categories to track. Cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
New cardholders get an 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months, followed by a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR. They can also earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers several good benefits including cell phone protection with a deductible. However, this card charges foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good pick for international travel.
Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Building Credit
The Chase Slate Edge℠ is designed for people who need to rebuild credit while paying down debt over time without incurring more interest.
New cardholders get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening, then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR.
This 0% interest credit card doesn't offer a traditional welcome bonus and it doesn't earn rewards. Instead, new cardholders get an automatic account review for a higher credit limit after a few months if they've paid their monthly statements on time and spent at least $500 within the first six months of opening the card.
You'll also be considered for a 2% APR reduction each account anniversary as long as you've paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases within the previous anniversary year. The reduction is capped once your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (Prime Rate is 7.50% as of 12/19/2024).
Learn more in our Chase Slate Edge card review.
What to Know About Zero Interest Credit Cards
Credit cards with 0% intro APR generally offer a period where you can carry a balance interest-free. But if you maintain that balance after the intro period ends, you will be charged the no APR credit card's standard interest rate.
These charges can add up quickly, and we recommend only making purchases that you know you can pay in full before your introductory period ends.
How to Choose the Best Zero Interest Credit Card
With so many cards to choose from, your options may seem overwhelming. Here are some features to consider when evaluating no-interest credit cards to ensure you maximize your zero interest benefits.
Zero Interest Period: New Purchases vs. Balance Transfer
A credit card offering a zero interest period allows you to pay down a balance without incurring interest. If you use the card to buy something expensive, you'll want one that offers zero interest on new purchases.
If you already have outstanding debt, you want a credit card that offers zero interest on balance transfers. If you plan to incur a mix of both types of debt, focus on cards that don't charge interest on both purchases and balance transfers.
Pay Attention to Interest Rates and Deadlines
Your period of no interest won't last forever, and fees can quickly skyrocket if you miscalculate or misunderstand when your grace period ends.
A best practice for avoiding unnecessary fees is to note your 0% intro APR expiration date on your calendar when you first receive the card and set periodic reminders to check your outstanding balance and expiration date.
You can always find your 0% APR rate and expiration date on your monthly statements, or call your credit card issuer for more details.
Look for Zero Interest Credit Cards with No Annual Fees
Plenty of the best zero interest credit cards don't charge annual fees, so there's no need to choose a 0% intro APR card with an annual fee unless the card offers additional benefits that make the cost worthwhile.
Additional Benefits and Services
A good zero interest credit card should come with additional benefits and rewards in addition to the zero-interest period. Common perks include entertainment discounts and early access, travel advantages and protection, and credit score monitoring.
Access to Your FICO Score
Many credit cards offer the ability to check your FICO credit score for free. Issuers that offer this feature often provide monthly updates, and you can check your scores online or via your credit card app.
Credit Card Fraud Protection
Many issuers offer text and email alerts if they detect suspicious activity. In addition to preventing unauthorized transactions where possible, your credit card issuer may also offer a liability guarantee for fraudulent charges.
Digital Wallet Technology
Many credit cards now integrate with mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, making it easy to pay for your purchases using your smartphone or other devices.
Instant Virtual Numbers
You may even be able to use your card immediately after approval if the issuer offers instant virtual credit card numbers. This is especially valuable if you apply for your zero-interest credit card right before you make a large purchase.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Zero Interest Credit Cards
Business Insider chose the best credit cards with 0% introductory APR offers by comparing all the available credit cards with zero-interest periods.
We then evaluated the terms and length of each introductory offer, with cards that offer longer intro periods ranking more highly than others.
We also considered rewards, like cash back or travel points, card benefits, and factors like annual fees and foreign transaction fees.
Here's Business Insider's methodology for how we rate credit cards.
FAQs
What is a 0% APR credit card?
Some credit cards offer an introductory period during which no interest is charged on purchases. This period typically ranges from 12 to 18 months, providing an opportunity for interest-free financing.
Should I pay off a 0% intro APR credit card?
Yes, you need to pay off your 0 interest credit card before the 0% intro offer ends. During the introductory period, you typically need to make the minimum payment on the card, if not more, to avoid losing your intro 0% APR. You should make a plan to pay off your entire balance before the intro period ends to avoid paying interest on your remaining balance.
How do I get a card with 0% interest?
You can get a zero interest credit card by applying online. You can also check with your bank in person to see if it offers any 0% intro APR cards that appeal to you. Most cards with intro APR offers require you to have at least a good credit score, which means a FICO score of 670 or higher.
How can I use a 0% intro APR credit card to save money?
You can save money with a 0% intro APR credit card by making large purchases and paying them off over time without incurring interest charges. Additionally, you can transfer existing high-interest debt to the 0% intro APR card to reduce interest payments and pay down debt faster.
Can I earn rewards on a 0% APR credit card?
Yes, you can earn rewards on many 0% intro APR credit cards such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, and the Discover it® Cash Back.
***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
