The Best 0% APR Credit Cards: Our Top 7 Picks

When choosing a credit card, there are a number of different things you have to take into consideration. You’ve got to look at rewards, spending limits, and fees. However, one of the most important criteria you have to take into consideration is APR, or annual percentage rate.

APR is likely going to be the biggest expense you face when it comes to using a credit card, so picking the right card matters. Thankfully, there are a number of different cards that offer an introductory 0% APR! 

We’re explaining what this means to you, and going over the best offers available today. Keep reading to learn about the best 0% APR credit cards that you can take advantage of!

Understanding 0% APR

Many credit card companies offer their customers an introductory 0% APR on their products. These cards may be called zero-interest cards or introductory APR cards. Regardless, this means that during an introductory period, you won’t have to pay any interest. This is an exciting opportunity, especially if you plan on carrying your credit card balance for any amount of time.

APR is interest that’s charged every month, and it’s based entirely on how much money you owe on the card. A lot of credit cards have a fairly high APR, mainly because this is a credit card company’s primary way of making money. However, to make their credit cards more appealing, they offer cards with a 0% APR for a limited amount of time. 

After the period for zero-interest has ended, the APR will start being charged as usual. Interest is only applied to the current balance of the card, and isn’t charged retroactively.

Things to Keep in Mind

If you’re planning on applying for and using a 0% APR credit card, a few things have to be kept in mind.

• After the introductory period ends, interest will be charged at its ongoing rate. This means that you still have to be a savvy shopper and should look for a card that has a low-interest rate following the introductory period.
• The introductory rate of 0% may be terminated if you have a late payment or if you miss a payment. This means that you’ll start being charged the regular ongoing APR immediately (as well as a late fee in most cases).
• APR comes in many forms. The standard APR is purchase APR, but some credit cards come with other APR as well. Some of these may include balance transfer APR and cash advance APR.

Now that you’re informed about 0% APR cards let’s take a look at some of the best credit cards that the market has to offer!

The Best Zero-Interest Cards Available

Wells Fargo Reflect Card

If you’re looking for a card that offers a long-running 0% introductory rate, then the Wells Fargo Reflect Card may be the card for you. Overall, the card comes with some hefty benefits and only asks for on-time, minimum payments in return.

The card offers 0% APR for up to 21 months. This applies to purchases, as well as qualifying balance transfers. The introductory period is 18 months, but it can be extended by another 3 months as long as you continue to make minimum on-time payments throughout the introductory and extension periods. Following the zero-interest period, the APR for the card ranges between 12.99% to 24.99% depending on your credit score. 

To apply for the card, you should have a minimum credit score of 690. It also allows you to earn rewards through the My Wells Fargo Deals program. While that program is a bit limiting, it still allows the potential to earn statement credits. 

The card also offers $600 of phone protection when you use it to pay your cell phone bill (with a $25 deductible). On top of that, the card has no annual fee, meaning you can save money after the zero-interest period has ended.

Chase Freedom Flex Card

The Chase Freedom Flex Card offers a huge array of benefits to all credit card customers, making it one of the most appealing cards on the market. Cardholders can benefit from rewards, no annual fee, and of course, an introductory APR period.

The Chase Freedom Flex Card has a 0% APR for 15 months. Following the introductory period, cardholders will be subject to a variable APR of 14.99% to 24.75%. The recommended credit score to apply for this card is 700 to 750. This lets you qualify for a card that comes with too many benefits to list.

The most impressive part of the Chase Freedom Flex Card is the rewards system. Cardholders will be able to access all of the following rewards using the card:

• 5% cash back on grocery store purchases up to $12,000 in the first year
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in bonus categories that rotate every quarter
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% cash back on dining purchases, including takeout and delivery
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

With all of the different ways to make some of your money back on purchases, this is a card that anyone could benefit from having in their wallet!

Citi Diamond Preferred Card

Balance transfers tend to be subject to APR more often than purchases are. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card breaks that mold, offering a generous introductory APR on balance transfers, and modest introductory APR on purchases.

Cardholders benefit from 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months and 12 months for purchases. After the introductory period, the APR varies from 13.74% to 23.74%, depending upon creditworthiness. The minimum credit score is 700 for the Citi Diamond Preferred Card.

One thing to keep in mind regarding the card is that all balance transfers must be completed within 4 months for the introductory APR to apply. Each balance transfer also comes with a fee of either 5% or $5, whichever is greater. In addition to this, the card doesn’t come with any bonus or rewards programs.

However, cardholders do qualify for the Citi Entertainment program. This program grants special access to cardholders, allowing them to purchase tickets to thousands of events. Some of the included categories are sporting events, dining experiences, and premieres.

BankAmericard Credit Card by Bank of America

The BankAmericard credit card is a great option for people who are looking for 0% APR on both balance transfers and purchases. The card offers 18 months 0% introductory APR on both, but balance transfers have to be made within 60 days. The APR following the introductory rate is 12.99% to 22.99%, making it one of the lower ongoing APR options on our list.

One of the biggest draws to this card is the lower minimum credit score of 690. This opens up a zero-interest opportunity to many potential customers. It also comes with a bonus offer. The bonus offer provides a $100 statement credit if $1,000 in purchases are made using the card in the first 90 days. Additionally, the ongoing APR isn’t affected by paying late. Bank of America offers a bit of leniency to late payments in terms of their interest rates.

Beyond what was mentioned above, there isn’t much more to this card. It doesn’t provide ongoing rewards programs like other cards on the list. However, what you get with it is a solid credit card option with an extended introductory APR. That’s more than enough to make it worth applying for.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Card

Like the other Chase card listed above, the Freedom Unlimited card provides many benefits other than the introductory APR. That being said, the card offers 0% APR for 15 months on purchases. Following the introductory period, customers will be subject to an ongoing APR of anywhere from 14.99% to 24.74%. The minimum credit score for this card is 690 as well.

This card’s rewards differ from the Freedom Flex card. To begin with, the card provides a bonus offer of $200 if you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months. That’s a huge amount of cash back! Then, you can be rewarded on an ongoing basis when you spend in the following categories:

• 5% cash back on grocery store purchases up to $12,000 in the first year
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% cash back on dining purchases, including takeout and delivery
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

This card doesn’t provide bonus rotating offers for cash back. Instead, cardholders are given unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases that don’t qualify for more. If you’re looking for a card with a great introductory rate but don’t want to deal with rotating rewards, this is the card for you.

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

When you think about American Express, you tend to think about high annual fees, great rewards, and exclusivity. However, American Express offers the Blue Cash Everyday Card, which is available to just about anyone with a credit score of 690 or higher.

This card from American Express offers cardholders 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. Then, following the introductory period, the ongoing APR is variable, ranging from 13.99% to 23.99%.

American Express is well known for their benefits, as well as their high annual fees. This card separates from the pack when it comes to the annual fee, however. Unlike many of the other cards offered by the company, it has no annual fee. The rewards offered by the card are as follows:

• $200 back after $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
• 3% cash back at US supermarkets, up to $6,000 a year (1% after $6,000 has been met)
• 2% cash back at US gas stations and select US department stores
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Cash back is offered in the form of Reward Dollars. These are applied to outstanding balances on the card itself.

Discover it Cash Back Card

For people looking for an introductory APR, as well as a great introductory bonus offer, the Discover it Cash Back Card is an excellent choice. It provides a plethora of different benefits that any cardholder can enjoy! 

The card requires a minimum credit score of 690. When approved, cardholders can enjoy the introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR will vary from 11.99% to 22.99% based on creditworthiness.

As the name implies, this card offers users a number of different cash back rewards. These rewards are as follows:

• Unlimited Cashback Match from Discover on all cash back earned during the first year of having the card, with no minimum spending or maximum rewards
• 5% cash back on rotating everyday purchases each quarter, including purchases on Amazon, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and PayPal
• 1% cash back on all purchases that don’t qualify for the bonus amount of 5%

The best thing about Discover is the way that they handle their rewards. You can redeem your cash back at any point in time, and the rewards offered will never expire. They can also be used automatically during Amazon checkout, provided that your card is linked to the website.

Discover makes it a point to say that the card is accepted at 99% of places that credit cards are accepted, as well. This is likely due to their previous reputation of being unusable in certain establishments.

How to Choose the Card That’s Right For You

If you have your sights set on a 0% APR card, there are a few things that you should pay attention to when making your choice. Keep all of these things in mind as you select your next credit card:

• Find the longest introductory offer available. This is the best way to make sure that you have enough time to pay off your balance without incurring any interest. As soon as the introductory offer is over, you’ll start racking up interest charges, of course.
• Pay attention to all of the fees. If you’re using the card as a way to pay off balances, make sure that there are no balance transfer fees. Pay attention to annual and late fees.
• Know your spending habits. Many of these cards come with extra rewards attached. Know the purchases that you plan on making, and try to find a card that gives the best cash back in those areas specifically.
• Know the APR following the introductory period. This is especially important if you plan on using the card after the introductory period. Having a high ongoing APR while carrying a balance can lead to much higher fees.

Remember, credit cards are tools to be used responsibly. They can help make your life easier, but if mishandled, they can also create financial hardship. However, any of the cards on this list are a great way to avoid the high fees associated with credit card interest rates for a long time.