Freelancers and online entrepreneurs in the USA and UK often face unique financial challenges. Unlike traditional employees, they don’t always have a steady paycheck, employer benefits, or corporate expense accounts. That’s where credit cards designed for business owners and freelancers come in.
In 2025, top banks and fintech companies are offering powerful credit card options with cashback, travel perks, purchase protection, and flexible credit lines tailored for independent workers. This guide highlights the best credit cards for freelancers and online entrepreneurs in 2025, comparing their benefits, drawbacks, and how they can help you grow your business.
Why Freelancers & Online Entrepreneurs Need a Credit Card
Freelancers and digital entrepreneurs deal with irregular income, online payments, and business expenses. A good credit card can:
- Separate personal and business finances
- Provide cashback or rewards on business-related expenses (ads, software, internet)
- Build or improve credit score
- Offer purchase protection and extended warranties
- Help with cash flow management via short-term credit
Best Credit Cards for Freelancers & Online Entrepreneurs in the USA (2025)
1. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Rewards: 3x points on travel, shipping, internet, phone, and advertising.
- Welcome Bonus: Up to 100,000 bonus points.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for freelancers running ads on Facebook/Google or managing multiple online tools.
2. American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card
- Rewards: 2x Membership Rewards points on all purchases (up to $50,000/year).
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Why It’s Great: Excellent for freelancers with varied expenses and no annual fee to worry about.
3. Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Rewards: Unlimited 2% cashback on all purchases.
- Annual Fee: $150.
- Why It’s Great: Simple, flat-rate cashback—ideal for freelancers who want predictable rewards.
4. Brex Card for Startups & Freelancers
- Rewards: 7x points on rideshare, 4x on travel, 3x on dining, 2x on software.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Why It’s Great: Tailored for online entrepreneurs and SaaS businesses, with no personal guarantee required.
5. Discover it® Business Credit Card
- Rewards: 1.5% cashback on every purchase.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Unique Perk: Cashback Match™ doubles your first year’s rewards.
Best Credit Cards for Freelancers & Online Entrepreneurs in the UK (2025)
1. American Express® Business Gold Card
- Rewards: 1 Membership Reward point per £1 spent.
- Welcome Offer: 20,000 points for new users.
- Annual Fee: £175 (first year free).
- Why It’s Great: Excellent for online entrepreneurs who travel often or need flexible rewards.
2. Barclaycard Select Cashback Business Credit Card
- Rewards: 1% unlimited cashback on all purchases.
- Annual Fee: £0.
- Why It’s Great: Simple cashback structure, perfect for freelancers with variable expenses.
3. Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
- Rewards: Up to 1% cashback and Avios points.
- Credit Limit: Up to £250,000.
- Annual Fee: £99 (basic plan available).
- Why It’s Great: High credit limits—ideal for online entrepreneurs running ads or scaling businesses.
4. Santander Business Cashback Credit Card
- Rewards: 1% cashback on all business purchases.
- Annual Fee: £30.
- Why It’s Great: Affordable and effective card for small online businesses.
5. HSBC Business Credit Card
- Rewards: Cashback and purchase protection.
- Annual Fee: £32.
- Why It’s Great: Solid option for UK freelancers needing low-cost business credit.
Key Features to Look For in a Freelancer Credit Card
When choosing the right card, consider:
- Annual Fee vs Rewards – Are you earning more than you’re paying?
- Cashback Categories – Does it reward your biggest expenses (ads, software, internet)?
- Foreign Transaction Fees – Important for digital nomads or remote workers.
- Intro Offers – Welcome bonuses can give your business an instant boost.
- Flexibility – Some cards offer 0% APR for a period, useful for managing irregular cash flow.
Tips for Using Credit Cards as a Freelancer
- Separate business & personal spending to simplify taxes.
- Pay the balance in full every month to avoid high interest.
- Use rewards for business growth (ads, tools, travel for networking).
- Track expenses with accounting software like QuickBooks or FreshBooks.
Conclusion
For freelancers and online entrepreneurs in 2025, the best credit cards offer cashback, rewards, and flexibility tailored to business expenses.
- In the USA, cards like Chase Ink Business Preferred and Amex Blue Business Plus are excellent choices.
- In the UK, options like Amex Business Gold and Capital on Tap offer great benefits for growing businesses.
By choosing the right card, you can not only manage cash flow effectively but also earn rewards that help your business grow.