Here are the 7 best business credit cards with no annual fee

Business credit cards allow small business owners to build their credit scores, as well as earn valuable rewards on their everyday purchases.

As with consumer credit cards, some business cards come with pesky annual fees. Although the fees are tax-deductible and the perks usually make up for them, for some businesses, it might still be easier to get a no-annual-fee business credit card.

Luckily, there are many business credit cards with no annual fee on the market that still earn points, miles or cash back and offer features like an introductory 0% APR period. These credit cards are also useful for businesses looking to add additional employee cards for no charge.

CNBC Select analyzed the best no annual fee business credit cards available, and how your company can maximize each one.

Who's this for? The Ink Business Unlimited tops this list because of its generous welcome offer and 1.5% cash back earning rate. This card is great for business owners who don't want to track spending categories to maximize their rewards.

To get started, you can earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. And as you spend, you will earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases. Better yet, cash back from this card can be converted into transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points if you have an eligible Ultimate-Rewards-earning card, like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Who's this for? The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is a great pick for small businesses looking for solid cash back across all of their purchases.

As you spend, you will earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back after that. What's more, the cash back you earn isn't considered taxable income. Terms apply.

However, the real power of this card is the ability to spend above its credit limit through Expanded Buying Power. Other perks include *extended warranty coverage and purchase protection and the ability to add up to 99 employees free of charge.

Who's this for? The Ink Business Cash Credit Card is a great option for small businesses who regularly make purchases from office supply stores or have significant bills from their internet, cable and phone services providers.

The card earns:

• 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year (then 1%)
• 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

This card also comes with a significant welcome offer: $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. Other perks include purchase protection, extended warranty protection, various travel protections and employee cards at no additional cost.

Cash back from this card can also be converted into transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points if you have an eligible Ultimate-Rewards-earning card, like the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Who's this for? The *Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Excellent Credit has a solid welcome offer with a more modest minimum spend threshold to meet.

When you're approved for the card, you can earn a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. And as you spend, you will earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

It's also a great travel credit card as the card offers roadside assistance and doesn't incur any foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the U.S.

Who's this for? The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is for business owners who want to earn travel rewards.

It's almost identical to the American Express Blue Business Cash Card above, but instead of cashback, it earns American Express Membership Rewards points. These are some of the most valuable rewards around due to the ability to transfer them to 21 airline and hotel partners, such as Delta SkyMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.

As you spend on the card, you'll earn 2X points per dollar spent on all purchases, up to $50,000 per calendar year. After that, all purchases earn 1X points per dollar spent. Terms apply.

The card also comes with several cardholder protections, including *rental car insurance, extended warranty and purchase protection.

Who's this for? The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is ideal for businesses that need to finance significant purchases with the option to pay them back at their own speed.

When you're approved for the card, you will get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, there's a variable APR of 17.24% - 26.24%.

This allows you to make purchases as needed, and as long as you make the minimum payment each month — you won't incur any interest charges or fees. So if you need a new iPhone for your business, or need to make some equipment upgrades, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card could be a great pick.

The only major drawback is that this card doesn't earn any rewards.

Capital One Spark 1% Classic

Who's this for? The *Capital One Spark 1% Classic is a solid choice for business owners looking to improve their credit scores.

The card doesn't come with a welcome bonus, but users can earn an unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase for their business, and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

The card has few benefits, so if you apply for this card, your goal should be to build your credit score and move on to a new card.

A business credit card with no annual fee can be a valuable tool to pay for your business expenses and earn rewards without hurting your bottom line. And qualifying for one may be easier than you think — even a side hustle can make you eligible for a business credit card. However, before you apply for a new card, it's best to check your credit score and analyze your budget to see if it's the right move for your business.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best small business credit cards with no annual fee.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

To determine which business cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed 21 of the most popular credit cards available to U.S. business owners. We compared each card on a range of features, including annual fee, employee card fee, rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is to redeem rewards.

The main criteria in our ranking were the rewards rates and added benefits, such as insurance coverage and expense management features. The more perks a card had, the higher it ranked on our list.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.  Please visit americanexpress.com/ benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Cash Credit Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

*Information about the Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Credit Card, Capital One Spark 1% Classic Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.