Best 0% APR Credit Cards of May 2023 

An intro 0% APR credit card is one that doesn't charge interest on purchases, and sometimes also balance transfers, for an introductory period. Once the zero-interest intro period ends, the regular interest rate applies to any remaining balance and new purchases. This type of card can be a great way to finance a big expense, and you'll find all the best 0% intro APR credit cards here.

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How to compare the best zero interest credit cards

Start by seeing which cards offer a long-enough 0% intro APR offer so that you can pay off your balance in full during the intro period. Calculate how long it will take you to pay off your purchases, then look for a card that offers a 0% APR for at least that long.

If multiple cards fit the bill, use sign-up bonuses and rewards as the tiebreaker. Many of the best no interest credit cards have lucrative sign-up bonuses or offer purchase rewards, most commonly cash back.

Best 0% APR Credit Cards

• Unlimited cash back: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Long 0% intro APR: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
• Balance transfers and cash back: Discover it® Balance Transfer
• 0% intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers: BankAmericard® credit card
• Cash back versatility with a big bonus: Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Purchases and balance transfers: U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
• Bonus cash back: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

No Penalty APR or late payment fee: Citi Simplicity® Card

What are the longest intro 0% APR credit cards?

The credit card with the longest 0% APR period shifts over time as credit card companies change their offers and compete with each other. By consulting our picks above, you can see which specific cards offer the longest 0% APR periods right now. Something important when looking for the right 0% APR card is to know how long you will need a 0% APR period.

Are credit cards with a 0% APR period better?

Yes, generally a longer 0% APR period is better, but you don't always need the longest. Cards with the very longest 0% introductory periods often offer just that -- long 0% APR periods -- but nothing else.

If your specific needs are met with a somewhat shorter introductory APR period, you may be able to find a card that meets that need and provides rewards or cash back, for instance.

Compare the top 0% APR credit cards

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Unlimited cash back
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card	Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00 stars

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Long 0% intro APR
Discover it® Balance Transfer	Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00 stars

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Balance transfers and cash back
2023 Award Winner BankAmericard® credit card	Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00 stars

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	0% intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
2023 Award Winner Chase Freedom Flex℠	Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00 stars

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Cash back versatility with a big bonus
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card	Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50 stars

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Purchases and balance transfers
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card	Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00 stars

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	Bonus cash back
Citi Simplicity® Card	Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50 stars

Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.

No Penalty APR or late payment fee

How to maximize your 0% APR credit card

The best way to use 0% intro APR credit cards is use the interest-free period to finance a major purchase. Make at least minimum monthly payments on time, and pay off your balance in full before the intro period ends. This will allow you to avoid interest entirely.

Card	Rating	Great For
2023 Award Winner Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card	Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00 stars

 

 

How do credit cards with 0% APR work?

On intro 0% APR credit cards, the intro APR on purchases is set to 0% for a limited period of time. That means you don't need to pay off your full credit card balance every month to avoid interest during the intro period, as you would with other credit cards.

As an example, imagine you get the best 0% APR credit card with an intro 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. You use it to buy a new computer for $1,500. All you need to do is make the minimum payment every month. If you make payments of at least $100 per month toward that purchase, then you'll pay it off interest free.

There are situations where you can be charged interest by your credit card company, even with a 0% credit card APR:

• You don't make your minimum monthly payment. You're still required to make minimum payments on time. If you don't, the card issuer could cancel the intro 0% APR offer.
• You use your credit card for other types of transactions. Most cards' 0% intro APR offers don't apply to cash advances.

Alternatives to consider

Depending on your financial needs, interest free credit cards with 0% intro APR may not be the right choice. Here are the top alternatives to credit cards with a 0% intro APR.

Balance transfer credit cards

If you have credit card debt to refinance, then a zero interest credit card balance transfer is the way to go. A balance transfer is when you move existing credit card balances onto a new card. The top 0 balance transfer credit cards have 0% intro APR periods on any balances you transfer over. In most cases, you'll have to pay a balance transfer fee. Head to our balance transfer calculator to find out whether the interest you'd save with a balance transfer credit card is worth its balance transfer fee.

Compare our picks: Check out The Ascent's best balance transfer credit cards

Credit cards with low interest

If you expect it to take you more than a couple years to pay off your balance, and if you have excellent credit, you might be better off with a low interest credit card. These credit cards have a low ongoing APR on all purchases, so they're good to keep on hand in case you ever need to carry a balance. Sometimes these cards will also let you earn cash rewards. Some credit unions even offer low interest credit cards than many personal loans.

Personal loans

With a personal loan, you'll have a fixed payment amount and loan term, which gives you more structure than a credit card. Personal loans are also better for when you will take two years or longer to pay off a purchase because they have lower interest rates than credit cards. But if you are confident you can pay off a purchase within the intro period of an intro 0% credit card, then the card would save you money. The better your credit score, the better your chances are of securing a personal loan with a low interest rate.

Compare our picks: Check out The Ascent's best personal loans

Debt consolidation loans

You can get a debt consolidation loan for any type of debt. It can be more versatile than a balance transfer card, because some balance transfer cards (but not all) can only be used for credit card debt. Debt consolidation loans are also a good choice when you need more time to pay off your debt than the intro period a balance transfer card gives you.

If you have any costly purchases coming up that you can't pay for in full, a credit card with 0% intro APR could be the solution. You can stretch your payments out over the card's introductory period, and you'll avoid paying interest as long as you pay off your balance before it ends. But you do need to understand how 0 interest credit cards work first to avoid making any costly mistakes.

How do credit card interest rates work?

Credit card interest is the fee you pay when you borrow money using your credit card. Every billing cycle, the card issuer will apply the no interest credit card APR to any transactions eligible for interest charges.

APR stands for annual percentage rate, and on credit cards, it serves as the interest rate. Most credit cards have a variable APR. With a variable APR, your interest rate can change over time. Most credit cards have a predetermined APR range, and your actual APR is determined in part by your credit score.

Many credit cards also charge a different variable APR for each type of transaction (purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances). If you make a late payment, some credit cards may start charging a higher penalty APR.

Not all transactions incur interest. Interest free credit cards typically have an grace period between the date your statement is sent to you and its due date. If you pay off the full statement balance, you won't be charged interest on your purchases. And of course, you also won't be charged the interest rate if your card has a 0% intro APR offer in effect.