Best No Annual Fee Cards of October 2025

Enjoy exceptional perks like long 0% APRs, cash back, and welcome bonuses with a credit card with no annual fee. The following cards from our partners are all outstanding options to consider.

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Best Overall

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Why We Like It
Get unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, plus bonus rewards on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases—all with no annual fee and easy cash-back redemption!
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, then 18.74% – 28.24% Variable
Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.74% – 28.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
Cash Back
1.5% – 5% 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
Welcome Bonus
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Discover it® Cash Back

Why We Like It
You’ll save money on interest, pay no annual fee, earn impressive cash back on your everyday spending and have all of the cash back you’ve earned in your first year automatically matched.
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 17.99% – 26.99% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months, then 17.99% – 26.99% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
Cash Back
1% – 5% Earn 5% Cash Back At Different Places Each Quarter Up To The Quarterly Maximum When You Activate.

Earn 1% Unlimited Cash Back On All Other Purchases – Automatically
Welcome Bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Why We Like It
If you are looking for a flat-rate cash rewards card that also offers an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers then this card is a great option. You will pay no annual fee, can earn an intro bonus and protect your cell phone from damage or theft.
Purchase APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then 18.99%, 24.99%, or 28.99% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 18.99%, 24.99%, or 28.99% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
Cash Rewards
2% Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Welcome Bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Why We Like It
This card is a great option if you are looking for a straightforward travel card that comes with no annual fee, a welcome bonus, and a generous intro APR for purchases and balance transfers.
Purchase APR
Generous intro APR offer available. Select Apply Now to view the current offer terms.
Balance Transfer APR
Generous intro APR offer available. Select Apply Now to view the current offer terms.
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
Rewards
1.5x – 3x Points 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.

3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% – 75% more points on every purchase.
Welcome Bonus
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like It
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers straightforward benefits without an annual fee. There is an easy to earn bonus opportunity and a generous intro APR.
Purchase APR
0% intro on purchases for 15 months, then 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer APR
0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
670 – 850*
Rewards
1.25X – 5X Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day.

Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Welcome Bonus
For a limited time, earn $300 in travel bonuses. Enjoy $100 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $300 in travel

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Why We Like It
This card from Wells Fargo is a standout in both the Low APR and Balance Transfer categories. It offers a very generous intro APR period and you get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with this card.
Purchase APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases, then 17.99%, 24.49%, or 28.74% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 17.99%, 24.49%, or 28.74% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
Cash Rewards
N/A
Welcome Bonus
N/A

Still Browsing? Here’s How to Pick the Best No Annual Fee Credit Card of 2025

Pros and Cons of No Annual Fee Cards 
The primary advantage of a credit card without annual fees is clear: you get rewards and benefits without having to pay to keep the card active. These cards are risk-free to try and great for maintaining your credit history. However, compared to premium cards with annual fees, they typically come with fewer high-end perks like lounge access or elite travel status. The no fee credit cards offer excellent value for those who want straightforward rewards and solid everyday performance. 

Benefits of No Annual Fee Credit Cards 
The best credit cards with no fees often come with rewards, 0% intro APR offers, and even insurance protections. Sometimes you can earn between 1% and 2% back on everyday purchases, with some cards offering even higher rates in select categories. Some of the best credit cards with no annual fees also feature purchase and travel protections, such as extended warranties, rental car insurance, or cell phone coverage. And if you travel internationally, you’ll find credit cards with no annual fee that also waive foreign transaction fees — a major plus for frequent travelers. 

Are No Annual Fee Credit Cards Worth It? 
When deciding whether a credit card is worth it, one of the most important factors is the annual fee. With a credit card with no annual fee, you don’t have to worry about earning enough rewards to offset costs — as long as you pay your balance in full each month, you’re paying nothing to keep the card. Many of the best credit cards with no annual fee are valuable long-term tools because you can hold them indefinitely, helping to build your credit history. Since 15% of your credit score depends on the length of your credit history, keeping credit cards with no annual fee open can positively impact your score over time. 

No Annual Fee vs. Annual Fee Cards 
While some of the most luxurious credit cards charge annual fees in exchange for premium benefits, the best credit card with no fees still offers dependable value with simpler rewards. Annual fee cards may include airline perks, hotel nights, or large statement credits, but no annual fee options prioritize accessibility and long-term usability. For many cardholders, the predictability of credit cards with no annual fee outweighs the occasional luxury perks of fee-based cards. 

How to Maximize No Annual Fee Credit Cards 
To make the most of your credit card with no annual fee, take advantage of welcome bonuses, activate bonus categories, and use your card for everyday purchases. Some savvy users even pair a no-fee card with a premium one to unlock higher redemption values. Whether you’re new to credit or managing multiple cards, the best credit cards with no annual fee in 2025 deliver exceptional flexibility — helping you earn rewards, build credit, and enjoy everyday perks without ever paying a membership fee. 

Accolades, card reviews and ratings are determined by our editorial review process and are not influenced by advertiser compensation. Further details about how we evaluate cards can be found here.


Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.