The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

As with all other types of credit cards, zero-interest credit cards let you make purchases on credit, which you can then repay by making at least minimum monthly payments. When you carry forward balances from one billing cycle to the next with a regular card, the outstanding amount accrues interest. However, with a card that comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases, you get to pay no interest for a predetermined time. Once this period ends, you need to start paying interest toward any outstanding promotional balance.

More about 0-APR Credit Cards

MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 11 0% APR Credit Cards

Card Name
BT Offer Length
BT Offer
BT Fee

1.

Citi Simplicity® Card

21 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months then a 17.74% – 28.49% Variable APR afer that

Introductory Fee– either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater for the first four months of account opening, after that balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% after first four.

2.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

21 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months then a 17.74% – 28.49% Variable APR afer that

$5 or 5%, whichever is greater

3.

BankAmericard® credit card

21 billing cycles

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

$10 or 3%, whichever is greater

4.

Chase Slate Edge℠

18 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

$5 or 3% of each transfer amount (whichever is greater) in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.

5.

Citi® Double Cash Card

18 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

3%

6.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

18 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

Intro balance transfer fee: 3% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5

7.

Discover it® Cash Back

15 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

Introductory Fee– 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by March 10, 2023, with 0% intro APR balance transfer offer. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.

8.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

15 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

$5 or 3% of each transfer amount (whichever is greater) in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.

9.

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

15 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

$5 or 5%, whichever is greater

10.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

15 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a 19.24% – 27.99% Variable

$5 or 3% of each transfer amount (whichever is greater) in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.

11.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

15 months

0% Intro APR on balance transfers

Intro balance transfer fee: 3% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5

On This Page

Best 0% APR Credit Cards

Our experts have selected the best no-interest credit cards after accounting for all their pros and cons. For example, if a card comes with an extended promotional period, we inform you about it at the start.

Some of the best 0% APR cards come with promotional periods of 15 months or more. Several such cards let you earn rewards or cash back. The top alternatives tend to come with no annual fees as well. As long as you pay off your balance before the end of the promotional period, you pay no interest. You might consider using such a card to make an expensive purchase that you plan to pay off within a stipulated time frame.


  • Citi Simplicity® Card

    Best for long intro APR offer on balance transfers


    • 0% Intro APR (then variable APR)Balance Transfer Offer
    • 21 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
    • 19.24% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $5 or 3% whichever is greater; $5 or 5% after first four months*Balance Transfer Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

    Best balance transfer card for immediate transfers


    • 0% Intro APR (then variable APR)Balance Transfer Offer
    • 21 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
    • 18.24% – 28.99% VariableAPR
    • $5 or 5%, whichever is greaterBalance Transfer Fee
    • ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • BankAmericard® credit card

    A good no-annual-fee credit card with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers


    • NoneRewards Rate
    • 16.24% – 26.24% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Citi® Double Cash Card

    A great no-annual-fee card that offers up to 2% cash back


    • 0% Intro APR (then variable APR)Balance Transfer Offer
    • 18 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
    • 19.24% – 29.24% VariableAPR
    • $5 or 3% whichever is greater; $5 or 5% after first four months*Balance Transfer Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

    A good no-annual-fee card with a lengthy 0% APR offer


    • 0% Intro APR (then variable APR)Balance Transfer Offer
    • 21 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
    • 17.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • 5% for each balance transfer, minimum $5Balance Transfer Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Discover it® Cash Back

    A good no-annual-fee cash back credit card with revolving bonus categories


    • 1%–5% Cash backRewards Rate
    • 17.24% – 28.24% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

    A great no-annual-fee cash back card with a unique bonus category system


    • 1% – 5% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 19.24% – 29.24% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

    A great no-annual-fee cash back card with a 0% APR offer


    • 2% Cash BackRewards Rate
    • 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

The Best Credit Cards for 0% APR at a Glance
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HOW WE RANK CREDIT CARDS FOR 0% INTRO APR

Our experts analyze 57 data points they collect from issuer websites, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and details provided by our partners to make sure we give you the most accurate information possible. They subject all new and existing cards from this segment to our unique ranking methodology that takes multiple parameters into account to arrive at the best of the lot.

  • APR: 3%
  • Annual Fee: 5%
  • Cash Back Rate: 5%
  • Miles Rate per $: 5%
  • Points Rate per $: 5%
  • Balance Transfer Offer: 25%
  • Balance Transfer Duration: 25%
  • Balance Transfer Fee: 5%
  • Balance Transfer APR: 5%

Quick Tips for Comparing Zero Interest Credit Card Offers

You need to consider different factors before applying for a 0% interest credit card.

  • Applicable categories: Determine if you need a 0% APR card for purchases, balance transfers or both. Depending on the card you get, the APR offer might apply to just one of the two.
  • Introductory offer period: Introductory APR offer periods with consumer credit cards typically vary from 12 to 20 months. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has a unique offer with a 0% intro APR for 18 months, which you may extend by up to 3 months by making on-time minimum payments.
  • APR after the intro period: No matter whether you get a 0% APR card for purchases or balance transfers, you need to start paying interest toward any outstanding amount that remains at the end of the promotional period. This aspect requires your particular attention if you plan to carry forward balances from one month to the next in the future.
    >>MORE: APR vs. APY
  • Balance transfer fee: If you plan to use a card’s 0% APR offer on balance transfers, find out how much you’ll need to pay as balance transfer fees in advance. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card, you need to pay either $5 or 3% of the transferred amount (whichever is greater) on transfers you carry out within 60 days of account opening. Then, it changes to $5 or 5% of the transferred amount.
  • Annual fees: None of the 0% interest credit cards we’ve selected come with annual fees.
  • Rewards/cash back rate: While some 0% APR cards let you earn cash back, others offer reward points that you may redeem in different ways. In both cases, you may find alternatives that offer higher earn rates on category-based spending. For instance, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express offers 3% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year; 2% cash back on gas purchases at U.S. gas stations, and at select department stores in the U.S.; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Added perks: Since the 0% APR cards that MoneyGeek has selected come with no annual fees, they generally don’t offer premium benefits. However, some include valuable benefits, like no foreign transaction fees, fraud protection, basic insurance coverage and travel assistance services.
Other Cards to Consider

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MoneyGeek’s Quick Guide to Understanding 0% APR Credit Cards

A 0% APR credit card is one that charges no interest on purchases, balance transfers or both for a predetermined time frame. More often than not, you need good to excellent credit to qualify. Low-interest credit cards, unlike 0% APR cards, come with low APRs that stay in place for as long as your account remains active. Some cards from both categories come with no preset spending limits. This means that your credit line fluctuates based on your purchase, payment and credit histories.

What’s the Difference Between a 0% Credit Card and a Low-Interest Card?

When you get a credit card with a 0% APR offer, you get to pay no interest for a given number of months, typically ranging from 12 to 20. Once the introductory period ends, any outstanding balance starts accruing interest. Depending on the card you get, the 0% APR offer might apply either on new purchases or balance transfers or even on both. You’ll find out the APR that will apply after the intro period once you get approved for your card, and it essentially depends on your creditworthiness.

The low APR of a low-interest credit card stays in effect as long as your account remains active. However, credit card interest rates are typically variable, which means it is subject to change based on federal prime interest rates. Even if your card’s low APR changes because of fluctuations in prime rates, you can still expect it to be toward the lower end of the spectrum.

With low-interest credit cards, the APR that applies to purchases might not be the same as the APR that applies to balance transfers. In addition, the APR on cash advances is typically high no matter which card you get.

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MONEYGEEK QUICK TIP

If you take advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer, you must still pay off all of your purchases each month to avoid interest on those transactions. — Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com

How Do 0% APR Credit Cards Work?

0% APR cards work in the same basic manner as regular credit cards do, wherein you are required to make at least minimum monthly payments toward the amount you borrow. In addition, they charge no interest for a stipulated time frame. However, there’s more:

  • Eligibility: Qualifying for the best 0% APR credit cards requires that you have good or excellent credit. If you don’t, you might consider applying after you’ve taken steps to build your credit.
  • Not all transactions are covered: The interest-free period may only apply to purchases or balance transfers depending on your 0% promo offer. Make sure you understand the details of your offer before charging anything to your card. Cash advances start accruing interest from the day of the transaction, and these never come with interest-free days.
  • Limits might apply: This might be the case with 0% balance transfer APR offers. For example, you might not be able to transfer more than a fixed percentage of your new card’s available credit limit.
  • Outstanding balances will accrue interest: Once the promo period ends, any outstanding balance will start accruing interest. You get to know the APR that will apply well in advance.
  • Your card provider might cancel the offer: It’s important that you keep making at least your minimum monthly payments on time. If you don't, your card provider might cancel the intro APR offer before it expires. A late or returned payment might also result in a penalty APR that is notably higher than your regular APR.

How to Take Advantage of Zero-Interest Credit Cards

A 0% APR card can help you avoid or minimize how much you pay in interest charges. If you have no outstanding balance at the end of the promo period, you pay no interest at all. Once the promo period ends, any outstanding balance starts accruing interest at the card’s regular APR. That is why you should try to pay off as much of the balance as possible before the intro 0% APR offer ends.

Consider the example below to see how much a balance transfer can save.

how much a balance transfer can save
How Much You Will Pay With Your Current Credit Card
How Much You Will Pay When You Transfer Your Balance

Current outstanding balance: $10,000
Regular APR: 19.49%
Monthly payment: $500
Time required to pay off the balance: 25 months
Total amount to pay: $12,190.16

Balance transfer amount: $10,000
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Intro APR: 0% for 18 months
Regular APR: 19.49%
Monthly payment: $500
Time required to pay off the balance: 20 months
Total amount to pay: $10,339.00

Total savings: $1,851.16

Are 0% APR Credit Cards Worth It?

A 0% APR credit card can be worth it if you have a clear goal in mind. When appropriately used for a predetermined time, this type of card can provide the help you need to make a large purchase or to avoid paying interest on existing credit card debt. However, you need to determine if the benefits outweigh the possible drawbacks at the very onset.

Benefits & Risks

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Benefits
  • The large purchase factor. If you plan to make a large purchase on credit and know that you will be able to repay the amount within a given time frame, a card with a 0% APR offer on purchases might work well for you. As long as you repay the amount during the promotional period, you’ll pay no interest.
  • Balance transfers. If you have high-interest credit card debt, you may consider transferring it to a card that has a 0% APR offer on balance transfers. This way, you get a predetermined period to repay the amount without it accruing any interest. Since all your repayments go toward the principal and not interest, you get the opportunity to repay your debt faster.
minusSign icon
Risks
  • The 0% APR is not permanent. Depending on the card you get, the 0% APR offer might last for 12 to 20 months. Then, the regular APR kicks in and applies to any outstanding balance. The regular APR depends on your creditworthiness and does not have to be low. This requires being careful about carrying forward balances when the promo period ends.
  • Balance transfer fees. It is common for cards with 0% APR offers on balance transfers to charge balance transfer fees. This is usually 3% or 5% of the transferred amount (minimum fees of $5 to $10 may apply).
  • Penalty APR may apply. You might have to say goodbye to the 0% APR if you make a late or returned payment. In such a scenario, a high penalty APR might apply.

Expert Advice For Finding the Right Card

We’ve asked academic and financial experts a few questions, the answers to which can help you determine if you should consider getting a card that comes with a time-bound 0% APR offer.

  1. Could making a large purchase on a 0% APR card affect one’s credit score?
  2. Could you benefit from a 0% APR offer on balance transfers even if you don’t plan to pay off the entire balance during the promo period?
  3. Might it be worth transferring high-interest credit card debt to a 0% balance transfer APR card and then transferring the outstanding balance at the end of the promo period to another 0% balance transfer APR card?
Ethan Pew, Ph.D.
Ethan Pew, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing and MS Marketing Program Director at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Prakash Dheeriya
Dr. Prakash Dheeriya

Professor of Finance at California State University, Dominguez Hills, Author of "Finance for Kidz" series

Bobbi Olson
Bobbi Olson

Financial Coach & Host of the "CentsAble Chat" Podcast

Sherrill Shaffer
Sherrill Shaffer

Guthrie Distinguished Professor of Banking and Financial Services Emeritus at the University of Wyoming

Radhika Duggal
Radhika Duggal

CMO, Super.com and Professor at NYU Stern School of Business

Alex Doyle, CFP®
Alex Doyle, CFP®

Wealth Manager and Certified Financial Planner™ at Woodson Wealth Management

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CEO & Co-founder of Dovly

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Professor of Finance at Rutgers Business School; Author of Buffett's Tips: A Guide to Financial Literacy and Life

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Anurag Wakhlu

Adjunct Finance Professor at Bentley University

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Travel Hacking Coach and Founder of Geobreeze

John Garner
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Founder & CEO at Odynn

Tenpao Lee
Tenpao Lee

Professor Emeritus of Economics at Niagara University

Dr. Brian J Adams
Dr. Brian J Adams

Associate Dean of Graduate Business Programs and Professor of Finance at the University of Portland's Pamplin School of Business

Dr. Steven Carnovale
Dr. Steven Carnovale

Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management

Priya Raghubir
Priya Raghubir

Professor of Marketing at New York University Stern School of Business

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Assistant Professor of Marketing at SUNY Oneonta

S. Abraham Ravid
S. Abraham Ravid

Sy Syms Professor of Finance, Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University

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May Jiang

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Robert H. Scott III, Ph.D

Professor in the Department of Economics, Finance and Real Estate at Monmouth University

Dr. Corey Cole
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Assistant Professor of Finance at Eastern New Mexico University

George Langelett
George Langelett

Professor at Ness School of Management and Economics, South Dakota State University

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Associate Professor & Associate Director of the Center for Public History at Christopher Newport University

Dr. Chandan Kumar Jha
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Assistant Professor of Finance, Madden School of Business, Le Moyne College

Richard M. Proctor
Richard M. Proctor

Associate Professor of Finance at University of Siena

Mauricio Rodriguez
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Professor at the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University

Dr. Steven Kozlowski
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Assistant Professor in the Finance Department at Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business

Mahmoud Haddad
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Professor of Finance at The University of Tennessee at Martin

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Instructor at The University of North Dakota

Mitchell Franklin
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Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business

Amanda S. King
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Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern University

Masud Chand
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Professor at Wichita State University

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Assistant Professor of Accounting, Taxation and Legal Studies in Business at Hofstra University

Dr. Mary Sasmaz
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Assistant Professor at Baldwin Wallace University

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Frank G. Cabano

Assistant Professor, Marketing and Management at The University of Texas at El Paso

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Kathryn Morrison

Instructor at the School of Health & Consumer Sciences at South Dakota State University

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John Lopez

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Chris Tamm

Associate Professor of Finance, Director - Institute for Financial Planning & Analysis at Illinois State University

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Haibo (Stephen) Yao

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FAQs About 0% APR Credit Cards

In this section, we provide answers to other commonly asked questions about 0% APR credit cards.

Now that you know how 0% APR cards work on new purchases and balance transfers, determine if getting one might work well for you. If you think it might, make sure you compare your alternatives across aspects such as promotional periods, fees and rewards.

Further Reading

About Rajiv Baniwal


Rajiv Baniwal headshot

Rajiv Baniwal is a journalist who has been covering financial topics for over 15 years. Meticulous in his research, he provides accurate and up-to-date information. His expertise includes mortgages, loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.


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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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