Key Highlights:

• Compare top business credit cards even if your credit score is below 600

• Discover secured and unsecured options tailored for startups and sole proprietors

• Learn how to responsibly use credit to strengthen your financial profile

Why Business Credit Cards Matter When You Have Bad Credit

If you’re running a small business or startup with a shaky credit history, getting financing can feel like running uphill in cement shoes. Traditional business loans are often out of reach, and even basic financing tools come with red tape.

But there’s good news: business credit cards for bad credit are designed to help you get back on your feet. Whether you’re just starting out or bouncing back from missed payments or bankruptcy, these cards give you a way to cover day-to-day expenses while building or rebuilding your credit.

What to Look for in a Business Credit Card for Bad Credit

Before we dive into card recommendations, here’s what matters most when choosing:

• Approval Requirements: Look for cards with flexible underwriting or no credit checks.

• Reporting: Choose cards that report to business credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet or Experian Business.

• Fees: Avoid high annual fees and hidden maintenance costs.

• Security Deposit: Some cards require a deposit, but it’s often refundable.

• Rewards: Yes, even credit-building cards can offer cash back or travel points.

If you’re not sure where to start, using a business loan calculator can help you estimate what type of monthly payments your business could handle.

Top Business Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2025

Here are the best options available, including both secured and unsecured credit cards that can help you manage spending while building business credit.

💳 Capital One Spark Classic for Business

Best for: Fair credit with no deposit

• Type: Unsecured

• Credit Needed: Fair (580–669)

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases

• Reports To: Business and personal credit bureaus

This is one of the few unsecured business credit cards that accepts fair credit. It offers modest rewards and helps build both your business credit score and personal credit profile.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your credit utilization ratio under 30% to improve your score faster.

Learn how business lines of credit can work alongside credit cards to boost your financial flexibility.

💳 Bank of America Business Advantage Secured Card

Best for: Dedicated business credit building

• Type: Secured

• Deposit: $1,000 minimum

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: 1.5% cash back

• Reports To: Business credit bureaus

Backed by one of the largest U.S. banks, this card is a great stepping stone. It rewards your purchases and reports to credit reporting agencies, helping you graduate to unsecured cards in 6–12 months.

💡 Pro Tip: Set up auto-pay to never miss a payment—timely payments are the #1 driver of credit score improvement.

💳 OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Best for: No credit check required

• Type: Secured (personal)

• Deposit: $200 minimum

• Annual Fee: $35

• Reports To: All 3 personal bureaus

Though not a business card per se, it’s ideal for sole proprietors. OpenSky doesn’t require a credit check, making it perfect for those denied elsewhere.

💡 Pro Tip: Use it exclusively for business expenses and track transactions separately to avoid mingling funds.

See OpenSky’s full review here.

💳 Destiny® Mastercard® – Genesis Financial Services

Best for: Quick approval for poor credit

• Type: Unsecured

• Credit Needed: Poor (500–580)

• Annual Fee: $59–$99

• Reports To: All three personal credit bureaus

Destiny is known for accepting applicants with significant credit challenges. While it doesn’t offer rewards, it’s a solid card to build history if you’re currently unbankable.

Check out Destiny Mastercard terms here.

💳 Milestone® Mastercard® – Genesis Financial Services

Best for: Recent bankruptcy or charge-offs

• Type: Unsecured

• Credit Needed: Poor to very poor

• Annual Fee: $75–$99

• Credit Limit: $300 fixed

• Reports To: Equifax, TransUnion, Experian

The Milestone Mastercard is a great fallback if you’ve been denied elsewhere. It pre-qualifies you with no hard pull and can be used for smaller recurring business charges.

💡 Pro Tip: Add one of these credit cards to your strategy while applying for bad credit business loans to build a stronger financial profile over time.

💳 Divvy Smart Business Credit Card

Best for: Cash-based startups with no credit history

• Type: Corporate charge card

• Credit Pull: Not always required

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: Up to 7x on certain categories

• Reports To: Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business

Divvy uses cash flow-based underwriting and is perfect for tech-savvy founders or agencies. It includes expense management tools and integrates with popular accounting platforms.

💡 Pro Tip: Schedule payments weekly or semi-monthly to unlock the highest rewards tiers.

Explore Divvy’s full review to see how it compares.

✅ How to Use These Cards to Rebuild Credit

Having a card isn’t enough—you have to use it strategically:

• Pay in full each billing cycle

• Stay under 30% utilization

• Avoid unnecessary hard pulls

• Monitor your business credit reports through Dunn & Bradstreet or Experian Business. 

💡 Pro Tip: Explore credit card options from Mastercard specifically designed for people looking to rebuild their credit. View Mastercard’s recommended cards for bad credit.