Credit Cards for Freelancers
| Credit Card | Best For | Credit Score | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Credit Card | 670–850 | $0 | Cashback match | |
| Business Credit Card | 670–850 | $0 | 15,000 points | |
| Self-Employed | 670–850 | $95 | 100,000 points | |
| Digital Nomads | 670–850 | $0 | 20,000x miles | |
| Freelance Consultants | 670–850 | $0 | $900 cash back |
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If you’re a freelancer, you may be wondering what the difference is between a business credit card and personal credit card and which one you should use for your freelancing expenses. Even more, once you’ve decided which type of credit card to apply for, how do you choose the right one for you out of the thousands on offer?
We’ll walk you through our top choices of personal and business credit cards for freelancers, and how each one can benefit your independent employment.
What’s a freelancer credit card?
A freelancer credit card is a credit card you use for freelancing or contract-work expenses. They can either be personal or business credit cards, but they should only be used for charges related to your freelance work.
Using a credit card exclusively for freelancing will make it easier to separate your expenses and file your taxes.
Can freelancers get business credit cards?
Yes, freelancers and independent contractors can get business credit cards.
Freelancers—no matter if they’re part-time Uber drivers or full-time graphic designers—are small business owners. And as small business owners, freelancers can qualify for business credit cards as a means of financing their independent contracting work and building their business credit.
Should freelancers use a personal or business credit card?
Freelancers should get business credit cards.
The benefits of opening a business credit card for your freelance work include:
- Higher credit limits than personal credit cards
- Rewards for business spending
- Financial separation (which makes for easier budgeting and bookkeeping)
- Protects your personal assets if one of your clients or customers sues you
- Helps build your business credit score
To qualify for a business credit card, you’ll need to apply using a Federal Tax ID Number (EIN), or a Social Security number if you operate as a sole proprietorship.
While business credit cards can help separate your personal and business credit, you may not be ready to commit to a credit card solely for business expenses. If your freelancing expenses are relatively low, or you can’t easily separate your personal and business purchases, a personal credit card may be the better choice.
Luckily, there are great business and personal credit card options for freelancers, so let’s dive into them.
Best credit cards for freelancers
Whether you’re looking for a personal or business credit card, here are our top picks of credit cards for independent contractors.
