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Finding the right credit card can feel like a full-time job. You want a card with all the features, but who wants to pay an annual fee?
Fortunately, many cash back credit cards have no annual fees. The highest-earning cash back credit card for you will depend on your spending habits, but with no-annual-fee cards, there's less to worry about, and you can just focus on earning as much as possible.
We've identified some of the best cash back credit cards with no annual fee by researching dozens of options from top card issuers. We've included cards that earn rewards at a high flat rate, cards with rotating bonus categories that let you maximize your cash back on select spending, and cards with especially flexible or unusual rewards structures. Learn why we picked each of the cards on our list.
How we rate products
To identify the best no-annual-fee cash back credit cards, we considered various credit cards based on their cashback rewards, benefits, and perks for everyday purchases.
We made sure that these credit cards have no annual fees while offering elevated cashback rewards rates. We selected a number of credit cards that cater to different needs and preferences, but keep in mind that our list doesn’t include all available options. Our goal is to provide a variety of options that can help individuals research their options and find ways to earn cashback rewards on their everyday expenses.
Top no annual fee cash back credit cards
| Credit Card | Rewards Rate | Welcome Bonus | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 award winner
Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card 5.0
|
2%
Cash rewards
|
$200
Cash rewards
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Purchases:
0%, 12 months from account opening
|
18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable
|
$0
|
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express 4.9
|
1% - 3%
Cash back
|
$200
Statement credit
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
19.74% - 28.74% Variable
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Dining Out
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Chase Freedom Unlimited® 4.7
|
1.5% - 5%
Cash Back
|
$200
Bonus
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
18.49% - 27.99% Variable
|
$0
|
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Discover it® Cash Back 4.7
|
1% - 5%
Cash back
|
Cashback Match™
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
17.74% - 26.74% Variable
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for 0% Intro APR and Rewards
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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card 4.9
|
1% - 8%
Cash Back
|
$200 Cash Bonus + $100 Capital One Travel credit
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 12 months
Purchases:
0%, 12 months
|
18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
|
$0
|
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 4.7
|
1.5% - 5%
Cash Back
|
$200 Cash Bonus + $100 Capital One Travel credit
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
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- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
The flat rate the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers is a nice break from tracking categories and worrying about which credit card to use. In addition, it comes with a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable), so if you have balances to transfer, you could get them paid off without interest.
Despite not having an annual fee, you can still enjoy many benefits including:
- Cell phone protection up to $600 against theft or damage (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Travel emergency assistance services
- Roadside dispatch
However, keep in mind that this card doesn't offer any bonus categories with higher rewards rates. This can be a major downside for someone who travels frequently, as the travel benefits are also limited.
- Simple rewards structure
- Provides access to exclusive deals
- Multiple ways to redeem rewards
- Charges a balance transfer fee
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
Apply now or find more details in our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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- $0 annual fee, but still pays healthy bonus rewards
- Makes gas purchases more affordable
- Great welcome offer that you can earn with everyday spending
If you need a $0 annual-fee cash back card for when you're out grocery shopping or buying stuff online, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is far and away one of the best options. It's like a light version of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout) with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter annual fee. The Blue Cash Everyday is a powerhouse for the average American's spending habits, earning 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on eligible purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout).
We especially love that better rate on U.S. online retail purchases since many credit cards don't include this spending category in elevated earnings.
However, you've got to keep that annual spending limit of $6,000 each category in mind if you go with this card. You'll earn a lower base rate on everything after you meet that maximum, so it could be smart to pair this with a flat-rate card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
- One of few cards to offer elevated cash back on U.S. online retail purchases
- Includes a variety of statement credits
- Often has an impressive welcome offer
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%
- $6,000 annual spending limit on highest cash back rate
- Limited redemption options (statement credit or Amazon)
Learn how to apply or read our full Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 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.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
While earning 1.5% cash back isn't anything to write home about, there's no cap on your spending, so you can earn unlimited rewards. I also like that there are bonus categories allowing you to earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
The card also has intro APR periods:
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 18.49% - 27.99% Variable)
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 18.49% - 27.99% Variable)
This gives you time to pay off large purchases or those pesky credit card balances. While the card doesn't include many travel benefits, you can earn 2% total cash back on Lyft rides through September 2027. You also get a complimentary 6-month DoorDash DashPass when you activate by December 31, 2027. After, you'll be auto-enrolled at the currently monthly rate.
- No limit on rewards
- Rewards do not expire if your card is active
- Many options to redeem rewards
- 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars foreign transaction fee
- Cashback percentage is low for some categories
Apply now or learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
Discover it® Cash Back
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- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- Apply now and you could get a decision in as little as 90 seconds. No annual fee.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your virtual card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.74% to 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
The Discover it® Cash Back requires plenty of tracking as its bonus categories change quarterly, but it might be worth it since you can earn a healthy 5% cash back on those categories when you activate. The downside is the limit is $1,500 combined in all bonus categories per quarter (then 1% on all other purchases).
The Discover it Cash Back card also offers intro APR offers:
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 17.74% - 26.74% Variable)
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 17.74% - 26.74% Variable)
There is a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*, so keep that in mind.
There is a $0 annual fee. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This card could be very helpful, especially if you focus on the bonus categories. However, I wouldn't use it for large purchases or travel because it doesn't include travel or extended warranty benefits like the other cards on the list.
- High rewards rate on bonus categories
- Exceptional cash back bonus offer
- Discover is not as widely accepted as some other payment networks
- Cap on spending in bonus categories
Apply now or get more info in our Discover it® Cash Back(Rates and fees) review.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
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- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
If a majority of your spending is on dining or entertainment, you can earn a decent amount of cash back with the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, including 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. The best news is that the cashback is unlimited, so you don't have to worry about hitting spending limits on your favorite categories.
I also like this card for its travel benefits without categorizing itself as a "travel credit card." Earning 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel is a great perk.
While these are great perks, since this is a Mastercard, the basic benefits are limited and don't include things like auto rental collision damage waivers, roadside assistance, or luxury hotel benefits.
- Rewards never expire as long as your card is active
- Use your rewards to checkout on PayPal or Amazon
- Access to exclusive dining experiences through Capital One Dining
- Limited travel benefits
- No extra rewards on airfare (just 1%)
Learn more in our Capital One Savor Cash Rewards review.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
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- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Though similar to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Capital One Quicksilver deserves its own spot on this list in our eyes. This is primarily because it offers travel benefits that the Freedom Unlimited, not to mention most other cards on this list, don't.
This includes no foreign transaction fee and travel protections, including complimentary concierge services,1 <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.<br></p> travel accident insurance,1 <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.<br></p> and 24/hour travel assistance.1 <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.<br></p> I'd also recommend this one for fans of Capital One Travel because booking hotels, flights, and other travel through this portal can be a good way to make your cash back earnings stretch farther (maybe you prefer Capital One's travel partners over Chase's travel partners?). Turns out, you don't really have to choose between a high cash back rate on everything and travel perks.
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Welcome offers that can be easier to qualify for than others
- Decent intro APR offers
- Higher regular APRs than other cards on this list
- Strict credit requirements
Learn more in our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
What to consider before you choose a cash back card
When considering a cash back card, there are many factors to consider:
- What type of cash back will benefit you the most? Do you prefer a flat rate so you don't have to think about it or do you like bonus offers and rotating categories? Look at your previous expenses to see if the rotating categories would benefit you.
- Will you use the rewards? Most cards offer a cash redemption option, but they may offer more value for other options. Consider if you'll use those options or if you strictly want cash back to find the highest redemption options.
- What features do you need? Some of the no-annual-fee cash back credit cards have limited benefits outside of earning cash back, but others are chock full of benefits. Think about what you need and/or would use when finding the right credit card.
Cash back cards that didn't make our list
Chase Freedom Flex®
Make no mistake — this is a fantastic cash back credit card, and it's a juggernaut in the category of no-annual-fee credit cards. But its bonus categories change quarterly, and this can be tricky for some people to navigate. If you're looking for a cash back card from Chase, the Freedom Unlimited might be the easier option. The Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
If you're up to the task of navigating a cashback calendar, this is a great card that's similar to the Discover it® Cash Back. But we chose the Discover it® Cash Back for our main list because it offers potentially higher values in years one and two, plus slightly lower regular APRs. To choose between these two cards, compare their cashback calendars against your past spending.
Learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex review | Read our Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Discover it® Cash Back comparison
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This is also good option if you want a high rewards rate. You can earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases. It didn't make the list because it comes with an annual fee of $95, but overall, we've found it to be a valuable card worth considering.
Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review
FAQs
Are cash back cards worth it?
Generally, yes. If you get a credit card with no annual fee that offers rewards on the things you buy all the time, then it's very easy for a cash back card to be worth it. Used properly, cash back cards are a valuable way to get some money back on things like gas, groceries, and dining.
Is there a 5% cash back card?
Yes, there are cash back cards that offer 5% on various kinds of purchases. Many 5%-back cards charge annual fees, but you can find some without annual fees. Typically these cards give you 5% back on one or more specific bonus categories and have a spending limit. After you hit the spending limit, your rewards rate drops until the next quarter or year.
Bottom line
Earning cash back on a credit card is great, but make sure you'll use the rest of the card's features and that it has no annual fee, or at least an affordable one. The best credit card is the one that fits your spending habits and goals the best. The suggestions provided should help you start your journey in finding the perfect cash back card.
Benefits Card Details Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
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