Let’s face it—credit card fees can quickly eat away at your finances, and the last thing you need is an annual fee that doesn’t deliver value.
If you’re looking to maximize rewards, build your credit, or enjoy the perks of a sound credit card without paying extra, no-annual-fee credit cards are the way to go.
In 2025, the options are plentiful, and choosing the right one for your needs can save you a lot of money. Here are seven of the best no-annual-fee credit cards you should consider this year.
1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best for: Earning cashback on everything
- Intro Offer: $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Rewards: 1.5% on all purchases, 5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases
- APR: 19.24% – 27.99% (Variable)
If you want a credit card that rewards you for everything, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one you should seriously consider.
You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases—simple. But it gets even better: you’ll earn 5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and 3% on dining and drugstores.
Plus, the $200 sign-up bonus after spending $500 in the first three months gives you an easy way to jump-start your rewards.
2. Citi® Double Cash Card
- Best for: Easy cashback without thinking about categories
- Intro Offer: None
- Rewards: 2% on every purchase—1% when you buy, 1% when you pay
- APR: 18.24% – 28.24% (Variable)
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a top contender if you prefer simplicity. You’ll earn 2% cash back on everything—1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay your bill. It doesn’t get more straightforward than that.
There are no rotating categories and no bonus hoops to jump through. Best of all, just 2% back on every dollar you spend? No annual fee.
See Also: 5 Reasons Why a Discover Credit Card Might Be the Best Choice for You
3. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Best for: Consistent cash back on everything
- Intro Offer: $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Rewards: 2% on every purchase
- APR: 19.24% – 27.24% (Variable)
If you’re looking for simplicity without sacrificing rewards, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great choice. You’ll earn 2% cash back on every purchase—no categories to worry about, just consistent rewards.
And the $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months is a nice bonus to get you started. Plus, the zero annual fee means all that cash back goes directly into your pocket.
4. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Best for: Grocery and gas spenders
- Intro Offer: $200 back after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
- Rewards: 3% at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 annually), 2% at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, 1% on other purchases
- APR: 19.24% – 29.99% (Variable)
If your monthly grocery and gas bill is a big chunk of your spending, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express could be the perfect fit. You’ll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually), 2% at U.S. gas stations, and 1% on everything else.
The $200 bonus after spending $2,000 in the first six months is a great way to earn a little extra for your everyday purchases. No annual fee and generous cash back make this card a must-have if you spend big on groceries and gas.
See Also: 6 Key Requirements to Qualify for a Lowe’s Credit Card
5. Discover it® Cash Back
- Best for: Earning big rewards on rotating categories
- Intro Offer: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
- Rewards: 5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, activation required), 1% on all other purchases
- APR: 16.24% – 27.24% (Variable)
The Discover it® Cash Back card is about earning big rewards on rotating categories. You can earn 5% cash back on groceries, gas, and dining—but you’ll need to activate the categories each quarter. The best part?
Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, doubling your rewards. No annual fee and the potential for even more cashback make this a card to watch.
6. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for: Those who want to choose their own reward categories
- Intro Offer: $200 online cash rewards after you spend at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
- Rewards: 3% on a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, etc.), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter), 1% on other purchases
- APR: 18.24% – 28.24% (Variable)
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, you can decide where to earn the most. Choose from categories like gas, dining, or online shopping to earn 3% cash back.
You’ll earn 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 spent per quarter) and 1% on everything else.
Plus, the $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days is a great incentive to start using the card. No annual fee makes this a flexible and rewarding option.
7. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for: Earning rewards while building credit
- Intro Offer: None
- Rewards: 1.5% on every purchase
- APR: 26.99% (Variable)
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option if you’re looking to build or improve your credit score. You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, making it a solid choice for everyday spending.
While the APR is higher than some other cards, the no-annual-fee structure and ability to earn rewards while building credit make it a solid pick for anyone looking to improve their financial standing.
Conclusion: Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Choosing a no-annual-fee credit card in 2025 means you don’t have to worry about paying extra fees while earning rewards, building your credit, or enjoying other perks.
Whether you prefer a flat-rate cashback card like the Citi® Double Cash or a flexible rewards card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, there’s a perfect card for your spending habits.
The key is to pick the one that suits your lifestyle and ensure you’re not paying a dime in annual fees.
References
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Chase Freedom Unlimited®:
Chase Official Website. “Chase Freedom Unlimited®.” April 2025.
https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/freedom-unlimited -
Citi® Double Cash Card:
Citi Official Website. “Citi® Double Cash Card.” April 2025.
https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-double-cash-card -
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card:
Wells Fargo Official Website. “Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.” April 2025.
https://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/active-cash -
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express:
American Express Official Website. “Blue Cash Everyday® Card.” April 2025.
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/blue-cash-everyday/ -
Discover it® Cash Back:
Discover Official Website. “Discover it® Cash Back.” April 2025.
https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cash-back/ -
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card:
Bank of America Official Website. “Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card.” April 2025.
https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/cash-rewards/ -
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card:
Capital One Official Website. “Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.” April 2025.
https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/quicksilverone/
Everest Proctor is a finance expert, blogger, and author from New York. He recently graduated in finance and writes about loans, credit cards, and money management. Everest helps people understand finance and make smart financial decisions.