Best 0% APR Credit Cards of April 2023

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

A credit card offering 0% introductory APR can help you save money when you need to carry a balance. Insider reviewed dozens of the best credit cards with introductory 0% APR offers to come up with 13 best-in-class products. 

Let's say you have a $1,000 balance on a card with a 16.99% APR that you want to pay off in equal monthly payments. Transferring that balance to a card with 0% APR for 15 months and paying it off within the time frame could save you $111 in interest — and when you take into account a 3% balance transfer fee of $33, you still save $78 overall.

We considered factors like annual fees, intro periods, and rewards to help find the right card for you.

The Best 0% APR Credit Cards

Methodology: How we chose the best zero interest credit cards

Insider chose the best zero interest credit cards by looking at all the credit cards currently available with intro APRs on purchases, balance transfers, or both. 

We then narrowed down the list by looking at the terms and length of each introductory offer, with longer introductory periods ranking highly. We also considered rewards, like cash back or travel points, card benefits, and factors like annual fees and foreign transaction fees.  

Here's Insider's methodology for rating credit cards.

The Best 0% APR Credit Cards Frequently Asked Questions

The Best 0% APR Interest Credit Cards

• Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Longest 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
• Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Longest 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers
• Citi Simplicity® Card : Long 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers and no late fees
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Our favorite cash rewards card
• Citi® Double Cash Card: High cash-back rate and long intro APR on balance transfers
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best Chase intro APR card
• Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best intro APR card if your spending changes month to month
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ : Intro APR and maximum cash back, if you work for it
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Intro APR and bonus cash back at U.S. supermarkets
• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Intro APR and bonus cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: High cash back on dining
• Discover it® Cash Back: Rotating cash-back categories
• Chase Slate Edge℠: For starting out or building credit

Our Favorite Intro Offer with Cash Rewards Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR

Balance transfer fee: Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening (after that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5)

Annual fee: $0

If you're looking for a card with a solid welcome bonus offer and strong cash back rewards earning on all purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice. New cardholders earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The card's intro APR offer is generous, and you'll have access to a number of good benefits, including cell phone protection. Just be aware this card charges foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good pick for travels overseas.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Review

High Cash-Back Rate and Long Intro APR on Balance Transfers

Citi® Double Cash Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by a 18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR.

Balance transfer fee: 5% (minimum $5)

Annual fee: $0

The Citi® Double Cash Card is popular with consumers since it offers 2% back for everything you buy — 1% (1 point per dollar) when you make a purchase and another 1% (1 point per dollar) when you pay it off. You'll also secure a lucrative 0% intro APR offer that can help you save thousands of dollars on interest for a limited time. It does not currently offer any kind of welcome bonus. 

The Citi® Double Cash Card earns rewards in the form of Citi ThankYou points, which you can redeem at a rate of 1 cent apiece for cash back, travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more. 

Citi Double Cash Card Review

The Citi® Double Cash Card is one-third of the Citi Trifecta, along with the Citi Premier® Card and Citi Custom Cash℠ Card. This trio of Citi cards can supercharge your ThankYou Rewards balance by earning anywhere from 2x to 5x rewards on every single purchase.

Best Chase Intro APR Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, followed by a 19.49% - 28.24% Variable

Balance transfer fee: Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer (minimum $5), on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: 5% of the amount of each transfer (minimum $5).

Annual fee: $0

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® starts new customers off with 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back). 

They can also earn 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When you consider the card's intro APR offer, it's easy to see why it's best for consumers who want to earn rewards on a big purchase and pay down their balance without any interest over time. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited Review

Best Intro APR Card if Your Spending Changes Month to Month

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, followed by a 18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR

Balance transfer fee: 5% (minimum $5)

Annual fee: $0

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great choice if your spending habits tend to change from month to month. It offers a welcome bonus of $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. In addition, cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the eligible category they spend the most in each billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases.

The qualifying categories include everyday expenses that should appeal to most folks: restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.

Although it's marketed as a cash-back card, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card actually earns Citi ThankYou points, which are worth 1 cent apiece for cash back, travel booked through Citi, gift cards, merchandise, and more. And again, if you have a Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants), you can pool your rewards and transfer points to Citi's airline and hotel partners.

Citi Custom Cash Card Review

Intro APR and Maximum Cash Back, if You Work for It

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, followed by a 19.49% - 28.24% Variable APR.

Balance transfer fee: Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer (minimum $5), on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: 5% of the amount of each transfer (minimum $5).

Annual fee: $0

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a bonus of $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus, 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. 

It also earns 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in rotating bonus categories like Amazon and streaming services when you activate each quarter (then 1%) and on travel purchased through the Chase travel portal. It also offers 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases. From April 1 to June 30, 2023, the Chase Freedom 5x categories are Amazon.com and Lowe's.

This card is a great option for anyone who wants to avoid interest payments for a limited time while earning rewards on their purchases. Keep in mind that with the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited, if you pair your card with an annual-fee Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — your rewards become more flexible, as you have the option to transfer points to Chase's airline and hotel partners in addition to redeeming for cash back.

Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card Review

Not sure which Freedom card is right for you? Check out our review of the different Freedom credit cards for a full rundown of earnings, benefits, and perks.

Intro APR and Bonus Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by a 18.74% - 29.74% Variable APR

Annual fee: $0

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a welcome bonus of a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership.

You can also earn 3% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%), 3% back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 spent in purchases and at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%), 3% back on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%), and 1% back on everything else (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits). 

Blue Cash Everyday Amex Card Review

Intro APR and Bonus Cash Back on Hotels Booked Through Capital One Travel

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months), followed by a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR

Balance transfer fee: 3% for balance transfers that post to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open (or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time). None for transferred balances at the purchase APR after the first 15 months that your account has been open.

Annual fee: $0

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card earns an unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.5% back on all other eligible purchases, and that's on top of the welcome offer: One-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening.

Since this card also comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months) (then a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR), it's an excellent option for debt consolidation or avoiding interest on large purchases. 

The Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card is also offering cardholders up to six months of Uber One monthly membership (through November 14, 2024). 

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Review

High Cash Back on Dining

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months), followed by a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR

Balance transfer fee: 3% for balance transfers that post to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open (or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time). None for transferred balances at the purchase APR after the first 15 months that your account has been open.

Annual fee: $0

If your goal is earning cash back while saving on interest on purchases, check out the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. This card has a good welcome offer: $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

You can earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024, and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. You can also earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 3% back on dining, grocery stores, entertainment, and streaming services, and 1% back on everything else you buy. There's no annual fee, and you'll qualify for a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months), then a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR.

Capital One SavorOne Card Review

Rotating Cash-Back Categories

Discover it® Cash Back

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 16.74% - 27.74% Variable APR

Balance transfer fee: 3% intro fee; then up to 5% on future balance transfers (see terms)

Annual fee: $0

Also, consider the Discover it® Cash Back if you want to earn rewards and save money on interest without an annual fee. Once you enroll, this card lets you earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly bonus categories that change every three months (then 1%) plus 1% back on all other purchases (from April 1 to June 30, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Restaurants and Wholesale Clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

You'll also have all your rewards matched after your first year of card membership, which works as a delayed welcome bonus of sorts. And that's not to mention the lucrative intro APR offer this card extends.

Discover it Cash Back Card Review

If you're looking specifically for a long balance transfer period, the Discover it® Balance Transfer is an even better choice for new cardholders with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months and on purchases for six months (after that, there's a 16.74% - 27.74% Variable APR). Here's our full Discover it Balance Transfer card review.

For Starting Out or Building Credit

Chase Slate Edge℠

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening, then a 19.49% - 28.24% Variable APR

Balance transfer fee: 3% (or $5, whichever is greater) for balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening; after that, the fee goes up to 5%

Annual fee: $0

The Chase Slate Edge℠ comes with no welcome bonus offer, and it doesn't earn rewards. It's geared toward those who are taking steps to improve their financial situation, and offers features that can help you increase your credit score and reduce the amount of interest you pay.

One benefit designed to help you build your credit is an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit if you've paid on time and spent at least $500 in your first six months of opening the Chase Slate Edge℠. A higher limit could improve your credit utilization ratio and potentially give your credit score a boost.

In addition, on each account anniversary, you'll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you've paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction is capped, though — it will only be reduced until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (Prime Rate is 7.00% as of November 3, 2022). 

Chase Slate Edge Card Review

When to Use a Balance Transfer to Pay Down Debt

It seems counterintuitive, but another credit card could be just what you need to pay off your credit card debt for good. Some credit cards with introductory 0% intro APR periods allow you to transfer a balance from another credit card. Cards in this category might let you pay 0% interest on purchases, balance transfers, or both for a specified period of time which can range from nine to 21 months.

Most of the best balance transfer credit cards require a balance transfer fee upfront — but the interest savings can easily outweigh the fee by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Especially if your financial situation has been impacted by unemployment or other pandemic factors, a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer can give you some breathing room to get back on your feet.

Before you consider taking advantage of a 0% intro APR offer, be sure you have the means and a plan to pay off the balance before the introductory period expires — otherwise, you could be on the hook for high-interest charges. Also, keep in mind you're still responsible for making at least the minimum payment on your card each month, even with a 0% intro APR offer.

Best Credit Cards With Low Interest Rates

Here's a roundup of cards with relatively low interest rates, including their introductory APR offer and their interest rate ranges for comparison.

For comparison's sake, here are some credit cards, including some of the best rewards credit cards, without intro APR offers and with APRs that start much higher than those on the cards above: 

Credit card issuers are allowed to charge whatever interest rate they want; they only have to disclose the rate in the card's terms and conditions. You should always make sure you know the interest rate range of the card you apply for, and when you receive the card, check the rate you were approved for.

Should you use an introductory 0% APR credit card offer?

Before you take advantage of an introductory 0% APR credit card offer, it's important to consider the following:

• Know your offer. Make sure to read the fine print and understand exactly how long your offer lasts. Also, make sure you understand your new interest rate once the 0% intro APR comes to a screeching halt. 

• Take debt repayment seriously. Pay off all your debt (or as much debt as you can) before your 0% intro offer runs out. Once it ends, your card's APR will revert to the standard variable rate, which is much higher.

• Stop using credit cards. While it can make sense to use a 0% intro APR credit for a large expense if you get zero interest on purchases for a limited time, it's best to avoid using cards for regular purchases unless you have the cash to pay your credit card balance off in full each month. If you let 0% intro APR go to your head, you could wind up with a ton of new debt you didn't plan for. 


Why are credit card interest rates so high?

Just a few short years ago, there was a time when having excellent credit meant your credit card interest rate was low. Some people even selected cards based not only on miles, rewards, and cash back, but also on the very interest rate a card charged annually.

My, how things have changed. Good credit still rocks, of course, but today, interest rates on credit cards are some of the highest they've been in the past quarter-century. The interest rate on your credit card varies by the card issuer, and the better your credit score, the lower the interest rate you're likely to receive. Well, within those historically high rates, of course.

In 2009, Congress passed the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which in essence restricted card issuers from changing the terms, including the interest rate, on your card after you opened it. Hard to believe that was once allowed.

Now that it's harder for card issuers to raise rates in response to economic downturns, they've raised the rates on new accounts across the board.

What are credit card APRs right now?

In this time of historically high credit card rates, the very best credit card interest rates are still offered to those with top credit scores, usually considered 700 or above. What's more, rewards credit cards may have some of the higher APRs available, since card issuers are aware that consumers with good credit are typically using these cards for rewards and paying them off monthly.

While rates may vary according to the type of card you get, the average credit card interest rate clocks in at just over 20%.

The problem is that when you apply for a card, you can only see the card's range of interest. You won't know the exact interest rate you're likely to receive until you're approved and actually receive your card.

You can take an educated guess that if your credit score is 700 and above, you'll probably get the lowest of the range for that card. If your scores fall in the mid to high 600s, you'll likely hit the card's mid-range interest rate, and if your scores are lower than the mid-600s, you can count on being offered the highest end of that card's interest rate range.

What is a good interest rate on a credit card?

The average credit card interest rate is about 20%, so anything below that number would be considered a relatively good APR. Of course, no APR is better than a low APR, so if you're able to take advantage of an intro APR offer that waives interest on balance transfers and/or purchases, you'll come out even further ahead.

Why is my APR so high?

If you feel your credit card's APR rate is high, you're not alone. Because credit card debt isn't secured in any way (unlike mortgages, which are secured by property), credit card issuers impose high-interest rates if you default on your payments.

While credit card APRs are high in general, the specific APR you're assigned on your credit card falls within a range. The higher your credit score, the lower your APR will generally be. That's because a high credit score generally indicates that you've successfully paid off your credit card debts promptly.

How can I lower my APR?

Beyond applying for a credit card with an introductory APR offer, you can contact your credit card issuer and request a decrease in your APR. There's no guarantee the issuer will decide to lower your APR, but if you have a good payment history and you indicate that you may move your business elsewhere if you can't get a lower APR, you could have a solid case for getting the rate reduced.