The 14 top 0% APR credit cards: Finance debt or new purchases interest-free for up to 21 months.

Credit cards can be a valuable resource for making new purchases and paying off old debt. Some of the top credit cards provide no interest on new purchases and balance transfers for up to 21 months, which can result in significant savings if you have a balance on a high-interest credit card and a portion of your payment goes towards interest charges.

If you have outstanding debt on an existing card or plan on making a significant purchase, it is financially wise to open an intro 0% APR credit card, provided you use it responsibly. Below, CNBC Select has compiled a list of some of the best credit cards that offer no interest, allowing you to maximize your savings. (For more information on our methodology, please see below.)

Best for purchases and balance transfers

This card is suitable for individuals seeking to pay off big purchases gradually or consolidate existing debts.

The card provides a 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR after that period). Balance transfers made within 120 days of account opening are eligible for the intro rate, with a BT fee of 5% and a minimum of $5.

While this card doesn't provide any rewards for spending, it does include cell phone protection.

Best for low balance-transfer fee

What is the Citi Simplicity® Card suitable for? This card is an excellent choice for someone seeking to consolidate their credit card debt from other cards. With this card, you will receive a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer. (The variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.99% after that period.) Additionally, there is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

New cardholders have four months to complete balance transfers, which is longer than the typical 60 to 90 days.

The only advantage of this program is that it does not offer any type of rewards.

Best for balance transfers

What is the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card suitable for? This card is a great option for financing large purchases or transferring existing credit card debt. Cardholders receive 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (18.24% - 28.99% variable APR afterward).

Best for welcome bonus

This cash-back credit card, the Citi Double Cash® Card, is a generous option for daily expenses and also includes a great balance transfer offer.

If your card is approved, you will receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. However, after 18 months, the variable APR will range from 19.24% to 29.24%. Any balance transfers must be completed within the first four months of account opening. During this time, the balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount transferred ($5 minimum). After the first four months, the balance transfer fee increases to 5% of any amount transferred ($5 minimum).

When you spend on your credit card, you will earn 2% cash back, with 1% earned immediately upon purchase and an additional 1% earned when you pay your bill.

Best for low standard APR

This card is suitable for individuals seeking to transfer their existing credit card debt or finance new purchases at a competitive rate. The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles of card membership (18.74% - 29.74% variable APR afterward). To qualify, balances must be transferred within 60 days from account opening.

Although the card lacks spending rewards, it offers excellent cell phone coverage and is free of annual fees.

Best for cash back

This card is ideal for earning cash rewards on everyday purchases and offers interest-free financing.

This card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from account opening. After 15 months, the variable APR is 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%. A balance transfer fee of 3% is charged for the first 120 days, then up to 5% (minimum $5) thereafter. As you use the card, you will earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on all eligible purchases.

After spending $500 in purchases within the first three months, you will receive a $200 cash rewards bonus in addition to the card.

Best for no foreign transaction fees

This credit card is ideal for tiered cash-back rewards and an intro APR.

Capital One offers cardholders a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 19.99% - 29.99%. A balance transfer fee applies, with a 3% fee for the first 15 months and a 4% fee at a promotional APR offered by Capital One at any other time.

The reward rates are as follows:

10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats
5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
3% on dining and entertainment
3% on eligible streaming services
3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
1% on all other purchases

Capital One offers a complimentary Uber One membership and access to presale and VIP tickets for concerts, sports games, and exclusive events through Capital One Entertainment. Additionally, you can earn a one-time cash bonus of $200 by spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Best for online shopping

What card is this for? Based on your spending habits, it may be beneficial to consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. This card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening, followed by a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99% (see rates and fees). If you plan to transfer a balance, you must request it within 60 days of account opening and be prepared to pay a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount transferred (whichever is greater). The main difference between this card and others is the earning rates.

As you spend on the card, you'll earn as follows:

Up to $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets earns 3% cash back, while purchases over this amount receive 1% cash back.
At U.S. gas stations, customers can earn up to 3% cashback on their first $6,000 in purchases, after which the rate drops to 1%.
Up to $6,000 per year, 3% of U.S. online retail purchases are taxed at 1%.
1% on all other purchases

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express provides a $200 statement credit upon spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of card activation.

Best card for dining

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a cash-back card with interest-free features and is similar to the Freedom Flex card.

You will receive a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, with a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% afterward. Additionally, you will earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back. You will also receive 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year. After the first year or $20,000 spent, you will receive 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Best for purchase protections

This card is ideal for someone seeking a card with rotating spending categories and interest-free financing.

This card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, with a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% afterward. Additionally, the card provides cash back on travel purchases through the Chase Travel Portal, drugstore purchases, and dining, with up to 5% cash back. However, the true value of this card lies in spending within Chase's quarterly 5% cash-back categories, making it a good fit for those who regularly spend in different categories.

New cardholders can receive a $200 cash back bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Best for rotating categories

This card is suitable for individuals whose spending patterns fluctuate from month to month but still wish to optimize their expenditure. The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers 5% cash back on the top eligible spending categories, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%), each billing cycle in the form of ThankYou® Points.

Unlike other 5% cash-back cards, the Citi Custom Cash requires no activation of bonus categories. The card offers 10 eligible spending categories for bonus cash back, including restaurants, gas stations, select streaming services, and others.

The card provides a $200 cash back bonus after spending $1,500 in the first six months.

Best for travel rewards

This card is suitable for individuals seeking transferable travel rewards and an interest-free financing option.

Upon approval for the card, you will receive 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the account opening date (18.24%-29.24% variable APR after that; see rates and fees). As you use the card, you will earn 2X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1X) and 1X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

You can earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points after using your new card to make $2,000 in purchases in your first six months of card membership.

Best for Bank of America customers

This card is suitable for someone seeking straightforward cash-back rewards and competitive financing.

You will receive 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers within the first 60 days of opening your account, which will then have a variable APR of 17.99% to 27.99%. Additionally, you will earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases with this card.

You can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.

Best for everyday purchases

This card is suitable for someone seeking simplicity and a 0% intro APR period.

You'll receive a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening, followed by a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%, with rates and fees. Additionally, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

New members can receive a $200 bonus by spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of joining the program.

How to get the most benefit from 0% APR cards

If you're considering a 0% intro APR credit card, it's important to understand the terms of the offer and create a plan to pay off your debt.

Read the fine print

Be sure to review the fine print of the 0% APR offer, including the expiration date, timeline for completing a balance transfer, any balance transfer fees, and the interest rate that will apply once the intro period ends.

Create a repayment plan

To have a zero balance at the end of the intro period, you need to determine the monthly payment amount based on the length of the intro period.

If you have a $4,500 balance on the Chase Freedom Flex, you'll need to pay $300 each month to pay off your old balance before the intro period ends. However, if you have the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, the monthly payment decreases to $250.

Pay off your balance in full

To avoid paying the regular purchase APR or accruing deferred interest on a store card, it is crucial to pay off any transferred debt or new purchase balances before the intro 0% APR period ends.

Best ways to use a 0% APR credit card

Consumers can save on interest charges when carrying a balance month-to-month by using credit cards that offer no interest on purchases and/or balance transfers. The most effective way to utilize a 0% APR card depends on your specific circumstances, but generally falls into one of three categories.

A 0% APR card can assist you in paying off large purchases, such as a new iPhone or workout equipment, over time without any interest charges.
Transferring your high-interest card debt to a card with no interest for up to 20 months can help you pay it off faster and cheaper.
A card with no interest on new purchases and balance transfers can aid in paying off large expenses and old debt simultaneously.

To avoid interest, you must pay off your balance in full before the intro period ends and make minimum payments.

How to compare 0% APR and low-interest cards

If you're unsure whether a 0% APR card or a low-interest credit card is the best option, consider asking yourself these questions.

If you have debt on a high interest credit card, you should consider a balance transfer credit card that offers up to 21 months of interest-free financing.
Are you considering making a significant purchase? A 0% APR card can offer you an extended intro period, enabling you to pay off your debt without any interest for over a year.
Do you have a credit card with a consistent APR every month, or does it charge high-interest rates after the intro period ends?

Compare credit cards by key factors after determining which one you want to apply for.

The length of intro APR periods for cards can range from three months to 21 months. Popular rewards cards often provide no interest for 15 months, while non-rewards cards may have intro 0% APR periods of 18 to 21 months. When it comes to new purchases or lingering debt, a longer intro period is generally better. However, if you're completing a balance transfer, be sure to consider the cost of any balance transfer fees before applying.
If you plan to carry a balance after the intro 0% APR period, it's important to consider the regular APR of credit cards offering intro 0% APRs, as they may have higher regular APRs than low-interest cards.
No-fee balance transfer credit cards are available if you want to avoid balance transfer fees.
Ensure to check for annual fees on 0% APR and low interest cards, as some may apply.
The best 0% APR cards not only provide cash back, points, and miles, but also added perks such as purchase protection and exclusive entertainment access. However, it's important to remember that paying off debt should always be your top priority.

Bottom line

If you require flexible financing, 0% intro APR cards can be useful. However, it's crucial to avoid accumulating debt unnecessarily, so make sure you have a plan to repay any outstanding debts.

If you're considering a 0% intro APR card, make sure to also consider one that offers cash-back or travel rewards to get something back on your purchases.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our mission at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their finances. Each credit card review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of credit card products. At CNBC Select, we are committed to maintaining our journalistic standards and ethics, even when it comes to earning a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. Our methodology outlines the process we use to select the best 0% APR credit cards, which are based on our rigorous reporting and expert analysis.

Our methodology

CNBC Select analyzed 234 popular credit cards in the US and compared them based on various features such as rewards, welcome bonus, APR, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees. Additionally, factors like required credit, customer reviews, and ease of redemption were taken into account, along with the application process.

Esri's location intelligence team collaborated with the company's data development team to deliver the most current and detailed consumer spending data based on the 2019 Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their methodology can be found here.

Esri's data team created a retail spending budget of approximately $22,126, which is divided into six categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862), and general purchases ($3,953). The general purchases category includes items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses.

To estimate the average consumer's savings over a year, two years, and five years, we used this budget and assumed they would earn all welcome bonuses and use the card for all applicable purchases. All rewards total estimations are after deducting the annual fee.

Your shopping habits may result in a higher or lower return compared to the five-year estimates based on an average American's spending budget.

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The information about the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, and American Express Cash Magnet® Card has been gathered independently by Select and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuers of the cards before publication.

For rates and fees of the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, click here.

To learn about the rates and fees for the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, please visit this link.

To learn about the rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.