Best 0% APR Credit Cards of December 2022

An intro 0% APR credit card is one that offers a promotional period when interest isn’t charged on purchases or even balance transfers. Once the interest-free introductory period ends, the regular interest rate is applied to new purchases and any remaining balance. This type of card can be a great way to finance a big expense, and you'll find all the best 0% intro APR credit cards here.

How does a 0% APR credit card work?

On intro 0% APR credit cards, the intro APR on purchases is set to 0% for a limited period of time. That means you don't need to pay off your full credit card balance every month to avoid interest during the intro period, as you would with other credit cards incurring interest charges.

As an example, imagine you get a card with an intro 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. You use it to buy a new computer for $1,500. All you need to do is make the minimum payment every month. If you also pay at least $100 per month towards that purchase, then you'll pay it off interest free.

There are situations where you can be charged interest by your credit card company:

• You don't make your minimum monthly payment. You're still required to make minimum payments on time. If you don't, the card issuer could cancel the intro 0% APR offer.
• You use your credit card for other types of transactions. Most cards' 0% intro APR offers don't apply to cash advances.

What happens when the 0% APR ends?

At the end of its intro 0% APR period, the credit card company will change the card's standard APR. The card issuer can then start charging you interest on your remaining balance and any new purchases you make. That's why it's highly recommended that you pay off your entire balance before the end of the intro 0% APR offer.

If you have any costly purchases coming up that you can't pay for in full, a credit card with 0% intro APR could be the solution. You can stretch your payments out over the card's introductory period, and you'll avoid paying interest as long as you pay off your balance before it ends. But you do need to understand how intro 0% interest credit cards work first to avoid making any costly mistakes.

A 0% APR credit card has an introductory APR period of zero interest on purchases. During the card's introductory period, you can carry a balance on your purchases from month to month without incurring any interest charges.

The length of the intro period varies by card. Sometimes a 0% intro APR credit card offer has a 0% APR of six months or less, but there are also intro 0% APR credit cards offering 18 months or longer without interest.

Assuming you can pay off your full balance within the intro period, you won't pay any interest. This can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars compared to what standard credit card interest rates would cost you.

Learn more: What Is APR and What Does It Mean for Your Credit Cards?

Credit card interest is the fee you pay when you borrow money using your credit card. Every billing cycle, the card issuer will apply the credit card APR to any transactions eligible for interest charges.

APR stands for annual percentage rate, and on credit cards, it serves as the interest rate. Most credit cards have a variable APR. With a variable APR, your interest rate can change over time. Most credit cards have a pre-determined APR range, and your actual APR is determined in part by your credit score.

Many credit cards also charge a different variable APR for each type of transaction (purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances). If you make a late payment, some credit cards may start charging a higher penalty APR.

Not all transactions incur interest. Credit cards typically have an interest-free grace period between the date your statement is sent to you and its due date. If you pay off the full statement balance, you won't be charged interest on your purchases. And of course, you also won't be charged the interest rate if your card has a 0% intro APR offer in effect.

Learn more: How to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate

Some of the longest intro 0% APR credit cards we've come across are the following:

There are quite a few impressive 0% intro APR credit cards with no annual fee available. That's why it's important to compare credit card offers to make sure you're getting the best deal out there. Knowing your credit score can help you determine which offers you qualify for.

Here are some of the best 0% APR credit cards with long intro periods and how they compare:

Depending on your financial needs, 0% intro APR credit cards may not be the right choice. Here are the top alternatives to credit cards with a 0% intro APR.

Balance transfer credit card: If you have credit card debt to refinance, then a balance transfer card is the way to go. A balance transfer is when you move existing credit card balances onto a new card. The top balance transfer cards have 0% intro APR periods on any balances you transfer over. In most cases, you'll have to pay a balance transfer fee. Head to our balance transfer calculator to find out whether the interest you'd save with a balance transfer credit card is worth its balance transfer fee.

Compare our picks: Check out The Ascent's best balance transfer credit cards

Low interest credit card: If you expect it to take you more than a couple years to pay off your balance, and if you have excellent credit, you might be better off with a low interest credit card. These credit cards have a low ongoing APR on all purchases, so they're good to keep on hand in case you ever need to carry a balance. Sometimes these cards will also let you earn cash rewards. Some credit unions even offer credit cards with lower interest rates than many personal loans.

Compare our picks: Check out The Ascent's best low interest credit cards

Personal loan: With a personal loan, you'll have a fixed payment amount and loan term, which gives you more structure than a credit card. Personal loans are also better for when you will take two years or longer to pay off a purchase because they have lower interest rates than credit cards. But if you are confident you can pay off a purchase within the intro period of an intro 0% credit card, then the card would save you money. The better your credit score, the better your chances are of securing a personal loan with a low interest rate.

Compare our picks: Check out The Ascent's best personal loans

Debt consolidation loan: You can get a debt consolidation loan for any type of debt. It's more versatile than a balance transfer card, which you can typically only use for credit card debt. Debt consolidation loans are also a good choice when you need more time to pay off your debt than the intro period a balance transfer card gives you.

Compare our picks: Check out The Ascent's best debt consolidation loans