Best 0% APR Credit Cards of 2026

A 0% APR credit card lets you make purchases or transfer balances without paying interest for an introductory period—typically 12 to 21 months. Used strategically, these cards can save you hundreds or thousands in interest charges.

Quick Summary: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers the longest 0% APR period at 21 months on purchases and balance transfers, extendable to 24 months with on-time payments. For rewards during your 0% period, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® combines 15 months 0% APR with 1.5% unlimited cash back.

Detailed Reviews

1. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

The Reflect offers the longest 0% APR period on the market—21 months that can extend to 24 months if you make on-time minimum payments.

The Good:

• 21 months 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
• Extendable to 24 months with timely payments
• No annual fee
• Cell phone protection up to $600
• My Wells Fargo Deals for merchant offers
• Access to Wells Fargo’s extensive ATM network

The Not-So-Good:

• No rewards program
• 5% balance transfer fee (higher than some competitors)
• Variable APR of 18.24%-29.99% after intro period
• Requires good to excellent credit

Best For: Anyone financing a large purchase over 18+ months or consolidating high-interest debt who doesn’t need rewards.

Savings Example: Transfer $10,000 at 20% APR to this card. Over 21 months, you’d save approximately $3,500 in interest versus keeping it on the original card.

3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Freedom Unlimited proves you don’t have to sacrifice rewards for a 0% APR period, offering solid cash back while you pay down purchases interest-free.

The Good:

• 15 months 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
• 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases
• 5% on travel through Chase Travel℠
• 3% on dining and drugstores
• $200 bonus after $500 spend in first 3 months
• Points transfer to Sapphire for premium redemptions
• No annual fee

The Not-So-Good:

• Shorter 0% period than dedicated cards
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• 5% balance transfer fee
• Rewards require active management to maximize

Best For: People who want both 0% APR and meaningful rewards—especially those building toward the Chase travel ecosystem.

Strategic Play: Earn the $200 bonus, pay $0 in interest for 15 months, and pool points with a Sapphire card for 25-50% more value when redeemed for travel.

5. Citi Double Cash® Card

The Double Cash combines the market’s best flat-rate cash back (2%) with an 18-month 0% balance transfer period.

The Good:

• 18 months 0% APR on balance transfers
• 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
• No annual fee
• No rotating categories to track
• Cash back never expires
• Citi Entertainment access

The Not-So-Good:

• No 0% APR on new purchases
• 5% balance transfer fee
• No welcome bonus
• Must pay balance to earn the second 1%

Best For: Balance transfer candidates who want ongoing value—after the 0% period, the 2% cash back beats most cards.

Long-Term Value: While other 0% cards offer no rewards, this card keeps earning 2% forever. On $2,000/month spending, that’s $480/year in cash back.

How to Use 0% APR Cards Strategically

For Large Purchases

The Play: Finance a large purchase (appliance, furniture, medical bill) at 0% instead of using savings or taking a personal loan.

Example: $5,000 furniture purchase

• Personal loan (10% APR): $264/month for 20 months = $5,280 total
• 0% card: $250/month for 20 months = $5,000 total
• Savings: $280

Critical: Calculate your monthly payment before purchasing. Divide the total by the number of 0% months and ensure you can pay it off before the intro period ends.

For Balance Transfers

The Play: Move high-interest debt to a 0% card, then pay it down aggressively while saving hundreds in interest.

Example: $8,000 balance at 22% APR

• Minimum payments only: 30+ years to pay off, $15,000+ in interest
• Transfer to 21-month 0% card: Pay $381/month, debt-free in 21 months
• Savings: Thousands in interest

Watch Out: The 3-5% balance transfer fee adds to your balance. On $8,000, a 5% fee = $400.

For Income Smoothing

The Play: Use 0% cards to manage irregular income by smoothing expenses across months.

Example: Freelancer with variable income

• Charge expenses during slow months
• Pay down during high-income months
• Pay off before 0% period ends

Balance Transfer Step-by-Step

1. Check Your Current Rates

Log into your existing cards and note:

• Current APR
• Current balance
• Monthly payment

2. Calculate Potential Savings

Interest you’d pay over intro period:

• Balance × APR × (months ÷ 12) = Interest saved

3. Factor in Transfer Fees

Add the fee to determine true savings:

• Balance × transfer fee = Fee cost
• Interest saved - Fee cost = Net savings

4. Apply for the Card

Choose based on:

• Intro period length
• Transfer fee percentage
• Post-intro APR (in case of emergency)

5. Complete the Transfer

Usually done during application or within 60 days. Transfers typically take 7-14 days to process.

6. Create Your Payoff Plan

Set up automatic payments for the amount needed to pay off before intro ends. Put calendar reminders 3 months and 1 month before the intro period expires.

Common 0% APR Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not Having a Payoff Plan

The Problem: Treating 0% as “free money” and not planning for payoff. The Fix: Calculate your monthly payment before spending. Set up autopay for that exact amount.

Mistake 2: Making Only Minimum Payments

The Problem: Minimum payments won’t clear the balance before intro ends. The Fix: Divide balance by months remaining. Pay at least that amount monthly.

Mistake 3: Missing a Payment

The Problem: Some cards revoke 0% APR if you miss a payment. The Fix: Set up autopay for at least the minimum. Add calendar reminders.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the Balance Transfer Fee

The Problem: A 5% fee on $10,000 = $500 added to your balance. The Fix: Factor fees into your savings calculation. Sometimes paying down existing debt makes more sense.

Mistake 5: Continuing to Spend

The Problem: Adding new purchases while trying to pay down transferred balance. The Fix: Put the card away. Use a different card or debit for daily spending.

Bottom Line

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers the longest 0% APR period available—up to 24 months—making it ideal for large purchases or significant balance transfers.

For balance transfers specifically, the Citi Simplicity® Card provides 21 months at 0% with the added security of no late fees and no penalty APR.

If you want rewards while financing at 0%, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® delivers 1.5-5% cash back during its 15-month intro period, plus integration with Chase’s travel ecosystem.

Whatever card you choose, the key to success is simple: calculate your monthly payment, set up autopay, and pay off the balance before the intro period ends. 0% APR is a powerful tool when used strategically—but expensive if mismanaged.