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Best 0% credit cards
Compare cards with up to 22 months' interest-free spending
We prefer you don't borrow, as it can lead to problems. Yet if you need to, 0% spending credit cards are the cheapest way to borrow, if you use them right. Our guide has full info on what to watch out for, plus our eligibility calculator will show you the cards you've the best odds of getting before you apply.

Who's this guide for? Anyone with a planned, budgeted-for purchase at a retailer that takes credit cards.
Other related guides... Credit cards for bad credit | 0% money transfer cards | All-rounder cards | Debt help | Getting your first credit card | Find all our credit card guides in one place.
How do 0% purchase cards work?

Put simply, a 0% purchase card offers a number of months where no interest is charged on new purchases. This can save you £1,000s compared with the same borrowing on a standard credit card (assuming you pay them off over the same period of time).
So done right, there's no cheaper borrowing over the medium term – though they're not an excuse to overspend. We'd only suggest using a credit card to borrow for a needed, planned, affordable, one-off purchase, for example, replacing a broken fridge. This means borrowing as little as possible and only an amount you can pay back during the 0% period.
Of course, with the cost of living crisis, it can be tempting to get one to fill gaps in your income. That's a mistake, as the need to repay it will just add to your future costs, and make life more difficult. Though if you are doing it anyway, borrowing at 0% is better than paying interest. Yet it's far, far better to avoid borrowing to fill gaps in your income if you can – do read our Debt help guide for more info.
Compare which 0% credit cards you've the best chance of getting in your own personal best-buy table.
Usually, applying is the only way to know if you'll be accepted for a credit card. Yet that marks your credit file, affecting your ability to get future credit. To help, our tool uses a 'soft search' to find your chances of acceptance before you apply.
Check your chance of acceptance
Longest interest-free credit cards
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Longest 0% period, but it's an 'up to' so some could get fewer interest-free months. You'll get the full 22 months at 0% if you're showing as 'pre-approved' in our eligibility calculator, otherwise you could get just 11mths' 0%. | |
- Up to 22mths 0% - 24.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
![]() HSBC |
Another long 0% period, but it's also an 'up to' so some could get fewer interest-free months. You'll get the full 20 months at 0% if you're showing as 'pre-approved' in our eligibility calculator, otherwise you could get just 15mths' 0%. | |
- Up to 20mths 0% - 23.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
![]() M&S Bank |
Decent 0% period, plus you get M&S points on spending. This card gives the full 18 months at 0% to all those accepted, but its real boon is the points - you'll collect 1 point for every £1 spent in M&S and every £5 spent elsewhere. Points can then be converted to M&S vouchers. | |
- 18mths 0% - 23.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
The next best 0% spending cards. Here are quick details of decent alternatives. | ||
MBNA Only purchases made in first 60 days are interest-free |
- Up to 19mths 0% - 24.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility (1) |
NatWest (also offered by sister banks RBS* and Ulster Bank) |
- 17mths 0% - 24.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* | ||
Lloyds Bank |
- Up to 17mths 0% - 23.9% rep APR |
(1) MBNA and Lloyds have asked us to link only to our eligibility calculator for these cards – as neither are available to apply for directly. | See all official APR examples.
How do I apply for a credit card?
Use our eligibility calculator to find which cards are most likely to accept you. It uses a 'soft search' (which lenders can't use) to calculate and show your percentage chance of getting the top credit cards. This is the best route as it reveals which cards you're most likely to be accepted for WITHOUT impacting on your credit report.
Once you've found one that's likely, click apply and you'll be taken to the lender's site. Then, you'll be able to fill in any details the lender needs and submit your application.
Top interest-free cards for bad credit
If you have high levels of current debt, missed payments (recent or historic), bankruptcies, county court judgments (CCJs) or individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), chances are your credit file might not be in the best shape.
Try our eligibility calculator first to check your chances of acceptance for the cards above, but if it shows no or low odds, then the cards below offer a short 0% period if your credit problems are over a year old. These cards can also help if you've existing, expensive debt...
Virgin Money |
The longest 0% period designed for those with poor credit by far – use our eligibility calculator to see if you're 'pre-approved'. | |
- 12mths 0% - 29.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
The next best poor-credit 0% spending cards. Here are quick details of decent alternatives. | ||
Capital One | - 6mths 0% - 34.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility (not available direct) |
Post Office |
- 3mths 0% - 29.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* |
See all official APR examples.
If you can't get these cards, read our Credit cards for bad credit guide for more help to build or rebuild your credit history.
Cashback sites may pay you for signing up
As an extra boon, members of specialist cashback websites can be paid when they sign up to some financial products. Do check that it's exactly the same deal though, as terms can be different. And remember the cashback is never 100% guaranteed until it's in your account.
Full help to take advantage of this, plus pros and cons, in our Top cashback sites guide.
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