
Best 0% Credit Cards
Up to 20 months' interest-free spending
Do it right and credit cards are the cheapest way to borrow – you can get 0% for up to 20 months on new purchases. Yet get it wrong and you'll be stuck in debt for years. Our guide has full info on what to watch out for, and best buys. Coronavirus financial worries have caused lenders to tighten acceptance criteria, but our Eligibility Calculator will show cards you've the best odds of getting before you apply.

Who's this guide for? Anyone with a planned, budgeted-for purchase for a retailer that takes credit card.
Want to shift card debt to 0%? See our 0% Balance Transfers guide.
Want to borrow £3k+? A cheap loan often beats a credit card.
Other related guides... 0% Money Transfer Cards | All-Rounder Cards | Debt Help | How Credit Cards Work | What is buy now, pay later?
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How do 0% spending cards work?

Put simply, a 0% spending card offers a number of months where no interest is charged on new purchases, so done right there's no cheaper borrowing – 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 (eg, replacing a broken fridge). The real danger is using them willy-nilly to supplement your income, and that can result in a vicious cycle.
Follow our golden rules below to ensure you don't get caught out, but first here's two key things to watch out for.
What to watch out for
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 applying.
Check your chance of acceptance
Best 0% credit cards
Here are our three top-pick cards with the next best below, all with a long 0% period. However these include 'up to' cards, so you may get a shorter deal than advertised – unless you're showing as pre-approved in our eligibility calculator. This is the best route as it shows which cards you're most likely to be accepted for.
![]() Virgin Money |
Longest definite interest-free spending period – all accepted get the full 20mths 0%. It's then 21.9% rep APR after. Full card spec | |
20mths 0% | Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
![]() Sainsbury's Bank Sadly won't accept anyone self-employed |
Joint-longest 0% period + poss £37.50 in bonus Nectar points, though it's 'up to' 20mths at 0%. So some accepted could get 12mths at 0%. It gives 750 Nectar points for each £35+ spend at Sainsbury's (excl fuel) in the first two months (max 7,500pts, worth £37.50). The card has a 21.9% rep APR. Full card spec | |
Up to 20mths 0% | Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
![]() M&S Bank |
Free '£30' plus all accepted get 18mths at 0%. Get £25 cashback on £100+ spent within 90 days and collect 500 M&S points on a no-min spend at M&S via a coupon it sends, worth £5 in M&S vouchers.The card has a 19.9% rep APR. Full card spec | |
18mths 0% | Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
The next best 0% spending cards. Here are quick details of four alternatives. |
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TSB | Up to 20mths 0% 20.9% rep APR |
Apply |
MBNA 0% only on purchases made in the first 60 days |
Up to 20mths 0% 20.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* | ||
Barclaycard | 18mths 0% 21.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* | ||
HSBC (i) | 18mths 0% 22.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Important: (i) HSBC has asked we send people to our eligibility calc, to reduce demand on its call centres at this crucial time.|See all official APR examples.
Best 0% credit cards for poor credit scorers
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 score might not be in the best shape.
If so, the cards above aren't likely to be open to you (use our eligibility calculator first to check). Yet the cards below give an option if your problems are over a year old, though the 0% periods are a lot shorter. 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.
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A four-month break from paying interest while rebuilding your credit. After the 0%, it's 34.9% rep APR. Full card spec, incl how to use it to provide a respite from existing debts. | |
4mths 0% | Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
![]() Amazon |
Three months at 0% and a £20 Amazon voucher on acceptance, though use carefully if you already have credit problems. After the 0%, it's 29.9% rep APR. Full card spec, incl how to use it to provide a respite for existing debts. | |
3mths 0% | Apply | |
The next best poor-credit 0% spending cards. Here are quick details of two alternatives. | ||
Post Office | 3mths 0% 29.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* | ||
Barclaycard | 3mths 0% 33.9% rep APR |
Apply* |
See all official APR examples.
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 and pros and cons in our Top Cashback Sites guide.
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0% spending cards Q&A

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