Compare 0% purchase credit cards

Enjoy the freedom of buying now and paying later with a 0% purchase credit card. Compare and find the best card for you.

Best for all-rounder
NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card logo
NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
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24.9% APR representative variable
4 ★★★★★
Almost 2 years to spread the cost of purchases
No annual fee
Available to new customers
Best for rewards
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card  logo
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
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24.9% APR representative variable
4 ★★★★★
No annual fee
Over a year to spread the cost of purchases
Over a year to spread the cost of existing balances
Best for 0% purchase period
Barclaycard Platinum all-rounder Visa logo
Barclaycard Platinum all-rounder Visa
24.9% APR representative variable
4 ★★★★★
No annual fee
Over a year to spread the cost of purchases
Over a year of 0% interest to reduce existing card debt

Compare 0% purchase credit cards

Table: sorted by length of 0% purchases offer, promoted deals first
Name Product Rating Finder score Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 19 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
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NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 19 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 18 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 16 months
(3.49%, min £5 fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
Santander All in One Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 15 months
(0% fee)
£3 per month
29.8% APR (variable)
0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Maximum of £10 cashback paid per month. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Tesco Bank Clubcard Plus Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 24 months reverting to 19.94%
21.81%
(3.99% fee)
£7.99 per month
37.7% APR (variable)
5 points per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco. Must have available credit to earn points. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers or can be exchanged for Partner rewards to receive money off a variety of restaurants, entertainment or Avios points.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £7.99 per month, your representative rate is 37.7% APR (variable).
MBNA 0% Transfer and Purchase Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 21 months reverting to 24.94%
0% for 21 months
(3.49% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Earn up to 15% cashback on purchases through Smart Rewards at popular retailers.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Barclaycard Platinum all-rounder Visa
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 21 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 20 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Buy tickets for up to 3500 selected live events through Barclaycard entertainment and get 5% off tickets per year and exclusive pre-sale tickets on selected festivals with 10% off ticket prices.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
M&S Bank Credit Card Purchase Plus Offer Mastercard
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
0% for 20 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 12 months
(0% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
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Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.

What are 0% purchase credit cards?

0% purchase credit cards allow you to make purchases and pay zero interest on them during the introductory period. When this period ends, the standard purchase rate will be charged on any remaining balance on your card. If you have some big-ticket purchases to make, a 0% purchase credit card can temporarily keep your interest costs low, which could help you pay off the balance faster.

Credit card jargon explained

  • APR. The annual percentage rate (APR) is designed to be a benchmark for consumers, providing an annual summary of the cost of your card. As well as the interest, the APR also takes into account any compulsory charges – like an account fee (if there is one). However, crucially, providers only have to award the advertised APR to 51% of those who take out the credit card – the other 49% could be offered a different (higher) rate, at the provider’s discretion. That’s why it’s often referred to as the representative APR.
  • 0% purchase period. This is the initial amount of time you’ll have to pay off purchases on your card without incurring any interest charges.
  • Variable rate. A variable rate is the opposite of a fixed rate, and can increase or decrease over time at the lender’s discretion. Typically, variations occur as market conditions generally shift – for example an increase or decrease in the Bank of England base rate.

How is a 0% purchase credit card different to a regular credit card?

While a standard credit card typically has an interest rate between 12% and 22% p.a. for purchases, credit cards offering interest-free purchases provide zero interest on all eligible purchases made during the promotional period. If used correctly, a 0% card can save you £100’s in interest and be one of the cheapest ways to borrow money.

How to compare 0% purchase credit cards

There is no one single leading 0% interest credit card on the market because each offer is designed to suit different spending habits and budgets.

Each month, our team of experts analyse all the cards currently available and rate the most outstanding card for different categories based on a detailed methodology. If you’re looking for the top 0% purchase credit card, you can use this guide. It’s good to keep in mind that if you do apply for these top cards, your approval will be dependant on factors like your borrowing history and current income.

Otherwise, you can find a 0% purchase credit card deal that works for you by comparing the following features:

  1. Length of the 0% purchase promotion. Different providers offer differing 0% purchase periods, ranging from 3 to as many as 30 months. It’s important that you choose the promotional period which best suits your needs.Consider how much you’re going to spend, divide it by the number of months in the promotional period and calculate whether you can repay that much each month to clear the balance before the standard interest rate applies. If not, you might want to apply for a card with a longer promotional period or be prepared to collect some interest when the offer ends.
  2. Annual fee. Some 0% purchase credit cards charge an annual fee. To determine whether or not the card is worth the cost, consider how much you’ll save with the 0% interest offer and any other perks to see whether the benefits outweigh the cost.
  3. Standard purchase interest rate. If you’re unable to pay your balance in full by the end of the introductory period, your purchases will begin attracting the standard purchase rate. Depending on the card, this will typically be between 12% and 22%, but can be significantly higher. If you don’t think you can repay the entire balance before the promotion ends, look for a card with a lower ongoing purchase rate. Otherwise, you could enjoy another interest-free period by transferring your debt to a card with a 0% balance transfer offer.
  4. Extra benefits. Does the card come with complimentary travel insurance? Do you want to earn rewards points on your purchases? Will your purchases be covered by purchase protection and an extended warranty? If you will be using the card for more than just the 0% offer, comparing these features can help set the cards apart.
  5. Your eligibility. Unfortunately, the 0% purchase cards with the longest offer periods and features are often only available to those with excellent credit history. Thankfully, you can use an eligibility checker to confirm the types of card you’re likely to be approved for before applying.

Image of hands holding bank cards along a stat: There were 58 million credit cards owned by people in the UK in February 2023

Types of 0% purchase credit cards and extra features

While each of these cards offers 0% on purchases, there are several types of interest free purchase credit cards. You can compare the additional benefits and features to determine which type of 0% purchase credit card is right for you.

0% purchase offer typeBenefits
Standard 0% purchase offerIncludes the 0% promotional purchase rate for a specified period, which will revert back to the standard purchase rate once the offer has ended. Extra benefits such as interest-free days, travel benefits and complimentary insurances may also be available.
0% purchases with frequent flyer benefitsEarn frequent flyer points for every dollar spent on your card for the life of the card and also take advantage of an interest-free purchase promotional period.
0% purchases with balance transfer offersThis type of card allows you to transfer and repay your existing credit card debt interest-free whilst also making purchases with zero interest.
0% purchases with rewards benefitsPay no interest on your purchases and earn rewards points for every dollar you spend. Unlike a frequent flyer card, these are connected to your credit card’s rewards program and can be redeemed for flights, merchandise and cash back.

What's the difference between interest-free days and 0% interest credit card offers?

Most credit cards offer you up to a certain number of interest-free days each statement period, for example, up to 55 days. To take advantage of interest-free days, you usually need to pay off your full balance by the due date on each statement. As long as you meet these conditions, you can enjoy interest-free days on your card.

In comparison, credit cards that offer a promotional 0% interest on purchases give you a temporary period when you can make purchases without paying any interest. You only have to make minimum payments during the promotional period. But a standard interest rate will apply to any balance remaining at the end of that period.

4 common mistakes to avoid

Want to get the most out of a 0% interest period? Here are four things to avoid:

  1. Ignoring the “revert rate”. At the end of the promotional period, the 0% interest rate will revert to the standard purchase rate (which usually sits between 12% and 22%, but be higher). Consider the standard interest rate before applying for the card so you understand how your debt will grow if you fail to repay your balance before the promotional period ends.
  2. Only making the minimum repayment. You’ll be required to make minimum repayments, usually 2% or 3% of the total balance, each statement period. However, if you only match the minimum amount each month, you’ll be unable to repay your entire balance before the 0% offer finishes. If you make more than the minimum repayment, you’ll have a much better chance of repaying your balance before the standard rate applies and you start paying a higher interest rate. If you’re unable to repay your balance before the 0% purchase offer ends, a balance transfer might be the next step.
  3. Ineligible transactions. The 0% offer only applies to eligible purchases. If you use your card for balance transfers, cash advances or other cash-equivalent transactions, they’ll usually be charged at the standard rate unless a separate promotional offer applies.
  4. Not taking advantage of the entire offer period. The 0% offer is available as soon as your card is approved, not from when you make your first purchase. So if your card offers a 0% offer for six months but you don’t make a purchase or any repayments for the first month, you’ll only have five more months to make repayments without incurring interest. If you have a big purchase in mind, make it as soon as possible and start making repayments immediately to get maximum value out of the offer length.

The introductory 0% interest periods offered in these cards can be a great way to save money on planned purchases and big-ticket items that you need to buy. When you’re comparing these cards, pay attention to how long the promotional period lasts, what interest rate applies at the end of the promotional period and other features and fees so that you can find one that suits your needs.

Frequently asked questions from our users

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    melMay 12, 2019

    hi, when the 0% interest on purchases ends, how long will it take to pay off at 19.95%?

      AvatarFinder
      ChrisMay 14, 2019Finder

      Hi Mel, thanks for getting in touch.

      It depends on how much you pay off each month. Let’s say you had £2,400 outstanding, and it was accruing interest at 19.95% annually. If you paid £200 each month, you’d need around 14 months to clear the debt. If you paid £100, it would take around 31 months.

      A balance transfer at that point could help clear the debt faster (and more cheaply). With a long enough 0% interest deal, paying £200 each month would clear the debt in around 12 months (or potentially 13 months, if there’s a transfer fee and it’s lumped in with the balance), and paying £100 each month would clear the debt in around 24 months.

      I hope this helps you, Mel. We’ll soon be adding more calculators, guides and videos to help with exactly this sort of question.

      Kind regards,
      Chris

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