Discover if the Brex Corporate Credit Card is the best choice for startups in 2025. Explore features, rewards, costs, and comparisons with Mercury & Ramp.
For startup founders, managing expenses, rewards, and credit limits can feel overwhelming. Traditional banks often require personal guarantees, collateral, or years of credit history — things most new companies don’t have. That’s where the Brex Corporate Credit Card comes in.
Brex has positioned itself as one of the most popular corporate credit cards for startups, offering flexible limits, powerful rewards, and no personal guarantee. But is it the right choice for your business in 2025? In this review, we’ll break down its features, perks, costs, pros, and cons — and compare it with rivals like Mercury and Ramp.
👉 Looking for the full list? Check our guide: Best Corporate Credit Cards for Startups (2025).
What is the Brex Corporate Credit Card?
The Brex Corporate Credit Card was built specifically for startups and fast-scaling companies. Unlike a traditional business credit card, Brex doesn’t rely on the founder’s personal credit score. Instead, it evaluates your company’s bank balance, revenue, and funding to set your credit limit.
Brex is best known for:
- No personal guarantee (No PG): Founders aren’t personally liable.
- Startup perks: Discounts on SaaS and cloud platforms.
- Strong integrations: Connects easily with QuickBooks, Xero, and other finance tools.
It’s not a “credit card” in the conventional sense — it functions more like a charge card where the balance must be paid in full each month.
Key Features of the Brex Corporate Credit Card
No Personal Guarantee Requirement
Most business credit cards require founders to put their personal assets on the line. Brex removes that risk. Approval is based on your company’s financial health, not your credit score. This makes it attractive for VC-backed startups or teams managing investor capital.
Rewards Program
Brex offers some of the highest rewards multipliers available in the corporate credit card space:
- 8x on rideshare & travel booked via Brex Travel
- 5x on Brex Travel hotels
- 4x on restaurants & dining
- 3x on software subscriptions
- 1x on everything else
These rewards can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, or partner discounts.
Expense Management Tools
- Employee cards with custom spending limits
- Receipt capture via mobile app
- Real-time transaction tracking
- Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, Oracle NetSuite, and others
This is particularly useful for finance teams managing multiple employees.
Dynamic Credit Limits
Unlike personal or small business cards, Brex bases credit limits on your cash flow and revenue. This means higher limits for companies with strong funding or revenue, even if they’re young.
Rewards & Perks in 2025
Brex is more than just points and cashback. It comes with an entire perks marketplace for startups, offering:
- $5,000 in AWS credits
- Discounts on Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, and Notion
- Travel perks like lounge access and trip protections
- Brex Exclusive status (extra rewards if you use Brex as your main card)
These benefits can easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars in savings for early-stage companies.
Fees & Costs – Is the Brex Corporate Credit Card Really Free?
One of the biggest draws of Brex is that it charges:
- $0 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No interest charges (because it’s a charge card)
The only requirement: you must pay off the full balance each billing cycle. For startups with steady cash flow, this is a big win.
Who Should Use the Brex Corporate Credit Card?
The Brex card is ideal for:
- VC-funded startups with strong bank balances
- Tech & SaaS companies with lots of software expenses
- Fast-scaling teams that need multiple employee credit cards
It may not be the best choice for:
- Pre-revenue or bootstrapped startups
- Solopreneurs looking for flexible repayment terms
- Small businesses without significant capital
Brex vs Mercury vs Ramp – Quick Comparison
| Feature | Brex Corporate Credit Card | Mercury Corporate Card | Ramp Corporate Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG Required? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Rewards | 8x on rideshare, 4x dining, 3x SaaS | Cashback | 1.5% cashback flat |
| Perks | AWS, Slack, SaaS discounts | No-fee, banking integration | Expense automation |
| Best For | VC-backed, SaaS startups | Startups needing banking + card | Expense-conscious teams |
👉 See our deep dive: Amex vs Brex vs Mercury (2025).
Pros & Cons of the Brex Corporate Credit Card
Pros ✅
- No personal guarantee required
- High rewards for SaaS, dining, and travel
- Huge startup perk marketplace
- Great integrations with finance software
- No annual fee
Cons ❌
- Requires strong revenue or funding
- Charge card (must pay in full each cycle)
- Not suitable for bootstrapped small businesses
How to Apply for the Brex Corporate Credit Card in 2025
Applying is straightforward:
- Visit the Brex website.
- Provide your company EIN and incorporation documents.
- Link your business bank account.
- Submit details about funding, revenue, and team size.
- Get a decision — often within 24–48 hours.
Requirements:
- U.S.-based corporation or LLC
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Business bank account
- Typically revenue or VC funding
Final Verdict – Is Brex the Best Corporate Credit Card for Startups?
The Brex Corporate Credit Card is one of the best options for funded, fast-scaling startups. It combines high rewards, no personal guarantee, powerful expense tools, and perks that directly save founders money.
If your startup has capital in the bank and plans to scale, Brex is a strong choice in 2025. But if you’re bootstrapped, pre-revenue, or need flexible repayment, you may want to explore alternatives like Ramp or Mercury.
FAQ – Brex Corporate Credit Card (2025)
Does Brex require a personal guarantee?
No. Brex approves companies based on cash flow, not founder credit scores.
What credit score is needed for the Brex corporate credit card?
None. Approval is based on business financials, not personal credit.
Is the Brex Corporate Credit Card free?
Yes — no annual fee, no interest, and no foreign transaction fees.
Who can qualify for the Brex card?
Typically U.S.-based startups with revenue, VC funding, or strong bank balances.
