Best 0% interest purchase credit cards September 2023

The best 0% interest purchase credit cards are ideal for big purchases and help you spread the cost over some months with no added interest to pay. The important thing is you keep on top of making your minimum payments and only use the card to purchase what you need.

With inflation at a 40-year high and rising energy costs, paying as little interest as possible on your debts has never been more important. 

To help you find the best deals, these are the best 0% credit card deals available right now. If you want to know more about how these cards work, then we explain that further below.

The rate you get will depend on the strength of your credit score. Our links take you to an eligibility checker on our sister site Go.compare, so that you can see if you will be accepted for the deal before you apply.

Here are the best 0% purchase credit card deals available now (the links go to the eligibility checker unless otherwise stated).

BEST 0% INTEREST PURCHASE CREDIT CARDS

Natwest | 23 months 0% | 23.9% APR after 0% period

This credit card offers 0% for 23 months on purchases. Our eligibility calculator via our sister site Gocompare, will indicate whether you could get the full 23 months. A bonus with this credit card is it also offers 0% balance transfers for 23 months (with a 2.99% transfer fee) if transfers are made within the first 3 months, giving you the best of both worlds.

Barclaycard

Barclaycard | Up to 22 months 0% | 22.9% APR after 0% period

This credit card offers 0% for 22 months on purchases. Our eligibility calculator via our sister site Gocompare will indicate whether you could get the full 22 months or if it is more likely that you could get just 12 months at 0%. A bonus with this one is it also offers 0% balance transfers for 22 months, giving you the best of both worlds.

HSBC | Up to 20 months 0% on purchases | 23.9% once 0% period over | 2.99% fee

This credit card offers up to 20 months at 0% on purchases, but depending on your credit history you could get less. Our eligibility calculator via our sister site Gocompare will tell you what you are eligible for. As a bonus this credit card comes with up to 17 months 0% on balance transfers with a 2.99% transfer fee and a minimum of £5 should be transferred. To get the 0% offer on balance transfers you must transfer your sum within the first 60 days of opening this account.  

Check to see if you can get the HSBC card via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to HSBC.

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Points perk

Marks & Spencer | 18 months 0% on purchases | M&S points on spending | 23.9% once 0% period over

Anyone accepted for this credit card gets the full 18 months at 0%. This card gives you M&S points - one point (worth 1p) is given per £5 spend while a more generous one point per £1 spent at M&S is given. Points are converted into vouchers to spend at M&S.

Check to see if you can get the M&S Bank card via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to M&S Bank.

Sainsburys Dual 17 Month Credit Card | up to 17 months 0% on purchases and balance transfers | 23.9% once 0% is over

You get the best of both worlds with this credit card, offering up to 17 months 0% on purchases and balance transfers, but this depends on your personal finances. There is a balance transfer fee in the first three months of 3%, but this can vary. There is no annual fee. Also, in your first two months you get 500 bonus Nectar points when you spend £35 or more with your credit card and for every £2 you spend in Sainsburys, Argos, Habitat or Tu clothing, you collect up to 3 points. 

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This list is updated regularly, with guidance from data analyst Defaqto. 

What is a 0% interest purchase credit card?

A 0% purchase card can help you borrow money more affordably. Therefore, when you spend on your credit card, there will be no added interest to pay on your repayments. 

The 0% interest will only be for a limited time, so keep a lookout for when that ends so you can ideally pay back in the 0% interest term. It could be anything from two months to three years. 

This type of credit card is great for big purchases that you want to pay off over time. 

When the 0% period ends, you’ll be charged interest on any balance remaining on the card.

Who can get a 0% interest credit card?

First things first, to get your hands on a 0% interest credit card, you need a good credit score. To bag the best rates you would definitely need a good credit score.

Dennis Hussey, money adviser at National Debtline, said: “Low or 0% interest is hard to get if you do not have a good credit rating – and as is the case with any borrowing there are risks involved. If you are already behind on other payments, you should seek debt advice.” 

Before you apply for a 0% credit card, it’s a good idea to use an online eligibility checker, like the one from our sister site GoCompare, before making an application. You can also check your credit score with any one of the three credit reference agencies like Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.

Legally, credit card firms only need to give their advertised deals to 51% of successful applicants, so you may be offered a shorter 0% interest period than advertised if your score is not strong.

Are 0% credit cards a good idea?

Interest-free credit cards mean you can borrow money for free. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the right option for all.

Even though there is no interest charged, you still have to repay the money you borrow on a 0% credit card. If you fail to make the minimum payment each month, the credit card company is likely to cancel the 0% offer and you’ll start being charged interest.