Written by Julia Watts Reviewed by Maïté Bouhali Updated on September 30, 2023 On this page What Is a Fuel Card for Small Business? Top Fuel Cards Comparison 1. WEX FlexCard: Best Overall Fuel Card for Small Businesses 2. Shell Small Business Card - Best For Lower Credit Scores 3. Wex Fleet Card: Best for Network Coverage 4. Edenred Essentials - Best for Expense Management 5. ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card - Best Fuel Rebates Calculator: How Much Can a Fuel Card Save You On Gas? How Much Does a Fuel Card Cost For Small Fleets? Can You Get A Fuel Card With a Low Credit Rating? The Benefits of Fuel Cards for Small Businesses Verdict How We Test Fuel Cards for Businesses FAQs Expand Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. Record-high gas prices had us all running for cover last summer. Despite cooling gas prices in 2023, the cost per mile and maintenance bills are both on the uptick again.You'll be relieved, then, to know we've been researching the best fuel cards for small businesses to save money on gas. Short on time? No problem. Use our free comparison tool to request a callback to discuss fuel card options. What Are the Best Fuel Cards for Small Businesses? These are the providers we recommend based on our research. Use our comparison tool to find the best service for your business.WEX FlexCard – Best OverallShell Small Business Card – Best for Lower Credit ScoresWEX Fleet Card – Best Network CoverageEdenred Essentials – Best Expense ManagementExxonMobil BusinessPro Card – Best Fuel RebatesWe've named the WEX FlexCard our top choice this year because it has low fees. With a gas station network that covers 95% of the US, most small business fleet managers will find it easy to pay locally with WEX.Since every fleet has different needs, read on to ensure you're well-equipped to choose the provider which has the best perks, fees and network for your specific requirements. What Is a Fuel Card for Small Business?A fuel card (also known as a fleet fuel card or gas card) is a plastic debit or credit card that you use to pay for filling up – or fixing up – your business vehicles. It's a really handy way for small businesses to organize fuel-related expenses because many link to digital dashboards where payment amounts, times, and locations are recorded automatically.Some gas cards (such as the Shell Refillable Card) work like gift cards, where you top them up with cash online then use them to pay at the pump. Once they run out of funds, you can't use them until you top up again.Others, like the Edenred Essentials Visa Fleet Gas Card, are credit cards, so they come with account fees as well as benefits like custom spending controls. You'll also need to pass a credit check to successfully apply for one. Top Fuel Cards ComparisonWe've broken down our top picks for the best fuel cards for small businesses based on card feeds, savings and network coverage. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward Best Overall for Small Fleets WEX FlexCard Best for Lower Credit Ratings Shell Small Business Card Best Network Coverage WEX Fleet Card Best for Expense Management Edenred Essentials Best Fuel Rebates ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card Card Fees None Card Fees None Card Fees $2 per card per monthOther fees apply Card Fees $3 per card, per month$50 fee for late paymentOther fees apply Card Fees $2 monthly per card (for extended coverage)$40 set-up feeOther fees apply Rebates This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit) Rebates of 3¢ per gallon (limited to first year or 6,000 gallons) Rebates This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit) Rebates between 1¢ and 5¢ per gallon, depending on how much you buy per month Rebates This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit) Rebates based on gallons purchasedAccess to the WEX EDGE Savings Network Rebates This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit) 1¢ /gallon (up to 3,999 gallons/month)2¢ /gallon (10,000-14,999 gallons/month)3¢ /gallon (20,000-24,999 gallons/month)(Up to 4¢ per gallon) Rebates This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit) Average rebate of $0.06 per gallon, based on fuel consumption Network Coverage Accepted at 95% of US gas stations. Roughly 107,000. Network Coverage 13,000 stations Network Coverage Accepted at 107,000 stations, covering 95% of the country Network Coverage Accepted anywhere that accepts Visa Network Coverage 12,000+ sites Why Can You Trust Expert Market for Fleet Cards Recommendations? We're proud of our editorial reputation for giving fair and high quality fleet product recommendations. Our expert research team puts tens of hours into researching fuel cards – so you don't have to. Check out our methodology section to learn more.Prices correct as of November 2023 1. WEX FlexCard – Best Overall Fuel Card for Small Businesses WEX FlexCard Savings 3¢ per gallon Compare quotes Read our review Strengths 3¢ rebate per gallon (limits apply) Accepted at 95% of US filling stations Gas price comparison tool Lower fees than many Weaknesses Fees not readily publicized No loyalty program No discounts Can't pay for parking or tolls The Basics See more See less Card Type Credit Rebate Rewards 3¢ per gallon rebate (roughly) Accepted Fuel Type Gasoline, diesel and electric Minimum Spend N/A Network Coverage Roughly 107,000 gas stations and 66,000 charging stations Truckstop Coverage Yes Non-fuel Purchases Engine lubricants, vehicle maintenance and cleaning fees Additional Perks N/A What are WEX FlexCard’s fees?WEX advertises no setup, annual or card fees. However, that doesn't mean there are no costs at all. Payment terms depend on your exact agreement with the bank, but our research found a monthly card fee of $2.If you choose not to pay your entire balance by the end of the billing period, then you'll owe interest. There's a late payment fee of minimum $39, and a returned payment fee of $50. International currency conversion is charged at 1%. Other fees may apply.What are the benefits of WEX FlexCard?You'll also get rebates of up to 3¢ per gallon of fuel you buy during the first 180 days after the card is issued. These payments will be applied each month in the form of arrears. However, you can only get them if you pay off the balance each month.You have the option to carry the card's balance to next month if cashflow is a challenge. But you'll have to sacrifice that month's rebate bonus if you choose to do so (and additional fees may apply).Is WEX FlexCard convenient for small business use?Yes, WEX ClearView allows you a good level of oversight on your fuel expense data, purchasing trends, and miles to the gallon. It's a helpful way to control tap-happy fleet staff who like to spend more than they should; you can set custom spending limits per card.Its very wide acceptance (at 95% of all retail fuel locations) makes WEX FlexCard a more appealing option than the Chevron and Texaco Business Card, for instance. That competitor also has fewer fees but is only accepted at around 8,000 stations.How can WEX FlexCard help with vehicle expenses management?The WEX FlexCard can pay for vehicle maintenance, engine lubricants, and cleaning fees. Drivers and business owners can charge multiple vehicle-related expenses to one card, rather than having multiple cards for different purposes.You'll also get access to WEX ClearView, which provides reports that make it easier to manage fuel budgeting. Instead of hiring a data analytics expert, the software presents your outgoings in graphs. Then you can spot important trends (like overspending on premium fuels) and put measures in place to address issues as they're happening.What are the downsides to the WEX FlexCard?Unfortunately, there are no loyalty points or extra discounts like you'd get with WEX's credit fleet card. But this is to be expected for a card with fewer fees.You also can't use it to pay for parking and toll fees, unlike rival Edenred's Essentials Visa card, launched in 2022. WEX Your Whistle? If you're intrigued about WEX's other fleet cards, take a look at our WEX review to see what else is on offer. 2. Shell Small Business Card – Best For Lower Credit Scores Shell Small Business™ Card Savings Around 3¢ per gallon Compare quotes Read our review Strengths No card fees Cancel lost cards online Driver IDs to monitor card use Weaknesses No mobile app on this plan No fuel price comparison tool to find the cheapest rate The Basics See more See less Card Type Credit Rebate Rewards 1¢-5¢ per gallon Accepted Fuel Type Gasoline and diesel Minimum Spend N/A Network Coverage 13,000 Truckstop Coverage Yes Non-fuel Purchases 15% off at Jiffy Lube Additional Perks N/A Did You Know? The global fuel card market size is projected to reach $1,210.01 billion by 2027.Shell Small Business Card’s Fees and PerksThe Shell Small Business Card offers average savings of 3¢ per gallon (and up to 5¢ per gallon) in rebates. Rebates are tiered, meaning not all card holders will get the same savings. It's dependent on how much fuel you buy each month.You'll get revolving credit so you can carry a balance to the next month, rather than having to pay it all off by month's end. Fees apply, so make sure you understand these fully before you commit to signing up.Best of all, if you have a low or poor credit rating, you may stand a better chance of being accepted for the Shell Small Business Card over any of the other cards on this list.There doesn't seem to be a time limit on how long you'll receive your rebates, unlike WEX, which only offers this perk for the first six months of your contract.To help you save on lubrication, it even offers 15% off at Jiffy Lube. That's extra convenient if it's already your preferred brand (otherwise, remember to look around for better deals).What are the security features of the Shell Small Business card?Cancel missing or stolen cards instantly online. You can also reduce the likelihood of fuel expense fraud by keeping an eye on card activity reports. That means you'll be able to see how much has been spent at every transaction, and where each took place. Driver IDs mean you know who's responsible for each purchase.What are the downsides of Shell Small Business card?It has a relatively small network of acceptance compared with WEX branded cards. There are around 13,000 Shell stations, which is better than Chevron and Texaco's network, but not as good as the acceptance rate of WEX's own brand cards (at 95% of all US retail fuel locations).Unfortunately you won't get the convenient mobile app that lets you quickly cancel lost or stolen cards and monitor potential misuse from your smartphone. That feature only comes with the Shell Fleet Navigator and Shell Fleet Plus cards, not the Shell Small Business card. 3. Wex Fleet Card – Best for Network Coverage WEX Fleet Card Savings Volume-dependent rebates Compare quotes Read our review Strengths Can be used for electric vehicles Accepted at 95% of US filling stations High security Weaknesses Cannot carry balance to next billing period Pricing not readily available No loyalty points The Basics See more See less Card Type Credit Rebate Rewards Variable based on gas purchased Accepted Fuel Type Gasoline, diesel and electric Minimum Spend N/A Network Coverage Roughly 107,000 gas stations and 66,000 charging stations Truckstop Coverage Yes Non-fuel Purchases Engine lubricants, vehicle maintenance and cleaning fees Additional Perks Discounts on hotel stays and vehicle accessories Is the WEX Fleet Card free to use?This is not a free option as with the WEX FlexCard and Shell’s Small Business Card. Monthly card fees apply, although WEX does not publish its rates online. Instead, you'll need to speak to a sales advisor to learn what the costs would be for your own fleet.What are the financial benefits of using WEX Fleet Card?With the WEX Fleet Card, you’ll earn rebates on fuel based on how much you fill up, but it’s not clear what this figure is. Unlike Shell and Edenred, WEX doesn't publicize its rebate rates online.You'll also gain access to the WEX EDGE Savings Network to score exclusive discounts on auto parts at AutoZone, tires and hotel stays. However, not all customers are eligible for all exclusive discounts.How convenient is the WEX Fleet card?In addition to charging your fuel expenses to the card, you’ll be able to purchase other products and services as well, including vehicle maintenance, lubricants, and cleaning. Keeping multiple fleet-related expenses in one place can also help you find areas to cut back on as well as the areas where you are within your budget.Drivers will have to enter a PIN plus the current odometer reading for every purchase. While this somewhat takes away from the convenience of the card, it's an added security feature that can dampen down the chances of fraudulent spending.How much oversight does WEX Fleet Card provide for fuel expenditure management?Another plus of the WEX Fleet Card is that you can gain full visibility over your fuel consumption and expenditure. This is a much-needed measure of financial control in a time when all types of fleet costs are rising.WEX’s cards offer insights into miles per gallon and fuel spending data through the ClearView analytics platform. ExxonMobil also gives access to ClearView, while Edenred Essentials has its own integrated platform. Since Edenred allows drivers to make requests, while this is a premium feature with ClearView, Edenred may be a better choice for communication purposes. In general, having a broad overview of your outgoings is imperative for all fleets, especially smaller operations or those that are just starting out and may have a limited cash flow. 4. Edenred Essentials – Best for Expense Management Edenred Essentials Savings Rebates of 2.5¢ per gallon Compare quotes Strengths Accepted for gasoline, diesel and electric No surcharges or minimum spend Reimbursement in the case of fraud plus unusual activity alerts Weaknesses No fuel price comparison No station locator Not possible to pay at pump The Basics See more See less Card Type Credit Rebate Rewards 2.5¢ per gallon rebate (roughly) Accepted Fuel Type Gasoline, diesel and electric Minimum Spend N/A Network Coverage Accepted Anywhere that Accepts VISA Truckstop Coverage Yes Non-fuel Purchases Toll fees, engine lubricants, vehicle maintenance, parking and cleaning fees Additional Perks Costco Membership What are the fees for the Edenred Essentials Visa Fleet Gas Card?It costs $3 per month, per card. You'll have to pay a fee of $50 if your payment arrives late or a check needs to be returned. There's an additional $10 charge for a paper invoice, and a 3% charge on foreign transactions.What are the fuel rebate rates for the Edenred Essentials Fleet Card?The rebate offering from Edenred Essentials varies according to how much fuel you use, and your chosen billing cycle. It ranges between 1¢ and 4¢ based on how much fuel you buy within your billing cycle.We found Edenred Essentials Fleet Gas Card rebates are not as generous as those for the Shell Small Business card.Rebate rates taken from the providers' websites, correct at the time of publishing. Rates are subject to change without notice.How good is Edenred Essentials' vehicle expenses management?Second to none. With this card, you can pay for fuel, vehicle maintenance, engine lubricants, tolls, parking, and cleaning fees. That's a much broader range of options than competitors.Reporting features give you an overall picture of your fuel expenses. Color-coded data dashboards present your purchase data in a clear and appealing way. You'll be able to access these reports from your desktop or smartphone, unlike with the Shell Small Business card. Keep on Truckin Are you running a truck fleet? Have a look at our recommendations for truck business fuel cards. 5. ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card – Best Fuel Rebates ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card Savings Rebates of up to 6¢ per gallon Compare quotes Read our review Strengths Generous rebates on fuel purchase Accepted at the majority of US filling stations Insight into fuel efficiency via tacograph data and fuel spending data Mobile app management Weaknesses Can't pay for tolls or maintenance No gas price comparison feature No restriction on type of gas purchased which can lead to errors when re-fuelling The Basics See more See less Card Type Credit Rebate Rewards Up to 6¢ per gallon Accepted Fuel Type Gasoline and diesel Minimum Spend N/A Network Coverage Either 1,200 Exxon and Mobil stations or 'Fuel Anywhere,' which covers 95% of US stations' Truckstop Coverage Yes Non-fuel Purchases N/A Additional Perks Exxon Mobil Rewards+ Points How much does it cost to use ExxonMobil BusinessPro?There's a $2 per month, per card fee, with a one-off fee of $40 for new customers. That makes ExxonMobil BusinessPro cheaper than Edenred Essentials Visa Fleet Gas Card.A late fee (minimum $75) applies if you don't pay your balance by the Due Date. Other fees apply, such as reactivation fees, foreign currency fees, plus a truck stop fee per card swiped at a diesel pump.You can get tax-exempt billing if you're eligible. You'll need certification, though, so you should get in touch with a qualified tax advisor to set that up.What are the perks of ExxonMobil BusinessPro?You can access 24/7 customer care based in the US via phone.Rebate rates range from 1¢ to 6¢ depending on how much fuel you buy in a billing period. However, our research found this card offers a larger rebate on fuel than the Shell Small Business card.Rebate rates taken from the providers' websites, correct at the time of publishing. Rates are subject to change without notice.Another perk is the ExxonMobil Rewards+ program, allowing fleet staff to earn points every time they use the card. It's not overly generous, with 100 points equal to $1. You could earn a 2¢ discount per dollar spent on in-store snacks and items.What are the negative points of ExxonMobil BusinessPro?A serious downside to the ExxonMobil BusinessPro card is that it is solely a fuel card and can't be used for any other expenses, such as toll fees, vehicle maintenance, or parking. You won't get an overall picture of your fleet expenses, by any means.By contrast, Edenred Essentials Visa Gas Fleet Card can be used for a broad range of fleet expenses, and links your data to interactive dashboards for handy oversight.How does ExxonMobil BusinessPro report fuel expenditure?Similarly to WEX and Edenred, ExxonMobil provides insight into your fuel expenditure in the form of table reporting, showing miles per gallon as well as the total outgoings on fuel.You can check available credit and manage your fleet cards in the dedicated app. That's convenient for busy managers who can't spend all day sat at a desktop computer. Looking for An Exxollent Card? We've written about ExxonMobil's other fleet fuel cards in our ExxonMobil review. If you want more options, take a look now. Calculator: How Much Can a Fuel Card Save You on Gas?A survey held by Automotive Fleet magazine determined that by investing in a fleet card, businesses could save up to 15% on their entire fuel costs. This includes the price of fuel as well as the associated management expenses.To demonstrate this further, we created a handy calculator that shows you the difference in cost when purchasing fuel with a regular card vs. with a fuel card. How Much Does a Fuel Card Cost For Small Fleets?Fuel cards for small fleets can vary in price based on providers, with some requiring an annual fee and a card fee.Usually, you can expect to pay between $2-$4 per card, per month plus a set-up fee of around $40. Additional charges can apply, such as late payment fees ($30-$90), interest on overdue payments, and returned payment fees (around $40-$50). Some fuel cards have an annual membership fee, under which you can have multiple drivers. Whereas some charge you per card or driver. It may be worth doing the calculations to see which sort of plan suits you best, depending on your fleet size.Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some fuel cards have zero monthly fees, such as the WEX FlexCard, which allows you to collect savings without a monthly investment. Can You Get A Fuel Card With a Low Credit Rating?Fuel cards that act in the same way as credit cards and carry a monthly balance usually require a certain credit rating (at least 580- 680). If you have a lower credit rating or none at all, all is not lost. You may be approved for the Shell Small Business Card, which does consider those with lower ratings. A secured fuel card is also an option, these require a cash deposit that acts as a credit limit and are a great way to build credit via on-time payments.You may also be able to get a fuel card via your bank or credit union, rather than a major fuel card issuer. They might be more likely to approve you. Another trick may be to sign up with a co-signer with a better credit score to boost your chances of acceptance. Alternatively, you can consider a prepaid fuel card to avoid the headache of credit ratings altogether. The Benefits of Fuel Cards for Small BusinessesFuel cards are famous for being the saving grace for large trucking corporations; and now small companies can benefit from their rewarding rebates, too.The best fuel card companies help you save money and give you better control over your business. The best fleet cards for small businesses also grant employees greater financial security, through rewards schemes and extra discounts on non-fuel items.Below, we look at some of the benefits you can expect when you invest in a fuel card.Discounts on FuelA fuel card rewards small businesses by offering discounts on the purchase of fuel, oil, and lubricate at certain stations. So, the more often you use your card, the more savings you gain. In addition, some cards offer rewards for every dollar spent or for every gallon of fuel purchased, allowing you to earn money back or even enjoy free fuel in the future. Check out our guide to the best fuel cards with discounts for more.Less Risk of FraudSome businesses prefer to use a corporate card for buying fuel, or they want their drivers to use cash and then provide a receipt to be reimbursed. These methods mean unnecessary admin, and there’s always the risk that cash can be stolen on the road.Fleet cards for small business are precise and leave less room for fraud or error. This will help save your business from theft and legal issues, and it will save you valuable time in the process.Greater Control Over SpendingA driver may use a fuel station that costs more, while another driver may purchase a higher grade of gas than is necessary. These and various other reasons will see your expenses stack up, which will eat into your profits.A fuel card for small businesses will allow you to set limitations on how much is spent, where it is spent, and at what times, so you can have a tight hold on where your money is going. In addition, regular reports on these transactions allow you to keep a close eye on what’s going on in your business. Verdict The WEX FlexCard is the best overall fuel card for small businesses. With a wide network, decent fuel rebates, and no card fees, it's a great starting point for any small fleet looking to make savings without too much investment.That being said, it doesn't provide much in the way of additional perks and you can't pay for parking or tolls. Which is a bit annoying.The Edenred Essentials card is a great alternative if you're looking for a complete business card that will allow you to pay for fleet expenses beyond gas. But bear in mind there lots of fees with this option and the rebates are less generous.So you should only choose Edenred Essentials if the convenience of superior data crunching is worth the price tag.To better understand your individual needs and priorities, we recommend using our free quote-finding tool.Simply answer a few questions about your small business, and we'll match you up with the fuel card providers that meet your needs. They'll then be in touch with tailored, obligation-free quotes so you can compare and save. How We Test Fuel Cards for BusinessesWe tested 13 market-leading fuel cards to evaluate them in terms of security, customer support, expense management, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to US businesses.Our rigorous testing process means these products have been scored and rated in five main categories of investigation and 13 subcategories – in fact, we covered 43 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers – and that's our algorithm in a nutshell!Our main testing categories for fuel cards are:Security: the measures and features implemented by the fuel card product to ensure the safety and protection of the cardholder's information and transaction.Customer Support: the resources and assistance provided by the fuel card provider to cardholders, such as phone support, email or chat support, and online forums.Expense Management: the features and tools provided by the fuel card product to track and manage fuel-related expenses, e.g. transaction tracking, expense reporting, and receipt capture and storage.Convenience: the ease of use and accessibility of the fuel card product for cardholders, including the acceptance network of fuel stations, availability, price comparison tool, etc.Card Specific Information: the details and specifications associated with the fuel card itself. This includes card fees, accepted fuel type, card type, fee structure and network coverage. FAQs How Many Vehicles Do I Need For a Fleet Card? The National Credit Union Administration (a federal agency) defines a fleet as a minimum of five vehicles. However, it depends on the fuel card provider. Some providers may not accept your card application because your fleet size and requirements are not a good fit for their product. Request a call-back with our experts to determine the best fuel card for your needs. Which Gas Card Is the Easiest for Small Businesses? The WEX Fleet Card is the easiest gas card because it is widely accepted at over 95% of US retail fuel stations. Is It Worth It for a Small Business To Have a Fuel Card? It's worth getting a fuel card as it can help save time and money otherwise spent on accountancy software or professional expertise to analyze your expenditure data. However, all cards come with some fees, so you should ensure you understand what you'll get in return for your investment before you sign up. Written by: Julia Watts Software Expert Specialising in business software, Julia writes jargon-busting guides about VoIP, fleet management, dash cams, fuel cards, and more. Having spent almost a decade writing for entrepreneurs and reviewing business solutions, she loves helping exciting ventures – big or small – to flourish. Reviewed by: Maïté Bouhali Business Software Editor Maite began her career with Expert Market nearly four years ago as a writer. She quickly developed a passion for the challenges faced by small businesses and now endeavours to help them make informed decisions for their future. In her current position as Business Software Editor, Maite works closely with writers to ensure that each article is informative, well-researched, engaging, and actionable for readers. With extensive knowledge of CRM, vehicle tracking devices, and fuel cards, she is meticulous in her review of each article and provides detailed feedback before publication. Whether you're seeking to stay informed on the latest trends in business software or need guidance in selecting the most appropriate software for your organisation's needs, Maite is here to help. With her sharp eye for detail and commitment to quality, she is dedicated to supporting businesses in achieving their goals.