The 5 Best Fuel Cards for Small Businesses

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.

We'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 Comparison

We've broken down our top picks for the best fuel cards for small businesses based on card feeds, savings and network coverage.

Prices correct as of November 2023

1. WEX FlexCard – Best Overall Fuel Card for Small Businesses

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.

2. Shell Small Business Card – Best For Lower Credit Scores

Shell Small Business Card’s Fees and Perks

The 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

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

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.

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.

5. ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card – Best Fuel Rebates

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.

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.

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 Businesses

Fuel 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 Fuel

A 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 Fraud

Some 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 Spending

A 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.