If you landed here, you may have received an invitation to apply for a “Shopify credit card.” And, since this offer was only unveiled a few months ago, you’re not going to find a lot about it on Reddit or other forums.
Not only this, but if you try searching for details about the card, you’ll mostly see Shopify’s own marketing content, reviews that may have been written by affiliates, and information about Shopify Capital (which is a separate offer)
…This is probably going to change in the future as the Shopify Credit offer has time to spread its wings. Still, you need to know more about the card before you apply or accept an offer.
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So, here, I’m going to explain the offer and a little bit about the company, share some features and benefits of the card, and compare it to some close competitors. Then, I’ll answer a few of the top questions people are asking.
Here’s what’s in store:
- What is Shopify Credit?
- Shopify Credit Features & Benefits
- Shopify Credit Alternatives
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion: Is This Card Offer Worthwhile?
Let’s dive in!
What is Shopify Credit?
Shopify Credit is a pay-in-full, so-called “business credit card” tailored for entrepreneurs — It offers a straightforward and transparent financial solution with no fees, no interest, and up to 56 days to pay for purchases.
Considering the way the card is set up, it’s actually a corporate card, not a business credit card (more on that in a minute).
Shopify Credit is designed to support business cash flow with a flexible spending option for everyday business expenses, such as:
- Marketing and Advertising
- Shipping and Fulfillment
- Wholesale
Shopify sellers can easily check their eligibility online and receive quick decisions based on business performance rather than credit scores. And, they can enjoy the convenience of a Visa®-branded card accepted pretty much everywhere globally (i.e. wherever Visa is accepted).
The card also comes with the added benefit of cashback rewards, allowing users to earn up to 3% cashback on eligible purchases in their top spend category and 1% on the other two categories. With no catch and a focus on simplicity, Shopify Credit aims to empower businesses by providing a reliable and rewarding financial tool.
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Business Credit vs Corporate Cards
Business credit cards and corporate cards serve distinct purposes in the realm of business financing. Business credit cards are typically designed for small to medium-sized enterprises and individual business owners, offering a convenient and flexible means of covering day-to-day expenses. They often come with features like cashback rewards and expense tracking.
On the other hand, corporate cards are generally intended for larger enterprises and are issued to employees for company-related expenses. Corporate cards may come with more extensive expense management tools and customization options tailored to the specific needs of large organizations.
Shopify credit gives you the best of both worlds. Still, the offer is more closely related to contemporary corporate card offers than business credit cards, which allow you to carry a revolving balance.
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Shopify Company Overview
Established back in 2004, the Canadian powerhouse known as Shopify (aka Shopify Payments or Shopify Data Processing, if you’re feeling fancy) has grown into a publicly-traded juggernaut valued at $1.3+ billion.
Every online merchant has heard about their game-changing online sales platform that’s been rocking the eCommerce scene. Now, I won’t dive too deep into the intricacies of Shopify’s credit card processing capabilities or the Shopify credit card reader.
Instead, let’s shine a quick spotlight on the backstory of Shopify Credit.
Shopify’s initiatives kicked off in April 2016, when they started offering merchant cash advances, and since then, they’ve pumped out billions in funding for sellers worldwide. Shopify Credit was launched more recently in July 2023.
It’s worth noting that all the financial mojo behind Shopify Capital comes courtesy of WebBank, a player affiliated with the likes of Dell Business Credit, LendingClub, and Capital on Tap (not my favorite business funding offers).
Meanwhile, Shopify Credit is issued courtesy of Celtic Bank, a modest brand with a tremendous reach.
Recommended: Shopify Capital Review: What are the Benefits & is it Worth it?
Shopify Credit Features & Benefits
Okay, are you ready to dive into the details? Here’s a summary of who can qualify for Shopify Credit and everything you can expect if you pull the trigger on this one.
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Shopify Credit Card Terms & Fees
Shopify Credit is essentially free:
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No setup fees
This offer is all about straightforward transactions to help keep more money in your business.
With up to 56 days to settle bills (net 56) and zero late fees, Shopify Credit offers a relaxed payment period, giving you ample time to manage your business finances. This can help you manage your finances pretty easily.
Many tradelines like this report on-time payments to credit bureaus. I couldn’t find out any information on the Shopify website about whether on-time payments are reported to credit bureaus. So, I first reached out to Celtic Bank who referred me back to Shopify.
According to Shopify’s AI chat assistant, on-time payments on the Shopify Credit card are not reported to business credit bureaus. I’m not 100% confident in the accuracy of this answer, so if you know otherwise, please let me know.
FInally, over time, you can watch your credit limit expand as your business succeeds – Periodic reviews ensure your credit line grows with your business, which offers some financial flexibility without constant paperwork.
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Cashback & Bonus Offer
In addition to being a free card, Shopify Credit offers cashback and bonuses.
With this card, you can earn rewards customized to your business essentials:
- 3% cashback on your top spending category
- 1% on the other two, recognizing your business efforts.
There is a catch here, though — a pretty big one. In order to earn rewards, you must use your card for spending in the three approved categories (marketing and advertising, shipping and fulfillment, and wholesale).
Card spending must take place with one of Shopify’s partners to qualify for cashback:
| Category | Providers |
| Marketing & advertising | Google, Meta, TikTok, Pinterest, Snap, Twitter, Microsoft, Shopify Email, Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Instafeed, Yotpo SMSbump, Yotpo product reviews and UGC, Yotpo subscriptions, Yotpo loyalty and rewards, Loox, Privy |
| Shipping & fulfillment | USPS, UPS, DHL Express, Flexport, Pirateship, Shopify Shipping, Shopify Fulfillment Network, Shipsurance, Shipstation, Shippo, Aftership order tracking, Aftership shipping + labels, Aftership returns, Parcel Panel Order Tracking |
| Wholesale | Faire |
Chances are, if you’re successfully selling on Shopify, you are spending with some of these brands — so, the Shopify Credit card gives you a chance to earn/save on some of that spending.
Shopify also advertises a $2K Shop cash welcome bonus for eligible spending — as of today, this is still up on the website:
Sadly, this offer expired on October 31, 2023…if you accept a card offer after this date, you will not qualify for the $2K welcome bonus (I triple-checked).
As with most corporate and credit cards, there will probably be more introductory offers in the future – be sure to keep your eyes peeled…and always read the fine print.
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Shopify Credit Requirements
You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that Shopify does not do a credit check. Shopify Credit is offered by Shopify to eligible merchants. Merchants don’t necessarily have to seek it out actively; instead, Shopify may extend offers to qualified merchants based on their business performance, so you don’t need a particular credit score to qualify.
But, you do need a few other things:
- A Shopify Payments account with a single owner
- A bank account connected to the Shopify Payments account
- A valid United States Social Security number
- A business located in the United States or Puerto Rico
You may receive notifications or invitations to apply for Shopify Credit, and the application process is typically straightforward. Eligibility is based on your business performance, and decisions can be made within minutes.
Shopify Credit Alternatives
I’ve reviewed quite a few free corporate fintech cards here on this blog, and a handful of them are very close contenders with Shopify Credit:
- While I don’t like to play favorites, my favorite corporate card is Divvy – I have this card, I use it, and I love it because of its user-friendly features and expense management tools.
- Brex is another super popular corporate card. You’ll need a high-performing business to qualify. And, if you get this card, you’ll have the opportunity to save on business expenses like travel and online advertising.
- Next, Stripe Corporate is a close contender and may be a better fit if most or many of your Shopify store transactions are run through the Stripe payment platform. This card offers features tailored for Stripe users, but it’s available by invitation only, with specific requirements.
- This list would be complete without Ramp, which focuses on providing real-time insights into your company spending and helps control costs.
- While the next card wouldn’t be my top choice for most online sellers, Bank of America’s Corporate Card is worth mentioning here because of its benefits and rewards, especially if you’re already using BoA for business banking.
The best card for you is going to depend on your current setup, whether or not you’re willing to make some changes, and how quickly you need access to a corporate card.
Recommended: In-Depth Divvy (BILL) Credit Card Review: Read This Before You Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Shopify give you money?
Shopify offers two types of merchant funding: Shopify Capital and Shopify Credit. Shopify Capital provides funding through merchant cash advances based on sales history, with repayments tied to a percentage of daily sales. Shopify Credit, on the other hand, offers a fee-free credit card with cashback rewards, providing additional funds for business expenses based on sales performance. Both options give eligible merchants access to capital to support their business growth.
Does Shopify Credit affect your ability to qualify for Shopify Capital?
No, applying for Shopify Credit does not impact your Shopify Capital eligibility. The two operate independently, allowing merchants to leverage both financial tools to support different aspects of their business needs.
What is the Shopify Credit card fee?
The Shopify Credit card is fee-free, with no annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or setup fees. This transparent fee structure aims to provide simplicity for merchants, allowing them to focus on their business without concerns about additional charges.
Will a Shopify Credit card help you build business credit?
No. Shopify Credit is not technically a credit card and on-time payments made toward your account balance will not be reported to business credit bureaus.
Conclusion: Is This Card Offer Worthwhile?
Wrapping it up, Shopify Credit and its cashback rewards seem to be a pretty legit deal under the right circumstances — The card offers a straightforward, fee-free experience with up to 56 days to settle bills, and zero late fees.
While the card is relatively new and might not be buzzing just yet, it offers simplicity, quick eligibility check, and no credit score hassles. These features make it a solid choice for some online sellers.
The cashback adds a nice touch, providing cardholders with tangible benefits for their business spending – but it’s a shame they’re still advertising the bonus offer when it’s actually unavailable. And, I am not stoked that the card doesn’t report payments to credit bureaus.
With that said, I still like Divvy, and I would choose it over Shopify Credit, depending on whether or not my operations were the right fit. In full transparency, I’m not a Shopify seller, I’m a business credit coach and investor.
If you want to learn how to obtain up to $100K in business credit in as few as 30 days, join Business Credit Workshop today!