Updated March 2025

Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards Canada 2025

Why pay an annual fee when great no-fee credit cards are available? These cards earn cash back or rewards with $0 annual fee, perfect for most everyday Canadians in 2025.

Top Picks for 2025

Ranked by overall value — rates, fees, features, and Canadian-specific benefits.

KOHO Note: KOHO offers a completely free tier with 1% cashback on groceries and transit — no credit check required and $100 bonus with code BREMO2026. The perfect complement to any no-fee credit card.

1
KOHO Essential (Free)
1% cashback on groceries & transit

Bonus/Welcome: $100 (code BREMO2026)

Pros: $100 bonus, no credit check, no FX fees, credit building add-on, instant approval

Cons: Visa prepaid, not a traditional credit card

Get $100 Bonus with KOHO →
Annual Fee$0 forever
Earn Rate1% cashback on groce
2
Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard
2% on 2 selectable categories, 0.5% elsewhere

Bonus/Welcome: 2% on select categories for first 3 months

Pros: Best 2% no-fee cash back, flexible category selection, no FX on cash back

Cons: 0.5% on non-selected categories

Annual Fee$0
Earn Rate2% on 2 selectable c
3
Rogers Mastercard
3% on US purchases, 1.5% on CAD purchases

Bonus/Welcome: $25 welcome bonus

Pros: 1.5% everywhere, best for international spending

Cons: Best value for Rogers customers

Annual Fee$0
Earn Rate3% on US purchases,
4
SimplyCash Amex (no fee)
1.25% on everything

Bonus/Welcome: 2.5% for first 3 months

Pros: Flat 1.25% on all purchases, simple cash back

Cons: Amex acceptance issues in Canada, lower rate than Tangerine 2%

Annual Fee$0
Earn Rate1.25% on everything
5
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa
2x Scene+ points on groceries/dining/entertainment

Bonus/Welcome: 5,000 Scene+ points

Pros: Good Cineplex rewards, no annual fee

Cons: Scene+ points less flexible than cash back

Annual Fee$0
Earn Rate2x Scene+ points on
6
PC Financial Mastercard
10 PC Optimum points per $1 at Loblaws/Shoppers

Bonus/Welcome: $25 welcome offer

Pros: Excellent at Loblaws banner stores, PC Optimum synergy

Cons: Best value only at PC-affiliated stores

Annual Fee$0
Earn Rate10 PC Optimum points

No fee everyday banking

Set up direct deposit and skip the monthly fee. Free to open, and the Easy plan has no monthly fee. Worth doing if you will actually move your pay or your CRA deposits over, not if the card sits unused. Code BREMO2026.

See how it works

Get $120 with KOHO

$100 Cash Bonus

No credit check required. Earn cashback + interest. Canada's best everyday spending account.

BREMO2026


Claim Your $100 →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best no-fee credit card in Canada for cash back?
Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard earns 2% in up to 3 categories with no annual fee — it's the top no-fee cash back card in Canada. For those who want a no-credit-check option, KOHO's free tier earns 1% with a $100 sign-up bonus.
Can I get a no-fee credit card in Canada with bad credit?
Yes — KOHO (code BREMO2026) offers a Visa prepaid card with cashback and no credit check. KOHO's Credit Building feature can help you improve your credit score to qualify for traditional no-fee credit cards within 6–12 months.
Do no-fee credit cards have lower rewards than cards with annual fees?
Generally yes — paid cards offer better rewards to offset their fees. However, for moderate spenders, the higher rewards on a $99+ annual fee card may not exceed the fee cost. Calculate your expected cashback on both options using your actual spending.
Is the Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard good?
Yes — it's one of Canada's best no-annual-fee cards. You earn 2% in 2 categories (or 3 if you have a Tangerine account), and the categories are flexible. Monthly cashback deposits are a nice touch. The 0.5% on non-selected categories is low, so use it mainly for your 2% categories.

Related banking guides

No-fee banking in Canada E-transfer limits How to close a bank account Bank drafts explained Canadian banking fees All Canadian bank bonuses

Tired of bank fees? Open a no-fee KOHO account, get $20 with code BREMO2026 →