Virtual Credit Cards for Business 2026: Ramp, Brex, Divvy
Virtual business cards let you issue single-use or recurring cards for vendors and subscriptions. Here is how the major platforms handle them.
Bottom line
Ramp includes unlimited virtual cards and category or vendor controls on its free tier. Brex also offers virtual charge cards; both require full payment according to the account schedule. Compare each offer for limits, rewards and controls instead of treating Brex as revolving credit. Airbase, now part of Paylocity, and BILL Spend can suit companies using their wider spend platforms. Per-vendor limits are useful for subscriptions and advertising spend.
Is it right for you?
- Issue vendor-specific virtual cards so one compromised card number cannot affect other vendors.
- Set per-card spending limits for subscription management.
- Use single-use virtual cards for one-time purchases.
- Cancel the vendor subscription and restrict the relevant virtual card; check linked physical-card effects and pending transactions.
- Review active virtual cards quarterly and cancel unused ones.
Ramp: unlimited virtual cards on the free tier
Ramp
Brex
Airbase
BILLRamp Free supports virtual cards with individual spending limits. Terminating the relevant card or funds blocks new attempted transactions, but does not cancel your contract with the SaaS vendor. Cancel the subscription directly with the merchant, review previously authorized or pending transactions, and separately stop any scheduled Bill Pay payments. A card restriction is not a guarantee that no amount remains payable.
This is particularly useful for subscription sprawl. Many companies have dozens of SaaS tools charged to a single company card. If that card expires or is compromised, every subscription needs to be updated. With per-vendor virtual cards, card changes affect only the specific vendor.
Ramp virtual cards are Visa cards with full merchant category code (MCC) controls. You can restrict a card to specific merchant categories or specific vendors by name.
Brex and Airbase virtual cards
Brex virtual cards are business charge cards, with payment due in full on the daily or monthly statement schedule. A credit limit does not make them revolving-credit cards. Compare the available limit and repayment schedule with Ramp before choosing either for cash-flow management.
Airbase (now part of Paylocity after acquisition) was an early innovator in virtual card management for spend controls. The product is still available and handles virtual cards alongside its broader spend management features.
BILL Spend (formerly Divvy) also offers virtual cards. If you are already using BILL for AP and want to add virtual cards for expense management, BILL Spend keeps it in one ecosystem.
When virtual cards are most valuable
Virtual cards solve three main problems: vendor-specific card numbers for security, subscription management without physical card updates, and departmental spending limits without issuing additional physical cards.
Marketing teams that manage multiple advertising platforms benefit especially from virtual cards. Each ad platform (Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn, etc.) gets its own virtual card with a spending limit. The marketing manager can see exactly what each platform is spending without digging through credit card statements.
Virtual cards are less useful for in-person purchases where a physical card or mobile payment is needed. They are primarily valuable for online purchases, SaaS subscriptions, and vendor payments.
For the full spend management platforms behind these virtual cards, see our best expense management software roundup.
Frequently asked questions
How do Ramp and Brex compare on user satisfaction? Compare reviews from similar-sized companies for card controls, receipt submission and support. A G2 rating and an NPS measure different things, and the earlier mixed-source figures do not establish which product has higher satisfaction.
What does Ramp cost? The core software tier is free. Plus costs $15/user/month plus a platform fee based on team size, with annual-billing discounts available. Add-ons and payment-method charges are separate. The US card does not require a personal guarantee [official pricing and US application requirements, checked October 12, 2026].
What does Brex cost, and how does it compare at the enterprise tier? Essentials is $0/user/month, Premium is $12/user/month and Enterprise is custom-priced. Obtain a quote for the required entities, local card programs and implementation services; the earlier $75,000 to $250,000 range was not an official tariff [Brex pricing, checked October 12, 2026].
What are the eligibility requirements for a virtual/corporate card from each? US Ramp applicants need a registered corporation, LLC or LP, an EIN, at least $25,000 in a linked US business bank account, and qualifying US operations and a physical address. Brex is not restricted to venture-backed businesses: commercial monthly-payment applicants can qualify from more than $500,000 in annual revenue; mid-market and funded-startup criteria differ. Unfunded startups may apply for daily payments, subject to eligibility and underwriting. Meeting a threshold does not guarantee approval [official US requirements, checked October 12, 2026].
What rewards do these virtual card programs offer? Ramp's reward rate varies by customer, from 0% to 1.5% [comparison sources, 2025]. Brex currently advertises 7x on rideshare, 4x on eligible Brex Travel flights and prepaid hotels, 3x on restaurants and 2x on software; eligibility and rewards terms apply [Brex rewards, checked October 12, 2026]. Card controls do not replace receipt reconciliation. For capture and accounting tools, our guide to receipt capture tools covers that accounting step.
Can I get a business card number instantly, without waiting for plastic? Virtual cards can provide an online card number once the account and card issuance are approved. Approval, administrator permissions and product availability still apply, so do not assume every applicant receives a usable number instantly.
Can I use my EIN to get a credit card? An EIN is part of a business application, but it does not replace identity checks or guarantee credit. Ramp evaluates business financials without a personal guarantee and requests officer identity information; applicants without an SSN may provide a foreign passport and address documentation. Brex also verifies beneficial owners and a controlling officer. Check the specific application requirements rather than interpreting no personal guarantee as no personal information.