Leaderboards / Pure Metrics

Lowest Annual Fees

Cheapest cards to own, including lifetime free options. Ranked by annual fee, joining fee, and fee waiver options.

275 cards ranked | Updated February 2026

Key Ranking Factors

50% Annual Fee

Yearly cost

20% Joining Fee

First-time cost

20% Waiver

How to avoid fees

10% Rewards

Value despite low fee

🥇
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

 ICICI Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹0/yr
4.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 1%
🥇
Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite

Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
4.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 1%
🥉
HSBC Visa Platinum

HSBC Visa Platinum
Entry Level Fuel ₹0/yr
4.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4
Axis Bank Magnus

Axis Bank Magnus

 Axis Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4
ICICI Bank Sapphiro

ICICI Bank Sapphiro

 ICICI Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IDFC FIRST Millennia

 IDFC First Bank
Youth ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

ICICI Bank Rubyx

 ICICI Bank
Lifestyle ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

American Express Platinum Card

 American Express
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on American Express's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Axis Bank Select

 Axis Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IDFC FIRST Select

 IDFC First Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

American Express Membership Rewards

 American Express
Rewards ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on American Express's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Axis Bank Privilege

 Axis Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IDFC FIRST WOW!

 IDFC First Bank
Youth ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

ICICI Bank Coral

 ICICI Bank
Lifestyle ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

American Express Gold Card

 American Express
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on American Express's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Axis Bank Vistara Infinite

 Axis Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IDFC FIRST Classic

 IDFC First Bank
Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature

 ICICI Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Flipkart Axis Bank Super Elite

 Axis Bank
Co-Branded Lifestyle ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

American Express SmartEarn

 American Express
Youth ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on American Express's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde

 ICICI Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IDFC FIRST Wealth

 IDFC First Bank
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IndusInd Legend

 IndusInd Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IndusInd Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

ICICI Bank Emeralde

 ICICI Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

BOBCARD Eterna

 BOB Financial (BOBCARD)
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on BOB Financial (BOBCARD)'s website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IndusInd Pinnacle

 IndusInd Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IndusInd Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Travel ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

IndusInd Pioneer Heritage

 IndusInd Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IndusInd Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

BOBCARD Premier

 BOB Financial (BOBCARD)
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on BOB Financial (BOBCARD)'s website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4
HSBC RuPay Platinum

HSBC RuPay Platinum
Entry Level Lifetime Free ₹0/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Apollo SBI Card SELECT

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Healthcare ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

PhonePe SBI Card SELECT BLACK

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Fintech ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

SimplyCLICK Advantage SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

SimplySAVE Advantage SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

SimplySAVE UPI RuPay Card

 SBI Cards
Entry Level RuPay ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

SBI Card Unnati

 SBI Cards
Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Titan SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Reliance SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Fabindia SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Fabindia SBI Card SELECT

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lifestyle ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

FBB STYLEUP SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Landmark Rewards SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Rewards ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Lifestyle Home Centre SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Lifestyle Home Centre SBI Card PRIME

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Spar SBI Card PRIME

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Spar SBI Card SELECT

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lifestyle ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Miles SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Travel ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%
#4

Miles Prime SBI Card

 SBI Cards
Travel ₹0/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

FREE

Top 2%

Why Fees Matter

Annual fees directly reduce your net rewards. A card earning ₹5,000 in rewards but charging ₹5,000 annually gives you nothing. Lifetime free cards let you keep 100% of your rewards.

Many excellent cards are available with zero fees—you don't have to pay to get great value.

How We Rank Fees

  • Annual fee (50%): Lower is better; ₹0 is best
  • Joining fee (20%): One-time upfront cost
  • Fee waiver (20%): Cards with achievable waiver thresholds rank higher
  • Rewards sweetener (10%): Free cards with good rewards beat free cards with poor rewards

Annual Fee

₹0 preferred

Waiver Threshold

Lower is easier

Finding Free Cards

  • Lifetime free: No annual fee ever, regardless of spending
  • First year free: Good for trying premium cards; watch renewal fees
  • Spend-based waiver: Fee waived if you spend ₹X annually

Who Should Prioritize Low Fees

  • First-time credit card users
  • Low to medium spenders (under ₹5L annually)
  • Those who want simple, no-commitment cards
  • Anyone who won't use premium benefits

Maximizing Free Cards

  • Stack multiple free cards: Use different cards for different category rewards
  • Hit waiver thresholds: If you have a fee card, ensure you meet waiver requirements
  • Compare net value: Sometimes a ₹500 fee card beats a free card in total returns

Annual Fee FAQ

Are lifetime free cards really free forever?

Yes, "lifetime free" means no annual fee for as long as you have the card. However, other fees (late payment, foreign transaction) may still apply. Always read terms carefully.

Bottom Line

For most users, lifetime free cards with good rewards represent the best value. Only pay annual fees when the card's benefits clearly exceed the cost for your specific usage pattern.

Learn more about our methodology

Related Leaderboards

Best Interest Rates
Best Forex Cards
Highest Credit Limits
Most Accessible Cards

Explore More Leaderboards

Best Credit Cards in India
Best Rewards Rating
Best Benefits Rating
Best Fees Rating
Best Value for Money
Best Rewards Cards
View All Leaderboards

Compare Cards

0 of 4 cards selected

No cards selected

Add cards to compare their features, fees, and rewards side by side.

Select at least 2 cards to compare