Your startup needs a company card before your first hire, your first software subscription or your first conference trip. Brex and Ramp are the two names that come up most often, and both promise the same thing: corporate cards without a personal guarantee, plus tools that replace spreadsheets and receipt chasing. They are more different than they first appear, and the market just shifted underneath them.
An Important Update on Brex
In January 2026, Capital One announced it would acquire Brex for $5.15 billion, with the deal expected to close in mid-2026. Brex's product and pricing could change as it integrates with a large bank, so watch announcements and confirm current terms before committing. Ramp remains an independent company.
What Both Platforms Offer
Brex and Ramp are corporate card and spend management platforms built for startups and small businesses. Neither requires a personal guarantee, and both let you issue physical and virtual cards, set spending limits and match receipts to transactions. Both have moved beyond cards into bill pay, reimbursements and accounting integrations.
Pricing in 2026
Pricing changes frequently, so treat these as a starting point and verify on each company's website.
- Ramp: The core card and expense platform is free. A Plus plan has been listed at about $15 per user per month plus a platform fee, and Enterprise pricing is custom. Ramp cards have no annual fee.
- Brex: An Essentials tier is free and covers basic card functions. A Premium plan has been listed at about $12 per user per month, and Enterprise pricing is custom. The card has no annual fee, though some services, such as wires or foreign exchange on certain international transactions, may carry charges.
For a team of ten on premium plans, one comparison put Brex at roughly $120 per month and Ramp at roughly $150, a difference of about $360 a year. Per-user fees add up as you grow, so model your headcount over the next two years.
Where Brex Wins
- Rewards: Brex has been known for category-boosted rewards, with up to 7x points on selected spending.
- Global teams: Brex supports cards in more countries and has stronger multi-currency features, with card acceptance listed across more than 200 countries.
- Banking: Brex includes business banking features alongside cards.
- Credit limits: Brex has been known for high limits for funded startups.
Where Ramp Wins
- Spend control and savings: Ramp has a strong reputation for cost-control features and vendor insights, and it tends to be praised for an intuitive interface.
- Broader eligibility: Ramp serves a wider range of companies, including those without major venture funding.
- Automation: Ramp combines cards, expense tracking, bill pay and accounting automation in one dashboard.
Who Gets Approved?
Brex targets venture-backed startups. One comparison lists a cash balance of $50,000 for funded startups applying for the Brex card, and it notes Brex may reject bootstrapped companies. Ramp's requirements have been listed as lower, with one source citing at least $25,000 in a US bank account. Requirements change, so check each company's current eligibility page.
How the Cards Work
Both products are charge-style cards: you pay the balance in full on a schedule instead of carrying a revolving balance. That is good for discipline and forces you to track cash carefully. Ramp lets you set granular controls at the card level, and Brex lets you apply merchant category controls at the policy, spend limit or card level.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Brex if you:
- Are venture-backed with significant cash.
- Have a global team that spends in several currencies.
- Spend heavily on software and travel and want rewards.
Choose Ramp if you:
- Are bootstrapped or early stage.
- Want savings and spend-control features by default.
- Prefer a simple, free starting point.
Consider alternatives if you are outside the US or want a different structure. Aspire, Volopay and others serve international teams.
Action Checklist
- Estimate your monthly card spend and number of users.
- Check each company's current eligibility and cash requirements.
- List the countries and currencies your team uses.
- Compare the cost of premium plans at your expected headcount.
- Confirm which accounting software integrations you need.
- Read the latest news on the Brex and Capital One transaction.
- Apply to both, and compare the credit limits you are offered.
- Set spending policies and approval rules before issuing cards.
- Review your plan and fees every six months.
This guide is general information and not financial, tax or legal advice. Fees, rates, limits and rules change often, so confirm current terms with each provider and a qualified professional before you decide. Information checked October 2026.
