Fuel can be one of the biggest expenses for small businesses with company vehicles. Whether you're running service vans, delivery trucks, or construction equipment, a fuel card can help you manage your fuel expenses by controlling fuel spending, simplifying accounting, and saving you money at the pump.
But with so many options out there, choosing the right card isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to break down everything you need to know about fuel cards for small business in 2025. From comparing discounts and fees to understanding key features like spend controls and fraud protection, we’ll walk you through what to look for and how to pick the best fuel card for your fleet.
Table of Contents
- What is a fuel card for small business?
- Are fuel cards worth it for small business?
- Small business fuel card comparison
- Best fuel cards for small business
- Benefits of fuel cards for small business
- 5 important features for a small business fuel card
- How to choose a fuel card for small business
- What is the best fuel card for small business?
What is a Fuel Card for Small Business?
A fleet fuel card for small business is a payment solution designed to help small businesses manage fuel expenses for their company vehicles. Whether you operate a few service vans, delivery trucks, or construction vehicles, a fuel card gives you greater control over fuel spending.
With detailed reporting on fuel usage, spending limits, and discounts, fuel cards help small business owners reduce costs, prevent unauthorized purchases, and simplify accounting. Many also integrate with accounting software to help you close your books faster.
Are Fuel Cards Worth It for Small Business?
The main purpose of a fuel card is to prevent unauthorized fuel purchases. If you think spending control is important, whether you have one driver or one hundred drivers, a fuel card is worth it. If it's just you driving a vehicle, control is not an issue, so a fuel card will likely not be worth it.
Small Business Fuel Card Comparison
| Fuel Card | Discounts | Monthly Fee | Locations | Best For |
| Voyager | 3-8¢/gal at select locations | None | 97% of gas stations and truck stops | Small businesses that want a scalable fuel card program |
| WEX | 1-3¢/gal at select locations; up to 8¢/gal for brand-specific card | Up to $2 per card | 95% of gas stations and truck stops | Small businesses loyal to specific fuel brands |
| Coast | 4-10¢/gal at select locations | $4 per card | Anywhere that accepts Visa | Tech-forward small businesses with drivers comfortable using mobile apps |
| CFN | Estimated 35¢/gal at discount locations | None | 3,000 discount locations; 65,000 gas stations and truck stops | Small businesses in the Western U.S. with medium to large vehicles |
| AtoB | Estimated 45¢/gal at truck stops; estimated 5¢/gal at gas stations | $3-6 per card | Anywhere that accepts Mastercard | Small trucking companies that fuel up at truck stops |
| RoadFlex | 2¢/gal at all locations; 4-10¢/gal per gallon at over 200,000 partner stations | $3 per card, additional fees for premium features | Anywhere that accepts Visa | Small businesses with mixed fleet expenses |
| Fuelman | 8¢/gal for mixed fleet card; up to 12¢/gal for diesel fleet card | $39-99 for the account | 60,000 gas stations and truck stops | Small businesses |
Best Fuel Cards for Small Business
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the top fuel cards for small business in 2025 including features, discounts, fees, and customer ratings to help you choose the right option for your company.
1. Voyager
The Voyager fuel card is accepted at more than 97% of gas stations and truck stops across the U.S., covering both major chains and independent locations, which makes it one of the most widely accepted fuel cards in the country. Designed for scalability and ease of use, the Voyager card is an ideal solution for small businesses that want the flexibility to fuel almost anywhere with no out-of-network fees.
Key Features:
- Accepted at 97% of gas stations and truck stops
- Access to major and independent brands
- Mobile app to find the cheapest fuel prices
- Optional maintenance
- Comprehensive spending controls
- Free fraud protection
- User-friendly customer portal
- Free fuel reports available
- Open API for third-party integrations
Discounts: 3-8¢ per gallon at select locations
Monthly Fee: None
Customer Trustpilot Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best For: Small businesses that want a scalable fuel card program
2. WEX
The WEX fuel card offers a network size comparable to Voyager, with acceptance at 95% of gas stations and truck stops nationwide. In addition, WEX has a variety of branded fuel card programs for specific fuel station chains, which provide discounts when used at those branded locations.
Key Features:
- Accepted at 95% of gas stations and truck stops
- Access to major and independent brands
- Mobile app for two-factor authentication on purchases
- Comprehensive spending controls
- Limited fraud protection
- Customer portal available
- Fuel reports available
- Various software integrations
- Freight factoring available
Discounts:
- 1-3¢ per gallon at select locations
- Up to 8¢ for brand-specific cards at their own stations
Monthly Fee:
- Up to $2 per card, plus $2 to replace a card
- Setup fee of $40
- $3 per transaction at select truck stops
Customer Rating on Trustpilot: 4.4 (freight factoring) and 1.4 (fuel cards) out of 5 stars
Best For: Small businesses loyal to specific fuel brands
3. Coast
Coast is a financial technology (fintech) company that provides a fleet card accepted nationwide anywhere Visa is accepted. Its card platform and customer portal are built to support fleets of all sizes across a range of industries. However, drivers must use a mobile app at the pump to complete purchases, which may pose challenges for those less comfortable with smartphone technology.
Key Features:
- Accepted nationwide like a Visa card
- Mobile app for advanced fraud protection on purchases
- Custom spending controls
- Fraud protection up to $25,000
- Customer portal available
- Fuel reports available
- Various software integrations
Discounts:
- 4-10¢ per gallon at select locations
- 1% cash back on non-fuel purchases
Monthly Fees: $4 per card
Customer Rating on Trustpilot: Not available
Best For: Tech-forward small businesses with drivers comfortable using mobile apps
4. CFN
The CFN fuel card offers access to over 3,000 discounted cardlock locations and 65,000 retail gas stations and truck stops. It’s a popular choice among businesses, especially trucking companies and operators of large vehicles or equipment, thanks to the wider availability of 18-wheeler-friendly CFN stations in the Western U.S., where traditional truck stops can be more limited.
Key Features:
- Accepted at 3,000 discount locations and 65,000 gas stations and truck stops
- Cost-plus pricing for customers
- Mobile app to locate sites
- Industry-best spending controls, including fuel type at cardlocks
- Free fraud protection
- User-friendly customer portal with daily prices
- Free fuel reports available
Discounts: Estimated 35¢ per gallon at CFN stations compared to average retail prices
Monthly Fee: None
Customer Rating on Trustpilot: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best For: Small businesses in the Western U.S. with medium to large vehicles
5. AtoB
AtoB is a financial technology (fintech) company that offers a fuel card accepted nationwide anywhere Mastercard is accepted. While the card supports both small business and trucking fleets, its biggest fuel discounts are typically found at truck stops making it more beneficial for small to mid-sized long-haul trucking operations.
Key Features:
- Accepted nationwide like a Mastercard
- Mobile app to find the cheapest fuel prices
- Comprehensive spending controls
- User-friendly customer portal
- Fuel reports available
- Various software integrations
Discounts:
- Estimated 45¢ per gallon at select truck stops
- Estimated 5¢ at gas stations
- Small discounts for some non-fuel purchases
Monthly Fees:
- $15 for 1-5 cards, plus $3 for each additional card
- Another $3 per card for AtoB Premium
- Setup fee of $35
Customer Rating on Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Best For: Small trucking companies that fuel up at truck stops
6. RoadFlex
RoadFlex is a fintech company that offers a fleet card designed for broad acceptance and flexible fleet management. Unlike traditional fuel cards, RoadFlex functions more like a business charge card, accepted anywhere Visa is accepted, giving businesses greater purchasing flexibility. RoadFlex is geared toward small to mid-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one solution for managing fuel and vehicle-related expenses.
Key Features:
- Accepted nationwide like a Visa card
- Customize spend limits and card controls for each vehicle and driver
- Eliminate fuel theft and card fraud with advanced security features
- Centralized reporting, visibility into every dollar spent
Discounts:
- 2¢ per gallon at all fuel stations and truck stops
- 4-10¢ at over 200,000 RoadFlex partner network locations
Monthly Fees:
- $3 per card for basic features only
- Contact RoadFlex for premium features fee
Customer Rating on Trustpilot: Not available
Best For: Small businesses with mixed fleet expenses
7. Fuelman
Fuelman is a well-known fuel card provider with acceptance at over 60,000 gas stations and truck stops across the U.S. It offers several account tiers, each with its own pricing structure and fee schedule, allowing businesses to choose a plan that best fits their fleet’s needs and budget.
Key Features:
- Accepted at 60,000 gas stations and truck stops
- Access to many major brands
- Comprehensive spending controls
- Fraud protection up to $25,000 (for Enterprise and Pro customers only)
- Customer portal available
- Fuel reports available
Discounts:
- Up to 8¢ per gallon for mixed fleet card
- Up to 12¢ for diesel fleet card
Monthly Fee: $39.99 to $99.99 for the account, based on customer tier, plus other account fees
Customer Rating on Trustpilot: 2.2 out of 5 stars
Best For: Small businesses
Benefits of Fuel Cards for Small Business
Control Your Small Business's Fuel Purchases
Fuel cards help you control fuel costs by preventing unauthorized purchases through customizable spending limits. You can set controls by driver or vehicle, like restricting the number of daily transactions, dollar limits per fill-up, allowed fueling times and days, and even which locations can be used.
Save Money on Fuel
Fuel cards offer exclusive discounts you won’t get with credit cards or cash. And while the savings per gallon might seem small, they can add up to hundreds, or even thousands of dollars annually for small businesses.
Collect Valuable Fleet Fuel Data
Fleet fuel cards capture key data like driver ID, vehicle info, and odometer readings, every time fuel is purchased. This information makes it easy to generate IFTA reports, track vehicle and driver activity, and monitor fuel usage across your fleet. You can also collect job or department numbers to allocate fuel expenses by project or business unit.
Simplify Fuel Expense Accounting
Without fuel cards, you're stuck chasing down receipts to build fuel expense reports, IFTA reports, and other tax reports. Fuel cards automate that process by capturing transaction and fleet data in real time and organizing it into downloadable reports. With just a few clicks, you can export everything to CSV and upload it directly into your accounting software, no manual tracking required.
Eliminate Reimbursement Headaches
Reimbursing employees for fuel purchases creates extra manual work for your accounting team. Fuel cards eliminate the need for reimbursements altogether, saving hours of administrative time every month.
5 Important Features for a Small Business Fuel Card
1. Spend Controls
Spending controls are essential for keeping fuel costs in check. Choose fuel cards that let you restrict purchases to fuel only and set limits by dollar amount, number of transactions, time of day, and day of the week. With the right controls in place, you can significantly cut down on fuel theft and card misuse.
2. Level 3 Data Collection
Be sure to choose a fuel card that captures Level 3 data. This includes details like vehicle ID, driver, odometer reading, gallons, fuel type, date, time, amount, and location for every transaction. It’s the foundation for generating accurate fuel expense reports, IFTA filings, and driver or vehicle usage summaries. Plus, odometer data lets you track MPG to monitor fuel efficiency and identify any signs of misuse.
3. Fraud Protection
Small business fleet fuel cards use different tools to prevent fraud, some offer two-factor authentication through mobile apps, while others include EMV chip technology on every card. Whichever card you choose, make sure it not only helps block fraudulent transactions, but also includes fraud coverage to reimburse you if unauthorized charges ever slip through.
4. Integrations
Some small businesses prefer to integrate their fuel card data with accounting and telematics software. Syncing with your accounting system allows you to automatically import fuel transactions daily, helping you close the books faster. Connecting with telematics software gives you a more complete picture of your fleet, offering insights into fuel spend, MPG, and maintenance activity.
5. Easy Online Account Management
The best fuel card portals aren’t clunky or overloaded with features you don’t need. They should make it simple to manage your account, whether you're ordering or canceling cards, setting driver limits, or pulling up transactions, reports, and invoices in just a few clicks.
How to Choose a Fuel Card for Small Business
Step 1: Identify the Stations Your Vehicles Fuel at Most Often
Take a look at your fuel receipts to find out which station brands your fleet visits most often. Then, compare fuel cards to see which ones offer the best discounts at those specific locations.
Step 2: Total Up the Fees
Check the fee schedules for your top fuel card options to understand the monthly cost of each program. Most fuel card companies list their fees on the application or directly on their website.
Step 3: Evaluate Customer Ratings
Checking customer reviews on third-party sites gives you a real-world look at what it’s like to work with a fuel card provider. You’ll get a sense of the quality of their customer support, common pain points, and what other businesses like about the card.
Step 4: Get a Demo of a Fleet Fuel Card's Customer Portal
Your fleet card portal is where you'll manage cards, review transactions, and download reports, so it’s important to know what you’re getting. Before signing up, schedule a demo with a sales rep or take a self-guided tour to see how the portal actually works.
Step 5: Review Fraud Coverage
This step is easy to overlook as most people don’t think about fuel card fraud until it’s already happened. Take the time to review each card’s fraud coverage terms to make sure you’re protected if unauthorized charges ever hit your account.
What is the Best Fuel Card for Small Business?
That wraps up our list of the best fuel cards for small businesses in 2025. Each card is built to help you take control of fuel expenses and cut costs at the pump, but the best fit depends on your fleet’s unique needs and fueling patterns.
If you’re after transparent pricing, standout customer service, and strong discounts, P-Fleet’s Voyager and CFN fuel cards are both solid choices for your small business.
