Credit cards can be great tools to help you better manage your money. With credit cards, you end up with the convenience and safety of plastic. They are low-hassle ways to ensure that you can pay for your needs and wants. However, convenient these tools are, though, there isn't a reason to pay an annual fee if you don't want to.

There are plenty of credit cards that will charge you an annual fee. Sometimes, these fees can be worth it if you earn rewards quickly and will use them. If you want to save money, though, look for no Annual Fee Credit cards. In some cases, an argument can be made for getting a credit card with an annual fee. It's not necessary, though. If you get one of the best no annual fee credit cards, you are likely to find that you get plenty of perks — even without the extra fee to ensure good service.

When looking for the best no annual fee credit card for you, it makes sense to look at the perks that come with the card. You might not see the same perks with a no annual fee credit card as you would with a card that carries a fee. That doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of perks. Most no annual fee credit cards come with fraud protection, travel insurance, and rewards. You might also be able to take advantage of 0% APR deals on purchases and/or balance transfers. Pay attention to what's available so you can do what works best for you.

You don't need an expensive credit card to get rewards and perks from your credit card. Some of the best no annual fee credit cards come with the same protection and perks you get with other credit cards.

If you are looking for the best no fee credit card for you, carefully consider the options. Look for rewards, introductory offers, and access to discounts and other advantages. Here's what you need to know about some of the leading no annual fee credit cards in Canada:

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card – If you are a hardcore saver, the Tangerine Money-Back credit card can be a good choice. If you are willing to open a Tangerine Savings Account in order better help manage cash flow and enjoy better rewards, the Money-Back card might make good sense. You will receive extra rewards for connecting your credit card and your savings account. It seems a little counter-intuitive, but it's a solid strategy.

Supercharge your cash back rewards by choosing categories that you spend more money in. You get to choose your own categories based on your spending habits, and earn 2% cash back in those categories. If you connect your Money-Back credit card to a Tangerine savings account, and have your cash back redeemed into that account, you can choose three categories. Otherwise, you only choose two 2% cash back categories.

There is no annual fee for the Tangerine Money-Back credit card and the APR is 19.95%. Instead of a signing bonus, you can earn 4% cash back in your chosen categories for the first three months of your card membership.

President's Choice Financial Mastercard – The President's Choice Financial Mastercard offers you the opportunity to earn points on everyday purchases. Your points can be redeemed for groceries and more. It's a great way to stretch your grocery budget — all without paying an annual fee.

When you use the Presidents Choice Financial Mastercard, you earn 10 points for each dollar you spend, no matter where you shop. There is also a signing bonus of 20,000 points when you get started. This amounts to $20 in free groceries at participating stores. That's not a bad way to get started with your new credit card. You can also redeem rewards at PC Travel. You end up with a reasonable redemption value when you do so.

Another great feature of this credit card is the fact that there is a low balance transfer rate of 0.97% for the first six months (after that, the APR jumps to 22.97% for your transferred balances). This can be a bonus if you are trying to get rid of the last of your pesky high interest credit card debt. Just make sure you have a plan to pay off your balance before the end of the intro period.

You don't have to worry about paying an annual fee and the regular purchase APR is 19.97%.

MBNA Rewards Mastercard – If you're looking for a flexible rewards program, you can get it with the MBNA Rewards Mastercard. This card allows you to earn points that you can redeem toward travel, merchandise, gift cards, and cash back. The rewards program is versatile enough that you can figure out what works best for you.

With this card, you receive one point for every $1 you make in eligible purchases. This is equivalent to 1% cash back. You do get 5,000 bonus points following your first purchase. This is a nice way to kickstart your rewards earnings. Use this card on most of your regular purchases, and you could earn points faster and then use your flexible rewards to your advantage. This card also comes with purchase protection and travel accident insurance. It's a solid way to get a few extra perks without having to pay for them.

Not only is there no annual fee, but you can also receive 0% APR on balance transfers for the first six months (21.99% APR after that). The regular APR is 19.99%. If you have some pesky high-rate balances, you can pay them down quickly. Just make sure you have a plan to pay off the balance before the intro period ends. Otherwise, you will have to pay a higher rate.

SimplyCash Card from American Express – One of the most generous cash back programmes out there is the SimplyCash Card from American Express. You can get up to 5% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants in Canada, up to $250 in cash back, during the first six months of membership. After that period, you earn 1.25% cash back on all your purchases. That's not a bad rate overall, especially since there is no limit on the cash back you can earn on a regular basis.

For new cardmembers who don't already have an American Express account, it's possible to transfer your balances at 0% APR for the first six months. There is a 1% balance transfer fee, however. Depending on your current high interest rate, and how much you owe, it might be worth it to pay the transfer fee. Your savings could be enought to warrant the transfer. Run the numbers ahead of time, and make sure it is worth it for you. Also, don't forget to plan your repayment so that you have the balance paid off before the end of the intro period.

American Express is also known for its access to memorable experiences and VIP experiences. You will get special access to concerts, events, and other great opportunities if you decide to take advantage of the VIP experience. You can also enjoy different protections and insurance coverage with American Express. However, the travel insurance protections aren't as generous as what you find with some of the other cards. The regular APR for the SimplyCash card is 19.99%.

Scotia Momentum No-Fee VISA Card – If you're looking for a straightforward cash back card, the Scotia Momentum No-Fee VISA Card can be a good choice. You get 1% cash back on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and drug stores. All other purchases offer 0.5% cash back. This credit card also comes with a 20% discount at participating Avis car rental stores. This can be a way to reduce your costs if you frequently rent cars.

The regular APR for the Scotia Momentum No-Fee VISA is 19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances and balance transfers. The foreign transaction fee is 2.50%.

There is currently no signing bonus, but for some customers, there is a 7.99% APR on purchases for the first six months. If you want to take advantage of this offer, it's a good idea to make sure your balances are paid off before the intro period ends. If you are planning to make a large purchase, this can be one way to save on interest, at least for a little while. Just make sure that you pay it off, because you don't want to be stuck with the intro rate disappears.

This credit card also has an option for those who have recently moved to Canada. In some cases, it can be difficult to get a credit card as a newcomer, but the Scotia card offers you the chance to get a no-fee credit card even without longstanding citizenship.

What do you want in a no fee credit card?

When looking for a credit card, it's important to consider what you want to get out of it. Each of these no annual fee credit cards comes with its own perks and possibilities. Consider your shopping habits and your other spending habits. If you know that you will spend a lot in certain categories, it might make sense to lean toward the Tangerine Money-Back card. On the other hand, if you don't spend much, and you are hoping to pay off some debt, look for a card with a low intro rate for balance transfers. Don't forget to take into account travel as well. Some of these cards offer more travel perks than others, and you need to be aware of that.

Think about what matters most to you, research the options, and then apply for a credit card that best fits your lifestyle and financial goals.

DISCLAIMER: While we attempt to keep all credit card details current, the rates, fees, rewards and benefits may have changed since the last update. Please visit the credit card supplier through the "Apply Now" links to ensure you have the latest details for that card.