Small Business Loans: Compare and Apply
See personalized lending options for your business. Choose why you need funding to get started.
A small business loan is a source of capital that can help you stock your shelves, buy new equipment or expand your footprint. Business owners can access financing through traditional banks, online lenders and community lending institutions.
Below, compare the best small business loan options from top lenders. Plus, learn how to qualify and find the right business funding for your needs.
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| Best for | Max loan amount | Min. credit score | APR range | Max term length | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Businesses that can’t qualify for bank loans  SBA 7(a) loan | $5,000,000 | 650 | 10.50-14.00% | 25 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
| Business owners with bad credit | $1,500,000 | 570 | Undisclosed | 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
| Businesses that need fast funding | $250,000 | 625 | 18.00-48.00% | 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
| Businesses that want a long repayment period | $500,000 | 660 | 15.22-45.00% | 7 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
| Businesses that need to cover short-term expenses | $250,000 | 625 | 27.20-99.90% | 24 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
| Well-established businesses | Undisclosed | 700 | Undisclosed | 5 years | |
| Businesses that want flexible financing | $150,000 | 680 | 9.25-17.25% | Undisclosed | |
| Startup businesses | $150,000 | 600 | 36.00-99.00% | 6 months | |
| Low-revenue businesses | $250,000 | 660 | Undisclosed | 24 months | |
| Businesses that need to purchase equipment | $150,000 | 600 | Undisclosed | 5 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
| Business-to-business companies | $5,000,000 | 300 | Undisclosed | 3 months | |
| Women- and minority-owned businesses | $250,000 | 600 | 8.49-24.99% | 5 years |
A closer look at our picks for the best small business loans
Best for Businesses that can’t qualify for bank loans
SBA 7(a) loans offer favorable rates and terms and can be used for a variety of large and long-term funding purposes. These government-guaranteed loans are best for businesses that don’t meet bank eligibility criteria, but still have good credit and strong finances.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to SBA loans Low interest rate
SBA 7(a) loan
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Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
650
Est. APR
10.50-14.00%
Pros
- Large borrowing maximums.
- Interest rates are capped.
- Long repayment terms available.
Cons
- Collateral is typically required.
- Longer processing times than online lenders.
SBA 7(a) loans stand out as an affordable option for businesses that can’t qualify for bank financing, but still have good credit and finances. 7(a) loans offer low interest rates, long repayment terms and large funding amounts. These loans can also be used for a variety of purposes, including working capital, business expansions or purchasing equipment and supplies.
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Best for Business owners with bad credit
It can be more difficult to get a business loan with bad credit, but Fora Financial is willing to work with borrowers who have a personal credit score of 570 or higher.
» MORE: Best bad credit business loans
Fora Financial - Online term loan
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Max loan amount
$1,500,000
Min. credit score
570
Pros
- Cash can be available quickly.
- Get a discount for prepaying.
- No collateral required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
Cons
- Charges a factor rate that makes it more difficult to compare costs with other lenders.
- Can’t build business credit.
- Longest loan term is 18 months.
- Charges an origination fee.
Fora Financial stands out as a fast funding option for borrowers who may fall short of qualifying for traditional bank financing. The lender can work with startups and borrowers with bad credit — as long as they have strong revenue. Fora offers large maximum loan amounts and can provide prepayment discounts for those who repay early.
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Best for Businesses that need fast funding
Bluevine offers a simple application and a streamlined underwriting process. The lender can give you a decision within minutes and provide funding in as fast as 24 hours.
» MORE: Compare the best fast business loans May fund quickly
Bluevine - Line of credit
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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
18.00-48.00%
Pros
- Cash can be available within 12 to 24 hours.
- Can be used to build business credit.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
Cons
- Requires weekly payments.
- Not available in North Dakota, South Dakota or Nevada.
- Rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
Bluevine stands out for its fast funding speed and flexible qualification requirements. To get a line of credit, you can apply quickly online and receive funding in as little as 24 hours. Newer businesses and borrowers with bad credit may be able to qualify. Bluevine also offers a larger credit line maximum compared to some competitors and doesn’t charge draw or account maintenance fees.
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Best for Businesses that want a long repayment period
iBusiness Funding offers repayment terms up to seven years — which can give you more time to pay and lower monthly payments than shorter-term loans. This online lender can also issue funding more quickly than conventional business lenders.
» MORE: Best long-term business loans May fund quickly
iBusiness Funding - Online term loan
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Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Est. APR
15.22-45.00%
Pros
- Cash can be available within two business days.
- Competitive rates among online lenders.
- Terms up to seven years.
- iBusiness Funding also offers SBA loans up to $5 million.
Cons
- Charges an origination fee.
- Must be in business for a minimum of 24 months.
- Minimum credit score is higher than some other lenders.
iBusiness Funding is a good option for qualified business owners who don’t want to wait for bank financing. The lender offers competitive interest rates and long repayment terms, but can fund much more quickly than traditional lenders. And with a large maximum funding amount, this loan can be used for a variety of long-term expansion projects, as well as refinancing existing debt.
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Best for Businesses that need to cover short-term expenses
OnDeck’s term loan is a good option for covering short-term costs, such as buying equipment or inventory, purchasing furniture and supplies and paying utilities. OnDeck also has flexible qualification requirements — making it a worthwhile choice for businesses that can’t qualify for a bank or SBA loan.
» MORE: Best short-term business loans May fund quickly
OnDeck - Online term loan
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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
27.20-99.90%
Pros
- Cash can be available within the same business day (does not apply in California or Vermont).
- Accepts borrowers with a minimum credit score of 625.
- Streamlined application process with minimal documentation required.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Cannot fund North Dakota-based businesses.
- Requires frequent (daily or weekly) repayments.
- Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
- Charges origination fee.
OnDeck’s short-term loan is a good option for making one-time investments in your business, such as opening a new location or renovating your space. This loan offers fast funding (sometimes as quickly as the same day) for borrowers who may not qualify for more traditional financing options. OnDeck’s short-term loan can also be used to establish and build business credit — as the lender reports your payment history to the three commercial credit bureaus.
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Best for Well-established businesses
Bank of America’s unsecured business term loan offers low interest rates and competitive repayment terms. It’s well-suited for business owners who have been in operation for a couple years and have strong personal credit.
» MORE: Best banks for small-business loans
Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan
Max loan amount
$0
Min. credit score
700
Pros
- Bank loan with competitive interest rates.
- No collateral required.
- Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program can offer interest rate discounts and other perks.
Cons
- Can be slow to fund.
- Prepayment fees may apply to early repayments.
- Must be an existing Bank of America customer to apply online.
- Charges an origination fee.
Bank of America’s unsecured term loan offers competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms — with no collateral required. This loan can help established businesses with good credit expand their operations, purchase equipment or make other long-term investments. Preferred Rewards members may be able to access discounted rates.
Best for Businesses that want flexible financing
Wells Fargo’s business line of credit offers greater flexibility than a term loan — allowing you to tap into a credit line and pay interest on only the portion of money you borrow. This bank credit line is a good source of affordable working capital for established businesses.
» MORE: Guide to best business lines of credit
Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit
Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Est. APR
9.25-17.25%
Pros
- Bank line of credit with competitive interest rates.
- Revolving credit line with no scheduled annual review.
- No collateral required; no prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Must be an established business with strong credit to qualify.
- May take longer to fund than online lenders.
- Annual fee and inactivity fees may apply.
The Wells Fargo BusinessLine line of credit allows companies with at least two years in business access working capital. This line of credit offers competitive interest rates, revolving terms and doesn’t require collateral. Wells Fargo waives the annual fee for the first year on this product and includes automatic enrollment in a free rewards program. Like a credit card, you earn reward points when you make purchases with the Mastercard access card Wells Fargo gives you.
Best for Startup businesses
Fundbox can provide new entrepreneurs with a flexible business line of credit. You only need a minimum of three months in business to qualify.
» MORE: Best business loans for startups May fund quickly
Fundbox - Line of credit
Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
36.00-99.00%
Pros
- Financing available within one business day after approval.
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score, time in business and annual revenue requirements.
- No prepayment penalties, account maintenance fees or inactivity fees.
Cons
- Rates are high compared with traditional banks.
- Weekly repayments required over a short term (maximum of 24 weeks).
Fundbox is one of the best online line of credit options for startups. Businesses with just three months in business may be able to qualify. Fundbox is also a good option for borrowers with bad credit and businesses with low revenue. The lender offers a flexible short-term line of credit that can fund within one business day after approval.
Best for Low-revenue businesses
The American Express® Business Line of Credit can offer working capital to businesses that are still growing their revenue. You may be able to qualify with an average monthly revenue of at least $3,000.
» MORE: Compare the best working capital lines of credit
American Express® Business Line of Credit*
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
660
Pros
- Streamlined application process with minimal paperwork.
- Financing from $2,000 to $250,000 available.
- Accepts borrowers with a minimum FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application.
- Monthly repayment schedule (as opposed to daily or weekly).
- No prepayment penalties, account maintenance fees or draw fees.
Cons
- Must have online checking or PayPal account to verify cash flow.
- Complex monthly fee structure makes it difficult to compare costs to other lenders.
The American Express® Business Line of Credit is a good option for business owners with fair credit who want access to working capital. This line of credit offers a monthly repayment schedule and no extra fees. Existing American Express customers can login to their accounts to see if they’re pre-approved for funding.
Best for Businesses that need to purchase equipment
National Funding can help you purchase new or used equipment and machinery for your business. Since the equipment itself serves as collateral, these equipment loans can be easier to qualify for than other types of small business loans.
» MORE: Best options for equipment financing
National Funding - Equipment financing
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Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Pros
- Funding in as little as 24 hours.
- Prepayment discounts available.
- Offers loans to startups and borrowers with bad credit.
- No collateral or down payment required.
Cons
- Charges a factor rate that makes it more difficult to compare costs with other lenders.
- Requires higher annual revenue than other online lenders.
- Misleading website marketing: National Funding offers only short-term loans and equipment financing/leasing.
- Charges an origination fee.
National Funding stands out as an online equipment financing option for startups and borrowers with bad credit — provided they have strong revenue. This lender offers equipment loans or leases for new and used equipment, and unlike some equipment lenders, doesn’t require a down payment. Funding can be available in as little as 24 hours.
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Best for Business-to-business companies
Invoice factoring from AltLINE allows business-to-business companies to access capital that’s tied up in unpaid invoices. This type of fast funding can be useful for managing cash flow issues or paying short-term expenses.
» MORE: Compare the best invoice factoring companies
AltLINE - Invoice factoring
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
300
Pros
- Capital available within 24 to 48 hours.
- No collateral required.
- Manages payment collection from your customers.
- Accepts startups and businesses with bad credit.
Cons
- Fees can become expensive the longer it takes your customers to pay.
- Difficult to compare factoring costs to other types of business loans.
- Charges an origination fee.
If you’re a business-to-business company with capital tied up in unpaid invoices, altLINE can provide fast access to cash. The lender offers competitive factoring rates and can factor large invoice amounts. AltLINE stands out for its flexible underwriting process that focuses heavily on the creditworthiness of your customers, as opposed to more traditional business loan requirements. This makes it a worthwhile option for startups or borrowers with bad credit.
Best for Women- and minority-owned businesses
Accion is a nonprofit lender that focuses on women and minority business owners, as well as low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs. In addition to business loans, Accion provides educational resources, business coaching and support networks in English and Spanish.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to nonprofit and microlenders
Accion Opportunity Fund Small Business Working Capital Loan
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
8.49-24.99%
Pros
- Loan amounts from $5,000 to $250,000.
- Customized loan terms.
- No prepayment penalty.
Cons
- Slower processing speed compared with online lenders.
- Charges an origination fee.
- Not available in all U.S. states.
Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) stands out as an affordable option for business owners who can’t qualify for traditional financing. AOF offers competitive interest rates, long repayment terms and flexible qualification requirements. Startups and borrowers with bad credit may qualify. This lender also targets its funding efforts toward minority-, women- and low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs.
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What is a business loan?
A business loan is a loan designed specifically for business purposes. With a small business loan, you borrow money from a lender and pay it back over time, with interest.
Business loans can be used to cover startup costs, purchase inventory or equipment, manage cash flow and expand your operations, among other uses.
» MORE: Learn more business loan basics
Types of small business loans
Small business loan options can include SBA loans, bank loans, term loans, business lines of credit and equipment financing. The best business loan for you will depend on a variety of factors such as:
- Why you need funding.
- How fast you need access to capital.
- How much capital you need.
- Your business’s qualifications.
- Total cost of debt.
SBA loans
SBA loans are small business loans partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, a government agency, and issued by participating lenders, such as banks and credit unions. SBA loans offer low interest rates and long repayment terms.
Although there are multiple types of business funding within the SBA loan program, the SBA 7(a) loan is the most popular
- Loan amounts: $30,000 to $5 million.
- Approximate APR range: 10.5% to 14%.
- Best for: Large one-time and longer-term investments, purchasing real estate or equipment, buying existing businesses and refinancing debt.
Business term loans
A business term loan is a lump sum of capital that’s repaid over a specific period of time, with interest. For short-term loans, the repayment period tends to range from three to 24 months, while repayment for long-term loans can extend up to 10 years or longer in some cases.
- Loan amounts: Up to $1 million.
- Approximate APR range: 6% to 99%.
- Best for: Working capital, large one-time investments, expanding your business.
Business lines of credit
A business line of credit provides access to flexible cash. Similar to a credit card, lenders give you access to a specific amount of credit (say, $100,000), but you don’t make payments or get charged interest until you tap into the funds.
- Credit line range: $1,000 to $250,000.
- Approximate APR range: 10% to 99%.
- Best for: Managing cash flow, handling unexpected expenses and financing short-term business needs.
Equipment financing
Equipment financing is a form of asset-based financing where the equipment itself serves as collateral for the loan. You can get an equipment loan equal to up to 100% of the value of the equipment you’re looking to purchase — depending on the lender and your business’s qualifications — which you then pay back over time, with interest.
- Loan amounts: Up to 100% of the value of the equipment, plus soft costs (e.g. installation, delivery, warranties).
- Approximate APR range: 4% to 45%.
- Best for: Purchasing machinery and equipment.
Microloans
Microloans are small-dollar loans that typically offer up to $50,000 in business funding. These loans are designed for traditionally underserved entrepreneurs, such as startup founders, people with limited credit histories, minority groups and those located in low-income communities.
- Loan amounts: Up to $50,000.
- Approximate APR range: 8% to 30%.
- Best for: Smaller business investments, covering day-to-day expenses, working capital needs.
Additional business funding options
If you don’t think you can qualify for a traditional loan — or simply want to explore all of your options — you might consider one of these products to finance your business. Many of these business funding options have flexible requirements and can be a good choice for newer companies.
Invoice factoring and invoice financing
- Invoice factoring turns business owners’ unpaid invoices into immediate cash. You sell the invoices to a factoring company, which is paid when it collects from your customers.
- If you prefer to maintain control over your invoices, invoice financing is an alternative to factoring.
Personal loans
- A personal loan for business allows you to get funding based on your personal credit score and income instead of your business history.
- These loans are usually available in smaller amounts, but they can be used for a variety of purposes and fund within days.
Business credit cards
- A business credit card offers revolving credit, making it a solid option for short-term expenses.
- Although credit card limits tend to be smaller than a line of credit, a business credit card may offer rewards, such as cash back or travel points.
Merchant cash advances
- With a merchant cash advance (MCA), a financing company gives you an upfront sum of capital that you repay using a percentage of your debit and credit card sales, plus a fee.
- MCAs are typically fast to fund and easy to qualify for, but they’re one of the most expensive types of business funding, carrying APRs that can reach triple digits
. You should generally consider all other business financing options before turning to a merchant cash advance.
Small-business grants
- Small-business grants provide a free alternative to debt funding — offering access to capital that doesn’t need to be repaid.
- Business grants are available from a variety of sources, including federal, state and local governments, private companies and nonprofit organizations.
Friends and family loans
- A friend and family business loan is when you borrow money for your business from a close friend or family member.
- These loans are typically informal; they don’t require an application process or credit check. Creating a written loan agreement, however, can help preserve your personal relationship — just in case things don’t go as planned.
How do I qualify for a business loan?
Lenders have different underwriting guidelines, but they generally consider similar factors, including your personal credit score, time in business and business finances.
How do I get a loan for my small business?
Getting approved for a business loan doesn't have to be a painful process. You can increase your chances of success by understanding your business's qualifications and then finding the financing option that fits your needs. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Decide which loan option is right for your needs. If you want to finance a large purchase or business expansion, for example, you might consider a traditional term loan, whereas if you need funds for day-to-day expenses, you might prefer a business line of credit.
- Check your qualifications. Consider factors such as your personal credit score, time in business and annual revenue. Bank and SBA lenders likely have the strictest eligibility criteria. Online lenders, on the other hand, may be more flexible.
- Estimate what payments you can afford. Look carefully at your business’s financials — especially cash flow — and evaluate how much you can afford to apply toward loan repayments each month. Your total income should be at least 1.25 times your total expenses, including your new repayment amount.
- Determine whether and how you want to collateralize the loan. Business loans can be secured or unsecured. A secured business loan requires collateral, such as property or equipment, that the lender can seize if you fail to repay the loan. Putting up collateral is risky, but it can increase the amount lenders let you borrow and get you a lower interest rate. Keep in mind, however, that although some lenders don’t require physical collateral, they may still take out a UCC filing on your business assets. This official document allows a lender to claim your assets in the case of default.
- Compare small-business lenders. The best loan for your small business is typically the one that offers you the best terms. But other factors, like funding speed or customer service, may matter to your business and different financing sources may be better in certain instances than others.
- Apply for a business loan. Of the loans you qualify for, choose the one with the lowest APR and best terms for you — as long as you’re able to handle the loan’s regular payments — and submit your business loan application.
Business loan application checklist
The documentation that you need to provide for your loan application can vary from lender to lender. Banks and SBA lenders often require more paperwork compared to online lenders. In any case, you may need to submit:
Information about your business (e.g. name, address, employer identification number).
Personal and business bank statements.
Personal and business income tax returns.
Business financial documents, such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements.
A photo of your driver’s license (or other official identification).
Business licenses.
Legal business formation document (e.g. articles of incorporation, articles of organization).
Description of collateral.
Existing debt schedule, if applicable.
Legal contracts and agreements.
As you complete your application, double check all requirements and ensure everything is accurate. Providing incorrect or outdated information can slow down the underwriting process. It may be helpful, therefore, to have a business advisor or mentor review your application before submitting.
💬 From our experts: Is this the right time to get a business loan?
“At its last three meetings, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates (the first such rate cuts since March 2020). At the January 2025 meeting, rates are widely expected to remain the same.
When these rate cuts occur, rates on business loans tend to decrease as well. As a result, business owners may be in a better position to consider financing than they have been in the last year. To get the best rate on a business loan, you can build your credit, offer collateral, improve your cash flow and compare multiple financing options.”
Where to get a small business loan
Business loans are available from banks, credit unions, online lenders, nonprofit organizations and community lenders.
Banks
Online lenders
Nonprofit and community lenders
Online lending marketplaces
🤓 Nerdy Tip : Protect your business from predatory lenders and loan scams
Predatory lenders may target small-business owners looking for funding, especially those who are having trouble qualifying for traditional loan options. You can protect yourself by watching out for red flags, such as promises of guaranteed approval, aggressive sales tactics and loan features that seem “too good to be true.”
Frequently asked questions about small business loans
How do small business loans work?
Is it hard to get a business loan?
What is a private business loan?
How can a new business get a loan?
Can I get a business loan for my startup?
What credit score is needed for a small business loan?
How much income do you need to get a business loan?
Annual percentage rates (APRs), loan term and monthly payments are estimated based on analysis of information provided by lenders and publicly available information. All loan information is presented without warranty, and the estimated APR and other terms are not binding in any way. Lenders provide loans with a range of APRs depending on borrowers' credit and other factors. Keep in mind that only borrowers with excellent credit will qualify for the lowest rate available. Your actual APR will depend on factors like credit score, requested loan amount, loan term and credit history. All loans are subject to credit review and approval.
🏦 Curious about SBA loans? Here’s an overview of how SBA loans work, the types of SBA loans that are available, what each loan type can be used for and how to get SBA financing for your small business.
Last updated on January 21, 2025
How Fundera by NerdWallet works
Getting a business loan can be challenging, and several factors —
cost, speed, repayment schedule — can play a role in deciding which
product is right for you. Let us help you through the process.
Get started
Fill out one simple application
Answer a 3-minute questionnaire about your business to get personalized lending options. It’s free and won’t impact your credit score.
See your business loan options
Compare interest rates and repayment terms to choose the best product for your needs.
Get your loan
If the lender approves you, you’ll sign closing documents in order to receive funds. Some lenders can approve and fund loans within one business day.
Methodology
NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates small business loan products from traditional banks and online lenders. We collect over 30 data points on each lender using company websites and public documents. We may also go through a lender’s initial application flow and reach out to company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer small business friendly features, including:
- Transparency of rates and terms.
- Flexible payment options.
- Fast funding times.
- Accessible customer service.
- Reporting of payments to business credit bureaus.
- Responsible lending practices.
We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to small-business owners and how meaningfully they impact borrowers’ experiences.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodology for small business loans and our editorial guidelines.
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