Business
Business Loans
SBA loans, lines of credit, startup-stage products — issuer-verified guides to the loan products small businesses actually qualify for.
Compare Business Loans
- Apply for a Business Line of CreditBanks and non-bank lenders
Business Line of Credit
Revolving access to capital — draw when you need it, pay interest only on what you use.
Full review - Apply for a Term LoanBanks, credit unions, non-bank lenders
Term Loan ($25K–$500K)
Fixed amount, fixed repayment schedule — best for defined working-capital deployments.
Full review - Apply for Invoice FactoringFactoring companies (specialized non-bank lenders)
Invoice Factoring
Sell your outstanding invoices for immediate cash — no FICO floor, based on customer creditworthiness.
Full review - Apply for Revenue-Based FinancingNon-bank alternative lenders
Revenue-Based Financing (MCA)
Advance against future revenue, repaid as a fixed daily or weekly percentage of receipts.
Full review - Apply for a Short-Term LoanNon-bank lenders, online platforms
Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month)
Defined repayment over 6–18 months — faster to fund and easier to qualify than a bank term loan.
Full review - Apply for Equipment FinancingEquipment lenders, banks, captive finance arms
Equipment Financing as Working-Capital Surrogate
Finance equipment to free cash you'd otherwise spend on it — preserves working capital without raising a working-capital loan.
Full review - Apply at Non-bank alternative lendersNon-bank alternative lenders
Revenue-Based Financing (MCA)
Advance against future revenue — lowest credit floor, highest cost.
Full review - Apply at Non-bank online lendersNon-bank online lenders
Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month)
Fixed repayment over 6–18 months — cheaper than MCA, accessible to 580+ FICO.
Full review - Apply at Fintech and specialty non-bank lendersFintech and specialty non-bank lenders
Revenue-Based Financing (Non-MCA structure)
Repayment tied to revenue percentage — FICO-secondary, cash-flow-primary underwriting.
Full review - Apply at Factoring companiesFactoring companies
Invoice Factoring
No FICO floor — underwriting is based on your customers' creditworthiness, not yours.
Full review - Apply at CDFI-certified lenders (Treasury-certified community development financial institutions)CDFI-certified lenders (Treasury-certified community development financial institutions)
CDFI Loan
Mission-driven lending at lower rates — the most underused option for SMBs with impaired credit.
Full review - Apply at Nav and similar business credit platformsNav and similar business credit platforms
Business Credit-Builder Products
Build business credit from scratch or repair it — designed to report to business bureaus.
Full review - Apply at Triumph Business CapitalTriumph Business Capital
Triumph Business Capital
Freight-first factor with fuel advance program and industry depth.
Full review - Apply at FundThroughFundThrough
FundThrough
AI-powered spot factoring — factor one invoice at a time, no volume commitment.
Full review - Apply at altLINE — a division of The Southern Bank CompanyaltLINE — a division of The Southern Bank Company
altLINE (by The Southern Bank Company)
Bank-backed factoring with lower fees and transparent pricing.
Full review - Apply at Riviera FinanceRiviera Finance
Riviera Finance
Non-recourse factoring specialist with 50+ years in the market.
Full review
Guides
- SBA Just Doubled Its Cumulative Loan Limit to $10 Million — What It Means If You're Considering SBA Financing
- Best Working Capital Loans 2026
- Best Business Loans for Bad Credit 2026
- Best Invoice Factoring Companies 2026
- Best SBA Preferred Lender Banks 2026
- Best Business Lines of Credit 2026
- Best Startup Business Loans 2026
What to know before you compare
Business loan decisions split on three axes: who the issuer is (bank vs. non-bank vs. SBA), how fast you need funding (3-7 days vs. 15-30 days vs. 45-60 days), and what the use of funds is (working capital vs. one-time investment vs. seasonal cycle).
The listicles below rank by fit on those axes. For SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, the Preferred Lender Program bank you pick changes the timeline materially. For non-bank lines of credit, the credit-box accessibility vs. cost trade-off is the decision. SBA loan program details are published at sba.gov; the Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey (fedsmallbusiness.org) tracks lending conditions annually. See also (/answers/business-loan-vs-personal-loan) and (/blog/best-personal-loans-2026). Scored against ClearValue's published methodology. Updated May 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score is needed for a business loan?+
The minimum FICO varies significantly by product type. Revenue-based financing and MCA products are accessible starting around 500-550 FICO. Non-bank term loans and lines of credit typically require 600+. Bank loans and SBA 7(a) loans typically require 650-680+ personal FICO. Within each tier, higher FICO drives better pricing — not just approval. Bank statements and business cash flow often matter more than FICO alone for underwriting decisions.
How does a business line of credit work?+
A business line of credit is revolving credit — the lender approves a maximum amount you can draw from as needed, repay, and draw again. Interest accrues only on the balance you've drawn, not the full credit limit. Non-bank lines typically run $10K-$250K at 10-25% APR; bank lines run higher limits at Prime + spread. Lines suit cyclical cash-flow gaps better than term loans, which disburse a lump sum at origination.
What is an SBA 7(a) loan and who qualifies?+
The SBA 7(a) program is the federal government's flagship small business loan, backed by the SBA and originated by private banks. It offers up to $5 million, terms up to 10 years (25 years for real estate), and interest rate caps set by SBA. Typical qualification: 680+ personal FICO, 24+ months in business, operational profitability. The SBA does not lend directly — private lenders originate and fund; SBA provides a guarantee to the lender.
What's the difference between a business term loan and a business line of credit?+
A term loan disburses a lump sum at closing with fixed monthly principal-and-interest payments over a defined term — best for one-time investments (equipment, expansion, acquisition). A line of credit provides flexible revolving access with interest only on drawn amounts — best for ongoing or cyclical working capital needs. Term loans offer cost certainty; lines offer flexibility. Most established businesses use both in their capital stack.
How fast can a small business get a loan?+
Funding speed depends heavily on the product. Revenue-based financing and MCA products can fund in 24-72 hours. Non-bank term loans and lines of credit typically fund in 5-21 days. Bank loans take 2-6 weeks. SBA 7(a) loans take 60-120 days through most lenders; SBA Express programs can close faster (30-45 days). Speed and cost trade off — faster products carry higher pricing to compensate for reduced underwriting depth.
Can a startup get a business loan?+
Very early-stage startups (under 6 months old) have limited options: SBA Microloan programs (up to $50K, administered by CDFI intermediaries), business credit cards (underwritten on personal credit), and some equipment financing for asset-backed purchases. Revenue-based financing and non-bank lines of credit typically require 6-12+ months of operating history and at least $10,000-$15,000 in average monthly deposits. Most traditional bank and SBA 7(a) products require 24+ months of operating history.