Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month) Review 2026

Fixed repayment over 6–18 months — cheaper than MCA, accessible to 580+ FICO.

Get started at Non-bank online lenders → Pre-qualify (where available) with a soft credit pull — no score impact.

ClearValue Rating: 4.1 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)

Editorial4.3
Cost4.0
Value4.1
Access3.8

Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.

At a glance

Who Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month) is best for

Borrowers with a defined capital need who can document 6–12 months of consistent revenue.

Pros

Cons

Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month) requirements

Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month) alternatives

Revenue-Based Financing (MCA) (Non-bank alternative lenders) — Businesses with consistent daily or weekly revenue who need cash in 24–72 hours and have exhausted cheaper options.
Read review Get started at Non-bank alternative lenders →
Revenue-Based Financing (Non-MCA structure) (Fintech and specialty non-bank lenders) — SaaS and subscription businesses where bank underwriting ignores predictable recurring revenue.
Read review Get started at Fintech and specialty non-bank lenders →
Invoice Factoring (Factoring companies) — B2B businesses with slow-paying commercial customers and clean accounts receivable.
Read review Get started at Factoring companies →

Bottom line

Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month) — Fixed repayment over 6–18 months — cheaper than MCA, accessible to 580+ FICO. Best for: Borrowers with a defined capital need who can document 6–12 months of consistent revenue.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.

Questions about Short-Term Loan (6–18 Month)

Who is a short-term business loan best for?

It fits borrowers with a defined capital need who can document 6–12 months of consistent revenue. With a 580+ FICO floor and a typical APR range of 25%–60% for sub-660 profiles, it's a mid-range-cost option that's meaningfully cheaper than an MCA for the same advance.

What credit profile does a short-term loan target?

The data shows a 580+ minimum personal FICO accepted (some lenders go to 560+), with credit profile affecting the rate within the 25%–60% range rather than just approval. Lenders also weigh revenue consistency and bank statements.

How much can I borrow and how fast does it fund?

Max loan amount is listed at $250K, with the typical sweet spot of $25K–$150K for sub-660-FICO borrowers. Funding is usually 2–5 business days — faster than a bank loan.

How does the cost compare to a merchant cash advance?

A short-term loan carries a meaningfully lower effective cost than an MCA for the same advance amount, and its fixed weekly or monthly payment is more predictable than MCA holdback. That said, the APR is still high relative to bank products, so weigh it against the return on the use of funds.

Can I pay it off early without a penalty?

At reputable lenders, prepayment is typically permitted without a penalty. Note that some lenders use factor-rate pricing, in which case prepayment may not reduce total cost — confirm the pricing structure with the lender before signing.

How do I apply?

You can start an application through ClearValue Lending's apply portal. ClearValue is a financial-decisions platform, not the lender — you'll want a 580+ FICO, 6–12 months in business, verifiable monthly revenue via bank statements, and an active business bank account.

How we rate

Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).

Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →

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