Business Loans
Business loans, scored on what they actually cost.
Term loans, lines of credit, SBA and equipment financing, ranked by Z-Score with the APR first. If you qualify for anything on this page, it is cheaper than a cash advance.
The short answer
Online term loans ran 9% to 36% APR in Zogby’s September 2026 review, SBA 7(a) loans 10% to 13%, and lines of credit 14% to 36%. Northbank Capital (9.1) is the lowest-cost lender we scored. Funding takes two days to six weeks depending on product; SBA is slowest and cheapest.
Top rated
Lowest cost
Term loan · 9 to 24% APR
Flexibility
Revolving · same-day draws
Patient money
SBA 7(a) · 10 to 13% APR
Rankings and guides
Ranking
Term loans, lines of credit, SBA and short-term lenders compared.
Before you sign
A loan quoted in a factor rate is not a loan.
Some “business loan” offers are merchant cash advances with different branding. The tell is the factor rate (1.2, 1.35) instead of an interest rate, and a daily or weekly debit instead of a monthly payment. If you see it, read our cash advance rankings before you sign.
Common questions
What credit score do I need for a business loan?
Online term lenders in our set start at 600 to 625 personal credit; SBA lenders generally want 680 or higher plus two years in business. Lines of credit sit in between. Revenue and time in business often matter more than the score.
How fast can a business loan fund?
Online term loans and lines of credit: same day to three days. Equipment financing: about a week. SBA 7(a): 30 to 45 days, occasionally longer. If you need money in 24 hours, you are shopping for an advance, and you should price it as one.
Is an SBA loan worth the wait?
Usually. At 10% to 13% APR with terms up to ten years, it is the cheapest money in small business. The wait and paperwork are the price.
Zogby may earn a fee when you contact a listed company; it never changes a score. Other than Delancey Street, company names on this site are illustrative until real data replaces them.