Finding the right business loan can mean the difference between scaling your company and stalling out. We evaluated over 40 lenders across SBA loans, term loans, lines of credit, and startup financing to identify the best options for businesses at every stage of growth.
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Key Takeaways
- 1 SBA loans offer the lowest rates (currently 10.5-13.5% for 7(a) loans) but require extensive documentation and can take 30-90 days to fund.
- 2 Online lenders like Bluevine and OnDeck can fund within 24-72 hours, making them ideal for urgent capital needs despite higher rates.
- 3 Business lines of credit provide flexible revolving access to capital and are often more cost-effective than term loans for managing cash flow gaps.
- 4 Startups with less than 2 years in business face limited options; Fundbox and Kabbage (now American Express Business Line of Credit) are among the most startup-friendly.
- 5 Always compare the total cost of borrowing using the APR, not just the interest rate—factor fees, which can range from 0% to 8% of the loan amount, can dramatically increase the true cost.
Our Top Picks for Business Loans
1. Bluevine
Funding Speed
24-72 hours
APR Range
7.80-25.00%
Loan Amounts
$6K-$250K
Bluevine is a San Francisco-based fintech founded in 2013 that has provided over $14 billion in financing to more than 500,000 small businesses. They offer business lines of credit up to $250,000 with a simple, transparent pricing model and no hidden fees. Bluevine's application process takes about 10 minutes, and approved businesses can receive funds as quickly as the same day. Unlike many online lenders, Bluevine also offers business checking accounts with up to 2.0% APY on balances up to $3 million—making it a one-stop financial hub for small businesses. Their line of credit renews as you repay, providing ongoing access to working capital. Minimum requirements include 2+ years in business, $40,000+ in monthly revenue, and a 625+ credit score.
Pros
- Fast funding: same-day to 72 hours for approved applicants
- Revolving line of credit renews as you repay for ongoing access
- Business checking with 2.0% APY on balances up to $3 million
Cons
- Requires minimum 2 years in business and $40,000 monthly revenue
- Not available for startups or businesses in certain restricted industries
2. Huntington Bank
Funding Speed
30-90 days
APR Range
10.50-13.50%
Loan Amounts
$5K-$5M
Huntington National Bank, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has been the #1 SBA 7(a) lender by number of loans in the United States for multiple consecutive years, approving over 10,000 SBA loans annually. Their dedicated SBA lending team guides borrowers through the entire process, from application to funding, and they maintain one of the highest approval rates among SBA-preferred lenders. Huntington offers SBA 7(a) loans from $5,000 to $5 million with terms up to 25 years for real estate and 10 years for equipment and working capital. Their SBA Express loans up to $500,000 feature streamlined processing with decisions in as little as 48 hours. As a Preferred Lender Program (PLP) participant, Huntington can make SBA approval decisions in-house without sending applications to the SBA for review, significantly reducing processing time.
Pros
- #1 SBA 7(a) lender in the U.S. by loan volume for multiple years
- Preferred Lender status enables in-house SBA approvals for faster processing
- SBA Express loans up to $500K with decisions in as little as 48 hours
Cons
- SBA loans require extensive documentation and can take 30-90 days to fund
- Physical branch presence primarily in Midwest and Eastern U.S. states
3. OnDeck
Funding Speed
Same day
APR Range
29.90-97.30%
Loan Amounts
$5K-$250K
OnDeck, founded in 2006 in New York City and acquired by Enova International in 2020, has provided over $14 billion in financing to small businesses across the country. OnDeck is one of the fastest business lenders available, with same-day funding possible for term loans up to $250,000 and lines of credit up to $100,000. Their proprietary OnDeck Score evaluates businesses using real-time data from bank accounts, accounting software, and payment processors rather than relying solely on FICO scores. Minimum requirements are lenient: 1+ year in business, $100,000 in annual revenue, and a 625 personal credit score. OnDeck's term loans feature fixed daily or weekly repayment schedules, which can simplify budgeting for businesses with steady revenue. They also report payments to major business credit bureaus, helping borrowers build their business credit profile.
Pros
- Same-day funding available for approved term loans and credit lines
- Lenient requirements: 1 year in business and $100K annual revenue
- Reports to business credit bureaus to help build your credit profile
Cons
- APR can be very high (29.90-97.30%) compared to traditional bank loans
- Daily or weekly repayment schedule may strain cash flow for some businesses
4. Fundbox
Funding Speed
Next business day
APR Range
10.10-79.80%
Loan Amounts
$1K-$150K
Fundbox is a San Francisco-based fintech lender founded in 2013 that specializes in providing accessible financing to small and newer businesses. Unlike many lenders that require years of business history, Fundbox approves businesses with as little as 3 months of operating history—making it one of the most startup-friendly options available. They offer revolving lines of credit up to $150,000 with terms of 12 or 24 weeks, and borrowers can draw funds as needed, paying interest only on the amount used. The application process is entirely online and takes about 5 minutes: connect your business bank account or accounting software, and Fundbox uses AI to assess your cash flow patterns in real time. Approved borrowers can access funds the next business day. Fundbox requires a minimum 600 personal credit score and $30,000 in annual revenue.
Pros
- Approves businesses with as little as 3 months of operating history
- Quick AI-based underwriting with next-business-day funding
- Revolving credit line: only pay interest on what you actually draw
Cons
- APR can be high (up to 79.80%) especially for shorter 12-week terms
- Maximum line of credit capped at $150,000 which may not suit larger needs
5. American Express Business Line of Credit
Funding Speed
1-3 days
APR Range
3.00-27.00%
Loan Amounts
$2K-$250K
American Express Business Line of Credit (formerly Kabbage) offers revolving lines of credit from $2,000 to $250,000 with the backing and stability of one of the world's most trusted financial brands. After acquiring Kabbage's lending platform in 2020, American Express rebuilt the product with improved rates, higher limits, and seamless integration with the broader Amex business ecosystem. The application takes about 10 minutes and requires linking your business bank account, and approval decisions are typically instant. Borrowers can draw funds on demand via bank transfer, and repayment terms are either 6, 12, 18, or 24 months with fixed monthly fees. American Express requires at least 1 year in business, a 640 personal credit score, and $36,000 in annual revenue. Their Business Blueprint dashboard provides real-time cash flow insights alongside credit line management.
Pros
- Backed by American Express with competitive rates starting at 3.00%
- Flexible draw and repayment: take only what you need, when you need it
- Integrated Business Blueprint dashboard for cash flow management
Cons
- Monthly fee structure can make the effective APR higher than it first appears
- Requires at least 1 year in business, excluding very early-stage startups
How to Choose the Right Business Loan
First, clarify your purpose: are you covering a short-term cash flow gap, purchasing equipment, hiring employees, or funding long-term growth? Short-term needs are often best served by a business line of credit, while major investments may warrant an SBA loan or term loan with lower rates and longer repayment periods.
Compare the total cost of borrowing carefully. Look beyond the stated interest rate to the APR, which includes fees. Online lenders may advertise low factor rates that sound affordable but translate to APRs of 30-90% when annualized. SBA loans offer the lowest rates but require strong financials, extensive paperwork, and patience—funding can take 30-90 days.
Be realistic about your qualifications. Most traditional lenders require 2+ years in business, $100K+ in annual revenue, and a 680+ credit score. If your business is newer or your credit is limited, online lenders like Fundbox and OnDeck may be more accessible, though at higher rates. Always compare at least three offers before committing.
Important Tip
Before applying for a business loan, separate your personal and business finances completely. Open a dedicated business bank account, get an EIN, and build your business credit profile by reporting to Dun & Bradstreet. Lenders view businesses with clean financial separation as lower risk, which translates to better rates and terms.
Business Loans Compared
| Provider | Funding Speed | APR Range | Loan Amounts | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bluevine
Top Pick
|
24-72 hours | 7.80-25.00% | $6K-$250K |
4.8
|
|
Huntington Bank
|
30-90 days | 10.50-13.50% | $5K-$5M |
4.7
|
|
OnDeck
|
Same day | 29.90-97.30% | $5K-$250K |
4.6
|
|
Fundbox
|
Next business day | 10.10-79.80% | $1K-$150K |
4.5
|
|
American Express Business Line of Credit
|
1-3 days | 3.00-27.00% | $2K-$250K |
4.6
|
Our Methodology
Our team spent over 90 hours researching and comparing business lenders, evaluating each on rates, loan types, funding speed, eligibility requirements, and overall value for small business owners.
Rates & Total Cost
30%We compared APRs, factor rates, fee structures, and the true total cost of borrowing across SBA loans, term loans, and lines of credit.
Funding Speed & Process
25%We evaluated how quickly businesses can access funds, from application to deposit, and assessed the complexity of each lender's application process.
Eligibility & Accessibility
25%We assessed minimum requirements for time in business, revenue, credit score, and whether startups or newer businesses can qualify.
Loan Flexibility & Features
20%We reviewed loan amount ranges, term options, repayment flexibility, and additional features like credit building and business banking integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marcus Williams
Senior Lending Analyst
Marcus Williams has over 15 years of experience in the lending industry. A former mortgage underwriter and licensed loan officer, he brings insider knowledge to every review. Marcus holds a finance degree from NYU and is passionate about helping consumers find fair lending products.
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Important Business Loan Disclaimers
- Business loan rates and terms shown are subject to change and may vary based on your creditworthiness, business financials, loan amount, and loan type. The rates displayed represent ranges and are not guaranteed.
- SBA loan rates are tied to the Prime Rate and may adjust periodically. Current SBA 7(a) rates are based on the Prime Rate of 7.50% as of March 2026, plus a lender spread of up to 3.00% for loans over $50,000.
- Online lender rates may be expressed as factor rates rather than APR. A factor rate of 1.15 on a $100,000 loan means you repay $115,000—but the APR equivalent depends on the repayment term and can be significantly higher than it appears.
- Business loan approval depends on multiple factors including time in business, annual revenue, personal credit score, business credit score, industry type, and existing debt obligations.
- Zogby is not a lender. We are an independent comparison service that connects business owners with lending partners. We do not make credit decisions or extend credit.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be construed as, financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
Editorial Independence
Our recommendations are based on independent research and analysis. While Zogby may receive compensation from some partners listed on this page, our editorial team maintains full independence over our rankings and ratings. Compensation does not influence which products we recommend or how we rate them.