Best Easy Business Loans From Our Partners
Best Easy Business Loans From Our Partners
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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
14.00-48.00%
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 - Line of credit
Best for quick approval
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
14.00-48.00%
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.
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 - Online term loan
Best for borrowers with bad credit
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.
Expansion Capital Group - Merchant cash advance
Best for merchant cash advance
Max loan amount
$300,000
Min. credit score
500
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
Expansion Capital Group - Merchant cash advance
Best for merchant cash advance
Max loan amount
$300,000
Min. credit score
500
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
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 Small Business Working Capital Loan
Best for women and minority groups
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.
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
35.00-80.00%
Pros
- Flexible qualification requirements.
- No prepayment penalties.
- Funds available by next business day after approval.
Cons
- Most borrowers are subject to a 2% draw fee.
- Not available in all U.S. states.
Headway Capital - Line of credit
Best for working capital
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
35.00-80.00%
Pros
- Flexible qualification requirements.
- No prepayment penalties.
- Funds available by next business day after approval.
Cons
- Most borrowers are subject to a 2% draw fee.
- Not available in all U.S. states.
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 - Online term loan
Best for short-term loans
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.
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 - Line of credit
Best for new businesses
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).
Concerned about tariffs?
Many small-business owners are under increased economic stress and uncertainty following the latest tariff announcements. NerdWallet is here to help you find answers for whatever you're looking for. Here are some resources to help you get started:
- Need emergency funding? Consider a business line of credit.
- Looking for fast access to working capital? Discover the best working capital loans.
- Want tips on how to mitigate the impact of tariffs? Read our guide.
What is an easy business loan?
An “easy business loan” simply refers to any loan that provides convenient and fast access to money — in other words, they’re easier to obtain than loans offered by traditional lenders, like banks and credit unions. They typically share the following features:
Issued by online lendersMost are issued by online, or alternative, lenders since they offer the greatest flexibility.
Flexible requirementsMore likely to have lenient personal credit, time in business and collateral requirements.
Fast to fundSimple and streamlined application processes, which leads to quicker funding times.
Higher interest ratesFast funding times and flexible qualification requirements usually translate to higher interest rates.
In contrast, many traditional small-business loans require strong credit, high revenue and at least two years in business.
Need more “easy” options? Take a look at our other top picks:
Consider an easy business loan if…
- You can’t qualify for other types of financing. According to NerdWallet’s 2024 Small Business Report, one in four small-business owners struggle to get the funding they need to grow their business or cover expenses. If this describes you, an easy business loan from an online lender might be a good option, as they tend to have more lenient requirements than a bank or SBA loan.
- You need cash fast. Bank and SBA loans can take several weeks or longer to fund. If you need money fast — to cover emergency expenses or to take advantage of a new business opportunity, for example — it may be worth paying a little more in interest for the speed and convenience of an easy business loan.
- You don’t mind paying a little bit extra. Although these loans typically have higher interest rates than more traditional funding options, they can provide access to the money you need to cover a variety of expenses.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Even if you can’t qualify for a traditional loan, taking out an easy online business loan and making timely payments on it may help you qualify for more competitive types of financing in the future.How to get an easy business loan
Although each lender is different, easy business loans typically have more lenient qualification requirements when it comes to standard underwriting guidelines.
Here’s what you might need to qualify based on the lenders we highlighted above:
Credit score | 600 or higher. |
Time in business | Three to 12 months. |
Annual revenue | $18,000 or more. |
Collateral | None, though you'll likely have to sign a personal guarantee or have a blanket lien placed on your business assets. |
Application process | May be able to apply in minutes. |
Paperwork | Business financial statements, business and personal tax returns, and business and personal bank statements may be required. |
✅ Learn more about how to qualify for a small-business loan.
How to compare easy-to-get business loans
The best loan for your business ultimately depends on your unique financing needs and how well you meet lenders’ eligibility requirements.
However, if you think an easy business loan might be a good option, here are some tips to help you choose the right one.
- Determine what type of funding you need. Easy business loans come in several types, including business lines of credit, term loans, equipment financing and invoice factoring. Consider how much money you need to borrow and how you’re going to use it to determine which type of loan might be the right fit.
- Figure out how much debt you can afford. Easy business loans will likely have higher interest rates and fees than other types of financing. Review your business finances to estimate how much additional debt you can manage before taking on a new loan.
- Check your qualifications. Review common underwriting criteria — time in business, credit score, annual revenue — so you have a sense of which loans you have a good shot of qualifying for.
- Compare multiple loan offers. As you start applying and getting loan offers, make sure you’re getting the best deal for your business by comparing factors like interest rates, repayment terms, fees and prepayment penalties. 🔎 Compare the total cost of your loan offers by using NerdWallet’s business loan calculator.
- Read your business loan agreement. Once you decide on a loan, ensure that you understand all the terms associated with your loan including interest rates, fees, repayment terms, potential early payment penalties and any personal guarantee requirements that may apply. Ask your lender for clarification if you have any questions.
» MORE: How to read a business loan agreement
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Stay away from lenders that promise guaranteed approval or "business loans with no credit check.” Although there are many reputable online lenders on the market, predatory lenders tend to target small businesses that are having trouble qualifying for financing. If you think a loan offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.Alternatives to easy business loans
Although easy business loans offer fast and flexible access to business capital, they may not be right for every business owner or situation. Here are some alternatives to consider:
- Business credit cards. Similar to a business line of credit, a business credit card is a revolving source of funds and can be approved quickly. Though they typically come with higher APRs and fees than loans, they can also reward you for your spending.
- Friends and family loans. If you have friends or family members who are willing and able to invest in your business on short notice, this can be a more affordable option than any easy business loan. Make sure you put your agreement in some form of writing to avoid personal disputes.
- Bootstrapping. Using self-financing methods, like personal savings or Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS), where you make a tax-free withdrawal from retirement savings, can also be an easy method of financing, in the sense that it doesn't have any external qualification requirements. The risk is that you could lose your own money that you’ve put in if your business goes under.
- Peer-to-peer business loans. If you can’t qualify for more traditional forms of funding, peer-to-peer lending may be an option. Similar to crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending is when multiple people or institutions each chip in a little bit of money for you to use in your business. Like a normal loan, you pay this borrowed cash back over time, with interest.
- Small-business grants. Although it’ll likely take longer to receive funding than one of the easy business loans on our list, grants provide free money for qualifying business owners. They often have looser requirements than many small-business loans, especially if you’re part of an underrepresented group in society, like veterans or individuals with disabilities.
Frequently asked questions
Getting a business loan isn’t always easy. Although some lenders have more lenient qualification requirements than others, it’s easier to get a business loan if you have good credit, strong finances or an established business with multiple years in service.
Yes. It’s possible to get business financing with a credit score as low as 500, typically from merchant cash advance (MCA) companies or invoice factoring companies. But you may be asked to pay higher interest rates or pledge collateral.
SBA microloans are one of the easiest SBA loans to get. SBA microloans are issued by nonprofit community lenders, who set their own rates and eligibility requirements (with some guidance from the SBA). These loans are designed to reach traditionally underserved companies, such as startups, minority-owned businesses and businesses with bad credit.
If you have good personal credit and strong finances (or cash flow projections), it may be easier to get a startup business loan. In general, however, many lenders require that you have at least six months to one year in business to qualify for financing.
Last updated on May 30, 2025
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.
Wondering if you qualify?
It’s possible to get a business loan even if you have bad credit. Bad-credit business loans are available from alternative sources, like online or nonprofit lenders.
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