Get flexible financing with a business line of credit

Compare business line of credit options, learn how they work and apply for one through our marketplace.
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Select your business type to get personalized line of credit recommendations.

How Fundera by NerdWallet works

Several factors can affect which business line of credit is best for you. Let us help.

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1. One simple application

Complete a 3-minute questionnaire and see personalized options.

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2. Your options compared

Compare terms and choose the right product for you.

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3. Fast access to your funds

If approved, receive funds in as little as a day.

Small businesses have received $947M in lines of credit

with rates starting at 7.8% through Fundera by NerdWallet

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Qualified borrowers can receive funds in as little as one business day.

Best Business Lines of Credit

SBA CAPLines of credit

Best for large funding amounts

Max loan amount
$5,000,000

Min. credit score
650

Min. annual revenue
Undisclosed

Min. age of business
24 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

SBA CAPLines of credit

Best for large funding amounts

Best for large funding amounts

Max loan amount
$5,000,000

Min. credit score
650

Min. annual revenue
Undisclosed

Min. age of business
24 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Bluevine - Line of credit

Best for fast funding

Max loan amount
$250,000

Min. credit score
625

Min. annual revenue
$120,000

Min. age of business
12 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Bluevine - Line of credit

Best for fast funding

Best for fast funding

Max loan amount
$250,000

Min. credit score
625

Min. annual revenue
$120,000

Min. age of business
12 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Headway Capital - Line of credit

Best for startup businesses

Max loan amount
$100,000

Min. credit score
625

Min. annual revenue
$50,000

Min. age of business
6 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Headway Capital - Line of credit

Best for startup businesses

Best for startup businesses

Max loan amount
$100,000

Min. credit score
625

Min. annual revenue
$50,000

Min. age of business
6 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

OnDeck - Line of credit

Best for unsecured lines of credit

Max loan amount
$100,000

Min. credit score
625

Min. annual revenue
$100,000

Min. age of business
12 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

OnDeck - Line of credit

Best for unsecured lines of credit

Best for unsecured lines of credit

Max loan amount
$100,000

Min. credit score
625

Min. annual revenue
$100,000

Min. age of business
12 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Fundbox - Line of credit

Best for business owners with bad credit

Max loan amount
$250,000

Min. credit score
600

Min. annual revenue
$30,000

Min. age of business
3 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Fundbox - Line of credit

Best for business owners with bad credit

Best for business owners with bad credit

Max loan amount
$250,000

Min. credit score
600

Min. annual revenue
$30,000

Min. age of business
3 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit

Best for low interest rates

Max loan amount
$150,000

Min. credit score
680

Min. annual revenue
Undisclosed

Min. age of business
6 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit

Best for low interest rates

Best for low interest rates

Max loan amount
$150,000

Min. credit score
680

Min. annual revenue
Undisclosed

Min. age of business
6 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Fundation - Line of credit

Best for flexible repayment terms

Max loan amount
$150,000

Min. credit score
680

Min. annual revenue
$50,000

Min. age of business
12 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Fundation - Line of credit

Best for flexible repayment terms

Best for flexible repayment terms

Max loan amount
$150,000

Min. credit score
680

Min. annual revenue
$50,000

Min. age of business
12 months

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit

Best for secured lines of credit

Max loan amount
Undisclosed

Min. credit score
700

Min. annual revenue
$50,000

Min. age of business
6 months

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit

Best for secured lines of credit

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit

Best for secured lines of credit

Max loan amount
Undisclosed

Min. credit score
700

Min. annual revenue
$50,000

Min. age of business
6 months

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Table of contents

A deep dive into our top picks

SBA CAPLines of credit

Best for large funding amounts
Overview: Part of the SBA 7(a) loan program, the SBA CAPLines program offers four line of credit options: working capital, seasonal, builders and contract. These credit lines are designed to meet specific short-term and cyclical working capital needs. You’ll likely need good credit and multiple years in business to qualify.
  • You want funds for seasonal, working capital, building or contracting needs.
  • You need access to a large amount of funding.
  • You want low interest rates and long repayment terms on your business line of credit.
  • You have less than two years in business.
  • You have bad or fair credit.
  • You need funding quickly.

Bluevine

Best for fast funding
Overview: You can apply for a Bluevine line of credit in just minutes and receive a decision as fast as the same day. After you make an initial draw, you’ll receive your funds in as little as 24 hours — or even quicker if you opt for a wire transfer ($15 fee) or have a Bluevine business checking account.
  • You need fast access to working capital.
  • You have a credit score of 625 or higher and one year or more in business.
  • You don’t want to pay a draw or account maintenance fee.
  • You want monthly repayments.
  • You want to repay over a long period of time (more than 6 months).
  • You’re located in North Dakota, South Dakota or Nevada.

Backd

Best for bad credit
Overview: Backd’s business line of credit is available in amounts up to $750,000 — a higher maximum than other online competitors. You’ll need a minimum credit score of 600 and at least 12 months in business to qualify.
  • You need a large amount of funding.
  • You have a credit score of 600 or higher and one year or more in business.
  • You want fast access to capital.
  • You want monthly repayments.
  • You want to avoid a draw fee.
  • You’re still growing your revenue.

Headway Capital

Best for startups
Overview: Headway Capital offers a business line of credit in amounts up to $100,000. You can repay your line of credit on a weekly or monthly basis, with repayment terms of 12-, 18- or 24 months. To qualify, you’ll need at least 6 months in business.
  • You need fast access to working capital.
  • You have less than one year in business.
  • You don’t have collateral to secure a loan (or don’t want to risk your assets).
  • You need more than $100,000 in financing.
  • You don’t want to pay a draw fee.
  • You want to build business credit.

OnDeck

Best for unsecured lines of credit
Overview: OnDeck’s line of credit is a good option for those who don’t want to risk their company assets — as OnDeck doesn’t require physical collateral nor does it take out a UCC lien on your business.
  • You need fast access to working capital.
  • You have a credit score of 625 or higher.
  • You don’t have collateral to secure a loan (or don’t want to risk your assets).
  • You want to build business credit.
  • You need more than $100,000 in financing.
  • You have less than 12 months in business.
  • You’re located in North Dakota.

Fundbox

Best for low-revenue businesses
Overview: Fundbox offers a fast and flexible line of credit up to $150,000. With a minimum annual requirement of just $30,000 (lower than many competitors), this product can be a good option for businesses who are still building their revenue.
  • You’re still growing your revenue.
  • You have at least 3 months in business.
  • You have a credit score of 600 or higher.
  • You want to build business credit.
  • You want monthly repayments.
  • You want to repay over a long period of time (more than 24 weeks).

Wells Fargo

Best for low interest rates
Overview: This Wells Fargo credit line is a good option for established businesses that want low interest rates on their financing. Wells Fargo waives its annual fee for the first year and automatically enrolls you in a rewards program that allows you to earn points for your spending.
  • You want a line of credit with low interest rates.
  • You have strong credit.
  • You don’t have collateral to secure a loan (or don’t want to risk your assets).
  • You have less than two years in business.
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee after the first year.
  • You need fast access to funding.

Fundation

Best for flexible repayment terms
Overview: Fundation’s interest rates start at 20.21% — on the low end for an online lender — but unlike some competitors, Fundation charges an origination fee and an inactivity fee. Still, it can be a worthwhile option for newer businesses with strong credit.
  • You have at least 12 months in business.
  • You want to build business credit.
  • You want to choose between three repayment terms with monthly payments.
  • You have bad or fair credit.
  • You don’t want to pay an inactivity fee.
  • You’re located in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.

Bank of America

Best for secured lines of credit
Overview: Bank of America’s Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit is designed specifically for startups that are looking to establish business credit. You fund your credit line with a minimum deposit of at least $1,000 and use it to pay for day-to-day business expenses. Responsible spending and on-time payments can help you build your business credit — and eventually, graduate to an unsecured credit line.
  • You have strong credit and at least 6 months in business.
  • You’re willing to put down a deposit of at least $1,000.
  • You want to build business credit and possibly graduate to an unsecured line of credit.
  • You need a large amount of funding.
  • You can qualify for a competitive unsecured line of credit.
  • You need fast access to working capital.

How much do you need?

See Your Loan Options

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We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

What is a business line of credit?

A business line of credit is a type of small-business loan that allows you to borrow up to a certain limit and only pay interest on the money you borrow — similar to the way a credit card works. You then repay the funds over time, typically on a weekly or monthly schedule.
As you repay what you’ve borrowed, you can continue to draw on the line — provided your payments are on time and you don’t exceed your credit limit.

Types of business lines of credit

There are two types of business lines of credit: secured and unsecured.

Secured business line of credit

A secured business line of credit requires you to put up assets such as inventory or property as collateral. If you fail to pay back the credit line, your lender could seize your assets.
Because secured lines of credit help mitigate risk for the lender, these products often have more competitive rates and terms than unsecured options.

Unsecured business line of credit

An unsecured business line of credit doesn’t require physical collateral, but some lenders may still require a personal guarantee or a lien on your business’s assets.
A personal guarantee gives a lender the right to go after your personal assets, like your house, if you default on a loan. A UCC lien is similar; a lender can seize your business assets if you haven’t repaid a loan.

Pros and cons of business lines of credit

Pros

  • Good option for working capital, short-term expenses and emergency funding needs.
  • Only pay interest on funds you draw, not the total credit limit.
  • May be easier to qualify for than traditional term loans.
  • Can be used to build business credit.

Cons

  • Not suitable for large purchases or investments.
  • May include a variety of fees that can add to overall cost.
  • Often have shorter repayment terms and lower funding amounts than traditional term loans.

How to qualify for a business line of credit

Some bills and a red card.
Personal credit score: 600 to 700Some online lenders will accept credit scores as low as 600, but traditional lenders will likely require strong credit. A higher credit score can help you qualify for the best rates and terms.
Sign with a "we are open" text.
Time in business: 3 months to 2 yearsMost traditional lenders will want to see at least two years in business. Online lenders are more likely to work with startups, provided they have a minimum of three to six months in operation.
Green circle with upward chart.
Annual revenue: $36,000 to $300,000Businesses with lower revenue may still qualify for a line of credit. To get a bank business loan or SBA loan, however, you'll likely need annual revenue upward of $100,000.

Where to get a business line of credit

Banks and credit unions

Banks and credit unions typically offer the most competitive rates and terms on a business line of credit. To qualify, however, you’ll usually need to meet strict eligibility requirements, such as strong revenue, good credit and several years in business.
Compared to online lenders, banks and credit unions can also be more likely to require physical collateral to secure your credit line (especially for larger limits), as well as more likely to charge additional fees, such as annual or inactivity fees.

Online lenders

Online lenders are a good option for startup business lines of credit or bad credit borrowers as they generally have more flexible business line of credit requirements compared with banks and credit unions.
Online lenders typically have streamlined application processes and fewer fees, and may be able to issue small-business lines of credit in a matter of days. However, these lenders are also likely to charge higher interest rates than banks and may have lower credit limits.

SBA lenders

Some banks and credit unions also offer SBA CAPLines of credit. These SBA lines of credit are part of the 7(a) program, offering funding up to $5 million. There are four different credit line options based on your industry and financing needs.
Although you’ll still need to meet strong qualifications to get an SBA line of credit, these products may be slightly easier to access than traditional bank credit lines. Like business bank loans, however, these SBA lines of credit require a detailed application process and will likely be slow to fund.
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Alternatives to business lines of credit

If you’re not sure that a business line of credit is right for your needs, you might consider these alternatives.
A business term loan is a lump sum of capital that’s repaid over a set period of time, with interest. Compared to lines of credit, term loans are better suited for making specific purchases or investments in your business.
Business credit cards are similar to lines of credit; they’re revolving credit lines that let you make purchases (up to a specific limit), repay the full amount or a portion of the balance and repeat the cycle. Business credit cards tend to have higher interest rates than lines of credit, but they also allow you to earn rewards for your spending. Business credit cards tend to work best for smaller ongoing expenses and for newer businesses without established finances.
Invoice factoring is a type of business financing in which you sell your unpaid invoices to a third party at a discount in exchange for cash upfront. Invoice factoring is a good option for business-to-business companies that need fast access to working capital.
With a merchant cash advance, or MCA, a company gives you an upfront sum of capital that ou repay using a percentage of your debt and credit card sales, plus a fee. MCAs are fast to fund and typically have flexible qualification requirements — but they can be expensive. It’s best to consider other types of business loans before turning to an MCA.
Last updated on August 27, 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.