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Best Small-Business Loans of March 2024

By Randa Kriss
Last updated on March 12, 2024
Edited bySally Lauckner
Fact checked and reviewed

⏰ Estimated read time: 20 minutes

A small-business loan is a source of capital that can help you stock your shelves, buy new equipment or expand your footprint. Business owners can access financing through traditional banks, online lenders and community lending institutions.
Below, compare the best small-business loans, including bank and SBA loans, business lines of credit, term loans and equipment financing. Plus, learn how to qualify and find the right business funding for your needs.

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LenderBest forMax loan amountMin. credit scoreAPR rangeMax term length
U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA loans$5,000,00065011.50-15.00%25 years
Bank of America
5.0/5.0  
Bank small-business loansSee review700See review5 years
Wells Fargo
5.0/5.0  
Bank lines of credit$150,00068010.25-18.25%See review
Bluevine
5.0/5.0  
Fast business loans$250,00062520.00-50.00%1 year
Fundbox
5.0/5.0  
Startup business loans$150,00060036.00-99.00%6 months
American Express Business Blueprint™
5.0/5.0  
Online lines of credit$250,000660See review2 years
OnDeck
5.0/5.0  
Short-term business loans$250,00062535.40-99.90%2 years
Funding Circle
4.5/5.0  
Long-term business loans$500,00066015.22-45.00%7 years
Fora Financial
4.5/5.0  
Business loans for bad credit$1,500,000500See review1 year and 3 months
AltLINE
4.5/5.0  
Invoice factoring$10,000,000300See reviewSee review
National Funding
4.0/5.0  
Unsecured business loans$500,000600See review2 years
Triton Capital
4.0/5.0  
Equipment financing$250,0005755.99-34.99%5 years
Accion
4.0/5.0  
Women and minority groups$250,0005708.49-29.67%5 years
U.S. Small Business Administration
Microloans$50,0006208.00-13.00%7 years
U.S. Small Business Administration
Commercial real estate loans$5,000,0006805.00-7.00%25 years
PNC Bank
3.5/5.0  
Business auto loans$250,000700See review6 years

Best for SBA loans

U.S. Small Business Administration

Max Loan

$5,000,000

Min. Credit Score

650

APR Range

11.50-15.00%

Max Term Length

25 years

Best for Bank small-business loans

Bank of America

Min. Credit Score

700

Max Term Length

5 years

Best for Bank lines of credit

Wells Fargo

Max Loan

$150,000

Min. Credit Score

680

APR Range

10.25-18.25%

Best for Fast business loans

Bluevine

Max Loan

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

625

APR Range

20.00-50.00%

Max Term Length

1 year

Best for Startup business loans

Fundbox

Max Loan

$150,000

Min. Credit Score

600

APR Range

36.00-99.00%

Max Term Length

6 months

Best for Online lines of credit

American Express Business Blueprint™

Max Loan

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

660

Max Term Length

2 years

Best for Short-term business loans

OnDeck

Max Loan

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

625

APR Range

35.40-99.90%

Max Term Length

2 years

Best for Long-term business loans

Funding Circle

Max Loan

$500,000

Min. Credit Score

660

APR Range

15.22-45.00%

Max Term Length

7 years

Best for Business loans for bad credit

Fora Financial

Max Loan

$1,500,000

Min. Credit Score

500

Max Term Length

1 year and 3 months

Best for Invoice factoring

AltLINE

Max Loan

$10,000,000

Min. Credit Score

300

Best for Unsecured business loans

National Funding

Max Loan

$500,000

Min. Credit Score

600

Max Term Length

2 years

Best for Equipment financing

Triton Capital

Max Loan

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

575

APR Range

5.99-34.99%

Max Term Length

5 years

Best for Women and minority groups

Accion

Max Loan

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

570

APR Range

8.49-29.67%

Max Term Length

5 years

Best for Microloans

U.S. Small Business Administration

Max Loan

$50,000

Min. Credit Score

620

APR Range

8.00-13.00%

Max Term Length

7 years

Best for Commercial real estate loans

U.S. Small Business Administration

Max Loan

$5,000,000

Min. Credit Score

680

APR Range

5.00-7.00%

Max Term Length

25 years

Best for Business auto loans

PNC Bank

Max Loan

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

700

Max Term Length

6 years

Best for

SBA loans

SBA loans offer favorable rates and terms and can be used for a variety of large and long-term funding purposes. These government-guaranteed loans are best for businesses that don’t meet bank eligibility criteria, but still have good credit and strong finances.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to SBA loans

SBA 7(a) loan

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Max Loan Amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
650
Est. APR
11.50-15.00%
7(a) loans are issued by private lenders and backed by the SBA. They offer long repayment terms and low interest rates.
Lowest interest rate

Max loan

$5,000,000

Min. Credit score

650

Apr range

11.50-15.00%

7(a) loans are issued by private lenders and backed by the SBA. They offer long repayment terms and low interest rates.

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Best for

Bank small-business loans

Banks typically offer small-business loans with the lowest interest rates and most competitive terms. These products are well-suited for established businesses with collateral and strong credit.

» MORE: Best banks for small-business loans

Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan

Max Loan Amount
Undisclosed
Min. credit score
700
Bank of America’s term loan offers competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms — with no collateral required.

Max loan

Undisclosed

Min. Credit score

700

Bank of America’s term loan offers competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms — with no collateral required.

Best for

Bank lines of credit

A bank line of credit offers greater flexibility than a business term loan — allowing you to tap into a credit line and pay interest on only the portion of money you borrow. Bank credit lines are a good source of affordable working capital for established businesses.

» MORE: Guide to best business lines of credit

Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit

Max Loan Amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Est. APR
10.25-18.25%
This Wells Fargo line of credit offers competitive rates for businesses with at least two years in operation.

Max loan

$150,000

Min. Credit score

680

Apr range

10.25-18.25%

This Wells Fargo line of credit offers competitive rates for businesses with at least two years in operation.

Best for

Fast business loans

Online lenders typically offer simple applications and a streamlined underwriting process. Some companies can provide financing in as quickly as 24 hours — and most fund applications within a few business days.

» MORE: Compare the best fast business loans

Bluevine - Line of credit

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Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
20.00-50.00%
Bluevine's line of credit provides fast working capital for short-term borrowing needs.
May fund quickly

Max loan

$250,000

Min. Credit score

625

Apr range

20.00-50.00%

Bluevine's line of credit provides fast working capital for short-term borrowing needs.

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Best for

Startup business loans

Some online lenders offer business loans for startups with one year or less in operation. You’ll typically need at least six months in business to qualify.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to startup business loans

Fundbox - Line of credit

Max Loan Amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
36.00-99.00%
Fundbox offers a business line of credit to fill a cash flow gap, and qualifying is easier than with other lenders.
May fund quickly

Max loan

$150,000

Min. Credit score

600

Apr range

36.00-99.00%

Fundbox offers a business line of credit to fill a cash flow gap, and qualifying is easier than with other lenders.

Best for

Online lines of credit

Online business lines of credit are best for fast access to working capital, especially for newer businesses or those with less-than-perfect credit histories.

» MORE: Compare the best working capital lines of credit

American Express® Business Line of Credit

Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
660
The American Express® Business Line of Credit is a good option for business owners with fair credit who want access to working capital.

Max loan

$250,000

Min. Credit score

660

The American Express® Business Line of Credit is a good option for business owners with fair credit who want access to working capital.

Best for

Short-term business loans

Short-term business loans can be good for businesses that can’t qualify for an SBA or bank loan, or those that need quick funding. Short-term lenders generally have less-stringent eligibility requirements compared to traditional lenders and may work with startups or businesses with bad credit.

» MORE: Best short-term business loans

OnDeck - Online term loan

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Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
35.40-99.90%
OnDeck offers a fast term loan for small-business owners with less-than-stellar credit who want to expand.
May fund quickly

Max loan

$250,000

Min. Credit score

625

Apr range

35.40-99.90%

OnDeck offers a fast term loan for small-business owners with less-than-stellar credit who want to expand.

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Best for

Long-term business loans

Long-term loans can help you expand your business — and provide more time to repay and lower monthly payments than short-term loans. Some online lenders can offer repayment terms up to seven years, with faster funding times than more conventional business loan options.

» MORE: Best long-term business loans

Funding Circle - Online term loan

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Max Loan Amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Est. APR
15.22-45.00%
Funding Circle is an option for established businesses that are financing an expansion or refinancing debt.
May fund quickly

Max loan

$500,000

Min. Credit score

660

Apr range

15.22-45.00%

Funding Circle is an option for established businesses that are financing an expansion or refinancing debt.

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Best for

Business loans for bad credit

It can be more difficult to get a business loan with bad credit, but some online lenders are willing to work with borrowers who have a personal credit score below 630.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to bad-credit business loans

Fora Financial - Online term loan

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Max Loan Amount
$1,500,000
Min. credit score
500
Fora Financial can be a good fit for borrowers who may fall short of qualifying for traditional bank financing or young but established small businesses looking for speedy financing.

Max loan

$1,500,000

Min. Credit score

500

Fora Financial can be a good fit for borrowers who may fall short of qualifying for traditional bank financing or young but established small businesses looking for speedy financing.

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Best for

Invoice factoring

Invoice factoring allows business-to-business companies to access capital that’s tied up in unpaid invoices. This type of fast funding can be useful for managing cash flow issues or paying short-term expenses.

» MORE: Compare the best invoice factoring companies

AltLINE - Invoice Factoring

Max Loan Amount
$10,000,000
Min. credit score
300
AltLINE offers fast invoice factoring with competitive factoring rates.

Max loan

$10,000,000

Min. Credit score

300

AltLINE offers fast invoice factoring with competitive factoring rates.

Best for

Unsecured business loans

Unsecured business loans don’t require you to put up specific collateral — like equipment, inventory or real estate — to secure financing. These loans can be a good option for newer companies that don’t have sufficient collateral to offer, or those who need funding fast.

» MORE: Compare the best unsecured business loans

National Funding - Online Term Loan

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Max Loan Amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
600
Borrowers who can't qualify for more traditional loan options might consider National Funding for fast access to capital.

Max loan

$500,000

Min. Credit score

600

Borrowers who can't qualify for more traditional loan options might consider National Funding for fast access to capital.

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Best for

Equipment financing

Equipment financing is best for small businesses looking to purchase machinery or equipment. Since the equipment itself serves as collateral, equipment loans can be more affordable and easier to qualify for than other types of small-business loans.

» MORE: Best options for equipment financing

Triton Capital - Equipment financing

4.0
NerdWallet rating 

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Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
575
Est. APR
5.99-34.99%
Triton Capital offers fast equipment loans up to $250,000 for businesses in a range of industries.
4.0
NerdWallet rating 

Max loan

$250,000

Min. Credit score

575

Apr range

5.99-34.99%

Triton Capital offers fast equipment loans up to $250,000 for businesses in a range of industries.

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Best for

Women and minority groups

Nonprofit and community lenders often provide loans to traditionally underserved business owners who may not qualify for other funding options. These institutions also offer business training, coaching and other educational resources.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to nonprofit and microlenders

Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan

Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
570
Est. APR
8.49-29.67%
Accion is a good option for businesses that haven't been able to secure traditional financing. The lender targets its funding efforts toward minority, women and low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs.

Max loan

$250,000

Min. Credit score

570

Apr range

8.49-29.67%

Accion is a good option for businesses that haven't been able to secure traditional financing. The lender targets its funding efforts toward minority, women and low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs.

Best for

Microloans

SBA microloans are small-sized loans available in amounts up to $50,000. These business loans are issued by participating community lenders — and have more flexible requirements than other types of SBA loans.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to the SBA microloan program

SBA Microloan

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Max Loan Amount
$50,000
Min. credit score
620
Est. APR
8.00-13.00%
SBA microloans are small-sized loans funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and issued through approved intermediaries, typically nonprofit and community lenders.

Max loan

$50,000

Min. Credit score

620

Apr range

8.00-13.00%

SBA microloans are small-sized loans funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and issued through approved intermediaries, typically nonprofit and community lenders.

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Best for

Commercial real estate loans

Commercial real estate loans are used to purchase or renovate commercial property, like warehouses, offices or storefronts. These loans are secured by a lien on that specific property.

» MORE: Compare the best commercial real estate loans

SBA CDC/504 loan

Max Loan Amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
680
Est. APR
5.00-7.00%
SBA 504 loans are designed to promote business growth and job creation through the purchase or upgrade of major fixed assets.

Max loan

$5,000,000

Min. Credit score

680

Apr range

5.00-7.00%

SBA 504 loans are designed to promote business growth and job creation through the purchase or upgrade of major fixed assets.

Best for

Business auto loans

You can use a business auto loan to purchase or refinance cars, vans or trucks for your company. These loans work similarly to consumer auto loans — they’re repaid over time with interest — and the car you purchase serves as collateral.

» MORE: Best business auto loans

PNC Small Business Vehicle Finance Loan

Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
700
This PNC auto loan is a good option for established businesses who need to purchase new or used vehicles for everyday use.

Max loan

$250,000

Min. Credit score

700

This PNC auto loan is a good option for established businesses who need to purchase new or used vehicles for everyday use.
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Choosing the best small-business loan

Funding options for qualified business owners include SBA loans, bank loans, term loans, business lines of credit and equipment financing. You typically need a year or more of business history and revenue to qualify for financing. Startups operating for less than a year can consider other small-business lending options. The best business loan for you will depend on a variety of factors, such as:
  • Why you need funding.
  • How fast you need access to capital.
  • How much capital you need.
  • Your business’s qualifications.
  • Total cost of debt.

Types of small-business loans

Loan terms, interest rates and qualifications vary by lender, but here are the features you can generally expect to find with the different types of business loans.

SBA loans

SBA loans are small-business loans partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, a government agency, and issued by participating lenders, such as banks and credit unions. SBA loans offer low interest rates and long repayment terms and can be used to finance a variety of business expenses.
Although there are multiple types of funding within the SBA loan program, the SBA 7(a) loan is the most popular. These loans are available in amounts up to $5 million, with terms up to 25 years.
To qualify for an SBA loan, you’ll need good personal credit (690 or higher, although some SBA lenders may have lower score requirements), strong finances and multiple years in business. You should also have the flexibility to wait for funding, as the loan application process is slow and time-consuming.
  • Loan amounts: $30,000 to $5 million.
  • Approximate APR range:
    11.5
    % to
    15
    %.
  • Best for: Large one-time and longer-term investments, purchasing real estate or equipment, buying existing businesses and refinancing debt.

Bank loans

Banks can offer a variety of types of small-business financing, including term loans, SBA loans and lines of credit. To qualify for a bank loan, you’ll typically need a strong personal credit score (starting in the 700s), several years in business and a solid track record of business finances, such as strong cash flow. In some cases, banks will require collateral.
  • Loan amounts: $10,000 to $1 million.
  • Approximate APR range: 5.89% to 12.23%.
  • Best for: Working capital, expanding your business.

Business term loans

Online lenders typically offer term loans of up to $500,000. For a short-term loan, the repayment period tends to range from three to 18 months, while a long-term loan repayment can extend up to 10 years or longer in some cases. Business owners can also find financing that can be used for specific items, like commercial real estate, equipment or inventory.
  • Loan amounts: Up to $500,000.
  • Approximate APR range: 6% to 99%.
  • Best for: Large one-time investments.

Business lines of credit

A business line of credit provides access to flexible cash. Similar to a credit card, lenders give you access to a specific amount of credit (say, $100,000), but you don’t make payments or get charged interest until you tap into the funds.
  • Credit line range: $1,000 to $250,000.
  • Approximate APR range: 10% to 99%.
  • Best for: Managing cash flow, handling unexpected expenses and financing short-term business needs.

Equipment financing

Equipment financing is a form of asset-based financing where the equipment itself serves as collateral for the loan. You can get an equipment loan equal to up to 100% of the value of the equipment you’re looking to purchase — depending on the lender and your business’s qualifications — which you then pay back over time, with interest.
Some lenders may also pay for soft costs, such as installation, delivery, warranties, assembly and other similar expenses associated with getting your equipment up and running.
Although certain lenders will finance these costs on top of the full value of your equipment, others may fund only a percentage of the cost of the equipment — 80%, for example — and devote the remainder of the loan (20%) to your soft costs.
  • Loan amounts: Up to 100% of the value of the equipment, plus soft costs.
  • Approximate APR range: 4% to 45%.
  • Best for: Purchasing machinery and equipment.

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Microloans

Microloans are small-dollar business loans that typically offer up to $50,000 in financing. These loans are designed for traditionally underserved entrepreneurs, such as startup founders, people with limited credit histories, minority groups and those located in low-income communities.
Microloans are available from SBA intermediaries, nonprofit organizations and community lenders. These lenders tend to offer business training, educational resources and support — in addition to funding opportunities.
  • Loan amounts: Up to $50,000.
  • Approximate APR range: 8% to 30%.
  • Best for: Smaller business investments, covering day-to-day expenses, working capital needs.

Commercial real estate loans

Commercial real estate loans provide capital specifically for the purchase or renovation of commercial properties, such as offices, storefronts or residential buildings. These loans typically function like traditional term loans that you repay over a set period of time, with interest.
Like equipment financing, commercial real estate loans are self-collateralizing — the property that you’re purchasing or renovating serves as collateral on the loan. To determine the amount of funding you’re eligible to receive, commercial real estate lenders use the loan-to-value ratio, or LTV. LTV is calculated by dividing the loan amount by the value of the property you own or are looking to buy.
Generally, the lower the LTV, and the higher the down payment you can provide, the better interest rates you can get.
  • Loan amounts: LTVs ranging from 65% to 85%.
  • Approximate APR range: 4% to 15%.
  • Best for: Purchasing and/or renovating commercial properties.

Business auto loans

Business auto loans are small-business loans used to purchase or refinance cars, vans or trucks for your company. These loans work similarly to consumer auto loans — you borrow money from a lender and repay it over time, with interest.
The car you purchase (or refinance) serves as collateral on the loan and repayment terms often range from up to six or seven years. You can get business auto loans from bank-, SBA- and online lenders, but banks will typically offer the lowest interest rates.
  • Loan amounts: Up to 100% of the purchase price.
  • Approximate APR range: 4% to 45%.
  • Best for: Purchasing or refinancing cars, vans, trucks.

Other government business loans

Aside from the most common type of government loan, the SBA 7(a) loan, small businesses can find additional financing options from the SBA, as well as other government agencies.

USDA business loans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture operates several business initiatives that are designed to provide financial assistance and development resources to rural businesses.
One of the most well-known programs is the Business & Industry (B&I) Loan Program. Through this program, the USDA provides a partial guarantee to lenders, like banks and credit unions, that issue loans to small businesses in rural areas (populations of 50,000 residents or less).
These businesses can use the financing for a range of purposes, including business repair and/or development, real estate purchases, debt refinancing, equipment purchases and certain acquisitions.
Other USDA business loan options include:
  • Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. Offers loans to rural businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees.
  • Rural Economic Development Loan Program. Provides loans to fund projects that will create or retain rural jobs.
  • Rural Energy for America Program. Offers small-business financing to agricultural producers and rural businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.

SBA disaster loans

Unlike other SBA loan options, disaster loans are funded and issued directly by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans are designed specifically to help small businesses recover from physical and economic damage caused by a declared disaster.
There are four types of SBA disaster loans:
  • Home and personal property loans. Used to repair your home and personal property.
  • Business physical disaster loans. Used to repair or replace business property, machinery, equipment and inventory.
  • Economic injury disaster loans (EIDL). Provides working capital when you can’t pay your typical operating expenses as the result of a disaster.
  • Military reservists economic injury disaster loans (MREIDL). Used to help pay for operating expenses when you can no longer afford to do so as the result of an essential employee being called up to active service as a military reservist.
SBA disaster loans have low interest rates, long repayment terms and may be faster to fund than other SBA loan options.

Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program

The ILGP is a funding initiative administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This program is designed to help American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses access financing from private sources — like banks and community development financial institutions — when they would not be able to do so otherwise.
To qualify for one of these loans, you must be:
  • An individual who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group
  • A federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native group.
  • A corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity with no less than 51% ownership by federally recognized American Indians or Alaska Natives.
Loans issued as part of the ILGP can be used for working capital, equipment purchases, construction, business acquisition and refinancing. You must have at least 20% equity in the project being financed, however, and the project must benefit the economy of a reservation or tribal service area.

Farm Service Agency loans

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers a variety of loan options to help farmers and ranchers start, expand or manage their agricultural businesses. These farm loans have competitive interest rates, long repayment terms and may be available to borrowers with fair or bad credit histories.
The most common types of FSA loans include:
  • Ownership loans. Can be used to purchase or expand a farm or ranch.
  • Operating loans. Can be used to cover everyday costs and family living expenses, as well as equipment, seed and livestock purchases.
  • Microloans. Designed for small and beginning farmers, as well as non-traditional agricultural operations. You can choose between ownership and operating microloans.
To qualify for an FSA loan, you’ll need to meet industry-specific requirements and show that you’ll be able to repay your financing.

Additional business funding options

Invoice factoring

Invoice factoring turns business owners’ unpaid invoices into immediate cash. You sell your invoices to a factoring company in exchange for an advance of cash — potentially up to 90% of the value of the invoices. The factoring company assumes responsibility for collecting payment on your invoices, and once it receives that payment from your customers, it sends you the difference, minus the agreed-upon fees.
Because invoice factoring companies often prioritize the value of your invoices during the underwriting process, this type of small-business financing can be easier to qualify for than other commercial loans. Invoice factoring can, however, be expensive, especially if your customers take a long time to repay.

Invoice financing

Invoice financing is sometimes confused with invoice factoring. With invoice financing, however, you don’t sell your invoices to a factoring company. Instead, you use your unpaid invoices as collateral to secure your financing.
Lenders advance you a percentage of the value of your invoices in the form of a loan or line of credit. When your customers pay the invoices, you’ll repay the lender the amount loaned, plus fees and interest.
Compared to factoring, invoice financing gives you more control over your invoices and allows you to deal with your customers directly.

Personal loans

A personal loan for business is a good funding option if your business is still young and you don’t qualify for traditional financing. Personal-loan providers look at your personal credit score and income instead of your business history.
Personal loans are usually available in smaller amounts, but they can be used for a variety of purposes and fund within days. If you can’t repay the loan, however, your personal credit and finances can be negatively affected. This may impact your ability to access affordable financing in the future.

Business credit cards

A business credit card offers revolving credit, making it a solid option for short-term expenses. It can also be easier to qualify for a business credit card than a small-business loan. Although credit card limits tend to be smaller than a line of credit, a business credit card may offer rewards, such as cash back or travel points.
Cards with 0% intro APR can also be a good choice, especially for startups. You can use these credit cards to make purchases while you’re establishing your cash flow. It’s important to make sure that you pay the full balance before the intro APR period ends, however, otherwise you’ll start to accrue interest on your account.

Merchant cash advances

With a merchant cash advance (MCA), a financing company gives you an upfront sum of capital that you repay using a percentage of your debit and credit card sales, plus a fee. MCAs are typically fast to fund and easy to qualify for, but they’re also one of the most expensive types of business financing, carrying APRs that can reach triple digits.
Because MCAs require frequent payments and those payments are deducted directly from your sales, they can also lead to a cycle of debt that’s difficult to break. As a result, you should generally consider all other business financing options before turning to a merchant cash advance.

Small-business grants

Small-business grants provide a free alternative to debt funding — offering access to capital that doesn’t need to be repaid. Business grants are available from a variety of sources, including federal, state and local governments, private companies and nonprofit organizations.
It can be difficult and time-consuming to find and apply for grants, but the process may be worth it if you can secure free financing.
To increase your chances of success, you can narrow down your search by demographics or location. Many awarding organizations offer business grants for specific communities, such as women, veterans, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs or minority groups.

Small-business loans by interest rate

Interest rates are an important factor to consider when comparing business loan options.
Small-business lending companies typically charge interest as an annual percentage rate, or APR. Some lenders, however, quote interest as a factor rate, which is multiplied by the amount of capital you receive to determine the total cost of your funding.
Your business loan rate will ultimately vary based on the lender, loan type and your qualifications. To access the lowest interest rates, you’ll need strong finances and good credit.

How do I qualify for a business loan?

Every lender has different underwriting guidelines, but they generally consider similar factors, including your personal credit score, time in business and annual revenue. Lenders also consider your cash flow and ability to repay the debt.
Having strong personal credit can help you qualify for lower rates and give you more loan options. If you don’t need business financing right away, consider building your credit score. But, if you need more immediate access to capital, you may still be able to qualify for a business loan with bad credit.
If you don’t know your credit score or want to monitor it consistently, several personal finance websites, including NerdWallet, offer free credit score access. You can track your progress and open more doors for financing your business.

How do I get a loan for my small business?

Getting a business loan doesn't have to be a painful process. You can increase your chances of approval by understanding your business's qualifications and then finding the financing option that fits your needs. Here are the steps you can follow:
Decide which loan option is right for your needs. If you want to finance a large purchase or business expansion, for example, you might consider a traditional term loan, whereas if you need funds for day-to-day expenses, you might prefer a business line of credit.
Check your qualifications. You’ll want to consider factors such as your personal credit score, time in business and annual revenue. Bank and SBA lenders will likely have the strictest eligibility criteria. Online lenders, on the other hand, may be more flexible.
Estimate what payments you can afford. You should look carefully at your business’s financials — especially cash flow — and evaluate how much you can afford to apply toward loan repayments each month. Your total income should be at least 1.25 times your total expenses, including your new repayment amount.
Determine whether and how you want to collateralize the loan. Business loans can be secured or unsecured. A secured business loan requires collateral, such as property or equipment, that the lender can seize if you fail to repay the loan. Putting up collateral is risky, but it can increase the amount lenders let you borrow and get you a lower interest rate. Keep in mind, however, that although some lenders don’t require physical collateral, they may still take out a UCC filing on your business assets. This official document allows a lender to claim your assets in the case of default.
Compare small-business lenders. You’ll typically want to get the business loan that offers you the best terms. But other factors, like funding speed or customer service, may matter to your business and different financing sources may be better in certain instances than others.
Apply for a business loan. Of the loans you qualify for, choose the one with the lowest APR and best terms for you — as long as you’re able to handle the loan’s regular payments — and gather your business loan application materials. These may include financial documents like tax returns, bank statements and cash flow statements. You may also be required to sign a personal guarantee.

Small-business loans: Frequently asked questions

Annual percentage rates (APRs), loan term and monthly payments are estimated based on analysis of information provided by lenders and publicly available information. All loan information is presented without warranty, and the estimated APR and other terms are not binding in any way. Lenders provide loans with a range of APRs depending on borrowers' credit and other factors. Keep in mind that only borrowers with excellent credit will qualify for the lowest rate available. Your actual APR will depend on factors like credit score, requested loan amount, loan term and credit history. All loans are subject to credit review and approval.

🏦 Curious about SBA loans?

Here’s an overview of how SBA loans work, the types of SBA loans that are available, what each loan type can be used for and how to get SBA financing for your small business.

Last updated on March 12, 2024

How Fundera by NerdWallet works

Getting a business loan can be challenging, and several factors — cost, speed, repayment schedule — can play a role in deciding which product is right for you. Let us help you through the process.

1. Fill out one simple application

Answer a few questions about your business to get personalized lending options. It’s free and won’t impact your credit score.

2. See your business loan options

It takes about three minutes to get options from our network of vetted small-business lenders. Compare interest rates and repayment terms to choose the best product for your needs.

3. Get your loan

If the lender approves you, you’ll sign closing documents in order to receive funds. Some lenders can approve and fund loans within one business day.

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 and 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.