American Express® Business Line of Credit Competitors: Compare Top Alternatives
One of these American Express® Business Line of Credit competitors may be a better fit for your funding needs.
American Express® Business Line of Credit* can be a good option for borrowers with fair credit who want access to working capital — but it may not be the right choice for you.
If you’re looking for an alternative to this small-business loan
Why trust NerdWallet
How much do you need?
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.
American Express® Business Line of Credit Competitors: Compare Top Alternatives
| Loan | NerdWallet rating | Best For | Max loan amount | Min. credit score | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bluevine - Line of credit with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for large line of credit | $250,000 | 625 | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
| Pros
Cons
| |||||
 OnDeck - Line of credit with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for fast ongoing access to money | $100,000 | 625 | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
| Pros
Cons
| |||||
 Headway Capital - Line of credit with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for flexible qualifications | $100,000 | 625 | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
| Pros
Cons
| |||||
 Fundation - Line of credit with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for repayment terms | $150,000 | 680 | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
| Pros
Cons
| |||||
 Fundbox - Line of credit with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for startups or bad credit | $250,000 | 600 | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
| Pros
Cons
| |||||
American Express® Business Line of Credit Competitors: Compare Top Alternatives
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. annual revenue
$120,000
See Your Loan Options with Fundera by NerdWallet
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 large line of credit
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. annual revenue
$120,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. annual revenue
$100,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Fast access to working capital.
- Accepts borrowers with a minimum credit score of 625.
- Streamlined application process with minimal documentation required.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Not available in North Dakota.
- May require frequent weekly payments.
- Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
OnDeck - Line of credit
Best for fast ongoing access to money
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. annual revenue
$100,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Fast access to working capital.
- Accepts borrowers with a minimum credit score of 625.
- Streamlined application process with minimal documentation required.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Not available in North Dakota.
- May require frequent weekly payments.
- Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. annual revenue
$50,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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 flexible qualifications
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. annual revenue
$50,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Min. annual revenue
$50,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Monthly payments (as opposed to daily or weekly required by some online lenders).
- No prepayment penalties.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Relatively high minimum credit score requirement compared to other online lenders.
- Charges an origination fee and an inactivity fee.
- Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.
Fundation - Line of credit
Best for repayment terms
Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Min. annual revenue
$50,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Monthly payments (as opposed to daily or weekly required by some online lenders).
- No prepayment penalties.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Relatively high minimum credit score requirement compared to other online lenders.
- Charges an origination fee and an inactivity fee.
- Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Min. annual revenue
$30,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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 startups or bad credit
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Min. annual revenue
$30,000
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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).
Editor's note:
This page includes information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit. The information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by American Express. Some information may be outdated.
What does American Express® Business Line of Credit offer?
American Express® Business Line of Credit offers business lines of credit
Total monthly fees incurred over the loan term range are:
- 3% to 9% for six-month loans.
- 6% to 18% for 12-month loans.
- 9% to 27% for 18-month loans.
- 12% to 18% for 24-month loans.
This unique fee structure often makes it difficult to compare the cost of an American Express® Business Line of Credit
To qualify for this line of credit, you’ll need:
- A minimum FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application.
- To have started your business at least a year ago.
- Average monthly revenue of at least $3,000.
Note that the required FICO score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, credit history, and other factors. You must also be able to link a bank account that shows business revenue to qualify. It’s also important to remember that all businesses are unique and are subject to approval and review.
Alternatives to the American Express® Business Line of Credit
Bluevine
Best for large line of credit
» MORE: Best large business loans
Like American Express, Bluevine offers business lines of credit up to $250000. Bluevine may be the right option for you if you need quick access to funds and have a lower minimum credit score than what Amex requires.
With Bluevine, you can complete your application and receive a decision in as little as five minutes. Funds can be available within hours if you choose the bank wire option (which requires a $15 fee) — and in one to three business days if you choose an ACH transfer.
The Bluevine line of credit has weekly payments over a six-month term. The lender’s APR ranges from approximately 14% to 48%.
To qualify for a line of credit from Bluevine
- Credit score: 625.
- Time in business: 12 months.
- Monthly revenue: $10,000.
So, although Bluevine might be a better option for those with a lower credit score, its revenue requirement is higher than American Express.
OnDeck
Best for fast ongoing access to money
» MORE: Best fast business loans
OnDeck’s line of credit is available in amounts up to $100000 with weekly or monthly payments and terms of 12, 18 or 24 months.
While the first draw on this line of credit may take up to three business days, subsequent draws can be made instantly if using a debit card. This is a useful feature if you need quick access to working capital, especially for time-sensitive expenses. The American Express® Business Line of Credit has a similar feature, but you’ll need an Amex business checking account.
To qualify for a line of credit from OnDeck
- Credit score: 625.
- Time in business: 12 months.
- Monthly revenue: Approximately $8,333.
» MORE: Best same-day business loans
Headway Capital
Best for flexible qualifications
» MORE: Best easy business loans
Headway Capital’s line of credit provides funding up to $100000 and has less stringent qualification requirements than American Express. For example, small-business owners may be able to qualify for a Headway Capital line of credit with a minimum credit score of 625 and just 6 months in business. However, the American Express® Business Line of Credit has a lower business revenue requirement.
To qualify for a line of credit from Headway Capital
- Credit score: 625.
- Time in business: 6 months.
- Monthly revenue: Approximately $4,166.
Fundation
Best for repayment terms
» MORE: Best long-term business loans
Like American Express, Fundation’s longest repayment period for drawn funds on its line of credit stretches to 24 months and allows for monthly payments (as opposed to daily or weekly). Small-business owners may borrow as much as $150000, but it’s not available in all states or for all industries.
To qualify for a line of credit from Fundation
- Credit score: 680.
- Time in business: 12 months.
- Monthly revenue: Approximately $4,166.
Fundbox
Best for startups or bad credit
» MORE: Best startup business loans
Fundbox can be a good option for startups or borrowers with bad credit who might not meet American Express® Business Line of Credit’s qualification requirements.
Fundbox can also be a worthwhile choice for fast financing
After applying for a line of credit, you can receive approval in as little as three minutes and funds as soon as the next day.
To qualify for a line of credit from Fundbox, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
- Credit score: 600.
- Time in business: 3 months.
- Monthly revenue: $2,500.
* American Express® Business Line of Credit* offers two loan types, installment loans and single repayment loans for eligible borrowers. All loan term types, loan term lengths, and pricing are subject to eligibility requirements, application, and final approval. This content contains general information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit* installment loan type only.
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 editorial guidelines