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Business Line of Credit: Compare the Best Options

Last updated on September 21, 2023
Edited bySally Lauckner
✅Fact checked and reviewed

⏰ Estimated read time: 7 minutes

A business line of credit can finance short-term expenses, like payroll or inventory. Both traditional and online lenders offer business lines of credit.

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A business line of credit 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 and can continue to draw on the line.
Business lines of credit can be used for a variety of short-term needs, such as managing cash flow, buying inventory or covering payroll.
Below, learn more about how business lines of credit work and compare some of the best options from online and bank lenders.

How much do you need?

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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.

Here are 7 business lines of credit

LenderNerdWallet Rating▼Max loan amount▼Min. credit score▼Next steps

Headway Capital - Line of credit

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5.0/5

Best for Business lines of credit for bad credit

$100,000600

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OnDeck - Line of credit

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5.0/5

Best for Unsecured business lines of credit

$100,000625

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Wells Fargo - Line of credit

Read Review
5.0/5

Best for Bank business lines of credit

$50,000680
Read Review

Fundbox - Line of credit

Read Review
5.0/5

Best for Startup business lines of credit

$150,000600
Read Review

Bank of America Cash Secured Line of credit

Read Review

Best for Secured business lines of credit

$0670
Read Review

Bluevine - Line of credit

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5.0/5

Best for Fast business lines of credit

$250,000625

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American Express® Business Line of Credit

Read Review
4.5/5

Best for American Express customers

$250,000660
Read Review

Here are 7 business lines of credit

Best for Business lines of credit for bad credit

Headway Capital

Max Amount

$100,000

Min. Credit Score

600

Best for Unsecured business lines of credit

OnDeck

Max Amount

$100,000

Min. Credit Score

625

Best for Bank business lines of credit

Wells Fargo

Max Amount

$50,000

Min. Credit Score

680

Read Review

Best for Startup business lines of credit

Fundbox

Max Amount

$150,000

Min. Credit Score

600

Read Review

Best for Secured business lines of credit

Bank of America

Max Amount

$0

Min. Credit Score

670

Read Review

Best for Fast business lines of credit

Bluevine

Max Amount

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

625

Best for American Express customers

American Express Business Blueprint™

Max Amount

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

660

Read Review

Our pick for

Business lines of credit for bad credit

Headway Capital offers fast funding up to $100,000 for borrowers with a credit score of 600 or higher.

Headway Capital - Line of credit

5.0
NerdWallet rating 

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Max Loan Amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
40.00-80.00%
Headway Capital offers a fast and flexible line of credit for borrowers who may not qualify for more traditional options.
5.0
NerdWallet rating 

Max loan

$100,000

Min. Credit score

600

Apr range

40.00-80.00%

Headway Capital offers a fast and flexible line of credit for borrowers who may not qualify for more traditional options.

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Our pick for

Unsecured business lines of credit

OnDeck offers business lines of credit of up to $100,000 and doesn’t require physical collateral. Borrowers are subject to UCC blanket liens, however, and will be required to sign a personal guarantee.

OnDeck - Line of credit

5.0
NerdWallet rating 
Read Review

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Max Loan Amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
39.90-77.90%
OnDeck offers a fast line of credit for small-business owners with less-than-stellar credit who need to manage cash flow or buy inventory.
May fund quickly
5.0
NerdWallet rating 

Max loan

$100,000

Min. Credit score

625

Apr range

39.90-77.90%

OnDeck offers a fast line of credit for small-business owners with less-than-stellar credit who need to manage cash flow or buy inventory.
Read Review

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Our pick for

Bank business lines of credit

Wells Fargo offers business lines of credit of up to $50,000 that are well-suited for borrowers with strong credit. You may be able to qualify with less than two years in business.

Wells Fargo - Line of credit

5.0
NerdWallet rating 
Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$50,000
Min. credit score
680
Est. APR
13.00-15.00%
Wells Fargo offers an unsecured line of credit that’s designed for borrowers with less than two years in business.
5.0
NerdWallet rating 

Max loan

$50,000

Min. Credit score

680

Apr range

13.00-15.00%

Wells Fargo offers an unsecured line of credit that’s designed for borrowers with less than two years in business.
Read Review

Our pick for

Startup business lines of credit

Fundbox offers quick funding of up to $150,000 for borrowers with at least six months in business.

Fundbox - Line of credit

5.0
NerdWallet rating 
Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
10.10-79.80%
Fundbox offers a business line of credit to fill a cash flow gap, and qualifying is easier than with other lenders.
May fund quickly
5.0
NerdWallet rating 

Max loan

$150,000

Min. Credit score

600

Apr range

10.10-79.80%

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

Our pick for

Secured business lines of credit

Companies with at least six months in operation can use Bank of America’s cash secured line of credit to build business credit.

Bank of America Cash Secured Line of credit

Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$0
Min. credit score
670
Bank of America’s Cash Secured line of credit can help startups cover working capital needs and establish business credit.

Max loan

$0

Min. Credit score

670

Bank of America’s Cash Secured line of credit can help startups cover working capital needs and establish business credit.
Read Review

Our pick for

Fast business lines of credit

Bluevine offers a business line of credit of up to $250,000 and can fund applications in as little as 24 hours.

Bluevine - Line of credit

5.0
NerdWallet rating 
Read Review

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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
5.0
NerdWallet rating 

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.
Read Review

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Our pick for

American Express customers

Existing American Express customers can use their accounts to find out if they prequalify for this business line of credit.

American Express® Business Line of Credit

4.5
NerdWallet rating 
Read Review
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.
4.5
NerdWallet rating 

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.
Read Review

How Much Do You Need?

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How does a business line of credit work?

Unlike a traditional small-business loan — where you receive a lump sum of capital and repay it over a specific period of time, with interest — a business line of credit is a more flexible form of financing.
With a line of credit, you receive access to a set amount of capital — say, $150,000 — and can draw funds as needed. You only pay interest on the funds that you draw. You then repay the funds over time, typically on a weekly or monthly schedule.
You can continue to draw on your business credit line as often as you’d like, as long as you make payments on time and don’t exceed your credit limit.
» MORE: Is a business loan or line of credit right for you?

Business line of credit rates and fees

Business line of credit rates can range from 10% to 80% APR. The interest rate you receive will vary based on your lender, credit score, financial history and time in business, among other factors.
In general, the stronger your credentials, the lower interest rates you’ll receive. Banks tend to offer more competitive business line of credit rates compared to online lenders.
Depending on your lender, you may also have to pay fees on your line of credit, such as:
  • Origination fee: Fee charged to process your application.
  • Account maintenance fee: Monthly or annual fee associated with managing your account and keeping your business line of credit active.
  • Draw fee: Fee charged each time you draw on your credit line.
  • Inactivity fee: A lender may charge this fee if you don’t draw from your line of credit within a specified period of time.

Secured vs. unsecured business lines 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.
Unsecured business lines of credit, on the other hand, don’t require 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.
When comparing lenders, ask whether they require collateral, a personal guarantee or a lien so that you can find the option that’s best for your business.

Business line of credit vs. credit card

Business credit cards are technically lines of credit, but they differ from traditional business lines of credit in several ways:
Business line of credit
Business credit card
Higher credit limit.
Lower credit limit.
Provides actual cash in your bank account when you make a draw.
Cards are used for purchases; you can get cash, but you’ll be charged a cash advance fee to do so.
May be secured by collateral.
Can be secured by collateral, but not as common.
Doesn’t typically include rewards.
Often have rewards or cash back for spending; rewards are typically related to business expenses.
No interest-free period.
May include 0% interest promotion, which allows you to pay no interest on your balance for a specific time period after signing up for the card.
Lower interest rates than credit cards.
Higher interest rates than lines of credit.
Overall, business credit cards tend to work best for smaller ongoing expenses and for newer businesses without established finances, while business lines of credit work best for larger ongoing expenses and more mature businesses.

Business line of credit calculator

Loan calculator icon

Business line of credit calculator

When you draw from a business line of credit, you only pay interest on the funds that you borrow. You then repay the funds over time, based on a schedule set by your lender.

Enter a withdrawal amount, repayment term and annual interest rate to estimate your monthly payment, total interest costs and the total amount repaid.

Not sure? See estimated rates on online business loans and SBA loans.
Monthly payment
$0.00
Total payments
$0.00
Total interest paid
$0.00

Where to get a business line of credit

Banks and credit unions

Banks and credit unions can offer different types of business credit lines, including secured and unsecured business lines of credit, as well as SBA lines of credit.
Although these lenders can offer business lines of credit with competitive interest rates, you’ll typically need to meet strict requirements to qualify. You’ll likely need to have 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, including annual and inactivity fees.

Online lenders

Online lenders, like Headway Capital and Fundbox, generally have more flexible business line of credit requirements compared to banks and credit unions. Some online lenders will work with startups or businesses with bad credit.
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.
» MORE: Compare the best startup business lines of credit

How to get a business line of credit

To get a business line of credit, you can follow these steps:

1. Evaluate your financing needs

You’ll initially want to determine why you need funding and how quickly you need it. If you’re looking for a working capital line of credit to cover payroll, for example, you may need financing as quickly as possible. On the other hand, if you want to keep a line of credit in your back pocket as an emergency fund, you may not be in such a rush.
It's also important to determine how much capital you can afford. You can use a business line of credit calculator to estimate potential payments and interest costs.

2. Review business line of credit requirements

Next, you'll want to evaluate your business's credentials — time in business, annual revenue, personal credit score — to determine what lines of credit you can qualify for.
Traditional lenders, like banks and credit unions, will likely have stricter qualifications, requiring multiple years in business and a strong credit history. Online lenders can be more lenient and some may be willing to work with startups and/or borrowers with bad credit.
At a minimum, therefore, you’ll want to be able to meet these business line of credit requirements:
  • Credit score: 600 or higher.
  • Time in business. Six months or more.
  • Annual revenue. $50,000 or more.
If you’re looking for a secured business line of credit, you should also make sure you know what assets you’re going to put up as collateral and how much they’re worth.

3. Research and compare lenders

Once you have a better understanding of your financing needs and qualifications, you can research and compare small-business lenders to find the right option for your company.
Ultimately, you can apply for a business line of credit through a bank, credit union, online lender, or even work with an online marketplace to submit a single application and compare offers from multiple lenders at the same time.
Interest rates, borrowing limits and qualifications can vary by lender.

4. Gather required documents and apply

As part of your application, lenders will typically consider your credit and financial history — and ask you to provide documentation, such as:
  • Personal and business tax returns.
  • Personal and business bank statements.
  • Business financial statements (e.g., profit and loss statement or a balance sheet).
You may also be required to provide physical collateral or sign a personal guarantee.
Depending on your lender, it may take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks to complete the application, underwriting and funding processes.

Find the right business loan

The best business loan is generally the one with the lowest rates and most ideal terms. But other factors — like time to fund and your business’s qualifications — can help determine which option you should choose. NerdWallet recommends comparing small-business loans to find the right fit for your business.
Last updated on September 21, 2023

Methodology

NerdWallet reviewed both traditional and online lenders in order to create our list of the best business lines of credit.
Our list includes a variety of loan options to meet the diverse funding needs of small-business owners, with an emphasis on lenders that offer a streamlined underwriting and approval process.
Each small-business loan option on our list meets the following criteria:
-- Maximum loan amount of at least $50,000. -- Transparent rates and repayment terms. -- Funding available within two weeks of applying. -- Personal credit score requirements of 680 or below. -- No more than two years in business required.

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.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions