Best Fast Business Loans for Quick Funding

Compare fast business loans and receive funds in as little as 24 hours. Choose why you need financing to get started.

A closer look at our picks for the best small business loans

borrowers with bad credit icon

Best for borrowers with bad credit

Small-business lenders often look at a borrower’s personal credit score as an indicator of how likely it is that they’ll pay back a loan. That’s why it can be tricky to get funding with bad credit. Fora Financial can approve applications within four hours and provide funding just 72 hours later. You may be able to qualify for a loan with a minimum credit score of 570.

Fora Financial - Online term loan

Fora Financial - Online term loan

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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 stands out as a fast funding option for borrowers who may fall short of qualifying for traditional bank financing. The lender can work with startups and borrowers with bad credit — as long as they have strong revenue. Fora offers large maximum loan amounts and can provide prepayment discounts for those who repay early.

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fast draws icon

Best for fast draws

Bluevine offers a flexible line of credit in amounts up to $250,000. You can receive funds in as little as 24 hours — or as quickly as the same day, for an added fee. Like credit cards, a business line of credit allows you to tap into a reservoir of cash to meet short-term needs, up to a limit.

May fund quickly
Bluevine - Line of credit

Bluevine - Line of credit

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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 stands out for its fast funding speed and flexible qualification requirements. To get a line of credit, you can apply quickly online and receive funding in as little as 24 hours. Newer businesses and borrowers with bad credit may be able to qualify. Bluevine also offers a larger credit line maximum compared to some competitors and doesn’t charge draw or account maintenance fees.

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long-term financing icon

Best for long-term financing

Fast business loans often come with short repayment terms and frequent payment schedules. However, iBusiness Funding (formerly Funding Circle) can approve business loans in as fast as 48 hours, with repayment terms up to seven years. Longer repayment terms often come with smaller payment amounts, which can ease the burden on your business’s cash flow, especially if you are financing a large purchase.

May fund quickly
iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

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Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Est. APR
15.22-45.00%

Pros

  • Cash can be available within two business days.
  • Competitive rates among online lenders.
  • Terms up to seven years.
  • iBusiness Funding also offers SBA loans up to $5 million.

Cons

  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Must be in business for a minimum of 24 months.
  • Minimum credit score is higher than some other lenders.
iBusiness Funding is a good option for qualified business owners who don’t want to wait for bank financing. The lender offers competitive interest rates and long repayment terms, but can fund much more quickly than traditional lenders. And with a large maximum funding amount, this loan can be used for a variety of long-term expansion projects, as well as refinancing existing debt.

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startups icon

Best for startups

Headway Capital’s line of credit can provide funding within one business day of approval. It only requires six months in business and just $50,000 in annual revenue, making it a good option for newer businesses.

Headway Capital - Line of credit

Headway Capital - Line of credit

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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 offers a fast and flexible business line of credit that’s a good option for those who can’t qualify for traditional financing. The lender can work with startups and businesses with low revenue. Headway can fund applications as fast as the next day after approval. Unlike some online lines of credit, however, you’ll likely have to pay a draw fee to access your funds from Headway.

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short-term business loans icon

Best for short-term business loans

OnDeck provides fast short-term small-business loans up to 24 months. You can apply for a loan in minutes and may be able to receive same-day funding in certain states.

May fund quickly
OnDeck - Online term loan

OnDeck - Online term loan

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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’s short-term loan is a good option for making one-time investments in your business, such as opening a new location or renovating your space. This loan offers fast funding (sometimes as quickly as the same day) for borrowers who may not qualify for more traditional financing options. OnDeck’s short-term loan can also be used to establish and build business credit — as the lender reports your payment history to the three commercial credit bureaus.

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equipment loans icon

Best for equipment loans

National Funding lets you borrow up to $150,000 for new or pre-owned equipment in as fast as 24 hours. This makes it a good option for business owners with at least six months in operation who need to cover the cost of expensive equipment, machinery or commercial vehicles quickly.

National Funding - Equipment financing

National Funding - Equipment financing

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Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600

Pros

  • Funding in as little as 24 hours.
  • Prepayment discounts available.
  • Offers loans to startups and borrowers with bad credit.
  • No collateral or down payment required.

Cons

  • Charges a factor rate that makes it more difficult to compare costs with other lenders.
  • Requires higher annual revenue than other online lenders.
  • Misleading website marketing: National Funding offers only short-term loans and equipment financing/leasing.
  • Charges an origination fee.
National Funding stands out as an online equipment financing option for startups and borrowers with bad credit — provided they have strong revenue. This lender offers equipment loans or leases for new and used equipment, and unlike some equipment lenders, doesn’t require a down payment. Funding can be available in as little as 24 hours.

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B2B companies icon

Best for B2B companies

Invoice factoring allows business-to-business companies to sell unpaid invoices to a factoring company in exchange for cash. Because it doesn’t require you to have a certain credit score, invoice factoring may be a good option for borrowers with bad credit. AltLINE offers invoice factoring with competitive rates and flexible qualification requirements. Funding can be available within 24 to 48 hours.

AltLINE - Invoice factoring

AltLINE - Invoice factoring

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Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
300

Pros

  • Capital available within 24 to 48 hours.
  • No collateral required.
  • Manages payment collection from your customers.
  • Accepts startups and businesses with bad credit.

Cons

  • Fees can become expensive the longer it takes your customers to pay.
  • Difficult to compare factoring costs to other types of business loans.
  • Charges an origination fee.
If you’re a business-to-business company with capital tied up in unpaid invoices, altLINE can provide fast access to cash. The lender offers competitive factoring rates and can factor large invoice amounts. AltLINE stands out for its flexible underwriting process that focuses heavily on the creditworthiness of your customers, as opposed to more traditional business loan requirements. This makes it a worthwhile option for startups or borrowers with bad credit.

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Table of contents

A closer look at our picks for the best fast business loans

Fora Financial: Best for borrowers with bad credit

Funding speed: Within 72 hours
Why it may be worth it: Fora Financial can offer money to business owners who have bad personal credit scores, and it doesn’t require collateral. If you have the revenue to support the loan, this can be a lifeline if you can’t qualify elsewhere. In addition, you’ll get a discount if you’re able to pay your loan off early.
Be mindful of: Rather than an interest rate, Fora charges a factor rate for funding, which can make it tricky to compare with other lenders and to understand the total cost of your loan. Make sure you convert your factor rate to an APR before committing to a loan.

Bluevine: Best for fast draws

Funding speed: Within a few hours (for an extra fee)
Why it may be worth it: Bluevine can approve and provide funding within a few hours — instantly if you have a free Bluevine Business Checking account, or for a $15 wire fee if you don’t. This access to fast funding on draws throughout the life of your loan offer means ongoing flexibility, which can come in handy in the event of unexpected expenses or business opportunities.
Be mindful of: Bluevine requires weekly repayments, which can be tricky depending on your business’s revenue. If your business doesn’t have the cash flow to support weekly payments, look elsewhere.

iBusiness Funding: Best for long-term financing

Funding speed: 48-72 hours
Why it may be worth it: iBusiness Funding offers some of the longest repayment terms you’ll find with an online business loan — up to seven years. Because of this, it may be an ideal option for larger purchases that would be better to finance over a longer time period.
Be mindful of: Though it may be easier to qualify for than bank or SBA loans, iBusiness Funding’s minimum credit score requirement of 660 is higher than other online lenders. If you can meet the credit score requirement and can wait for funding, you may save on interest by opting for more traditional lenders.

Headway Capital: Best for startups

Funding speed: Next business day
Why it may be worth it: Headway Capital only requires six months in business and about $4,200 in monthly revenue to qualify for its line of credit. This combined with its flexibility on repayment terms and repayment schedules makes it a good option for newer businesses that are still building revenue.
Be mindful of: Headway charges a 2% fee for each draw made on your credit line, so you’ll want to be careful about making too many draws over a short period of time. Make sure you understand the purpose for your funds each time you make a draw request.

OnDeck: Best for short-term business loans

Funding speed: Same day funding is available in certain states for loans up to $100,000
Why it may be worth it: If you’re approved, OnDeck can deposit up to $100,000 within the same business day, allowing you to take advantage of an unexpected business opportunity or cover an emergency expense. Additionally, repayments, though frequent, are fixed, which makes them predictable and more manageable to account for in your business’s cash flow.
Be mindful of: Though OnDeck says it tailors your repayment schedule and payment amounts to your business, be aware that it requires either daily or weekly payments. Make sure you can manage such frequent payments, especially when considering other business expenses.

National Funding: Best for equipment loans

Funding speed: As fast as 24 hours
Why it may be worth it: National Funding is an equipment financing company with experience funding a wide variety of industries, including medicine, agriculture, food service and more. A lender that understands the nuances of your industry and its equipment can help the funding process move even faster.
Be mindful of: National Funding has a fairly high minimum revenue requirement of $250,000, making it a better option for more established businesses.

AltLINE: Best for B2B companies

Funding speed: 24 - 48 hours
Why it may be worth it: As an invoice factoring company, AltLINE can help B2B businesses access capital without relying on personal credit, additional collateral, time in business or business revenue. AltLINE also takes over collecting payment from your customers, which can free up your or your employees’ time to focus on your business.
Be mindful of: Invoice factoring can be an expensive form of financing, so this shouldn’t be your first choice simply because you’re a B2B company. If you can qualify for another type of financing, you may save money on fees and interest.

What is a fast business loan?

A fast business loan is a type of financing that can be funded within a short timeframe — typically one to three business days. The quickest business loans are usually issued by online lenders, which offer simple, streamlined application processes and may utilize technology to speed up the funding process. Fast business loans tend to have flexible qualification requirements and may be available to startups or borrowers with bad credit.
Speed and convenience come at a cost, however. These loans typically have higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms compared to traditional financing options, such as bank and SBA loans.

Pros and cons of fast business loans

Pros

  • Access to capital within a few business days.
  • Streamlined application processes; typically minimal documentation required.
  • Startups and borrowers with bad credit may qualify.

Cons

  • Interest rates are often higher than other options.
  • Tend to have shorter repayment terms and smaller funding maximums.
  • May require more frequent payments (weekly or daily).

When to consider a fast business loan

You need to pay for immediate expenses
If you need to cover emergency costs, fill a temporary cash flow gap or take advantage of an unexpected opportunity, these loans can provide the business capital you need — fast.
Some quick business loans offer funding in as little as 24 hours. In certain situations, it can be worth it to pay a little more for fast access to the money you need.
You want bridge funding until you get a long-term loan
If you need quick business funding to hold you over temporarily until you secure a long-term loan, a quick business loan can be an option.
A fast business loan can be used as a commercial bridge loan to fund a project or opportunity while you submit an application and get approved for a more permanent loan with a longer term and better rates.
You can’t qualify for other types of financing
If you can’t qualify for a bank or SBA loan, a fast business loan from an online lender may be a good option. Online lenders tend to have more flexible qualification requirements — and although interest rates are typically higher than conventional business loans, you’ll have a variety of options to compare and choose from.
Plus, whereas bank and SBA loans can take anywhere from weeks to months to fund, you’ll be able to apply and receive funding in just a few days.

Types of fast business loans

Common quick business loans include:
These loans offer lump sums of money that you borrow from a lender and repay over a set period of time, with interest. A business term loan can be a good option for a range of purposes including working capital, hiring new employees and large purchases.
Similar to a credit card, a line of credit gives you access to a set amount of money that you can borrow as needed. You only pay interest on the funds you withdraw — and as long as you make timely repayments and don’t exceed your credit limit, you can continue to borrow up to the limit.
Business lines of credit can be used for working capital, cash flow gaps, seasonally slow periods and emergency funding.
Equipment loans are used specifically to buy machinery or equipment for your business and are secured by what you purchase. Loan amounts can reach up to 125% of the value of the equipment you’re looking to purchase — 100% for the equipment and 25% for soft costs. Soft costs can include delivery, installation, assembly, warranties and other one-time expenses. You repay equipment loans over time, with interest.
These types of financing allow you to use your unpaid invoices to access capital. Invoice financing allows you to borrow against your outstanding invoices, while factoring involves selling your invoices to a factoring company at a discount.
Invoice factoring and financing are good options for business-to-business companies that have cash tied up in unpaid invoices.
With a merchant cash advance, or MCA, a company gives you a lump sum of money that you repay using a portion of your debit and credit card sales, plus a fee.
MCAs can be useful for businesses that have substantial debit and credit card sales — but you should consider all other options first. MCAs often have high APRs and can create a harmful cycle of debt.

How to apply for a fast business loan

The right loan for your small business depends on your specific funding needs and your business’s qualifications.
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1. Understand your financing needsDetermine how much capital you need, what you’re going to use it for and what type of loan is the best option.
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2. Evaluate your qualificationsReview business loan requirements — credit score, time in business and annual revenue — so you know where you stand before submitting your application.
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3. Research and compare lendersResearch several business lenders in order to find the right option for your needs.
Paper documents wrapped with a ribbon that has a checkmark on it.
4. Complete and submit your applicationAfter you’ve submitted your application, you may receive approval in just hours — depending on the lender.
Learn more

How to compare quick business loan offers

While you may be in a hurry to get business financing, take some time to consider the following factors before accepting any loan agreement:

Funding speed

All the loans on our list can provide funding in three business days or faster. You’ll want to make sure any lender you’re considering can process and fund your loan within the timeframe you need.

Interest rate and APR

Lenders that offer the fastest funding may also have the highest rates and fees. Review the interest rates offered and the corresponding annual percentage rate. It’s important to look at the APR because it factors in loan fees and gives the actual yearly cost of a loan.

Monthly payment amount

Before you commit to a loan agreement, compare the amount and frequency of payments to make sure they fit into your budget. A

business loan calculator

can help you estimate your payment amounts.

Loan term

Fast business lenders may offer shorter repayment terms than traditional loans. Longer loan terms can mean smaller monthly payments, in some cases. A short loan term could mean that you pay less in interest.

Collateral requirements

Check to see if the lender requires collateral or if offering it will improve your loan terms. In either case, review available assets — such as accounts receivable, equipment and real estate — that can back up the loan. Keep in mind that while collateral can improve your approval chances, appraisals and gathering other information can add to the processing time.

Prepayment penalty

Look to see if any lenders you’re comparing have

prepayment penalties

that charge you a fee if you pay the loan off early. These types of fees have the potential to add to the cost of a loan and may prevent you from making the best long-term decision for your business.

Check online forums and reviews

While individual experiences with small-business lenders vary, it can be a good idea to do a quick online search to see what other borrowers say about the lenders you’re considering. For example, you may be able to read customer reviews and anecdotes from other small-business owners on sites such as Trustpilot or Reddit.

Alternatives to fast business loans

Speed can be useful when it comes to business financing, but it often results in higher interest rates. If you don’t need a same-day business loan and can wait a little longer for capital, you might consider these alternatives:
The best loan for your business is typically the one with the most competitive interest rates and repayment terms. If you can meet the strict requirements to qualify for a business bank loan, these will likely be your most affordable option — and may be worth the longer funding process.
Like bank loans, SBA loans offer long repayment terms and competitive interest rates. Although you’ll need good credit and finances to qualify, it can be slightly easier to get an SBA loan compared to a bank loan. The funding process, however, may take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Working with an SBA preferred lender or opting for an SBA Express loan can help expedite the process.
These small-dollar loans are available in amounts up to $50,000 and are issued by nonprofit and community-based lenders. Microloans are often designed to provide financing to borrowers in underserved communities. Although these loans may be slower to fund than online options, they can be a good choice for businesses that can’t qualify for bank or SBA funding.
Business credit cards can help you cover everyday expenses and allow you to earn rewards on your spending. You can usually apply for and get approved for a business credit card quickly — and qualifications are largely based on your personal credit history. Like a personal credit card, you’ll want to make sure you pay the balance on your business credit card each month, or you’ll be subject to fairly high interest rates.
Business grants involve time and planning. However, unlike other forms of financing, grants don’t require repayment. Federal government agencies, corporations, nonprofits and others offer business grants that can be used to start a business, buy supplies, hire staff and other purposes.
Last updated on April 29, 2025
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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.