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 competitors: More details

Bluevine: Best for large line of credit icon

Bluevine: Best for large line of credit

Bluevine’s line of credit offers a maximum loan amount of $250,000, much larger than the maximum amounts offered by the other lenders on this list.

May fund quickly
Bluevine - Line of credit

Bluevine - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
Up to 6 months

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.

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.

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OnDeck: Best for fast ongoing access to money icon

OnDeck: Best for fast ongoing access to money

After your first draw from an OnDeck line of credit, which may take up to three business days, subsequent draws can be instantly deposited to your debit card. This makes this line of credit especially useful for covering emergency or other unexpected expenses.

May fund quickly
OnDeck - Line of credit

OnDeck - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
12 to 24 months

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.

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.

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Headway Capital: Best for flexible qualifications icon

Headway Capital: Best for flexible qualifications

Headway Capital makes it easier for small business owners to qualify for a line of credit, with a straightforward approval process and flexible requirements. Borrowers may be able to qualify with just six months in business and $50,000 in annual revenue.

Headway Capital - Line of credit

Headway Capital - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
12 to 24 months

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.

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.

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Fundation: Best for repayment terms icon

Fundation: Best for repayment terms

With Fundation’s line of credit, borrowers may have up to two years to repay drawn funds, allowing for lower monthly payments. Payments are also made on a monthly basis, while some lenders on this list require weekly payments.

Fundation - Line of credit

Fundation - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Term length
12 to 24 months

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.

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.

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Fundbox: Best for startups or bad credit icon

Fundbox: Best for startups or bad credit

Fundbox’s line of credit requires a minimum of just three months in business, making it easier for new business owners to get funding early while still proving their business concept. It also has the lowest minimum credit score requirement on this list at 600.

May fund quickly
Fundbox - Line of credit

Fundbox - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Term length
3 to 6 months

Pros

  • Financing available within two business days 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).

Pros

  • Financing available within two business days 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).

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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 from $2000 to $250000 and repayment terms of six, 12, 18 or 24 months. Instead of traditional interest, American Express charges monthly fees depending on your loan’s term.
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 other products.
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
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, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • 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
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, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 625.
  • Time in business: 12 months.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $8,333.

Headway Capital

Best for flexible qualifications
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, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 625.
  • Time in business: 6 months.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $4,166.

Fundation

Best for repayment terms
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, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 680.
  • Time in business: 12 months.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $4,166.

Fundbox

Best for startups or bad credit
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 and smaller funding amounts. Business owners can borrow as little as $100 for smaller projects, while many lenders require a minimum loan of several thousand dollars. Fundbox’s line of credit is available up to $250000 with weekly payments over a 12- or 24-week term.
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.
Fundbox charges interest rates that vary based on your qualifications and repayment term. This line of credit has an approximate APR range of 36% to 99%.
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.
Last updated on March 3, 2025
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