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American Express® Business Line of Credit Competitors: Compare Top Alternatives

By Hanah Cho, Randa Kriss
Last updated on March 15, 2024
Edited bySally Lauckner
Fact checked and reviewed

⏰ Estimated read time: 7 minutes

One of these American Express® Business Line of Credit competitors may be a better fit for your funding needs.

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Kabbage rebranded to American Express Business Blueprint™ in February 2023. Business Blueprint incorporates the American Express® Business Line of Credit and American Express® Business Checking account, among other products, into one platform.
The American Express® Business Line of Credit maintains the same features and qualifications as the now-defunct Kabbage line of credit.
This small-business loan 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 the American Express® Business Line of Credit, you can compare online lenders that offer similar funding products. Here are some of the best options:

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 5 American Express® Business Line of Credit competitors

LenderNerdWallet RatingMax loan amountMin. credit scoreNext steps

OnDeck - Line of credit

with Fundera by NerdWallet

5.0/5

Best for Fast funding

$100,000625

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Bluevine - Line of credit

with Fundera by NerdWallet

5.0/5

Best for Fast funding

$250,000625

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Fundbox - Line of credit

5.0/5

Best for Startup businesses

$150,000600

Fora Financial - Online term loan

with Fundera by NerdWallet

4.5/5

Best for Borrowers with bad credit

$1,500,000500

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan

4.0/5

Best for Longer repayment terms

$250,000570

Here are 5 American Express® Business Line of Credit competitors

Best for Fast funding

OnDeck

Max Amount

$100,000

Min. Credit Score

625

Bluevine

Max Amount

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

625

Best for Startup businesses

Fundbox

Max Amount

$150,000

Min. Credit Score

600

Best for Borrowers with bad credit

Fora Financial

Max Amount

$1,500,000

Min. Credit Score

500

Best for Longer repayment terms

Accion

Max Amount

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

570

I'M INTERESTED IN:

Our picks for

Fast funding

OnDeck - Line of credit

with Fundera by NerdWallet

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

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.

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Bluevine - Line of credit

with Fundera by NerdWallet

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.

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Our pick for

Startup businesses

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.

Our pick for

Borrowers with bad credit

Fora Financial - Online term loan

with Fundera by NerdWallet

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.

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Our pick for

Longer repayment terms

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.

How Much Do You Need?

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What does American Express Business Blueprint™ offer?

American Express Business Blueprint™ (previously called Kabbage) offers business lines of credit from $2,000 to $250,000 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 proprietary 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

1. OnDeck

If you’re looking for multiple loan options or a lower minimum credit score requirement, OnDeck might be a good choice to consider.
OnDeck offers both term loans and lines of credit. To qualify for either product, you’ll need:
  • Credit score:
    625
    or higher.
  • Time in business: One year or more.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $8,333.33 or more.
OnDeck’s line of credit is available in amounts up to $100,000 with weekly or monthly payments and terms of 12, 18 or 24 months. The short-term loan, on the other hand, is available up to $250,000 with daily or weekly payments and terms up to 24 months.
Although the American Express® Business Line of Credit offers higher maximum funding amounts, OnDeck is more transparent about its borrowing costs. The lender charges interest as a factor rate, which can range from 1.037 to 1.45 for term loans and 1.10 to 1.30 for lines of credit.
These term loan factor rates translate to APRs ranging from
35.4
% to
99.9
%, while rates for lines of credit translate to APRs ranging from
39.9
% to
77.9
%. These APRs are based on loans originated in the half-year ending March 31, 2023, and minimums are rates that at least 5% of customers received.
Unlike American Express, however, OnDeck charges a $20 monthly maintenance fee on its line of credit. OnDeck can fund applications as quickly as the same day.

2. Bluevine

Like American Express, Bluevine offers business lines of credit up to $250,000. Bluevine may be the right competitor for you if you need quick access to funds and a lower minimum credit score requirement.
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 or monthly payments and terms of six or 12 months. The lender charges a simple business loan rate, starting as low as 6.2% (calculated from total repayments over 26 weeks). Rates calculate to an approximate APR of
20
% to
50
%.
To qualify for a line of credit from Bluevine, you’ll need:
  • Credit score:
    625
    or higher.
  • Time in business:
    24
    months or more.
  • Monthly revenue: $40,000 or more.
So, although Bluevine might be a better option for those with a lower credit score, its other qualifications are much higher than American Express.

3. Fundbox

Fundbox can be a good option for startups and borrowers with bad credit that might not meet the American Express® Business Line of Credit’s qualification requirements. To qualify for a Fundbox line of credit, you need:
  • Credit score:
    600
    or higher.
  • Time in business:
    6
    months or more.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $8,333.33 or more.
Fundbox can also be a worthwhile choice for fast financing and smaller funding amounts. Fundbox’s line of credit is available in amounts up to $150,000 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. Rates start at 4.66% for 12-week terms and 8.99% for 24-week terms. This line of credit has an approximate APR range of
36
% to
99
%.

4. Fora Financial

Although Fora Financial doesn’t offer lines of credit, the lender’s short-term loan can be a good option for working capital needs. Compared with the American Express® Business Line of Credit, Fora offers larger funding amounts and has more flexible qualification requirements.
Fora Financial’s term loan is available in amounts up to $1.5 million with flexible payment options and terms up to 15 months. Like OnDeck, Fora charges interest as a factor rate; rates range from 1.1 to 1.9.
Fora does not provide an estimated APR range for its loans, so you’ll want to calculate your factor rate into an APR to get a better sense of borrowing costs.
To qualify for a loan from Fora Financial, you’ll need:
  • Credit score:
    500
    or higher.
  • Time in business:
    6
    months or more.
  • Monthly revenue: $15,000 or more.
With these eligibility criteria, Fora is more accessible to startups and businesses with bad credit than the American Express® Business Line of Credit.

5. Accion Opportunity Fund

If you’re looking for longer repayment terms than American Express offers, Accion Opportunity Fund may be the right competitor for you.
Accion provides business term loans up to $250,000 with monthly payments and terms up to 60 months. These loans can be used for a variety of purposes and Accion offers educational resources, business coaching and access to support networks.
Accion business loans may also be a more affordable option than the American Express® Business Line of Credit, as APRs range from
8.49
% to
29.67
%.
To qualify for an Accion loan, you’ll need:
  • Credit score:
    570
    or higher.
  • Time in business:
    12
    months or more.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $4,166 or more.
Compared with other lenders, Accion has more lenient requirements — making it a good option for businesses with bad credit, as well as startups.
Accion can also be a worthwhile choice for traditionally underserved borrowers. According to the lender, over 90% of its borrowers are women, people of color and/or low-to-moderate income individuals.

Compare your business loan options

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 March 15, 2024

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.

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.

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