Lender | NerdWallet rating | Best For | Max loan amount | Min. time in business | Min. interest rate | Term length | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for business lines of credit | $250,000 | 12 months | 14% | Up to 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for short-term loans | $1,500,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | 4 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for equipment financing | $150,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | 24 months to 5 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for merchant cash advances | $300,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
best private business loans: More details
Bluevine: Best for business lines of credit
Why we chose it: Bluevine can provide revolving access to up to $250,000 through its business line of credit to cover a variety of business expenses. Its online application may take just minutes to complete and applicants may be approved for funding the same day. Bluevine’s business requirements are easy to qualify for compared to bank lines of credit, making it an ideal choice for new small-business owners seeking private business financing.
Bluevine - Line of credit
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.
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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Fora Financial: Best for short-term loans
Why we chose it: Fora Financial offers short-term loans with repayment terms up to 18 months. Its fast funding time and low credit score requirement make it a good choice for small-business owners seeking a fast private business loan they can repay quickly.
Fora Financial - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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.
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.
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National Funding: Best for equipment financing
Why we chose it: National Funding allows small-business owners to access up to $150,000 to invest in essential equipment needed to keep the lights on. It offers tailored support and funding in as little as 24 hours after being approved.
National Funding - Equipment financing
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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.
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.
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Expansion Capital Group: Best for merchant cash advances
Why we chose it: Expansion Capital Group offers fast funding with flexible qualification requirements. Like all merchant cash advances, however, this product may be expensive. Expansion Capital Group offers a good last-resort private business financing option for cash-strapped business owners with a poor credit score and not many other options to turn to. The company has garnered high average review scores on both Google and Trustpilot.
Expansion Capital Group - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
What is a private business loan?
How to compare private business loans
- Use of proceeds. Think about how you plan to use the loan. If you’re looking for ongoing access to funds, a
may be the best fit. On the other hand, if you need to purchase equipment, you might want to get an equipment loan. Some lenders restrict how you can use a loan, so make sure your needs fit into any eligibility guidelines.working capital line of credit - Loan terms. Terms can vary widely on private business loans. Short-term loans may be easier to qualify for, but you’ll be making larger payments over an abbreviated period of time. Long-term loans can help lower your payment amount, but you may pay more in interest over the total loan period.
- Repayment schedule. Some private business loans may require daily or weekly payments, which can restrict your cash flow. Make sure that you can afford and manage the payment frequency before taking on new debt.
- Interest rates.
on private business loans can range anywhere from 14% to 99% annual percentage rate. And private lenders may charge interest differently, so calculating costs into an APR allows you to make a straightforward comparison between options. In general, the stronger your qualifications, the lower interest rates you’ll receive. OfferingBusiness loan rates , providing a down payment or getting a cosigner can also help you get the best rates.collateral - Funding time. Private business lenders typically rely on online applications and automated underwriting to provide quick funding. Speed and convenience can come with a price, however; these lenders often charge higher interest rates and provide shorter repayment terms. If you can afford to wait, slower funding options (like microloans, for example) may offer better rates.
- Lender reputation. Reading online reviews can help you get a sense of what it’s like to work with a particular
. Keep an eye out for predatory lenders who make “too good to be true” claims, such as guaranteed approval or no credit check.small-business lender
Pros and cons of private business loans
Pros
- Wide range of loan types to choose from.
- Easier to qualify for than traditional bank loans.
- Streamlined application processes and fast funding times.
Cons
- May have higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms.
- Limited person-to-person customer support.
- Can have a greater risk of predatory lending and loan scams.
How to get a private business loan
1. Evaluate your funding needs
2. Review your qualifications
3. Compare private business lenders
4. Gather your documents and apply
- Basic information about you and your business.
- Personal and business bank statements.
- Personal and business tax returns.
- Financial statements (e.g., profit and loss statement, balance sheet).
Types of private business loans
Business term loans
Business lines of credit
Invoice factoring
Equipment financing
Merchant cash advances
Alternatives to private business loans
- Bank and credit unions loans. These traditional lenders typically provide the lowest interest rates and most competitive repayment terms. You’ll likely need strong credit and at least two years in business to qualify. Compared with private business loans, credit union and
are also slower to fund.bank business loans - SBA loans.
are partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and issued by participating lenders, such as banks and credit unions. Like bank loans, SBA loans offer competitive interest rates and long repayment terms. Although SBA loans may be slightly easier to qualify for than bank loans, you’ll still need to have good credit and a solid business track record to get funding.SBA loans - Microloans. These small-dollar loans are available in amounts up to $50,000.
are issued by nonprofit and community organizations. These lenders tend to have more flexible qualification requirements than banks or credit unions, but still offer competitive rates and terms. Microlenders may also provide business training and other educational resources.Microloans - Friends and family loans.
may be an option if you can’t qualify for other types of financing. There’s not usually a formal application process with these loans — and your friends and family may be willing to offer low interest rates or no interest at all. To prevent tension in your relationships, you’ll want to make sure you create a formal loan agreement.Business loans from friends and family
How Fundera by NerdWallet works
Fill out one simple application
Answer a 3-minute questionnaire about your business to get personalized lending options. It’s free and won’t impact your credit score.
See your business loan options
Compare interest rates and repayment terms to choose the best product for your needs.
Get your loan
If the lender approves you, you’ll sign closing documents in order to receive funds. Some lenders can approve and fund loans within one business day.