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Best Business Loans for Companies With Low Revenue

By Randa Kriss, Olivia Chen
Last updated on September 13, 2024
Edited by Sally Lauckner
Fact checked and reviewed
There are some business loans available to companies with low revenue, but the higher your revenue, the more options you’ll typically have.

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Lenders use your revenue information to determine your ability to repay potential new debt. Although criteria can vary, many lenders will require you to have a minimum annual revenue of $100,000 to qualify for a business loan.
But revenue is just one factor lenders consider — qualifications like your personal credit score and business history also matter. So if your revenue is low but your business is otherwise strong, you may be able to find small-business loans that work for you.
Below, compare some of the best business loans for companies with low revenue.

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 12 low-revenue business loans

LenderNerdWallet RatingMax loan amountMin. credit scoreNext steps

JR Capital Equipment Financing

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4.1/5

Best for no minimum revenue requirement

$10,000,000620

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AltLINE - Invoice Factoring

Read Review
4.7/5

Best for no minimum revenue requirement

$5,000,000300
Read Review

American Express® Business Line of Credit*

Read Review
5.0/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

$250,000660
Read Review

Headway Capital - Line of credit

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4.7/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

$100,000625

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Bank of America Cash Secured Line of credit

Read Review
4.7/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

Undisclosed670
Read Review

iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

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4.6/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

$500,000640

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Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan

Read Review
4.8/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

$250,000600
Read Review

Giggle Finance Merchant Cash Advance

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Best for minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

$5,000300

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Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan

Read Review
4.9/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $100,000 or less

Undisclosed700
Read Review

Fundbox - Line of credit

Read Review
5.0/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $100,000 or less

$150,000600
Read Review

OnDeck - Online term loan

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4.9/5

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $100,000 or less

$250,000625

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Reliant Funding Merchant Cash Advance

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $100,000 or less

$400,000525

Here are 12 low-revenue business loans

Best for no minimum revenue requirement

JR Capital

Max Amount

$10,000,000

Min. Credit Score

620

AltLINE

Max Amount

$5,000,000

Min. Credit Score

300

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

American Express Business Blueprint™

Max Amount

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

660

Headway Capital

Max Amount

$100,000

Min. Credit Score

625

Bank of America

Max Amount

Undisclosed

Min. Credit Score

670

iBusiness Funding

Max Amount

$500,000

Min. Credit Score

640

Accion

Max Amount

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

600

Giggle Finance

Max Amount

$5,000

Min. Credit Score

300

Best for minimum revenue requirement of $100,000 or less

Bank of America

Max Amount

Undisclosed

Min. Credit Score

700

Fundbox

Max Amount

$150,000

Min. Credit Score

600

OnDeck

Max Amount

$250,000

Min. Credit Score

625

Reliant Funding

Max Amount

$400,000

Min. Credit Score

525

I'M INTERESTED IN:

Our picks for

no minimum revenue requirement

Self-collateralizing loans like equipment financing and invoice financing may not have set revenue requirements.

JR Capital Equipment Financing

4.1
NerdWallet rating 

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Max loan amount
$10,000,000
Min. credit score
620
Est. APR
6.99-18.00%

Pros

  • Funding available within 48 hours.
  • Competitive rates and repayment terms.
  • Flexible payment options available, including deferment options for certain industries.
  • No down payment required.

Cons

  • Must have good credit to qualify for no prepayment penalties.
  • Charges an origination fee.

JR Capital Equipment Financing

NerdWallet rating 
4.1/5
Max loan amount
$10,000,000
Min. credit score
620
Est. APR
6.99-18.00%

AltLINE - Invoice Factoring

Read Review
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.

AltLINE - Invoice Factoring

NerdWallet rating 
4.7/5
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
300

Our picks for

minimum revenue requirement of $50,000 or less

The smaller the revenue amount generated by your business, the more limited your loan options. But some lenders offer products for businesses with just $50,000 in annual revenue.

American Express® Business Line of Credit*

Read Review
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
660

Pros

  • Streamlined application process with minimal paperwork.
  • Financing from $2,000 to $250,000 available.
  • Accepts borrowers with a minimum FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application.
  • Monthly repayment schedule (as opposed to daily or weekly).
  • No prepayment penalties, account maintenance fees or draw fees.

Cons

  • Must have online checking or PayPal account to verify cash flow.
  • Complex monthly fee structure makes it difficult to compare costs to other lenders.

American Express® Business Line of Credit*

NerdWallet rating 
5.0/5
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
660

Headway Capital - Line of credit

Read Review

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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 - Line of credit

NerdWallet rating 
4.7/5
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
35.00-80.00%

Bank of America Cash Secured Line of credit

Read Review
Max loan amount
Undisclosed
Min. credit score
670

Pros

  • Available to borrowers with at least six months in business.
  • No origination fee.
  • Responsible spending can help you graduate to an unsecured credit line.

Cons

  • Credit limit is based on the security deposit you provide.
  • Must have a Bank of America checking or savings account to apply.

Bank of America Cash Secured Line of credit

NerdWallet rating 
4.7/5
Max loan amount
Undisclosed
Min. credit score
670

iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

Read Review

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Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
640
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.
May fund quickly

iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

NerdWallet rating 
4.6/5
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
640
Est. APR
15.22-45.00%
May fund quickly

Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan

Read Review
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
8.49-24.99%

Pros

  • Loan amounts from $5,000 to $250,000.
  • Customized loan terms.
  • No prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • Slower processing speed compared with online lenders.
  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Not available in all U.S. states.

Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan

NerdWallet rating 
4.8/5
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
8.49-24.99%

Giggle Finance Merchant Cash Advance

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

Pros

  • No minimum credit score requirement.
  • Same-day funding available.
  • Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.

Cons

  • Funding maxes out at $5,000.
  • Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
  • Charges an origination fee.

Giggle Finance Merchant Cash Advance

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

Our picks for

minimum revenue requirement of $100,000 or less

Once your business breaks $100,000 in annual revenue, you’ll have access to more funding options — even if you have bad credit or just a few months in business.

Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan

Read Review
Max loan amount
Undisclosed
Min. credit score
700

Pros

  • Bank loan with competitive interest rates.
  • No collateral required.
  • Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program can offer interest rate discounts and other perks.

Cons

  • Can be slow to fund.
  • Prepayment fees may apply to early repayments.
  • Must be an existing Bank of America customer to apply online.
  • Charges an origination fee.

Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan

NerdWallet rating 
4.9/5
Max loan amount
Undisclosed
Min. credit score
700

Fundbox - Line of credit

Read Review
Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
36.00-99.00%

Pros

  • Financing available within one business day 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).
May fund quickly

Fundbox - Line of credit

NerdWallet rating 
5.0/5
Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
36.00-99.00%
May fund quickly

OnDeck - Online term loan

Read Review

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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.
May fund quickly

OnDeck - Online term loan

NerdWallet rating 
4.9/5
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
27.20-99.90%
May fund quickly

Reliant Funding Merchant Cash Advance

Max loan amount
$400,000
Min. credit score
525

Pros

  • Funding available in as little as 24 hours.
  • Low annual revenue requirement.
  • Daily or weekly repayment available.

Cons

  • Factor rate and fee information not available on website.

Reliant Funding Merchant Cash Advance

Max loan amount
$400,000
Min. credit score
525

How Much Do You Need?

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Why does revenue matter to business lenders?

Revenue is the amount of money your business brings in by selling your products or services, before expenses are subtracted. It’s one part of understanding business profit, which is the money left over after you account for all your expenses.
Steady and consistent operating revenue, or sales, show that you’re executing on your business plan, demonstrating to would-be lenders that you know how to run a small business.
Revenue is an indicator — beyond just personal credit score or time in business — of your ability to repay debt, which is why it’s an important component of a business loan application.
Many lenders require that you have at least $100,000 in annual business income, or approximately $8,333 in income per month, in order to qualify for a loan. Online lenders may have more flexible revenue requirements, while banks are likely to be stricter.

How much revenue do you need for an SBA loan?

The U.S. Small Business Administration does not set a minimum annual revenue requirement. However, because most SBA loans are issued by banks, many are bound to have similar revenue requirements as traditional bank loans, in addition to more stringent credit score and time in business requirements.
SBA microloans, which are the smallest SBA loans, tend to be the easiest to qualify for, and can be a good option if you have low revenue.
SBA Microloan
U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA Microloan

Max Loan Amount  

$50,000

Read Review
Apply now

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Can you get a business loan with no revenue?

Business financing that has low or no minimum revenue requirements typically offers another risk mitigant, like collateral, to a lender; however, even secured loans or secured lines of credit may still have minimum revenue requirements.
Self-collateralizing loans like equipment loans or invoice financing may be more lenient on qualification requirements, including minimum revenue, because they come with built-in collateral. Equipment loans are secured by the equipment being financed, and invoice financing uses the value of unpaid customer invoices as collateral.

Alternative financing options for businesses with low revenue

If you’re struggling with business loan requirements, other types of business financing may be a better fit.
  • Business credit cards. If you have good personal credit, business credit card issuers may not consider your time in business or revenue history. A business credit card can be a helpful tool for covering cash-flow gaps and making larger purchases while you’re building your business financial history.
  • Small-business grants. Instead of taking on additional debt when your business is struggling to generate revenue, you might consider applying for small-business grants. Grant recipients don’t have to repay the funds they receive, but competition for this free money is stiff and the application process can be time-consuming.
  • Friends and family loans. If you can make the case to good friends and family members who are willing and able to help your business, you may be able to access capital with a friends and family loan, even with low or no revenue. Just make sure you put your loan agreement in some form of writing to avoid any personal conflicts in the future. 
  • Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is a form of business financing where you raise money for your business from investors, in exchange for small shares of ownership in your business or other rewards.
NerdWallet writer Rosalie Murphy contributed to this article.
Last updated on September 13, 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates small-business loans 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.
To come up with our list of the best low-revenue business loans, we selected lenders with a minimum annual revenue requirement of $100,000 or lower, and strong NerdWallet star ratings.
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.

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.

See Your Loan Options