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 borrowers with bad credit | $1,500,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | 4 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for long-term loans | $500,000 | 12 months | Undisclosed | 12 months to 4 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for small loans | $10,000 | 3 months | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for fast 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 fast term loans | $250,000 | 12 months | 31.3% | 18 to 24 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for startups | $250,000 | 3 months | 36% | 3 to 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
best cash flow loans you should consider: More details
Fora Financial: Best for borrowers with bad credit
Fora Financial’s term loan can be used for a wide variety of purposes. You may be able to qualify with a minimum personal credit score of 570.
Fora Financial - Online term loan
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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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Fundation: Best for long-term loans
Fundation’s term loan offers a repayment period of up to four years, the longest among the lenders on this list. Borrowers can receive loans of up to $500,000, with semimonthly payment requirements.
Fundation - Term loan
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Pros
- Can be used to build business credit.
- Long repayment terms available.
- No prepayment penalty.
Cons
- Charges an origination fee.
- Requires a UCC lien.
- Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.
Pros
- Can be used to build business credit.
- Long repayment terms available.
- No prepayment penalty.
Cons
- Charges an origination fee.
- Requires a UCC lien.
- Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.
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Giggle Finance: Best for small loans
Giggle’s merchant cash advance (MCA) offers small-business owners quick access to funding for low-cost expenses up to $5,000. Its lenient qualification requirements make it a good option for startups and bad-credit borrowers.
Giggle Finance - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- No minimum credit score requirement.
- Same-day funding available.
- Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Cons
- Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee.
Pros
- No minimum credit score requirement.
- Same-day funding available.
- Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Cons
- Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee.
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Bluevine: Best for fast lines of credit
Bluevine’s revolving line of credit is available up to $250,000 with repayment terms of 26 weeks. You can receive approval and get funding in as fast as 12 hours.
Bluevine - Line of credit
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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 term loans
OnDeck’s term loan is available in amounts up to $250,000 with repayment terms up to 24 months. Same-day funding may be available up to $100,000, making it a good option for business owners seeking a fast-funding loan to cover costs after an emergency or to finance a fleeting business opportunity.
OnDeck - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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.
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.
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Fundbox: Best for startups
Fundbox offers lines of credit up to $150,000. You may be able to qualify with just three months in business.
Fundbox - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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).
with Fundera by NerdWallet
What is a cash flow loan?
- Buying inventory.
- Hiring staff.
- Making payroll.
- Covering day-to-day expenses (e.g., rent, insurance).
- Managing a seasonal slowdown or cash flow gap.
- Where to get them: Cash flow loans are usually available from online or other
.alternative lenders - How they’re structured: Some cash flow loans are structured like a standard term loan or line of credit, while others work like a merchant cash advance (MCA). With the latter, you receive an upfront sum of capital and repay it using a percentage of your debit and credit card sales, plus a fee.
- How they differ from other loans: In general, cash flow loans have shorter terms and higher interest rates than more conventional small-business loans, like bank or SBA loans.
- How lenders decide which loans to approve: Instead of relying on your credit score or
available collateral, lenders prioritize your business revenue when underwriting your loan application. Although the lender may check your credit history and ask how long you’ve been in business, these factors tend to weigh less heavily on the decision-making process. - Documents you may need to apply: Lenders may ask to see your bank statements, financial statements and merchant accounts, among other documents to evaluate your business’s historical and projected performance.
Struggling to qualify due to credit?
Cash flow loan vs. traditional small-business loan
Cash flow loan | Traditional small-business loan | |
---|---|---|
Qualifications | Based on historical and projected performance, or cash flow, of your business. | Based on time in business, business and personal credit histories, revenue, collateral and |
Collateral | Personal guarantee or UCC lien. | May also require physical collateral like cash deposits, vehicles or property. |
Terms | Typically short term loans – between one and two years. | Between two to 10 years, or up to 25 years for certain SBA loans or commercial real estate loans. |
Interest rates | Between 20% to 99%. | Depending on lender and collateral, between 4% and 99%. |
Pros and cons of cash flow loans
Pros
Cons
Types of cash flow loans
Term loan
Business line of credit
Invoice financing
Merchant cash advance
How to get a cash flow loan
Understand your financing needs
Evaluate your business credentials
Research and compare lenders
Submit your application
- Personal and business tax returns.
- Personal and business bank statements.
- Business financial statements (e.g., profit and loss statement or a balance sheet).
Review your loan agreement
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.