Best Fast Business Loans for Quick Cash in 2026
Fast business loans offer flexible requirements, streamlined applications and quick access to cash.
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Updated · 4 min read
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Managing Editor Fast business loans are usually available from online lenders, which offer streamlined applications and funding in as little as 24 hours. These small-business loans can be a good option for covering emergency expenses or taking advantage of a new growth opportunity when quick financing is a priority.
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What is a fast business loan?
A fast business loan is financing that can be approved and funded quickly, often within one to three business days. These loans are typically issued by online lenders, which use streamlined applications and automated technology to speed up the funding process. Because of their flexible requirements, quick business loans can be a good option for startups or borrowers with bad credit who may not qualify for traditional financing.
Speed and convenience come at a cost, however. Fast business loans usually have higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms than options like bank or SBA loans.
What impacts funding speed for a business loan?
Some online lenders can fund loan applications as fast as the same or next business day. It may take longer to get funds, however, as your exact timeline varies based on factors such as:
- Documentation. You’ll likely need to provide some type of documentation as part of your loan application, such as financial statements or tax returns. If you provide incorrect or outdated documents, this can slow down the underwriting process.
- Collateral. If you’re providing collateral to secure your loan, the lender will typically ask for documentation to verify its value. Appraising your collateral ahead of time and having the corresponding paperwork can help speed up your timeline.
- Your responsiveness. If a lender has follow up questions or needs you to sign a loan agreement, the faster you respond to those inquiries, the faster you’ll get access to funding.
- Your bank. After your lender sends your funds, it may take a few days for your bank to process and show that money in your account.
Types of quick business loans
These types of business loans can offer fast funding:
Online term loans
Best for: Specific purposes or business investments.
Business term loans offer lump sums of money that you borrow from a lender and repay over a set period of time, with interest.
Business lines of credit
Best for: Working capital, cash flow gaps, emergency funding.
Similar to a credit card, a business line of credit gives you access to a set amount of money that you can borrow as needed. You only pay interest on the funds you withdraw — and as long as you make timely repayments and don’t exceed your credit limit, you can continue to borrow up to the limit.
Equipment financing
Best for: Purchasing equipment.
Equipment loans are used specifically to buy machinery or equipment for your business and are secured by what you purchase. Because the equipment serves as collateral, lenders may focus less heavily on traditional underwriting criteria, such as credit score or time in business. Equipment loans usually function like term loans — you repay them over time, with interest.
Invoice factoring
Best for: Business-to-business companies that have cash tied up in unpaid invoices.
Invoice factoring involves selling your invoices to a factoring company at a discount. You receive a percentage of the invoice amount upfront and the company takes responsibility for collecting full repayment from your customers.
Merchant cash advances
Best for: Businesses that have substantial debit and credit card sales; last-resort option.
With a merchant cash advance (MCA) a company gives you a lump sum of money that you repay using a portion of your debit and credit card sales, plus a fee. You typically should consider all options before an MCA — these products often have high APRs and can create a harmful cycle of debt.
Best fast business loan options
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| Product | Max Loan Amount | Min Credit | Min Time In Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fora Financial - Online term loan Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $1,500,000 | 570 | 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 AltLINE - Invoice factoring Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $5,000,000 | 300 | N/A | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 altbanq - Online term loan Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $10,000,000 | 650 | 12 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Bluevine - Line of credit Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $200,000 | 625 | 12 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Giggle Finance - Merchant cash advance with Fundera by NerdWallet | $10,000 | 300 | 3 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Fundbox - Line of credit Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $250,000 | 600 | 3 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Headway Capital - Line of credit Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $100,000 | 625 | 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 iBusiness Funding - Online term loan Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $500,000 | 660 | 24 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 National Funding - Equipment financing Nerdwallet Rating with Fundera by NerdWallet | $150,000 | 600 | 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
Pros and cons of quick business loans
Pros
Access to capital within a few business days.
Streamlined application processes; typically minimal documentation required.
Startups and borrowers with bad credit may qualify.
Cons
Interest rates are often higher than other options.
Tend to have shorter repayment terms and smaller funding maximums.
When to consider a fast business loan
Here are some scenarios in which a fast loan may make sense for your business:
- You need to pay for immediate expenses. If you need to cover emergency costs, fill a temporary cash flow gap or take advantage of an unexpected opportunity, these loans can provide the business capital you need — fast. Some quick business loans offer funding in as little as 24 hours. In certain situations, it can be worth it to pay a little more for fast access to the money you need.
- You want bridge funding until you get a long-term loan. If you need funding to hold you over temporarily until you secure a long-term loan, a quick business loan can be an option. A fast business loan can be used as a commercial bridge loan to fund a project or opportunity while you submit an application and get approved for a more permanent loan with a longer term and better rates.
- You can’t qualify for other types of financing. If you can’t qualify for a bank or SBA loan, a fast business loan from an online lender may be a good option. Online lenders tend to have more flexible qualification requirements — and although interest rates are typically higher than conventional business loans, you’ll have a variety of options to compare and choose from. Plus, whereas bank and SBA loans can take anywhere from weeks to months to fund, you’ll be able to apply and receive funding in just a few days.
Concerned about tariffs?
Many small-business owners are under increased economic stress and uncertainty following the latest tariff announcements. NerdWallet is here to help you find answers for whatever you're looking for. Here are some resources to help you get started:
- Need emergency funding? Consider a business line of credit.
- Looking for fast access to working capital? Discover the best working capital loans.
- Want tips on how to mitigate the impact of tariffs? Read our guide.
How to get a fast business loan
The right loan for your small business will ultimately depend on your specific funding needs and your business’s qualifications. However, if speed is a priority in your search, here are steps you can follow to get a business loan quickly.
1. Understand your financing needs
Determine how much capital you need, what you’re going to use it for and what type of loan is the best option. Based on how you’re going to use your funds, figure out exactly how quickly you need access to financing.
Fast business loans tend to have shorter repayment terms and higher interest rates, so it’s also important to calculate how much debt you can afford.
2. Evaluate your qualifications
Review standard business loan requirements — personal credit score, time in business and annual revenue — so you know where you stand before applying.
Online lenders typically have flexible eligibility criteria and may be willing to work with you even if you’re a new business or have a rocky credit history. These lenders don’t usually ask for collateral, although they likely will require a personal guarantee or take a lien out on your business assets.
If you do have physical collateral to offer up, however, doing so may strengthen your loan application and help you qualify for better interest rates and repayment terms.
3. Research and compare lenders
Research several lenders in order to find the right option for your needs. Ideally, you should find a lender that can provide the funding you need, support your timeline and offer competitive business loan rates.
As you compare small-business lenders, consider factors such as available loan types, interest rates, fees and repayment terms. You’ll also want to think about the lender’s application process, funding speed and customer support.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Although there are many reputable online lenders on the market, predatory lenders may try to take advantage of borrowers who are in a rush for funding. Be wary of any lenders that try to push you too quickly through the loan process without showing loan terms and rates upfront. These types of lenders may also try to make promises like guaranteed approval or business loans with no credit check. 4. Complete and submit your loan application
Most fast business loans will require minimal documentation. In some cases, you may even be able to connect your financial accounts to the lender’s system in order to expedite the underwriting process.
Generally, however, you may be asked to provide the following:
- Basic information about you and your business.
- Business and personal bank statements.
- Business and personal tax returns.
- Business financial statements.
After you’ve submitted your application, you may receive approval in just hours — depending on the lender.
How to compare quick business loans
When speed is a priority, use these criteria to evaluate offers before signing a loan agreement:
- ⏱️ Funding speed. Confirm the lender can deliver funds within your required timeframe.
- 📈 Interest rate. Fast funding often comes with higher rates and fees. Review both the interest rate and the annual percentage rate (APR), which includes fees and shows the loan’s actual yearly cost.
- 🗓️ Loan term. Shorter terms means higher payments, but less interest overall. Make sure the repayment term works with your cash flow.
- ✍️ Repayment schedule. Some lenders require weekly or daily payments. Make sure the frequency of payments fit into your budget.
- 🏠 Collateral. Check to see if the lender requires collateral — and whether offering it can help you qualify or lower your rate.
Alternatives to fast business loans
Speed can be useful when it comes to business financing, but it often results in higher interest rates. If you don’t need a same-day business loan and can wait a little longer for capital, you might consider these alternatives:
Bank business loans
The best loan for your business is typically the one with the most competitive interest rates and repayment terms. If you can meet the strict requirements to qualify for a business bank loan, it will likely be your most affordable option — and may be worth the longer funding process.
SBA loans
Like bank loans, SBA loans offer long repayment terms and competitive interest rates. Although you’ll need good credit and finances to qualify, it can be slightly easier to get an SBA loan compared to a bank loan. The funding process, however, may take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Working with an SBA preferred lender or opting for an SBA Express loan can help expedite the process.
Microloans
These small-dollar loans are available in amounts up to $50,000 and are issued by nonprofit and community-based lenders. Microloans are often designed to provide financing to borrowers in underserved communities. Although these loans may be slower to fund than online options, they can be a good choice for businesses that can’t qualify for bank or SBA funding.
Business credit cards
Business credit cards can help you cover everyday expenses and allow you to earn rewards on your spending. You can usually apply for and get approved for a business credit card quickly — and qualifications are largely based on your personal credit history. Like a personal credit card, you’ll want to make sure you pay the balance on your business credit card each month, or you’ll be subject to fairly high interest rates.
Small-business grants
Business grants involve time and planning. However, unlike other forms of financing, grants don’t require repayment. Federal government agencies, corporations, nonprofits and others offer business grants that can be used to start a business, buy supplies, hire staff and other purposes.
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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.
To come up with our list of the best fast business loans, we selected lenders that can fund applications within 72 hours.
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.
On this page
- What is a fast business loan?
- What impacts funding speed for a business loan?
- Types of quick business loans
- Best fast business loan options
- Pros and cons of quick business loans
- When to consider a fast business loan
- How to get a fast business loan
- How to compare quick business loans
- Alternatives to fast business loans
