Best of
Best Revenue Loans for Small-Business Financing
At NerdWallet, we strive to help you make financial decisions with confidence. To do this, many or all of the products featured here are from our partners. However, this doesn’t influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
Easily get real, personalized small business loan rates to compare — not just ranges or estimates.
It's free and won't affect your credit.
on Lendio's website
Our pick for
Businesses with annual revenue less than $50,000
Fundbox - Line of credit
Est. APR
10.10 - 79.80%
Min. Credit Score
500
Pros
- Cash can be available by the next day.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
Cons
- Rates are high compared to traditional banks.
Qualifications
- Minimum credit score: 500.
- Minimum time in business: 3 months.
- Minimum annual revenue: $50,000.
Our pick for
Businesses with annual revenue $50,000 or more
SmartBiz - SBA loan
Est. APR
9.28 - 10.52%
Min. Credit Score
650
Pros
- Competitive rates among online lenders.
- Faster than getting an SBA loan from a bank.
Cons
- Must have strong financials, supported by personal and business tax returns for the past 3 years.
- Stringent rules on use of proceeds.
- Requires business lien and personal guarantee.
Qualifications
- Minimum credit score: 650.
- Minimum time in business: 2 years.
- Minimum annual revenue: $50,000.
- No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the past 3 years.
Our picks for
Businesses with annual revenue $100,000 or more
BlueVine - Line of credit
Est. APR
15.00 - 78.00%
Min. Credit Score
600
Pros
- Offers options for businesses less than a year old.
- Cash can be available within 12 to 24 hours.
Cons
- Short repayment term results in higher payment amounts.
- Requires personal guarantee.
- Not available in North Dakota, South Dakota or Vermont.
Qualifications
- 6-month line of credit
- Minimum credit score: 600.
- Minimum time in business: 6 months.
- Minimum annual revenue: $100,000.
- 12-month line of credit
- Minimum credit score: 620.
- Minimum time in business: 2 years.
- Minimum annual revenue: $450,000.
OnDeck - Online term loan
Est. APR
9.00 - 99.00%
Min. Credit Score
600
Pros
- Cash can be available within the same business day.
- Requires low minimum credit score.
- Less paperwork than most lenders.
Cons
- Fixed-fee structure means early repayment will not save interest.
- Requires frequent (daily or weekly) repayments.
- Requires business lien and personal guarantee.
Qualifications
- Minimum credit score: 600.
- Minimum time in business: 3 years.
- Minimum annual revenue: $250,000.
- No bankruptcies in the past 2 years.
Easily get real, personalized small business loan rates to compare — not just ranges or estimates.
It's free and won't affect your credit.
on Lendio's website
Summary of Best Revenue Loans for Small-Business Financing
| Lender | Best For | Est. APR | Min. Credit Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Fundbox - Line of credit | Businesses with annual revenue less than $50,000 | 10.10 - 79.80% | 500 |
SmartBiz - SBA loan | Businesses with annual revenue $50,000 or more | 9.28 - 10.52% | 650 |
BlueVine - Line of credit | Businesses with annual revenue $100,000 or more | 15.00 - 78.00% | 600 |
OnDeck - Online term loan | Businesses with annual revenue $100,000 or more | 9.00 - 99.00% | 600 |
Why revenue matters with business financing
In most cases, revenue is a major criterion to qualify for a small-business loan. Each lender sets its own minimum annual revenue, which, in general, ranges from $25,000 to $150,000.
Banks typically have stringent criteria, including higher annual revenue requirements. If you don’t qualify for a traditional small-business loan or want financing fast, consider online revenue-based loans.
Your sales show the strength of your business. Steady and consistent sales, even if they’re not growing like gangbusters, show that you’re executing on your business plan. This demonstrates to would-be lenders that you know how to run a small business and makes it more likely that they’ll approve your loan application.
Some lenders give revenue more weight than a credit score. Your credit score can be important in applying for a small-business loan, but it’s not the determining factor. Many lenders will focus more on your sales, particularly those in the previous three months.
If your annual revenue is less than $50,000
Fundbox doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement, but you will need at least $50,000 annual revenue and at least three months in business to qualify for its line of credit product. It’s a suitable option for short-term financing, as borrowings on the line of credit are repaid weekly up to 12 weeks.
If your annual revenue is $50,000 or more
SmartBiz's minimum annual revenue requirement is $50,000, but many of SmartBiz’s borrowers often report higher sales. The lender offers Small Business Administration loans, which are your best bet if you’re looking for the lowest-cost financing.
If your annual revenue is $100,000 or more
BlueVine offers a six-month line of credit of $5,000 to $200,000, as well as a 12-month line of credit for businesses with at least two years in business and $450,000 in annual revenue. While expensive, it can be a good option if you’re looking for quick access to cash for urgent business needs.
OnDeck has a line of credit of up to $100,000 with a minimum annual revenue requirement of $100,000. The lender’s term loan of $5,000 to $500,000 also has a minimum annual revenue requirement of $100,000.
Compare small-business loans
NerdWallet’s interactive small-business loans tool allows you to find financing that meets your goals. Sort by the age of your business, your credit score and the amount of money you need. Lenders were chosen based on factors including trustworthiness and user experience.
Last updated on November 21, 2019
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Revenue Loans for Small-Business Financing
- Fundbox - Line of credit: Best for Businesses with annual revenue less than $50,000
- SmartBiz - SBA loan: Best for Businesses with annual revenue $50,000 or more
- BlueVine - Line of credit: Best for Businesses with annual revenue $100,000 or more
- OnDeck - Online term loan: Best for Businesses with annual revenue $100,000 or more
