Best Business Lines of Credit of May 2025
A business line of credit gives you access to a set amount of capital that you can draw from as needed. You only pay interest on the funds you draw.
| Product | NerdWallet rating | Best for | Max loan amount | Min. credit score | Min. time in business | Min. annual revenue | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SBA CAPLines of credit Read reviewwith Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for Large funding amounts | $5,000,000 | 650 | 24 months | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
 Bluevine - Line of credit Read reviewwith Fundera by NerdWallet | 5.0
/5
| Best for Fast funding | $250,000 | 625 | 12 months | $120,000 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Backd - Line of credit with Fundera by NerdWallet | 4.5
/5
| Best for Business owners with bad credit | $750,000 | 600 | 12 months | $300,000 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Headway Capital - Line of credit Read reviewwith Fundera by NerdWallet | 4.7
/5
| Best for Startup businesses | $100,000 | 625 | 6 months | $50,000 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 OnDeck - Line of credit Read reviewwith Fundera by NerdWallet | 5.0
/5
| Best for Unsecured lines of credit | $100,000 | 625 | 12 months | $100,000 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Fundation - Line of credit Read reviewwith Fundera by NerdWallet | 4.4
/5
| Best for Flexible repayment terms | $150,000 | 680 | 12 months | $50,000 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 American Express® Business Line of Credit* Read reviewwith Fundera by NerdWallet | 5.0
/5
| Best for Low-revenue businesses | $250,000 | 660 | 12 months | $36,000 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit Read reviewwith Fundera by NerdWallet | 5.0
/5
| Best for Low interest rates | $150,000 | 680 | 24 months | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit Read review | 4.8
/5
| Best for Secured lines of credit | Undisclosed | 670 | 6 months | $50,000 |
A closer look at our picks for the best business line of credit
Best for Large funding amounts
The SBA CAPLines program offers four credit line options that offer funding up to $5 million. These lines of credit can be used for working capital, seasonal expenses, construction costs and contract expenses.
SBA CAPLines of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
650
Min. age of business
24 months
Min. annual revenue
Undisclosed
Pros
- Line of credit options for seasonal, working capital, building and contracting needs.
- Large maximum borrowing amounts.
- Competitive interest rates and repayment terms.
Cons
- Typically requires good credit and multiple years in business.
- Slow to fund.
- Collateral and/or down payment may be required.
SBA CAPLines stand out if you need funding to meet specific short-term and cyclical working capital needs. These lines of credit provide a greater flexibility than you would receive with a standard term loan. CAPLines also offer competitive interest rates, long repayment terms and large funding amounts. Like other SBA loan products, CAPLines can be a good option for businesses that have good credit and finances, but may not qualify for bank financing.
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Best for Fast funding
Bluevine offers a streamlined application process that can be completed in minutes. You may be able to access funding in as little as 24 hours.
May fund quickly
Bluevine - Line of credit
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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. age of business
12 months
Min. annual revenue
$120,000
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.
Bluevine stands out for its fast funding speed and flexible qualification requirements. To get a line of credit, you can apply quickly online and receive funding in as little as 24 hours. Newer businesses and borrowers with bad credit may be able to qualify. Bluevine also offers a larger credit line maximum compared to some competitors and doesn’t charge draw or account maintenance fees.
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Best for Business owners with bad credit
You may be able to qualify for a line of credit from Backd with a personal credit score of 600 or higher.
Backd - Line of credit
4.5 NerdWallet rating
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$750,000
Min. credit score
600
Min. age of business
12 months
Min. annual revenue
$300,000
Pros
- Fast access to funds.
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Large maximum funding amounts.
- Accessible to startups and borrowers with bad credit.
Cons
- High annual revenue requirement.
- Requires weekly repayment.
- Charges a draw fee.
- Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
Backd offers a fast revolving line of credit that offers larger funding amounts than other online competitors. With flexible qualification requirements, this credit line can be a good option for newer businesses and those with bad credit — as long as they have strong revenue and don’t mind paying a draw fee.
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Best for Startup businesses
Headway Capital only requires that you have a minimum of six months in business to qualify for its line of credit.
Headway Capital - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. age of business
6 months
Min. annual revenue
$50,000
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 offers a fast and flexible business line of credit that’s a good option for those who can’t qualify for traditional financing. The lender can work with startups and businesses with low revenue. Headway can fund applications as fast as the next day after approval. Unlike some online lines of credit, however, you’ll likely have to pay a draw fee to access your funds from Headway.
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Best for Unsecured lines of credit
OnDeck offers business lines of credit of up to $100,000. You don’t need to put up physical collateral to qualify.
May fund quickly
OnDeck - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Min. age of business
12 months
Min. annual revenue
$100,000
Pros
- Fast access to working capital.
- Accepts borrowers with a minimum credit score of 625.
- Streamlined application process with minimal documentation required.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Not available in North Dakota.
- May require frequent weekly payments.
- Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
OnDeck’s fast line of credit is a standout option for small-business owners with less-than-stellar credit who need working capital. This line of credit offers flexible repayment options, allowing you to choose between three term options and a weekly or monthly frequency. It’s also a good option for borrowers who don’t want to risk their company assets; OnDeck’s line of credit does not require physical collateral and it doesn’t take a UCC lien out on your business.
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Best for Flexible repayment terms
Fundation offers lines of credit with 12- 18-, or 24-month term options. Repayments are made on a monthly basis.
Fundation - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Min. age of business
12 months
Min. annual revenue
$50,000
Pros
- Monthly payments (as opposed to daily or weekly required by some online lenders).
- No prepayment penalties.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Relatively high minimum credit score requirement compared to other online lenders.
- Charges an origination fee and an inactivity fee.
- Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.
Fundation’s line of credit offers a flexible financing option for small-business owners by providing access to working capital to cover unexpected expenses, fuel business growth and more.
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Best for Low-revenue businesses
You may be able to qualify for the American Express® Business Line of Credit with an average monthly revenue of at least $3,000.
American Express® Business Line of Credit*
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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
660
Min. age of business
12 months
Min. annual revenue
$36,000
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.
The American Express® Business Line of Credit is a good option for business owners with fair credit who want access to working capital. This line of credit offers a monthly repayment schedule and no extra fees. Existing American Express customers can login to their accounts to see if they’re pre-approved for funding.
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Best for Low interest rates
Wells Fargo offers business lines of credit with interest rates starting at 9.25%. This credit line is well suited for established companies with good credit.
Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Min. age of business
24 months
Min. annual revenue
Undisclosed
Pros
- Bank line of credit with competitive interest rates.
- Revolving credit line with no scheduled annual review.
- No collateral required; no prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Must be an established business with strong credit to qualify.
- May take longer to fund than online lenders.
- Annual fee and inactivity fees may apply.
The Wells Fargo BusinessLine line of credit allows companies with at least two years in business access working capital. This line of credit offers competitive interest rates, revolving terms and doesn’t require collateral. Wells Fargo waives the annual fee for the first year on this product and includes automatic enrollment in a free rewards program. Like a credit card, you earn reward points when you make purchases with the Mastercard access card Wells Fargo gives you.
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Best for Secured lines of credit
Companies with at least six months in operation can use Bank of America’s cash secured line of credit to build business credit.
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit
Max loan amount
$0
Min. credit score
670
Min. age of business
6 months
Min. annual revenue
$50,000
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’s Cash Secured Line of Credit is designed specifically for startups. After providing an initial deposit, you can use your credit line to cover working capital needs and establish business credit. If you use your credit line responsibly and make regular payments, Bank of America may be able to transition you to an unsecured line of credit.
Business line of credit calculator
Estimate payments to understand the cost of a business line of credit
Over the course of the loan, expect to pay
$1,805.17/mo
Payment breakdown
Total principal
$20,000.00
Total interest
$1,662.04
Total principal & interest
$21,662.04
Get personalized small-business loan rates to compare
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A deep dive into our top picks
SBA CAPLines of credit
Best for large funding amounts
Overview: Part of the SBA 7(a) loan program
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
Bluevine
Best for fast funding
Overview: You can apply for a Bluevine line of credit in just minutes and receive a decision as fast as the same day. After you make an initial draw, you’ll receive your funds in as little as 24 hours — or even quicker if you opt for a wire transfer ($15 fee) or have a Bluevine business checking account.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
Backd
Best for bad credit
Overview: Backd’s business line of credit is available in amounts up to $750,000 — a higher maximum than other online competitors. You’ll need a minimum credit score of 600 and at least 12 months in business to qualify.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
Headway Capital
Best for startups
Overview: Headway Capital offers a business line of credit in amounts up to $100,000. You can repay your line of credit on a weekly or monthly basis, with repayment terms of 12-, 18- or 24 months. To qualify, you’ll need at least 6 months in business.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
OnDeck
Best for unsecured lines of credit
Overview: OnDeck’s line of credit is a good option for those who don’t want to risk their company assets — as OnDeck doesn’t require physical collateral nor does it take out a UCC lien on your business.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
Fundation
Best for flexible repayment terms
Overview: Fundation’s interest rates start at 20.21% — on the low end for an online lender — but unlike some competitors, Fundation charges an origination fee and an inactivity fee. Still, it can be a worthwhile option for newer businesses with strong credit.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
American Express® Business Line of Credit
Best for low-revenue businesses
Overview: If you’re an existing American Express customer, you can log in to your account to see if you’re preapproved for a line of credit.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
Wells Fargo
Best for low interest rates
Overview: This Wells Fargo credit line is a good option for established businesses that want low interest rates on their financing. Wells Fargo waives its annual fee for the first year and automatically enrolls you in a rewards program that allows you to earn points for your spending.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
Bank of America
Best for secured lines of credit
Overview: Bank of America’s Business Advantage Cash Secured Line of Credit is designed specifically for startups that are looking to establish business credit. You fund your credit line with a minimum deposit of at least $1,000 and use it to pay for day-to-day business expenses. Responsible spending and on-time payments can help you build your business credit — and eventually, graduate to an unsecured credit line.
Can be a good option if
May not be a fit if
What is a business line of credit?
A business line of credit is a type of small-business loan
Types of business lines of credit
There are two types of business lines of credit: secured and unsecured.
Secured business line of credit
A
Because secured lines of credit help mitigate risk for the lender, these products often have more competitive rates and terms than unsecured options.
Unsecured business line of credit
An
A
Pros and cons of business lines of credit
Pros
- Good option for working capital, short-term expenses and emergency funding needs.
- Only pay interest on funds you draw, not the total credit limit.
- May be easier to qualify for than traditional term loans.
- Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
- Not suitable for large purchases or investments.
- May include a variety of fees that can add to overall cost.
- Often have shorter repayment terms and lower funding amounts than traditional term loans.
How to qualify for a business line of credit
Where to get a business line of credit
Banks and credit unions
Banks and credit unions typically offer the most competitive rates and terms on a business line of credit. To qualify, however, you’ll usually need to meet strict eligibility requirements
Compared to online lenders, banks and credit unions can also be more likely to require physical collateral
SBA lenders
Some banks and credit unions also offer SBA CAPLines of credit. These SBA lines of credit
Although you’ll still need to meet strong qualifications to get an SBA line of credit, these products may be slightly easier to access than traditional bank credit lines. Like business bank loans, however, these SBA lines of credit require a detailed application process and will likely be slow to fund.
Online lenders
Online lenders are a good option for startup business lines of credit
Online lenders typically have streamlined application processes and fewer fees, and may be able to issue small-business lines of credit in a matter of days. However, these lenders are also likely to charge higher interest rates than banks and may have lower credit limits.
Alternatives to business lines of credit
If you’re not sure that a business line of credit is right for your needs, you might consider these alternatives.
Business term loans
Business credit cards
Invoice factoring
Merchant cash advances
Last updated on May 8, 2025
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