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 No credit check | $10,000 | 3 months | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for Low interest rates | $50,000 | Undisclosed | 8% | Up to 7 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for Fast funding | $1,500,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | 4 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for Working capital | $300,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for B2B businesses | $5,000,000 | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | 1 to 3 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for Equipment loans | Undisclosed | 6 months | 7.5% | 24 months to 6 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for Short-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 | $100,000 | 6 months | 35% | 12 to 24 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for Long-term loans | $350,000 | 12 months | 8.49% | 12 months to 5 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for Larger loan amounts | $1,000,000 | 3 years | Undisclosed | 3 months to 5 years | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
of the best bad credit business loans: More details
Giggle Finance: Best for No credit check
Giggle Finance doesn’t require a credit check because eligibility is based on your bank statements. You must have at least three months in business to qualify.
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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
U.S. Small Business Administration: Best for Low interest rates
SBA microloans are offered through nonprofit, community-based organizations which can be more willing to work with borrowers with fair or bad credit. Interest rates on these loans typically range from 8% to 13%.
SBA microloan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Can be used for a variety of funding purposes.
- Designed to finance traditionally underserved businesses.
- Startups and business owners with bad credit may be able to qualify.
- Competitive interest rates, low fees and long repayment terms.
- Intermediaries typically offer business training and educational resources.
Cons
- Loan amounts max out at $50,000.
- Can’t be used to pay existing debt or purchase real estate.
- Collateral is likely required.
- Slow funding timeline.
Pros
- Can be used for a variety of funding purposes.
- Designed to finance traditionally underserved businesses.
- Startups and business owners with bad credit may be able to qualify.
- Competitive interest rates, low fees and long repayment terms.
- Intermediaries typically offer business training and educational resources.
Cons
- Loan amounts max out at $50,000.
- Can’t be used to pay existing debt or purchase real estate.
- Collateral is likely required.
- Slow funding timeline.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Fora Financial: Best for Fast funding
You may be able to qualify for a loan from Fora Financial with a minimum credit score of 570. Fora can also offer large loan amounts and funding in as little as 24 hours.
Fora Financial - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Expansion Capital Group: Best for Working capital
Expansion Capital Group can provide fast access to working capital for borrowers with a minimum credit score of 500. Like all merchant cash advances, however, this product may be expensive.
Expansion Capital Group - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
AltLINE: Best for B2B businesses
AltLINE can provide funding for B2B businesses who have capital tied up in unpaid invoices. Because AltLINE focuses on the creditworthiness of your customers during underwriting, it has no set minimum credit score requirement.
AltLINE - Invoice factoring
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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.
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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
eLease: Best for Equipment loans
The equipment you purchase with this type of financing serves as collateral on the loan, meaning online lenders, like eLease, may be more flexible with their credit qualifications.
eLease - Equipment financing
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- No loan or leasing maximums.
- No minimum revenue requirement.
- Startups and low credit scores accepted.
Cons
- Must apply over the phone.
Pros
- No loan or leasing maximums.
- No minimum revenue requirement.
- Startups and low credit scores accepted.
Cons
- Must apply over the phone.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
OnDeck: Best for Short-term loans
If your credit score is at least 625, you may be able to qualify for an OnDeck loan of up to $250,000. These short-term business loans are good for specific, one-time purchases.
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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Headway Capital: Best for Startups
A business line of credit may be available from Headway Capital if your credit score is at least 625. You only need six months in business to qualify.
Headway Capital - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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.
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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Accion: Best for Long-term loans
Nonprofit lender Accion Opportunity Fund focuses on more than just your credit score when determining eligibility. Repayment terms on their loans range from one to five years.
Accion Opportunity Fund Small Business Working Capital Loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Loan amounts from $5,000 to $350,000.
- 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.
Pros
- Loan amounts from $5,000 to $350,000.
- 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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Rapid Finance: Best for Larger loan amounts
If you need a larger amount of funding, Rapid Finance offers loans up to $1 million. Keep in mind, however, that you may need strong qualifications to access bigger loan amounts, especially if you have a lower credit score.
Rapid Finance - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- Cash can be available quickly.
- Borrowers with low credit scores may have some options here.
- Multiple term lengths for different financing needs.
Cons
- Loans max out at $1 million.
- May require a lien.
- Longest loan term is 60 months.
Pros
- Cash can be available quickly.
- Borrowers with low credit scores may have some options here.
- Multiple term lengths for different financing needs.
Cons
- Loans max out at $1 million.
- May require a lien.
- Longest loan term is 60 months.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Concerned about tariffs?
- 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
A closer look at the top bad credit lenders
Giggle Finance
: Advances up to $10000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
: Funding in as little as a few hours.
: Requires 3+ months in business and doesn’t check your credit score.
- Loan type: Merchant cash advance.
- Repayment term : Payments are based on your business’s revenue. You’ll make weekly payments until you repay the full advance amount.
- Speed: As fast as the same day.
SBA microloan
: Loans up to $50000.
: Funding in as little as one week.
: Requirements vary based on microlender.
- Loan type: Term loan.
- Interest rate range: 8% to 13%.
- Repayment term: Up to 84 months.
- Speed: As fast as one week.
Fora Financial
: Loans up to $1.5 million.
: Funding in as little as 24 hours.
: Requires a 570+ credit score and 6+ months in business.
- Loan type: Term loan.
- Repayment term: Up to 18 months.
- Speed: As fast as 24 hours.
Expansion Capital Group
: Advances up to $300000.
: Funding in as little as 48 hours.
: Requires a 500+ credit score and 6+ months in business.
- Loan type: Merchant cash advance.
- Repayment term: Payments are based on your business’s revenue. You’ll make daily or weekly payments until you repay the full advance amount.
- Speed: As fast as a few hours after approval.
AltLINE
: Up to $5 million in invoices per month.
: Funding in as little as 24 hours.
: No minimum credit score or time in business requirements.
- Loan type: Invoice factoring.
- Speed: As fast as 24 hours after submitting invoices.
eLease
: Loans starting at $3000.
: Requires a 550+ credit score and accepts startups.
- Loan type: Equipment loan.
- Interest rate range: 7.5% to 22%.
- Repayment term: Up to 72 months.
OnDeck
: Loans up to $250000.
: Funding in as little as hours after approval.
: Requires a 625+ credit score and 12+ months in business.
- Loan type: Term loan.
- Interest rate range: 31.3% to 99.9% (based on loans originated in the half-year ending March 31, 2024; minimums provided are rates that at least 5% of customers received).
- Repayment term: Up to 24 months.
- Speed: As fast as the same day.
Headway Capital
: Credit lines up to $100000.
: Funding in as little as 24 hours.
: Requires a 625+ credit score and 6+ months in business.
- Loan type: Line of credit.
- Interest rate range: 35% to 80%.
- Repayment term: 12, 18 or 24 months.
- Speed: As fast as the next business day.
Accion
: Loans up to $350000.
: Funding in as little as seven days.
: Requires a 600+ credit score and 12+ months in business.
- Loan type: Term loan.
- Interest rate range: 8.49% to 24.99%.
- Repayment term: Up to 60 months.
- Speed: As fast as seven days.
Rapid Finance
: Loans up to $1 million.
: Funding in as little as one to two business days.
: Requires a 650+ credit score and 36+ months in business.
- Loan type: Term loan.
- Repayment term: Up to 60 months.
- Speed: As fast as one business day after approval.
💬 From a lending expert: Don't let bad credit hold you back
Bad credit shouldn’t hold you back. We’ve secured loans for more than 2,000 unique businesses with a credit score of 600 or less.
Through our trusted lender network, we’ll coach you through the funding process, while helping secure the best rate possible.
with Fundera by Nerdwallet

— Mike Ross, NerdWallet Business Loans Team Lead
What is a bad credit business loan?
What is a bad credit score?
How to get a business loan with bad credit
1. Calculate how much debt you can afford
2. Work to improve your credit score, if you can
3. Strengthen other areas of your application
- How long you’ve been in business.
- What your annual revenue is.
- How strong your cash flow is.
- What kind of collateral you can provide.
4. Research and compare bad credit loan options
5. Gather your documentation and apply
- Basic information about you and your business.
- Personal and business bank statements.
- Personal and business tax returns.
- Business financial statements.
- Detailed information about your collateral, if applicable.
Types of bad credit business loans
Pros and cons of bad credit business loans
Pros
- Can help your business access capital you may otherwise not get to boost operations, grow your business or cover gaps in cash flow.
- Offer fast access to capital — some within as little as 12 hours of applying.
- Can help build and improve your business credit (if your lender reports on-time payments), which can help you qualify for more business funding in the future.
Cons
- Typically have higher rates and fees than traditional loans.
- Borrowing limits are usually lower.
- May require collateral to offset lender risk.
Where to get business loans with bad credit
Lender type | Best for | Typical credit score requirement | Funding speed | Potential drawbacks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fast funding, minimal documentation, startups. | 500 to 660. | As fast as the same day. | High interest rates, frequent repayment, short terms. | |
Underserved businesses, those located in low-income communities. | No specific minimum. | As fast as one week. | Longer application process, slower funding timeline. | |
Startups, local businesses, additional education and support. | No specific minimum. | As fast as one week. | Smaller loan amounts, limited availability by location. |

Frequently asked questions
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.