American Express® Business Line of Credit Competitors: Compare Top Alternatives

NerdWallet rates American Express® Business Line of Credit 5 out of 5 stars. But top Amex competitors beat the financial services juggernaut on factors like fees, line amount, funding speed, minimum qualification requirements and more.
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American Express® Business Line of Credit competitors: More details

OnDeck: Best for fast ongoing access to money icon

OnDeck: Best for fast ongoing access to money

After your first draw from an OnDeck line of credit, which may take up to three business days, subsequent draws can be instantly deposited to your debit card. This makes this line of credit especially useful for covering emergency or other unexpected expenses.

May fund quickly
OnDeck - Line of credit

OnDeck - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$200,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
12 to 24 months

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.

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.

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Headway Capital: Best for approval and funding speed icon

Headway Capital: Best for approval and funding speed

Headway Capital makes it easier for small-business owners to qualify for a line of credit with its speedy online checkout process. With this lender’s straightforward application process, you can qualify in minutes. Once approved, you can typically receive funds by the next business day.

Headway Capital - Line of credit

Headway Capital - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$100,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
12 to 24 months

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.

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Fundbox: Best for startups or bad credit icon

Fundbox: Best for startups or bad credit

Fundbox’s line of credit requires a minimum of just three months in business, making it easier for new business owners to get funding early while still proving their business concept. It also has the lowest minimum credit score requirement on this list at 600.

May fund quickly
Fundbox - Line of credit

Fundbox - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Term length
3 months to 2 years and 2 months

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

  • Weekly repayments required.

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

  • Weekly repayments required.

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Bluevine: Best for no extraneous fees icon

Bluevine: Best for no extraneous fees

Bluevine’s line of credit comes to you with no origination fee, no draw fee and no prepayment fee. The lender also doesn’t charge a setup fee, subscription fee, maintenance fee or termination fee. Aside from APR, you won’t pay any other fees for a line of credit from Bluevine.

May fund quickly
Bluevine - Line of credit

Bluevine - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$200,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
6 to 12 months

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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Quantum Lending Solutions: Best for repayment terms icon

Quantum Lending Solutions: Best for repayment terms

A line of credit from Quantum Lending Solutions (formerly Fundation) comes with repayment terms up to two years. (For comparison, others on this list have terms between six and 12 months.) Plus, payments are made on a monthly basis for Quantum’s line of credit, while some lenders on this list require weekly payments.

Quantum Lending Solutions - Line of credit

Quantum Lending Solutions - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Term length
12 to 24 months

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.
  • Not available in all 50 U.S. states.
  • Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.

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.
  • Not available in all 50 U.S. states.
  • Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Tennessee.

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Backd: Best for large line of credit icon

Backd: Best for large line of credit

Backd offers the largest line of credit by far among lenders on this list. You can borrow up to $750,000 from this lender and receive same-day approval. Repayment terms are short, though, maxing out at 12 months. And you’ll make payments on a weekly basis.

Backd - Line of credit

Backd - Line of credit

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Max loan amount
$750,000
Min. credit score
650
Term length
6 to 12 months

Pros

  • Fast access to funds.
  • Simple application with minimal documentation required.
  • Large maximum funding amounts.
  • Accessible to startups and borrowers with bad credit.

Cons

  • Requires weekly repayment.
  • Charges a draw fee.
  • Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.

Pros

  • Fast access to funds.
  • Simple application with minimal documentation required.
  • Large maximum funding amounts.
  • Accessible to startups and borrowers with bad credit.

Cons

  • Requires weekly repayment.
  • Charges a draw fee.
  • Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.

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Editor's note:
This page includes information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit. The information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by American Express. Some information may be outdated.

What does American Express® Business Line of Credit offer?

American Express® Business Line of Credit offers business lines of credit from $2,000 to $250,000 and repayment terms of six, 12, 18 or 24 months. Instead of traditional interest, American Express charges monthly fees depending on your loan’s term.
Total monthly fees incurred over the loan term range are:
  • 3% to 9% for six-month loans.
  • 6% to 18% for 12-month loans.
  • 9% to 27% for 18-month loans.
  • 12% to 18% for 24-month loans.
This unique fee structure often makes it difficult to compare the cost of an American Express® Business Line of Credit to other products.
To qualify for this line of credit, you’ll need:
  • A minimum FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application.
  • To have started your business at least a year ago.
  • Average monthly revenue of at least $3,000.
Note that the required FICO score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, credit history, and other factors. You must also be able to link a bank account that shows business revenue to qualify. It’s also important to remember that all businesses are unique and are subject to approval and review.

Alternatives to the American Express® Business Line of Credit

OnDeck

Best for fast ongoing access to money
OnDeck’s line of credit is available in amounts up to $200,000 with weekly or monthly payments and terms of 12, 18 or 24 months.
While the first draw on this line of credit may take up to three business days, subsequent draws can be made instantly if using a debit card. This is a useful feature if you need quick access to working capital, especially for time-sensitive expenses. The American Express® Business Line of Credit has a similar feature, but you’ll need an Amex business checking account.
To qualify for a line of credit from OnDeck, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 625.
  • Time in business: 12 months.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $8,333.

Headway Capital

Best for approval and funding speed
Headway Capital can let you know within minutes if you qualify for its line of credit. If you’re approved, you can have funds in your account as soon as the next business day. American Express, on the other hand, can take up to three business days to fund your account.
This lender provides funding up to $100,000 with less stringent qualification requirements than American Express. For example, small-business owners may be able to qualify for a Headway Capital line of credit with a minimum credit score of 625 and just 6 months in business. However, the American Express® Business Line of Credit has a lower business revenue requirement.
To qualify for a line of credit from Headway Capital, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 625.
  • Time in business: 6 months.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $4,166.

Fundbox

Best for startups or bad credit
Fundbox can be a good option for startups or borrowers with bad credit who don’t meet American Express® Business Line of Credit’s qualification requirements. In fact, Fundbox has the lowest personal credit score (600) and time in business (3 months) minimums of any lender on this list.
Fundbox can also be a worthwhile choice for fast financing and smaller funding amounts. After applying for a line of credit, you can receive approval in minutes and funds within two business days. Business owners can borrow as little as $100 from Fundbox, while many lenders require a minimum loan of several thousand dollars.
Fundbox’s line of credit is available up to $250,000 with weekly payments over a 3- to 26-month term.
To qualify for a line of credit from Fundbox, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 600.
  • Time in business: 3 months.
  • Monthly revenue: $2,500.

Bluevine

Best for no extraneous fees
Bluevine offers business lines of credit up to $200,000. It may be the right option for you if you need quick access to funds and have a lower minimum credit score than what Amex requires 660.
With Bluevine, you can complete your application and receive a decision in as little as five minutes. Funds can be available within hours if you choose the bank wire option (which requires a $15 fee) — and in one to three business days if you choose an ACH transfer.
The Bluevine line of credit has weekly payments over a 6-month term. The lender has recently added an option for qualified borrowers to extend to a 12-month term.
To qualify for a line of credit from Bluevine, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 625.
  • Time in business: 12 months.
  • Monthly revenue: More than $10,000.
Bluevine also offers a 12-month term line of credit up to $250,000 with monthly payments. NerdWallet doesn’t rate or often talk about this product, however, because the qualification requirements are right up there with those of a traditional lender. This product requires a minimum credit score of 700, at least three years in business and more than $80,000 in monthly revenue.

Quantum Lending Solutions (formerly Fundation)

Best for repayment terms
Like American Express, Quantum Lending Solution’s longest repayment period stretches to 24 months and allows for monthly payments (as opposed to daily or weekly). Small-business owners may borrow as much as $150,000, but it’s not available in all states or for all industries.
To qualify for a line of credit from Quantum, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 680.
  • Time in business: 12 months.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $4,166.

Backd

Best for large line of credit
Backd has higher time in business and monthly revenue requirements than American Express. However, if you’re in need of a large line amount to fund a big project or cover large unexpected expenses, then Backd may be able to help.
This lender can fund up to $750,000, which is three times the max amount for the American Express® Business Line of Credit. And unlike Amex, Backd doesn’t require collateral. Repayment terms are a bit shorter, at 6 or 12 months, and payments must be made weekly rather than monthly.
To qualify for a line of credit from Backd, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Credit score: 650.
  • Time in business: 24 months.
  • Monthly revenue: Approximately $8,333.

* American Express® Business Line of Credit* offers two loan types, installment loans and single repayment loans for eligible borrowers. All loan term types, loan term lengths, and pricing are subject to eligibility requirements, application, and final approval. This content contains general information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit* installment loan type only.
Last updated on December 18, 2025
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