Backd Business Funding: Fast, High-Limit Line of Credit and Reliable Support

Backd is an online lender that offers lines of credit, term loans and merchant cash advances to small-business owners. The application and funding processes are quick but come at a cost.

Backd - Line of credit

The bottom line:

Backd offers one of the highest borrowing amounts for its line of credit compared with other online lenders. But it’s not available to startups, and rates are higher than traditional loans.

Loan details

Min. Loan Amount

$50,000

Min. Term Length

6 months

Min. APR

35%

Max Loan Amount

$1,000,000

Max Term Length

12 months

Max APR

55%

Qualifications

Min. credit score

Min. credit score

650

Min. Time in Business

Min. Time in Business

24 months

Min. Annual Revenue

Min. Annual Revenue

$100,000

Pros & Cons

Pros

    pros icon
    Fast application and funding process.
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    Responsive and helpful customer support.
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    No prepayment penalties.
    pros icon
    Larger line of credit limit than most online competitors.

Cons

    cons icon
    Charges draw fee.
    cons icon
    Can’t be used to build business credit.
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    Shorter terms than many other online lines of credit.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Backd provides small-business loans through a fast and straightforward online application process. Qualified applicants may receive funding in as little as 24 hours. But speed and convenience may come at a cost. Like many online lenders, its offerings are expensive compared with traditional lenders.

Is Backd right for you?

Consider Backd if you:
Skip Backd if you:
Need large funding amounts.
Prefer a repayment period longer than 12 months.
Need quick access to cash.
Have good-to-excellent credit. (Try for a bank or SBA loan instead.)
Prefer a streamlined online process over applying in person.
Are looking to build business credit.

How much do you need?

with NerdWallet Small Business

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

Backd loan details

Here’s what you can expect from Backd’s business line of credit, short-term loan and merchant cash advance.

Backd line of credit

Loan amount
$50,000 to $1,000,000.
Estimated APR*
35% to 55%.
Fees
  • 3% draw fee.
  • No prepayment penalty.
Terms
6 to 12 months.
Repayment schedule
Weekly.
Funding speed
As fast as 24 hours.
*Estimated APR includes draw fee.

Backd term loan

Loan amount
$50,000 to $250,000.
Estimated APR*
28% to 70%.
Fees
  • 3% draw fee.
  • $150 admin fee.
  • No prepayment penalty.
Terms
Up to 24 months.
Repayment schedule
Weekly or monthly.
Funding speed
As fast as 24 hours.
*Estimated APR includes origination fee.

Backd merchant cash advance

Advance amount
$50,000 to $2,000,000.
Estimated factor rate
1.16 to 1.26.
Fees
  • 3% origination fee.
  • $150 administration fee.
  • No prepayment penalty; offers prepayment discounts.
Terms
Up to 18 months.
Repayment schedule
Weekly, but certain qualified borrowers may be eligible for biweekly payments.
Funding speed
As fast as 24 hours.

Where Backd stands out

High business funding limits

Backd offers generous business funding limits compared with many online lenders. Its business line of credit goes up to $1,000,000, and its merchant cash advance can reach $2 million.
These high limits may appeal to businesses with significant financing needs. However, the cost of borrowing will likely be much higher than traditional bank financing. This is especially true for its MCA as those are among the costliest forms of business financing. Receiving an advance this high can result in a significant repayment burden.

Calculate the total cost of a Backd MCA

Use NerdWallet’s merchant cash advance calculator to get an accurate picture of your total borrowing costs if you choose to apply for a MCA from Backd.

Quick access to funds

Backd’s streamlined digital application and fast turnaround can be a big advantage for business owners trying to seize an opportunity or cover an unexpected expense. Qualified borrowers may receive approval and funding within 24 hours, offering a speed advantage over traditional bank or SBA loans.

Simple, straightforward online application

NerdWallet tested the pre-application flow for the Backd business line of credit. The first of three sections (owner details, business details, financial information) took only about five minutes to complete. The interface was clean and easy to read. Marginal text in the app flow states that “Your credit score won’t be affected.” The flow prompts the user to create a Backd account log in (email address and password) before proceeding to the business and financial details sections. This is pretty standard among online lenders and allows for quick and secure submission of necessary financial documents.

Responsive customer support

Backd offers customer assistance through a dedicated phone line and online contact form. When NerdWallet tested both, a representative answered the phone in under a minute and responded to a contact form submission via email in just over 10 minutes. In both cases, Backd’s representatives were friendly, helpful and well-informed.

Where Backd falls short

High borrowing costs

Backd’s financing options come at a premium, especially when compared with traditional bank loans. Small-business owners with tight profit margins or those who qualify for lower-cost funding (such as bank or SBA loans) should explore other options.

Can’t be used to build business credit

Backd doesn’t report payments to any of the major commercial credit bureaus. This means on-time payments won’t help you build or improve your business credit score, something that can help you unlock better terms and rates on future business loans.

Alternatives to Backd

Headway Capital

Headway Capital

Headway Capital - Line of credit

NerdWallet Rating

4.8

Min Credit

625

with NerdWallet Small Business

Consider Headway Capital over Backd if you:
  • Don’t yet have two years of business history.
  • Bring in a lower annual revenue than Back requires.
Headway Capital is another online lender offering lines of credit to small-business owners. It may be a better fit for newer businesses, as it accepts applicants with just 6 months in business and a minimum annual revenue of $50,000, far lower than Backd’s 24-month and $100,000 requirements. However, Headway Capital’s line of credit tops out at $100,000, well below Backd’s $1,000,000 maximum. Its APR may also be higher than Backd’s line of credit.
Forward Financing

Forward Financing

Forward Financing - Merchant cash advance

Min Credit

500

with NerdWallet Small Business

Consider Forward Financing over Backd if you:
  • Have a poor credit score.
  • Need a smaller advance amount ($5,000 to $500,000).
Forward Financing’s MCA is more accessible for business owners with bad credit. It accepts applicants with a credit score as low as 500, compared with Backd’s 625 credit score requirement. Like Backd, it may approve applicants in as little as 24 hours, however, it requires a slightly higher annual revenue of $120,000 and has a lower maximum advance limit ($500,000 versus Backd’s $2 million limit).

Want more business loan options?

If you haven’t found the right fit for your business financing needs on this page, then check out our list of the best online business loans. From startup loans and fast funding to loans for bad-credit borrowers, our list helps you compare your options and choose the best one.