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 bad credit | $1,500,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | 4 to 18 months | 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 | Read expert review | Best for same-day funding | $250,000 | 12 months | 14% | Up to 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
![]() | Read expert review | Best for low interest rates | $2,000,000 | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Up to 30 years | |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for short-term business loans | $250,000 | 12 months | 31.3% | 18 to 24 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for merchant cash advances | $500,000 | 3 years | Undisclosed | 3 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
emergency business loans: More details
Fora Financial: Best for bad credit
Funding speed: 24 to 48 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
AltLINE: Best for B2B businesses
Funding speed: Typically within 48 hours — no collateral required.
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
Bluevine: Best for same-day funding
Funding speed: As fast as the same day, with a wire transfer.
Bluevine - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
U.S. Small Business Administration: Best for low interest rates
Funding speed: Can take several weeks.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Pros
- Large loan amounts and long repayment terms.
- Interest rates max out at 4%.
- No prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Collateral required for loans over $25,000.
- Only available for businesses located in a declared disaster area.
- Can be slow to fund.
Pros
- Large loan amounts and long repayment terms.
- Interest rates max out at 4%.
- No prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Collateral required for loans over $25,000.
- Only available for businesses located in a declared disaster area.
- Can be slow to fund.
OnDeck: Best for short-term business loans
Funding speed: As soon as the same day.
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
Rapid Finance: Best for merchant cash advances
Funding speed: As fast as 24 hours.
Rapid Finance - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Pros
- No prepayment penalties or other fees.
- Can be approved with a credit score as low as 600.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments.
- Lengthy time in business requirement.
Pros
- No prepayment penalties or other fees.
- Can be approved with a credit score as low as 600.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments.
- Lengthy time in business requirement.
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
What is an emergency business loan?
Types of emergency business loans
SBA disaster loans
- Home and personal property loans . Replace or repair your home or personal property after a disaster.
- Business physical disaster loans. Replace or repair business property, such as machinery, equipment, fixtures or inventory, after a disaster.
- Economic injury disaster loans. Help businesses meet financial obligations and operating expenses that they could typically meet if not for a disaster.
- Military reservist injury loans. Help businesses meet operating expenses because an essential employee was called to active duty.
Business term loans
Business lines of credit
Invoice factoring
Merchant cash advances
How to get an emergency business loan
1. Evaluate your financing needs.
2. Check your qualifications.
3. Research and compare lenders.
4. Complete and submit your application.
How to compare emergency business loans
Pros and cons of emergency business loans
Pros
- Can typically be approved and funded quickly, depending on the nature of the situation.
- Federally backed funding (available in declared disaster areas) offers competitive rates and terms.
Cons
- Can have high interest rates and short repayment terms, which can make it difficult for businesses to keep up with payments.
- Exploitative or predatory lenders may try to take advantage of businesses seeking emergency funding.
Emergency business loan alternatives
- Business credit cards. If you’re looking for a quick and revolving source of financing to cover cash flow gaps, business credit cards can be a good option. Many business credit cards require good credit — a score of 690 or higher — to qualify. They can provide benefits like flexibility and spending rewards, but business credit cards can also become expensive if you’re not diligent about making payments.
- Personal loans. It is possible to take out a
to access much-needed capital for your small business. Personal loans can be easier to qualify for, particularly if you don’t have enough time in business or revenue to qualify for a business loan, and personal loans may fund faster than some business loans.personal loan instead of a business loan - Self-funding. If you have a business
or other money in savings, this may be the time to use it. Just be sure you have a plan to build your savings back up so you’re not vulnerable in the event of future emergencies or opportunities.emergency fund
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.