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Best Small-Business Loans of December 2024

See personalized lending options for your business. Choose why you need funding to get started.
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Written by
Randa Kriss
Edited by
Sally Lauckner
Last updated on November 7, 2024

Fact checked and reviewed
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A small-business loan is a source of capital that can help you stock your shelves, buy new equipment or expand your footprint. Business owners can access financing through traditional banks, online lenders and community lending institutions.
Below, compare the best small-business loans, including bank and SBA loans, business lines of credit, term loans and equipment financing. Plus, learn how to qualify and find the right business funding for your needs.

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LenderBest forMax loan amountMin. credit scoreAPR rangeMax term length
SBA 7(a) loan
U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA loans$5,000,00065010.75-14.25%25 years
Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan
Bank of America
4.9/5.0  
Bank small-business loansSee review700See review5 years
Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit
Wells Fargo
5.0/5.0  
Bank lines of credit$150,0006809.50-17.50%See review
Bluevine - Line of credit
Bluevine
5.0/5.0  
Fast business loans$250,00062520.00-50.00%6 months
Fundbox - Line of credit
Fundbox
5.0/5.0  
Startup business loans$150,00060036.00-99.00%6 months
American Express® Business Line of Credit*
American Express Business Blueprint™
5.0/5.0  
Online lines of credit$250,000660See review2 years
OnDeck - Online term loan
OnDeck
4.9/5.0  
Short-term business loans$250,00062527.20-99.90%2 years
iBusiness Funding - Online term loan
iBusiness Funding
4.6/5.0  
Long-term business loans$500,00066015.22-45.00%7 years
Fora Financial - Online term loan
Fora Financial
4.8/5.0  
Business loans for bad credit$1,500,000570See review1 year and 6 months
AltLINE - Invoice Factoring
AltLINE
4.7/5.0  
Invoice factoring$5,000,000300See review3 months
National Funding - Equipment Financing
National Funding
4.5/5.0  
Equipment financing$150,000600See review5 years
Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan
Accion
4.8/5.0  
Women and minority groups$250,0006008.49-24.99%5 years

Best for

SBA loans

SBA loans offer favorable rates and terms and can be used for a variety of large and long-term funding purposes. These government-guaranteed loans are best for businesses that don’t meet bank eligibility criteria, but still have good credit and strong finances.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to SBA loans

SBA 7(a) loan

Read Review

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Max Loan Amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
650
Est. APR
10.75-14.25%
Low interest rate
Read Review

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Best for

Bank small-business loans

Banks typically offer small-business loans with the lowest interest rates and most competitive terms. These products are well-suited for established businesses with collateral and strong credit.

» MORE: Best banks for small-business loans

Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan

Read Review
Max Loan Amount
Undisclosed
Min. credit score
700
Read Review

Best for

Bank lines of credit

A bank line of credit offers greater flexibility than a business term loan — allowing you to tap into a credit line and pay interest on only the portion of money you borrow. Bank credit lines are a good source of affordable working capital for established businesses.

» MORE: Guide to best business lines of credit

Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit

Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
680
Est. APR
9.50-17.50%
Read Review

Best for

Fast business loans

Online lenders typically offer simple applications and a streamlined underwriting process. Some companies can provide financing in as quickly as 24 hours — and most fund applications within a few business days.

» MORE: Compare the best fast business loans

Bluevine - Line of credit

Read Review

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Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
20.00-50.00%
May fund quickly
Read Review

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Best for

Startup business loans

Some online lenders offer business loans for startups with one year or less in operation. You’ll typically need at least three months in business to qualify.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to startup business loans

Fundbox - Line of credit

Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
36.00-99.00%
May fund quickly
Read Review

Best for

Online lines of credit

Online business lines of credit are best for fast access to working capital, especially for newer businesses or those with less-than-perfect credit histories.

» MORE: Compare the best working capital lines of credit

American Express® Business Line of Credit*

Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
660
Read Review

Best for

Short-term business loans

Short-term business loans can be good for businesses that can’t qualify for an SBA or bank loan, or those that need quick funding. Short-term lenders generally have less-stringent eligibility requirements compared to traditional lenders and may work with startups or businesses with bad credit.

» MORE: Best short-term business loans

OnDeck - Online term loan

Read Review

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Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Est. APR
27.20-99.90%
May fund quickly
Read Review

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Best for

Long-term business loans

Long-term loans can help you expand your business — and provide more time to repay and lower monthly payments than short-term loans. Some online lenders can offer repayment terms up to seven years, with faster funding times than more conventional business loan options.

» MORE: Best long-term business loans

iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

Read Review

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Max Loan Amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Est. APR
15.22-45.00%
May fund quickly
Read Review

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Best for

Business loans for bad credit

It can be more difficult to get a business loan with bad credit, but some online lenders are willing to work with borrowers who have a personal credit score below 630.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to bad credit business loans

Fora Financial - Online term loan

Read Review

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Max Loan Amount
$1,500,000
Min. credit score
570
Read Review

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Best for

Invoice factoring

Invoice factoring allows business-to-business companies to access capital that’s tied up in unpaid invoices. This type of fast funding can be useful for managing cash flow issues or paying short-term expenses.

» MORE: Compare the best invoice factoring companies

AltLINE - Invoice Factoring

Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
300
Read Review

Best for

Equipment financing

Equipment financing is best for small businesses looking to purchase machinery or equipment. Since the equipment itself serves as collateral, equipment loans can be more affordable and easier to qualify for than other types of small-business loans.

» MORE: Best options for equipment financing

National Funding - Equipment Financing

Read Review

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Max Loan Amount
$150,000
Min. credit score
600
Read Review

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Best for

Women and minority groups

Nonprofit and community lenders often provide loans to traditionally underserved business owners who may not qualify for other funding options. These institutions also offer business training, coaching and other educational resources.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s guide to nonprofit and microlenders

Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan

Read Review
Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
600
Est. APR
8.49-24.99%
Read Review
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What is a business loan?

A business loan is a loan designed specifically for business purposes. With a small-business loan, you borrow money from a lender and pay it back over time, with interest. Business loans can be used to cover startup costs, purchase inventory or equipment, manage cash flow and expand your operations, among other uses.
Small-business loan options can include SBA loans, bank loans, term loans, business lines of credit and equipment financing. The best business loan for you will depend on a variety of factors such as:
  • Why you need funding.
  • How fast you need access to capital.
  • How much capital you need.
  • Your business’s qualifications.
  • Total cost of debt.

Types of small-business loans

Business loans are available from banks, credit unions, online lenders, nonprofit organizations and community lenders. Loan terms, interest rates and qualifications vary by lender, but here are the features you can generally expect to find with the different types of business loans.

SBA loans

SBA loans are small-business loans partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, a government agency, and issued by participating lenders, such as banks and credit unions. SBA loans offer low interest rates and long repayment terms.
Although there are multiple types of business funding within the SBA loan program, the SBA 7(a) loan is the most popular. These loans are available in amounts up to $5 million, with terms up to 25 years.
  • Loan amounts: $30,000 to $5 million.
  • Approximate APR range:
    10.75
    % to
    14.25
    %
    .
  • Best for: Large one-time and longer-term investments, purchasing real estate or equipment, buying existing businesses and refinancing debt.

Business term loans

A business term loan provides you with a lump sum of capital that you repay over a specific period of time, with interest. For short-term loans, the repayment period tends to range from three to 24 months, while repayment for long-term loans can extend up to 10 years or longer in some cases.
Traditional lenders, like banks and credit unions, are more likely to offer long terms, large loan amounts and low interest rates compared to alternative, online lenders.
  • Loan amounts: Up to $1 million.
  • Approximate APR range: 6% to 99%.
  • Best for: Working capital, large one-time investments, expanding your business.

Business lines of credit

A business line of credit provides access to flexible cash. Similar to a credit card, lenders give you access to a specific amount of credit (say, $100,000), but you don’t make payments or get charged interest until you tap into the funds.
  • Credit line range: $1,000 to $250,000.
  • Approximate APR range: 10% to 99%.
  • Best for: Managing cash flow, handling unexpected expenses and financing short-term business needs.

Compare financing and apply

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.
A person looking at a mobile phone.
See Your Loan Options

Equipment financing

Equipment financing is a form of asset-based financing where the equipment itself serves as collateral for the loan. You can get an equipment loan equal to up to 100% of the value of the equipment you’re looking to purchase — depending on the lender and your business’s qualifications — which you then pay back over time, with interest.
  • Loan amounts: Up to 100% of the value of the equipment, plus soft costs (e.g. installation, delivery, warranties).
  • Approximate APR range: 4% to 45%.
  • Best for: Purchasing machinery and equipment.

Government business loans

Aside from the most common type of government loan, the SBA 7(a) loan, small businesses can find additional financing options from the SBA, as well as other government agencies. These government business loans typically offer competitive interest rates and repayment terms. Some options are designed for entrepreneurs in specific industries or demographics, such as rural businesses, American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses, farms and fisheries.

USDA business loans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture operates several business initiatives that are designed to provide financial assistance and development resources to rural businesses.
One of the most well-known programs is the Business & Industry (B&I) Loan Program. Through this program, the USDA provides a partial guarantee to lenders, like banks and credit unions, that issue loans to small businesses in rural areas (populations of 50,000 residents or less).
These businesses can use the financing for a range of purposes, including business repair and/or development, real estate purchases, debt refinancing, equipment purchases and certain acquisitions.

SBA disaster loans

Unlike other SBA loan options, disaster loans are funded and issued directly by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans are designed specifically to help small businesses recover from physical and economic damage caused by a declared disaster.
There are four types of SBA disaster loans: Home and personal property loans, business physical disaster loans, economic injury disaster loans and military reservist economic injury disaster loans.
SBA disaster loans have low interest rates, long repayment terms and may be faster to fund than other SBA loan options.

Additional business funding options

If you don’t think you can qualify for a traditional loan — or simply want to explore all of your options — you might consider one of these products to finance your business. Many of these business funding options have flexible requirements and can be a good choice for newer companies.

Invoice factoring and invoice financing

  • Invoice factoring turns business owners’ unpaid invoices into immediate cash. You sell the invoices to a factoring company, which is paid when it collects from your customers.
  • If you prefer to maintain control over your invoices, invoice financing is an alternative to factoring.

Personal loans

  • A personal loan for business allows you to get funding based on your personal credit score and income instead of your business history.
  • These loans are usually available in smaller amounts, but they can be used for a variety of purposes and fund within days.

Business credit cards

  • A business credit card offers revolving credit, making it a solid option for short-term expenses. 
  • Although credit card limits tend to be smaller than a line of credit, a business credit card may offer rewards, such as cash back or travel points.

Merchant cash advances

Small-business loans by interest rate

Interest rates are an important factor to consider when comparing business loan options.
Small-business lending companies typically charge interest as an annual percentage rate (APR). Some lenders, however, quote interest as a factor rate, which is expressed as a decimal not a percentage like with APRs.
Your business loan rate will ultimately vary based on the lender, loan type and your qualifications. To access the lowest interest rates, you’ll need strong finances and good credit.

How to decide if it’s the right time to get a business loan

Current economic conditions continue to bring challenges for small-business owners. Inflation has led to high interest rates and business lenders have tightened their credit standards. In fact, average interest rates on business bank loans increased to 6.42% to 12.41% in Q2 2024 from 5.75% to 11.91% in Q2 2023, according to data from the Federal Reserve.
However, the Federal Reserve announced a rate cut of half of a percentage point in September 2024 — its first interest rate cut in more than four years — and a subsequent rate cut of a quarter of a percentage point in November .
As a result, business owners may soon be in a better position to consider financing than they have been in the last year. To get the best rate on a business loan, keep these tips in mind:
  • Build your credit score.
  • Offer collateral.
  • Pay down existing debt.
  • Improve your cash flow.
  • Shop and compare multiple financing options.
💬 From our experts: How do Fed rate cuts affect business loans?
"When the Fed lowers interest rates, as it has at its last two meetings, rates on business loans tend to decrease as well. Rates on SBA loans, for example, are tied to the prime rate, and have dropped from a range of 11.5% to 16.5% to 10.75% to 15.75%.
It can be a good time to refinance an existing business loan. By refinancing and taking advantage of the lower market rate, you may be able to lower your payments and total interest costs.
Refinancing may not be right for every situation, however. This decision will depend on your current interest rate, the new rate you can get and if you can afford to pay the costs associated with refinancing."
Randa Kriss, lead writer covering small business

How do I qualify for a business loan?

Every lender has different underwriting guidelines, but they generally consider similar factors, including your personal credit score, time in business and business finances.

Some bills and a red card.
Personal credit scoreBusiness lenders use your personal credit score to assess your ability to manage and pay your debts. You can get your credit score online or check your credit score on NerdWallet for free. In general, the higher your personal credit score, the more likely you are to qualify for business funding. A strong personal credit score can also help you qualify for lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.
Sign with a "we are open" text.
Time in businessLenders use your time in business as a quick measure of success. The longer you’ve been operating, the more likely you are to have money to repay your debts. Most traditional lenders will want you to have at least two years in business. Online lenders, on the other hand, may only require a minimum of six months in operation.
Green circle with upward chart.
Business financesLenders want to see evidence of stable cash flow to ensure that you can repay a loan. When applying for a loan, you’ll likely need to provide business bank statements, tax returns and financial statements. If you haven’t been operating for very long, it can be helpful to provide sales forecasts that illustrate the potential revenue your business will generate.
🤓 Nerdy Tip: Protect your business from predatory lenders and loan scams
Predatory lenders may target small-business owners looking for funding, especially those who are having trouble qualifying for traditional loan options. You can protect yourself by watching out for red flags, such as promises of guaranteed approval, aggressive sales tactics and loan features that seem “too good to be true.”

How do I get a loan for my small business?

Getting approved for a business loan doesn't have to be a painful process. You can increase your chances of success by understanding your business's qualifications and then finding the financing option that fits your needs. Here are the steps you can follow:
Decide which loan option is right for your needs. If you want to finance a large purchase or business expansion, for example, you might consider a traditional term loan, whereas if you need funds for day-to-day expenses, you might prefer a business line of credit.
Check your qualifications. You’ll want to consider factors such as your personal credit score, time in business and annual revenue. Bank and SBA lenders will likely have the strictest eligibility criteria. Online lenders, on the other hand, may be more flexible.
Estimate what payments you can afford. You should look carefully at your business’s financials — especially cash flow — and evaluate how much you can afford to apply toward loan repayments each month. Your total income should be at least 1.25 times your total expenses, including your new repayment amount.
Determine whether and how you want to collateralize the loan. Business loans can be secured or unsecured. A secured business loan requires collateral, such as property or equipment, that the lender can seize if you fail to repay the loan. Putting up collateral is risky, but it can increase the amount lenders let you borrow and get you a lower interest rate. Keep in mind, however, that although some lenders don’t require physical collateral, they may still take out a UCC filing on your business assets. This official document allows a lender to claim your assets in the case of default.
Compare small-business lenders. The best loan for your small business will typically be the one that offers you the best terms. But other factors, like funding speed or customer service, may matter to your business and different financing sources may be better in certain instances than others.
Apply for a business loan. Of the loans you qualify for, choose the one with the lowest APR and best terms for you — as long as you’re able to handle the loan’s regular payments — and submit your business loan application.

📋 Business loan application checklist

The documentation that you need to provide for your loan application can vary from lender to lender. Banks and SBA lenders often require more paperwork compared to online lenders. In any case, you may need to submit:
✅ Information about your business (e.g. name, address, employer identification number).
✅ Personal and business bank statements.
✅ Personal and business income tax returns.
✅ Business financial documents, such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements.
✅ A photo of your driver’s license (or other official identification).
✅ Business licenses.
Legal business formation document (e.g. articles of incorporation, articles of organization).
✅ Description of collateral.
✅ Existing debt schedule, if applicable.
✅ Legal contracts and agreements.
As you complete your application, you’ll want to double check all requirements and ensure everything is accurate. Providing incorrect or outdated information can slow down the underwriting process. It may be helpful, therefore, to have a business advisor or mentor review your application before submitting.

Frequently asked questions about small-business loans

Annual percentage rates (APRs), loan term and monthly payments are estimated based on analysis of information provided by lenders and publicly available information. All loan information is presented without warranty, and the estimated APR and other terms are not binding in any way. Lenders provide loans with a range of APRs depending on borrowers' credit and other factors. Keep in mind that only borrowers with excellent credit will qualify for the lowest rate available. Your actual APR will depend on factors like credit score, requested loan amount, loan term and credit history. All loans are subject to credit review and approval.

🏦 Curious about SBA loans?

Here’s an overview of how SBA loans work, the types of SBA loans that are available, what each loan type can be used for and how to get SBA financing for your small business.

Last updated on November 7, 2024

How Fundera by NerdWallet works

Getting a business loan can be challenging, and several factors — cost, speed, repayment schedule — can play a role in deciding which product is right for you. Let us help you through the process.

1. Fill out one simple application

Answer a few questions about your business to get personalized lending options. It’s free and won’t impact your credit score.

2. See your business loan options

It takes about three minutes to get options from our network of vetted small-business lenders. Compare interest rates and repayment terms to choose the best product for your needs.

3. 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.

Methodology

NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates small-business loan products from traditional banks and online lenders. We collect over 30 data points on each lender using company websites and public documents. We may also go through a lender’s initial application flow and reach out to company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer small-business friendly features, including:
- Transparency of rates and terms. - Flexible payment options. - Fast funding times. - Accessible customer service. - Reporting of payments to business credit bureaus. - Responsible lending practices.
We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to small-business owners and how meaningfully they impact borrowers’ experiences.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodology for small-business loans and our editorial guidelines.