Business Loans
Small business financing has more shapes than any other lending product. Compare term loans, lines of credit, SBA programs, and alternative financing side-by-side to find what fits your stage.
- Compare SBA Loans7(a), 504, Express
- Compare Lines of CreditRevolving access
- Compare Equipment FinancingFinance machinery, vehicles
- Compare Working CapitalInventory, payroll, bridge
- Compare Startup LoansEarly-stage businesses
- Compare Bad CreditSub-680 owner credit
- Compare Merchant Cash AdvanceRevenue-based financing
- Compare Invoice FinancingFactor receivables
Business loan basics
- Programs
SBA 7(a) Explained
The Small Business Administration's flagship loan program. The SBA doesn't lend directly — it guarantees a portion of bank loans, which lets banks offer better terms.
By Daniel Reyes, CFA
- Watch out
Merchant Cash Advances Are Not Loans
MCAs are revenue-purchase agreements that look like loans but aren't subject to APR disclosure rules. Effective rates often exceed 80% APR.
By Maya Patel, CFP®
- Qualifying
What Lenders Actually Check on a Business Loan
Time in business, revenue, business credit, owner credit, industry, and how funds will be used. The order of importance varies by lender type.
By Avery Cole
- Math
How to Compare Business Loan Offers
Different lenders quote differently — some APR, some 'factor rate', some weekly/daily payments. Convert everything to APR equivalent before comparing.
By Daniel Reyes, CFA
Frequently asked questions
What's the typical APR range for Business Loans today?
Rates depend on credit profile, loan amount, and the lender's funding model. The lenders listed above show their disclosed APR ranges; pre-qualifying with two or three usually produces the most accurate read for your situation.Will checking my rate hurt my credit score?
Pre-qualification uses a soft credit pull, which doesn't affect your score. A hard pull only happens after you formally apply — so you can compare offers from multiple lenders first.How long does funding take after approval?
Most lenders listed fund within 1-5 business days of accepting your offer. Business Loans can take longer when underwriting requires additional documentation (income verification, asset statements, etc.).What credit score do I need?
Minimums vary by lender. Some accept scores in the high 500s; others require 680+ for the best published rates. Check each lender's "Min credit" column above.