Updated December 4, 2025
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Our team researched the best business loan options available so you can compare business lines of credit.
Click the ‘See personalized rates’ button next to the provider of your choice and provide us with a little information about what type of loan you’re looking for.
Choose a loan from a Bankrate partner and receive your funds if you qualify.
National Funding specializes in short-term business loans in addition to equipment loans and leases. There is a discount for paying off your loan early, which is a huge perk that helps you save money on interest.
QuickBridge provides flexible secured and unsecured loan options with terms up to 24 months. It also boasts a streamlined application process, helping you apply in minutes and receive funding within 24 hours. With its dedicated funding advisors guiding you along the way, you should receive the loan you need in no time.
Bluevine offers low-interest business lines of credit to established businesses with at least one year in business. Once the line is open, you can access funding whenever you need it, with instant funding if you have a Bluevine checking account.
Providing short-term loans and lines of credit, OnDeck has helped over 150,000 business owners get the funding their businesses need. OnDeck can fund loans the same day you apply, significantly speeding up the process of receiving your loan.
SmallBusinessLoans.com is a go-to source for comparing business loans from multiple lenders. You can fill out one simple application and get matched with business loans and lenders personalized to your funding needs.
American Express Business Blueprint specializes in its business line of credit with flexible terms. It offers one of the most lenient requirements for revenue, accepting just $3,000 in monthly revenue, although it pays off to go with the shortest term possible since American Express charges higher monthly fees for longer terms.
If you’re in the market for a merchant cash advance, Credibly offers MCAs with flexible terms and loan amounts. You can get terms from three to 24 months, and funding goes up to $600,000.
For secured business loans, look to iBusiness Funding. Businesses with low revenue and fair credit may find its loan offers competitive, with low interest rates starting at 7.49%.
Backd is known for its unusually large loan amounts, funding up to $2 million if you qualify. In addition to short-term loans and lines of credit, it offers a unique Buy Now, Pay Later loan that allows you to finance a purchase for 12 months with no money down.
eCapital’s mainstay is alternative financing, specifically various types of asset-based lending. You can borrow against valuable assets your business owns, like accounts receivable, equipment or real estate. This lender works best for businesses looking for large loans from $250,000 to $50 million.
Fora Financial offers large loans up to $1.5 million, but without the slow processing times that big banks require. You can get a lending decision within four hours, and you may be able to receive funding within 24 hours.
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Short-term business loans are generally term loans that requirement repayment within one to two years. They’re often referred to as working capital loans, though lenders may use the term for different products.
Due to their short repayment terms, some loans require weekly or even daily payments rather than monthly payments. The payment may also be higher than a loan with a longer term. Before committing, make sure your business can keep up with the repayment schedule.
This type of funding is best when your business is experiencing acute financial issues, such as:
Keep in mind that short-term business loans can be expensive and, in some cases, dangerous for your company’s future. You might want to avoid them if your business has long-term issues with cash flow, you aren't able to pin down a reasonable rate or if your business doesn't have the revenue to maintain repayments.
The best way to manage an aggressive loan payback period is to establish a prudent budget and a detailed cash flow forecast to manage your obligation. ... For good measure, implement autopay for the loan. Doing so will mitigate the possibility of missing a due date, incurring penalties and damaging your firm’s credit.Thomas Brock: CFA, CPA
When your business needs capital and needs it quickly, a short-term business loan may be the way to go. Here’s what you need to know.
Learn moreOne thing to keep in mind is that the cost of a short-term business loan can be higher than other types of loans. This will limit how much you can borrow and make your payments somewhat more expensive in proportion to traditional loans.
Some short-term loans use a factor rate rather than interest. To determine how much you’ll owe using factor rates, multiply your loan amount by the factor rate. For example, if you borrow $10,000 at a factor rate of 1.15, you’ll have to repay $11,500. This is on top of any other costs like origination fees and early repayment fees, so be sure to read the fine print to determine the full amount you need to repay.
In general, you should avoid more than a 36% debt-to-business-income ratio when it comes to taking out a loan. This means that for every $100,000 you earn annually, you should aim to take on no more than $36,000 in total.
Your monthly payment will also determine how much you can borrow. If you can only afford $2,000 a month in loan payments, then for a 5-month business loan with a factor rate of 1.1, you’d be able to afford a loan maximum of $9,861.
You can use a business loan calculator to look at your loan amount, interest rate and fees and determine how much you can and are comfortable with borrowing.
A short-term business loan can help your business cover gaps in funding, pay for an emergency expense or jump on the opportunity to grow on short notice.
Learn moreLenders have different eligibility requirements for business loans when you apply for short-term financing.
Getting ready to apply for a loan? Get your paperwork in order and get approved more quickly.
Learn moreWhen shopping for loans, consider prequalifying with us. Bankrate offers multiple benefits if you decide to prequalify on our site, including:
Different types of short-term loans will have different advantages, depending on your business priorities. Here’s what you should know.
| Loan type | What it is | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term loans | A lump-sum cash loan with repayment terms of less than a year. |
Speed: ★★★★☆ Cost: ★★★★☆ Requirements: ★★★☆☆ |
|
| Lines of credit | A revolving pool of credit that can withdrawn from continuously. |
Speed: ★★★★☆ Cost: ★★★★★ Requirements: ★★★★☆ |
|
| Business credit cards | A long-term revolving credit line that can come with rewards for spending. |
Speed: ★★★★☆ Cost: ★★★☆☆ Requirements: ★★★★☆ |
|
| Invoice financing | Borrowing based on a percentage of your company’s unpaid invoices and repaid with fulfilled invoices. |
Speed: ★★★★★ Cost: ★★☆☆☆ Requirements: ★★★★☆ |
|
| Merchant cash advances | Loans based on a percentage of debit/credit card sales and repaid through future sales. |
Speed: ★★★★★ Cost: ★★☆☆☆ Requirements: ★★★★☆ |
|
