Best Business Loans for 2023

What are Business Loans?

Business loans are any source of funding that supports the launch or growth of a small business, typically provided by a bank or private lender. Business loans may include term loans, which are usually repaid plus interest on a monthly basis over a period of years; equipment financing, which is provided with the acquired equipment as collateral; and lines of credit, which allow businesses flexibility in accessing working capital when funds are needed. Business loans may also include invoice financing, which is effectively the process of selling your outstanding accounts receivable to a lender, and merchant cash advances, a typically high interest loan that is repaid from your debit and credit card sales.

Best Business Loans of 2023

• Biz2Credit: Best for Marketplace Lending
• Fundbox: Best for Lines of Credit
• SBG Funding: Best for Flexible Terms
• Rapid Finance: Best for Fast Funding
• Fora Financial: Best for Short-Term Loans
• Noble Funding: Best for Customer Service
• Balboa Capital: Best for Easy Approval
• Crest Capital: Best for Equipment Financing
• Accion: Best for Microloans
• Businessloans.com: Best for Comparing Loan Options

• Your credit score and other factors specific to your business determine how much money you can borrow, the type of loan you can get and the cost to you (e.g., interest rate and fees).
• The best loan companies offer financing options for businesses of all types. Whether you’re well-established or a startup, there is a loan to suit your situation and needs.
• Alternative lenders provide fast funding, flexible terms and, in many cases, relaxed qualifications.
• This guide is for small business owners seeking financing options besides traditional banks.

Unless you have stellar credit and a booming business that’s been around for a while, securing a traditional business loan can be tough. That’s where the best loan companies we examined in our review come in. These lenders are typically willing to work with borrowers that traditional banks often turn down for business financing.

These lenders offer a wide range of financing options, including working capital loans, merchant cash advances, equipment financing, invoice factoring and term loans. Many alternative lenders also make it easy to get financing with online applications and same-day funding.

To help you find the lender that’s right for you, we researched a variety of options. Below are the best loan companies that offer financing for a wide range of businesses and use cases.

When seeking a loan, you must understand the ins and outs of the lending process, the lender’s qualification requirements and the terms of your loan if you want to secure the capital you need without compromising your business’s future.  As you compare various lenders, pay attention to the following elements.

Loan Application Ease

As you evaluate lenders, ask how long or detailed the application process is. Your lender will collect information, such as how much income your business generates and the debts you have. That information is used to assess your ability to pay back the loan. Some lenders require a lot of paperwork, while others don’t, depending on the loan size and length.

If you need money quickly, select a lender that offers an online application and relaxed requirements about the documentation you need to provide. You can speed the approval process by having certain documents ready, including your business’s tax returns, bank statements, financials and articles of incorporation, and franchise agreements.

Interest Rate

Small business loans accrue interest, which is the price you pay for a loan. Rates are either fixed or variable. Generally, alternative lenders offer a fixed interest rate. Your interest rate will depend on the lender you partner with, your business’s financials, credit score, years in business and your personal financial history. It is important to weigh the cost of the loan against the benefits of borrowing. If the cost does not make sense for your needs, seek a lower-cost alternative.

Rules and Requirements

Lenders charge business borrowers money to access capital. That includes interest, an origination fee, and other charges, such as maintenance and late payments. Pay attention to the annual percentage rate (APR). That tells you the full cost of the loan, including fees.

The size of the loan also impacts how much interest you’ll pay. The loan term is the amount of time you have to pay back the loan. Terms can range from as short as a few weeks to as long as several years.

Qualifying Criteria

Depending on the type of loan and lender, the qualifications for approval will vary. Most lenders look at your business and/or personal credit score, years in business, annual sales and your business plan. Lenders don’t want to lose money and will scrutinize you and your business to ensure you are capable of repaying the loan.

Collateral

Collateral is an asset you pledge to secure your loan. If you can’t pay the loan back, the collateral is forfeited to the lender. Collateral can be your building (if you own it), equipment, accounts receivables, property or something else of value. Lenders that offer secured loans require the business owner to put up a certain amount of collateral. Unsecured loans do not require collateral.

Many lenders also require a personal guarantee, which is a binding legal document in which you pledge to personally pay back the loan if your business can’t. If the debt is nondischargeable and you file personal bankruptcy, you’re still obligated to repay the loan.

Funding Speed

It is important to know when you’ll have the loan funds in your bank account so you can plan accordingly and avoid a cash crunch for payroll or other business operating expenses. Some alternative lenders can fund your loan the same day you’re approved, while others take a few business days.

Paperwork

Some lenders require you to provide additional documentation, like tax returns, photo ID, bank and credit processing statements, or a voided check. Each lender has specific requirements.  

There are a lot of options if you need a business loan. The one that makes the most sense for you depends on your credit score, time in business and amount you’re looking to borrow. The speed in funding and the specific terms also vary from one product to the next. With that in mind, here’s a look at the small business financing options available to you.

SBA Loans

U.S. Small Business Administration loans are processed by lenders and banks. They are low-interest loans intended to help owners expand their business (e.g., to buy a business, land or equipment) or recover after a natural disaster. The maximum amount of money you can receive from an SBA loan is $5.5 million.

There are four specific types of SBA loans.

• SBA 7(a) loans: These are a good option for working capital, debt consolidation or buying equipment for your enterprise. You can borrow up to $5 million. SBA 7(a) loans feature a variable interest rate, which is tied to the prime rate. Collateral is required.
• SBA 504 loans: This type of loan also has a cap of $5 million, with rare extensions to $5.5 million for manufacturing or energy-efficient projects. Many business owners use a 504 loan to purchase machinery or land. SBA 504 loans cannot be used for working capital or inventory. Interest rates are typically fixed and are based on five- and 10-year U.S. Treasury bond rates. No collateral is required.
• Microloans: Microloans can be used for working capital, and to purchase supplies, equipment or fixtures, and furniture. Rates vary from 6% to 9%. Loans are available from community-based nonprofits, and the maximum amount you can borrow is $50,000.
• Disaster loans: In case of emergency, disaster loans offer borrowers up to $2 million. They are designed specifically for small business owners affected by natural disasters or global crises. According to the SBA, interest rates are fixed and are determined by legally established formulas (rates typically range from 2.75% to 8%).

Term Loans

With a term loan, you get a lump sum of money and are required to pay it back in installments over a set period of time. Term loans come with different repayment schedules depending on your business needs.

• Long-term loans: These loans have terms of at least six years. They are typically used for big purchases, such as a company vehicle or property.
• Medium-term loans: These loans have terms that range from two to five years and are commonly used to purchase business equipment or to fund expansion.
• Short-term loans: These loans have terms of less than two years. They are typically used to purchase inventory, fill cash flow gaps for working capital, or meet other short-term cash needs.

Lines of Credit

Lines of credit, or LOCs, provide business owners with quick access to capital. There are no rules for what the money can be used for, and you only pay interest on the money you draw down. The loan size and interest rate are determined by the lender. Many LOC loans have qualification requirements such as a minimum annual revenue, how long your company has been in business, and minimum credit scores of 500 or higher.

Merchant Cash Advance

With this type of loan, the lender offers merchants an advance in exchange for future credit card sales. You get access to cash quickly and are required to pay it back daily via a percentage of your credit card sales.

[Related Content: Small Business Loan vs. Cash Advance: What’s the Difference?]

Peer-to-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is a loan from another business owner or individual investor interested in financing your business. This cuts out the need for banks. These types of loans have drawbacks and are not allowed in all states. [Related Article: The Pros and Cons of Bootstrapping]

Unsecured and Secured Loans

An unsecured loan doesn’t require you to put up collateral. However, you must have good credit to qualify. A secured loan requires collateral, which may be an asset, a piece of equipment, accounts receivable or real estate property.

Equipment Financing

This occurs when a business owner takes out a loan to pay for equipment. The collateral is the equipment you are financing. Most business owners can get approved thanks to the collateral component.

Invoice Financing

With invoice financing, business owners get an advance on unpaid invoices. It’s often referred to as accounts receivable financing. Invoicing companies can advance you as much as 80% of the value of your unpaid invoices. You receive the final 20%, minus any fees, when the invoices are paid off.

Alternative Loans

Alternative lenders are non-bank lenders that provide loans to business borrowers. They are typically more flexible than banks and have a quicker application process and funding time. The approval requirements are usually more relaxed than those of a bank. Any financing outside of a bank is considered an alternative loan.

What business loans are the easiest to be approved for?

The answer to this question depends on how much you need and how you intend to use the funds. Many lenders have minimum qualification requirements for annual revenue, time in business and the business owner’s personal credit score. This is helpful for startups without a financial history that cannot meet the requirements lenders have for more established organizations. Read our reviews to see which lenders have less onerous eligibility requirements.

What are the types of SBA loans?

Several types of SBA loans are available for business owners. Three of the most common include SBA 7(a) loans, SBA 504 loans, and microloans, all of which we previously discussed in this article. The SBA 7(a) loan is ideal for small to midsize businesses, with low interest rates and long repayment terms. The 504 loan is well-suited for purchasing real estate or to pay for construction or renovations. Finally, microloans are best for very small businesses that need to offset startup or early expansion costs, since these loans are capped at $50,000.

Are SBA loans fixed-rate or variable?

The interest rates on SBA 7(a) are typically variable, though they can occasionally be fixed-rate. SBA 504 loans and microloans are fixed-rate.

Do you need to provide a personal guarantee if you’re a startup?

If the loan you’re considering is unsecured (i.e., no collateral is required), you’ll usually need to provide a personal guarantee. This is the case for most startup loans, because your guarantee is how lenders protect themselves if you’re unable to repay the loan.

Will lenders look at my personal credit?

If you are a startup, your company doesn’t have a financial history. Rather than evaluate your business’s credit, lenders will check your personal credit. This is common, especially for new business owners. Sometimes looking at your personal credit is the only option lenders have.

How important is your credit score when you’re applying for a small business loan?

Your credit profile has a significant impact on whether or not you’ll be approved for a small business loan. Unless your business has been around long enough to establish a history of good credit, lenders will look at your personal credit profile to assess your creditworthiness. The higher your credit score, the better.

Many lenders also require collateral to underwrite the loan. The collateral could be your home, car or other private property of value. If your business fails to pay back the loan, the lender can come after your collateral.

What credit score is necessary to qualify for a small business loan?

The minimum credit score you need to qualify for a business loan ranges from 500 to 640 or higher. The requirements depend on the type of loan you’re seeking and your lender.

For an SBA 7(a) loan or SBA Express loan, borrowers need a score of 640 or higher. If you’re interested in the SBA CAPLines program or an SBA export loan, you need a credit score of at least 660. SBA CDC/504 loans require a minimum score of 680, and for an SBA microloan, a score of at least 620 to 640 is preferred.

Online lenders often have more flexible requirements. Some provide loans to those who have credit scores between 500 and 550. However, if your credit score is that low, you will likely pay higher interest rates.

Can borrowers with bad credit get approved for a business loan?

It can be hard, but it’s not impossible. Some lenders, such as Businessloans.com, don’t use your credit score as a determining factor in whether you qualify for a business loan or not. Some weigh your financial history and business success more heavily than your credit score.  If your credit score isn’t great, shore up other parts of your business value, such as revenue or sales.

Does applying for a business loan affect your personal credit score?

Often, to be approved for a small business loan, you must personally guarantee the debt, meaning you will pay back the loan yourself if your company doesn’t. The lender has every right to go after you individually if the loan is delinquent, and that could hurt your personal credit score. The same applies to a business line of credit. If you personally guarantee any loan and the business is unable to repay it, you are on the hook for it.

Is there specific documentation required to get approved for a small business loan?

Among the documents you might need to provide lenders with are your annual business revenue and profit, bank statements, personal and business tax returns, a business plan, business licenses and permits, proof of collateral, a balance sheet, a copy of your commercial lease, and any legal contracts and agreements you already have in place.

What is the fastest and easiest way to get a business loan?

The traditional way of borrowing money is to apply at a local bank or credit union, but this route can take weeks before your business is approved and funded. Online lenders tend to do a better job in this regard, getting loans into business owners’ hands in days or hours.

Alternative lenders typically offer several loan options, including working capital loans, merchant cash advances, equipment financing, term loans and invoice factoring. Depending on the type of loan you want, you could have money in your bank account in less than 24 hours.

Whichever option you go with — a traditional lender or an alternative lender — you can speed up the approval process by having your business documentation ready, including tax forms, bank statements, financials and other documents related to your enterprise.

What are some assets business owners can use as collateral for a loan?

Lenders vary about the collateral they’ll accept, but in general, anything valuable can be used. Common types of collateral for business loans are equipment, vehicles, real estate, inventory and accounts receivables. Some lenders may require you to offer personal collateral not tied to your business. This could include vehicles, real estate and cash in the bank.

What are typical business loan terms?

There are several types of business loans, all with varying terms. Business loan terms can be as short as a few weeks or as long as 25 years. A traditional bank loan has terms from three to 10 years. Medium-term business loans last two to five years, while short-term business loans are typically three to 24 months in length. SBA small business loans have terms up to 25 years, but 10-year loans are more common.

What payback terms can you get for a merchant cash advance?

A merchant cash advance gives you quick access to the money from your credit card sales. However, it’s a costly and risky way to access cash, and comes with complicated terms.

With a merchant cash advance, you receive an upfront payout and pay it back with a percentage of your future credit card and debit card sales, or you can make daily or weekly fixed payments. Either way, you’ll make payments, plus fees and interest, until you’ve paid back the advance.

The lender assesses how likely and able you are to pay back the advance, which impacts the fees you’ll pay; your riskiness to the lender is known as the factor rate. The higher your factor rate (i.e., the greater risk the lender determines you to be), the more fees you’re on the hook for.

Where can I apply for an SBA loan?

You can apply yourself by searching for lenders who are approved by the SBA. Armed with that list, you can comparison-shop and apply directly on the lenders’ websites or through their mobile apps.

Another, easier option is to use the SBA’s Lender Match tool, which connects borrowers with SBA lenders. Answer a series of questions, which the SBA says takes five minutes, and two days later, you’ll receive an email with offers from lenders. It is up to you to pick the lender, but once you’ve settled on one, you apply directly with them. (The SBA’s Lender Match tool is not for its disaster relief loans and assistance.)

Can you still get a COVID-19 EIDL loan through the SBA?

The COVID-19 pandemic EIDL loans expired at the end of 2021. Until May 6, 2022, small business owners were able to request an appeal or reconsideration if they were turned down. This was also the final date on which the SBA accepted applications for loan increases.

What loan can you get through the SBA now that the COVID-19 SBA loan program is over?

You can still get an Economic Injury Disaster Loan if your business was impacted by a fire, hurricane or other natural disaster.

What is a business installment loan, and why would I need one?

An installment loan is financing that you use to pay for equipment or property over a set period of time. Unlike a credit card, where you have a revolving line of credit, your payments are fixed over the term of the loan. Once you pay off the loan, the debt is settled. Interest rates on installment loans are typically lower than credit card interest rates, but more risk is involved. If you can’t pay back the loan, the lender claims your collateral.

Installment loans are common for purchasing property, expensive equipment, business vehicles or other high-priced items. You can also use an installment loan to fund your startup. If you want the loan for this purpose, you’ll need good credit, collateral, a sound business plan and a willingness to sign a personal guarantee.

What is a business line of credit, and how does it work?

A business line of credit is a revolving loan that business owners tap as they need funds to grow and/or fill cash flow gaps.

Instead of getting a lump sum and paying interest on the full amount, you pay interest on the money you draw from the line of credit. Typically, a line of credit ranges from $1,000 to $250,000, though some lenders may issue higher amounts. Most lines of credit have a variable interest rate, which means the amount you pay changes depending on the prevailing interest rate.

A business line of credit can be secured or unsecured. With a secured line of credit, you need to provide collateral.

With an unsecured line of credit, you don’t have to provide collateral, but you may need to sign a personal guarantee. [Read related article: Should You Get an Unsecured Business Loan for Your Small Business?]

Which bank is best for small business loans?

For small business owners with a strong credit score, a well-established and growing business, and valuable collateral, a bank loan is often the best option. Interest rates tend to be lower with a bank. Sure, it may take longer to get the cash, but it’s often cheaper than using an alternative lender. If you are applying through a bank, the best first place to try is your local bank. They already know you and your business and will be more inclined to offer favorable terms to an existing customer than a stranger.

Online lenders vs. traditional banks: Which one is better?

We recommend that you assess how much money you need to borrow and for how long. You don’t want to take out a long-term loan for a short-term cash flow problem. Nor do you want to wait weeks for funding that you needed yesterday. If fast funding is your priority, an online lender is the better option.

The same goes for your credit profile. If you have less-than-perfect credit, you’ll do better with an online lender versus a bank. If you care about the cost of borrowing above all other considerations and are in good financial standing, choose a bank.

With small business confidence declining amid a receding economy, the tightening of credit availability and rising interest rates are two major themes for business loans in 2023. Several major U.S. banks have failed, leading to more restrictive lender conditions. Loan approval rates tend to fall during a down economy, and businesses that receive financing often must abide by stricter terms. Survey data from the Kansas City Fed points to deteriorating small business financials and falling credit scores as reasons why some lenders are starting to pull back on approval rates. Business owners can head off this tightening cycle by deciding on financing sooner rather than later.

This year, central banks have also continued tightening monetary conditions in response to inflation. The U.S. Federal Reserve has repeatedly raised its benchmark interest rate, which is now at its highest level in over 15 years. The WSJ Prime Rate, an index of prime rates from 30 major banks, now sits at 8.25%, compared to just 4% one year ago. This means that small businesses are likely to continue grappling with higher financing costs in 2023.

The good news for businesses in need is that many lenders are still approving many small business loans. A down economy and rising inflation may leave many small business owners looking for additional funding. Alternative lenders are ready to meet that demand.

Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning are reducing loan approval wait times and increasing the speed with which funds are deposited into business owners’ bank accounts. Credit scores still matter, but lenders are increasingly scrutinizing other aspects of a business owner’s finances to ascertain their creditworthiness. Altogether, these changes are designed to make getting a small business loan easier and faster in 2023.