Fast business loans deliver quick cash — often as soon as 24 hours after you apply. They can solve short-term cash-flow problems, but they frequently carry hidden downsides like high interest and short repayment windows. To find the best fast-loan option, business owners should review each lender’s products, fees and terms before submitting an application.
Below you’ll find a guide to how these loans work, typical eligibility rules, how affordable they tend to be, and how fast you can expect funding so you can pick the right fit for your business.
Our Top Picks for the Best Fast Business Loans
Best Fast Business Loans Reviews
- Up to $250,000 business line of credit
- Application decision may be as quick as a few minutes
- Credit line increase possible with on-time payments
- No monthly maintenance fee
- High annual revenue requirement compared to other companies we evaluated
- Personal guarantee required
- Line of credit may be frozen if you take on additional debt
- 1.5% – 2.9% fee every time you withdraw funds
HIGHLIGHTS
- Term lengths
- 6 or 12 months
- Loan amounts
- Up to $250,000
- APR
- 7.80%
- Minimum credit score required
- 625+ FICO
- Minimum Annual revenue
- $120,000
Why we chose it: Bluevine stands out for providing businesses with fast access to lines of credit of up to $250,000, an amount greater than many other fast cash business loan options.
Bluevine’s $250,000 lines of credit have repayment terms of six or 12 months. Additionally, the company can provide you with fast funding. The online application takes under two minutes to complete, and a decision could come as quickly as five minutes. Plus, there’s no hard credit pull to apply.
Read our full review of Bluevine small business loans.
- Extended repayment terms up to 60 months
- No prepayment penalties
- Monthly payment options instead of weekly
- SBA 7(a) loans available up to $5 million
- Minimum two years in business required
- Minimum credit score of 640 (higher than many competitors)
- Collateral, personal guarantee, or blanket lien may be required
HIGHLIGHTS
- Term lengths
- 6 to 60 months
- Loan amounts
- $500K (term)
- APR
- Starting at 7.49%
- Minimum credit score required
- 640 FICO
- Minimum annual revenue
- $50,000
Why we chose it: iBusiness Funding is an online business lender that purchased Funding Circle in mid-2024. The company offers business term loans from $25,000 to $500,000 with repayment terms of 6 to 60 months.
The combination of competitive starting rates (7.49%), extended repayment terms up to 60 months for term loans and up to 300 months for SBA loans, no prepayment penalties and fast funding (2-4 days) makes iBusiness Funding a great option for established businesses.
- Wide range of specialized industry financing options
- Loans for women, minorities, and veterans
- Over $4.5 billion funded to 75,000+ businesses
- Minimum six months in business required
- $250,000+ annual sales requirement
- A small percentage of customers report high interest rates
HIGHLIGHTS
- Term lengths
- 4 to 60 months
- Loan amounts
- $500,000
- APR
- Starting at 4.99%
- Minimum credit score required
- 600+ FICO
- Minimum annual revenue
- $250,000
Why we chose it: National Funding has a strong track record with billions in funding, high customer satisfaction ratings, specialized industry expertise and dedicated personalized service.
National Funding offers small business lending solutions ,with loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 and equipment financing up to $150,000. The company provides tailored lending solutions for specific industries, ranging from accounting and healthcare to construction and restaurants.
Their simple application process requires only basic information initially, and a dedicated Funding Specialist guides applicants through customized lending solutions. National Funding’s commitment to scalability and sustainability in financing sets it apart in the marketplace.
- No origination or application fees
- No prepayment penalty
- High ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Lower maximum loan amount
- Aggressive repayment schedule
HIGHLIGHTS
- Term lengths
- 12 or 24 weeks
- Loan amounts
- Up to $150,000
- Interest rates
- Starting at 4.66% for 12-week repayment and 8.99% for 24-week repayment
- Minimum credit score required
- 600+ FICO
- Minimum annual revenue
- $100,000
Why we chose it: Fundbox’s ultra-fast three-minute application, next-day funding, transparent pricing, no prepayment penalties and acceptance of lower credit scores (600) make it a great option for urgent, short-term financing needs.
Fundbox provides business lines of credit to small businesses with a streamlined digital experience. You can easily make additional draws on your line of credit through their app, making it convenient for ongoing capital needs. The application process is fast, taking as little as three minutes to complete, with funding arriving in your account as quickly as the next business day.
Fundbox is ideal for businesses needing quick access to smaller amounts of working capital.
Read our full review of Fundbox small business loans.
- 550 credit score for invoice financing
- No hard credit check to apply
- Term loans of up to $10 million available
- Biweekly and monthly repayment options
- Annual percentage rate can be high for borrowers with bad credit
- High annual income requirement at $250K
- Origination fee
HIGHLIGHTS
- Term lengths
- 6 months to 7 years
- Loan amounts
- Up to $10 million
- APR
- Starting at 1.75% per month
- Minimum credit score required
- 600 FICO
- Minimum Annual revenue
- $250,000
Why we chose it: SBG Funding provides quick business loans for borrowers with fair credit. A credit score of 600 may qualify you for a term loan of up to $10 million.
The FICO credit score requirement for SBG Funding‘s small business term loan stands at 600 (550 for invoice financing). Its flexible terms, which adjust as businesses grow, and high loan amounts up to $500,000 for term loans, make SBG Funding accessible to a range of businesses. Additionally, SBG allows less established businesses that have been in operation for six months to apply.
However, SBG Funding requires an annual revenue of $250,000. The loan application process takes no more than 15 minutes, and funds can be disbursed within 24 hours of completing the approval process.
- Large network of lending partners
- High approval rate
- Loan amounts up to $10 million
- Higher revenue requirement than other lenders
- Funding takes up to 72 hours (slower than some competitors)
- Flexible repayment based on sales receipts
HIGHLIGHTS
- Term lengths
- 12 to 60 months
- Loan amounts
- $1 million (term)
- APR
- 7.99%
- Minimum credit score required
- 650
- Minimum annual revenue
- $250,000
Why we chose it: Lower overall borrowing costs, transparent rate disclosure, a large network of partners increasing approval chances and loan amounts up to $10 million make Biz2Credit a strong value proposition for working capital needs.
Biz2Credit offers several types of business loans, including term loans and working capital credit loans. Their requirements are relatively easy to meet, resulting in a generally high approval rate.
What sets Biz2Credit apart is its pricing structure, making the overall loan cost cheaper compared to compound interest models. Payment terms are flexible and based on your sales receipts, while fees remain minimal.
Fast Business Loans Guide
We’ve compiled the following guide to help you make an informed decision about the best fast cash loans for your business. Below you’ll find details on how fast business loans work, typical eligibility requirements, the affordability of fast business loans and how quickly you may receive funding.
What is a fast business loan?
Fast business loans provide companies with financing within one to three business days. No single definition exists for fast business loans; many loan programs fall under this umbrella, including lines of credit, equipment financing and merchant cash advances (MCA). Unlike traditional loans, obtaining a fast small business loan is a relatively streamlined process. Businesses with bad credit and startups may be eligible for fast business loans.
How do fast business loans work?
With a fast business loan, prospective borrowers fill out an online form listing key information about themselves and their businesses. Fast business loans may require a personal guarantee by the business owner, and it’s common to check the owner’s personal credit history before issuing a loan.
However, lenders do not usually report loan payments to the major credit bureaus, meaning they won’t contribute to your credit history. Traditional brick-and-mortar banks typically don’t offer fast business loans. Compared to a traditional small business loan, fast business loans can take only a few days to secure.
Lenders usually make an approval decision within one to two days, and sometimes funding can be just as fast.
Fast business loan requirements
While fast business loans don’t subject applicants to the same scrutiny that traditional bank loans demand, certain metrics still apply.
- Although there are no standard credit score requirements for fast business loans, most lenders require a minimum credit score, though some work with borrowers with poor credit. Scores north of 700 can expect more favorable terms.
- Lenders often require that businesses be in operation for six months, a year or longer.
- Many lenders require a minimum annual revenue amount.
- Also, certain types of loans may require collateral. In such cases, the collateral will be specified in the loan contract along with the repayment terms.
Types of fast business loans
Below are some of the most common types of fast business loan products. Keep in mind that different loans and different lenders have different eligibility requirements, including time in business and minimum annual revenue.
Business line of credit
A business line of credit is similar to a credit card, as it allows a company to borrow funds up to a predetermined limit. Unlike a business term loan, businesses can draw funds from the line of credit as needed and only pay interest on the amount borrowed. Lines of credit are good for managing cash flow fluctuations and covering unexpected business expenses.
Online business term loans
An online business term loan is a fixed amount that a company borrows from an internet lender. Like traditional term loans, they are repaid in regular installments over a specified period. Online term loan lenders often offer a quicker approval process and more competitive rates compared to traditional banks.
Equipment financing
A business uses equipment financing to purchase or lease equipment necessary for its operations. This could include vehicles, machinery or tools. The equipment itself typically serves as collateral for the loan, allowing businesses to access financing that they may not have been able to qualify for.
As such, this type of financing helps companies acquire the necessary equipment to operate without needing to pay the full purchase price upfront.
Invoice financing
With invoice financing, businesses can draw a loan from a lender using their unpaid invoices as collateral. The amount the business receives is generally less than the full amount the customers owe. Also known as accounts receivable financing, this option provides businesses with quick access to a portion of capital they are owed.
Once the customer pays the invoice to the business, the lender receives the full invoice amount plus fees and interest. This differs from invoice factoring, which is an arrangement where you sell the unpaid invoice to a factoring agency and it is upon them to collect from the customer.
Merchant cash advances
Merchant cash advances allow businesses that accept credit cards to borrow cash in exchange for a percentage of future credit card sales. They are commonly used by restaurants, retailers, and various other businesses to manage day-to-day operational expenses.
Merchant cash advances often come with high fees and can result in significant costs over time. Repayment is typically made daily or weekly through a portion of the business’s credit card sales.
When to consider fast business financing
A fast short-term business loan may help if your business requires capital right away. As long as you meet the lender requirements, you’ll generally receive small business loan funding quickly. Here is a list of reasons why you might need fast business financing:
Covering payroll
If your business is facing temporary cash flow challenges and is unable to pay payroll, fast business financing can offer a convenient solution. Ensuring employees are paid promptly maintains morale, productivity, and labor law compliance.
Expansion costs
Growth opportunities may not always come at convenient times. Fast business loans offer a rapid infusion of funds to cover sudden expansion costs. Capital can be used to lease a new space, invest in additional inventory or hire more staff.
Purchase equipment
An equipment financing loan can allow businesses to lease or buy expensive equipment they might not be able to afford. This is because these loans use the equipment itself as collateral. The right equipment is necessary to improve efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.
Can’t get a traditional small business loan
Eligibility requirements for fast business loans are generally more lenient than traditional business loans and may be more favorable to those with poor credit. Additionally, fast business loans may have less stringent documentation requirements, making them accessible to businesses with limited credit history or collateral.
Are fast business loans affordable?
Interest rates on fast business loans are typically higher than those of traditional business loans, although excellent credit and a high annual revenue may help lower your rate. If you aren’t satisfied with the rate you’re offered, there are alternatives. For more small business loan options, consult our guides to the best LLC loans and best unsecured business loans.
How to choose a fast business loan
The company you do business with will tremendously impact loan requirements, how fast your loan gets approved and how quickly – and how much – you ultimately repay. Consider the following criteria before selecting a loan provider.
- Interest rates – While you shouldn’t expect to see a massive variation in the rates offered, rates for fast business loans are usually high. However, some fast business loan providers will look at your personal credit score as well as your business credit score when considering your application. As with all loans, maintaining a higher credit score will get you access to the best small business loan.
- Funding speed – Fast business loans typically fund within one to three business days. Larger loan amounts, such as $250,000 or higher, often take a few extra days.
- Reviews and reputation – Much like payday lenders, fast business loan providers don’t always have the most stellar reputations. Be sure to scour online reviews, read the fine print in your contract, and ask your loan representative questions as needed before committing to a loan.
Fast Business Loans FAQs
How to get a startup business loan with no money
For startups with no annual revenue yet, the U.S. Small Business Loan Association (SBA) offers microloans of up to $50,000 via approved lenders. New businesses can also consider a startup line of credit. With either option, you might be asked about your business plan, so be sure to have this ready.
You can also consider funding methods that can be used for any purpose. Refer to our guides on the best business credit cards, best personal loans and best debt consolidation loans for additional options.
Is it hard to get a business loan?
If you’re still unsure whether a fast business loan is right for you, consult professional contacts you’ve acquired through business networking. You might find others who have also needed business loans fast, and you can learn from their experiences.
How fast can you get a business loan?
Fast business loans only take a few days to secure. Lenders usually make an approval decision within one to two days, and sometimes funding can be as quick as 24 to 48 hours.
What is a good interest rate for a small business loan?
Fast business loan borrowers generally pay higher interest rates than what’s offered to conventional loan borrowers. This can be attributed to less stringent requirements, which equates to more risk for the lender. However, interest rates vary greatly among these fast small business loan lenders. Based on the companies we evaluated, rates could range from 2% to 30%.
Can you get a fast business loan for a startup?
Yes, while traditional lenders may require startups to meet stringent standards or outright refuse them loans, fast business loan providers use lenient lending standards when evaluating startups. Loan providers still have requirements that might disqualify some startups, though.
Some factors that loan providers look at include the number of months the business has been active, the small business owner’s creditworthiness, debt payment capacity, available collateral business cash flow, credit card sales and bank statements.
How We Chose the Best Fast Business Loans
We evaluated each loan provider against the following five criteria.
- Interest rates: Fast loan providers tend to be online-based. Freed from the cost of physical infrastructure, internet loan providers can offer more competitive interest rates than brick-and-mortar banks. When compiling this list, we only accepted the lenders with the best interest rates.
- Loan amounts: Loan limits typically vary by lender. We evaluated companies with loan amounts ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 for lines of credit. Other loan instruments, like term loans, stretched into the low millions of dollars.
- Application process: We only chose fast small business loan lenders with simple and straightforward application processes.
- Fees and other costs: We looked at the application fees, loan origination fees, monthly maintenance fees and other common costs associated with fast business loans and business lines of credit.
- Online customer reviews: We looked at what customers had to say on review websites like the BBB. When evaluating customer reviews, we noted trends regarding customer service, interest rates, repayment flexibility and loan application simplicity. We took note of rating aggregators and paid close attention to median ratings.
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