The best small-business loans vary by use case, with bank and SBA loans offering the lowest rates and online lenders providing faster, more flexible funding.
Consider factors like qualifications, cost, speed, and flexibility in order to choose the best business loan for your needs.
A business lending marketplace can allow you to apply to multiple lenders with a single application and provide personalized guidance.
At some point, most small businesses need more money — whether it’s to stock shelves, buy new equipment, or expand their footprint. A business loan can help, but figuring out where to start isn’t always simple.
Below, we’ve identified small-business loans that can serve a range of needs, from short-term working capital to longer-term growth. Although the products vary, every option on this list meets criteria we think matter most to business owners:
Transparent rates and terms. We focused on financing options that clearly outline loan rates, terms, and qualification requirements upfront, so you can understand what to expect before applying.
Underwriting and loan flexibility. These products can serve a range of business profiles and may offer multiple loan and repayment options — making financing accessible to a variety of small businesses.
Straightforward application experience. These options are clear about what the application process involves, including required documentation, timelines, and next steps. Some may also offer multiple ways to apply, faster funding speed, and different avenues for customer support.
If a loan checks these boxes, it’s likely a solid choice. The right option for you, however, will depend on why you need the money and what you qualify for.
Here are our top picks and what each one does best.
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.
Our 2026 list of the best small-business loans
Wells Fargo: The best for low interest rates
Wells Fargo Wells Fargo BusinessLine® Line of Credit
with Fundera by BW
I’ve been covering small-business loans for seven years, and I always tell business owners to try to get a bank loan first. Bank loans, like this Wells Fargo line of credit, are almost always the most affordable option, and when you’re running a small business, saving money on interest costs can go a long way.
Some tradeoffs may make you hesitant to start with a bank. Bank loans are hard to qualify for (you’ll usually need strong credit and multiple years in business), and they’re notoriously slow to fund. But, if you have the credentials and time to wait, a business bank loan like this one is going to be your best bet.
Why I like Wells Fargo
Competitive rates. Wells Fargo’s line of credit offers low interest rates — much lower than you’ll find with any online line of credit. Rates are variable, starting as low as 8.5% (prime rate + 1.75%). Although this structure means rates can fluctuate, it also means you could access a lower rate if the prime rate decreases (as it did three times last year). Wells Fargo also waives its annual fee for the first year.
Flexible line of credit. This credit line is revolving, meaning it operates similarly to a credit card. You only pay interest on what you borrow, and can pull from it as needed. This flexibility makes it a great choice for a range of business needs — including keeping it in your back pocket as an emergency fund (as long as you can avoid the inactivity fee, more on that later).
Startup-friendly. Most banks ask you to have at least two years in business before you can qualify for financing. This Wells Fargo product is much more lenient; it only requires a minimum of six months in business.
I appreciate Wells Fargo’s efforts to provide affordable financing options for newer businesses, as they often have limited choices.
Repayment term: Up to 25 years.
Speed: As fast as two weeks.
How to qualify
Where SBA 7(a) falls short
Even though SBA 7(a) loans can be easier to get than bank loans, most lenders will still want to see good credit and multiple years in business in order to approve you. You may also have to provide collateral (like your business assets) to secure your loan. A personal guarantee — which states that you, the borrower, will repay the loan if your business can’t — is nearly always required.
That said, it’s not impossible for less-qualified businesses to get a 7(a) loan, but it will likely be an uphill battle that may not be worth your time (as an alternative, I’d recommend SBA microloans).
It’s also important to understand that while you may be able to get an SBA 7(a) loan in as little as two weeks, the process is known to take anywhere from 60 to 90 days. You’ll need to provide a lot of paperwork as part of your application. Plus, many lenders don’t offer an option to apply online (you’ll have to visit a branch location). Similar to bank loans, if speed is your priority, an online lender will be a better fit.
Bluevine: The best for fast funding
Bluevine Bluevine – Line of credit
with Fundera by BW
Online lenders have made it easier and faster for a wide variety of borrowers to get financing, and Bluevine is one of the top options out there. Bluevine offers a simple and streamlined application and can put money in your bank account as fast as the same day (for a fee). Keep in mind, the tradeoff for speed and flexibility is cost; Bluevine will have higher rates than traditional lenders.
That said, Bluevine’s qualification requirements are much more lenient than bank or SBA lenders — meaning newer businesses or borrowers with lower credit scores might start their search here.
Why I like Bluevine
Fast and easy application. If you’re looking for speed, Bluevine is a good choice. It took me less than three minutes to fill out the online application (you will have to create an account first, but this is also really easy). Once you submit your application, Bluevine can approve you in as little as five minutes. And once you request to draw funds, you may see them in your account within a few hours (if you pay the $15 wire transfer fee) or as fast as the next day.
Flexible qualification requirements. Compared with bank and SBA loans, you’ll find Bluevine’s qualification requirements are much easier to meet. You’ll need at least 12 months in business, a credit score of 625 and $120,000 in annual revenue. This makes Bluevine a solid option for newer businesses (but not brand new) that are already generating decent revenue.
👉 See our breakdown of Bluevine’s key details and qualification requirements 👉 See our breakdown of Bluevine’s key details and qualification requirements
Key features
Loan type: Line of credit.
Funding amount: $5,000 to $200,000.
Interest rate range: 14% to 95%.
Repayment term: 26 or 52 weeks.
Speed: As fast as the same day.
How to qualify
Time in business: 12 months.
Annual revenue: $120,000.
Credit score:625.
Where Bluevine falls short
As I mentioned earlier, the downside of Bluevine’s speed and flexibility is cost. Bluevine’s line of credit rates are higher than a bank or SBA loan, and rates can vary widely based on your qualifications. While the lender’s minimum APR of 14% seems reasonable, you’ll likely need strong credentials to access it. Other businesses can expect APRs that go all the way up to 95%. Keep in mind that Headway Capital requires only 6 months in operation, making it a great option for startups. It also offers flexible repayment terms with options for term lengths of 12, 18, or 24 months and a choice between weekly or monthly payments. This can be beneficial for businesses with unpredictable cash flow. Accessing this lender may be challenging for new businesses with inconsistent sales due to its high annual revenue requirement, which is higher than many other online lenders. However, they do offer a larger maximum loan amount, although stronger credentials are typically needed to qualify for these higher amounts.
Fora Financial stands out for its low credit score requirement, accepting scores as low as 570. They also provide fast funding, with approval possible in as little as four hours and funds available in your account within 24 to 72 hours. Additionally, Fora offers larger loan amounts compared to competitors, making them a good choice for funding large projects.
On the downside, Fora may be a more expensive option due to higher rates and factor rates for interest. Their repayment terms only go up to 24 months, with daily or weekly payments that could strain cash flow, so it’s important to ensure this payment schedule is manageable for your business.
Using a business lending marketplace like Fundera by BW can help streamline the process of comparing loan options from multiple lenders. This service is free to use and provides quick funding options, multiple loan offers through a single application, and access to a dedicated lending representative for personalized support. Here is our method for evaluating each lender and the relative importance we assign to each criterion:
1. **Cost (33%):** Lenders who do not impose origination fees or prepayment penalties are favored in this category.
2. **Transparency (19%):** Lenders that provide clear information on loan rates, fees, terms, eligibility criteria, and more are prioritized in this category.
3. **Underwriting and loan flexibility (15%):** Lenders offering flexible underwriting and a variety of payment terms are given higher consideration in this category.
4. **Credit (11%):** Lenders that report timely payments to commercial credit bureaus, aiding borrowers in establishing business credit, are rated higher in this category.
5. **Application experience (11%):** Lenders offering quick funding and multiple application options are preferred in this category.
6. **Customer service (11%):** Lenders providing various communication channels with customer service representatives and an online platform for loan management are valued in this category. text as follows:
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