Our picks in detail
FbBest for 3+ months in businessPartner
Fundbox · Business line of credit
4.6/54.66% to 8.99% fee
Max amount$150K
Min credit600
Time in business3 mo
Funding speedNext business day
Fundbox has one of the lowest barriers to entry of any legitimate lender: three months in business, $30,000 in annual revenue and a 600 credit score. That makes it a realistic first line of credit for a young company, as long as you treat it as short-term working capital and not cheap money.
Pros
- Accepts businesses as young as 3 months
- Low revenue requirement
- Next-day funding on draws
- No prepayment penalty; fees stop when you repay early
Cons
- Short 12- or 24-week repayment plans
- Weekly payments
- Fees are higher than bank rates when annualized
- Maximum line is modest at $150,000
FoBest for 6+ months and fair credit
Fora Financial · Term loan
4.3/51.10 to 1.40 factor
Max amount$1.5M
Min credit570
Time in business6 mo
Funding speed24 to 72 hours
Fora Financial will look at owners other lenders turn away: a 570 credit score and six months of history can get an approval if revenue is strong. The cost is a factor-rate loan with daily or weekly payments. Use it when the alternative is a merchant cash advance, and refinance into something cheaper as soon as your file improves.
Pros
- Accepts credit scores as low as 570
- Six months in business is enough
- Large maximum relative to the credit requirement
- Prepayment discount available
Cons
- Factor-rate pricing means a high effective APR
- Needs about $15,000 in monthly revenue
- Daily or weekly payments
- Short terms
AoBest rates at 12 months
Accion Opportunity Fund · Small business term loan
4.6/58.49% to 24.99% APR
Max amount$250K
Min credit600
Time in business12 mo
Funding speedAbout a week
Accion Opportunity Fund is a nonprofit CDFI, and it shows in the pricing: APRs that start in the single digits for borrowers who would pay three times that online. It focuses on underserved owners and pairs loans with free coaching. The catch is modest maximums and a slower, more hands-on process.
Pros
- Nonprofit pricing with fixed APRs
- Mission focus on women, minority and low-income owners
- Free business coaching and resources
- Monthly payments
Cons
- Maximum of $250,000
- Slower than online lenders
- Not available in every state
- Requires 12 months in business
AxBest before revenue: 0% intro APR cardPartner
Amex Blue Business Plus · Business credit card
4.7/50% on purchases for 12 months
Annual fee$0
Intro APR0% on purchases for 12 months
Rewards2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1x
Credit needed690+
For a business with good personal credit, this card is the cheapest money on this site for the first year: twelve months of 0% on purchases, no annual fee and 2x points on everyday spend. Pay it off before the intro period ends and it costs nothing.
Pros
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- No annual fee
- 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 a year
- Expanded buying power above the credit limit
Cons
- Requires good to excellent personal credit
- No 0% period on balance transfers
- Points, not cash, unless you redeem for statement credit
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee
HcBest for low revenue at 12 months
Headway Capital · Business line of credit
4.4/540% to 80% APR
Max amount$100K
Min credit625
Time in business12 mo
Funding speedNext business day
Headway Capital is a straightforward revolving line for small, established businesses that do not clear the revenue bars at Bluevine or OnDeck. It is transparent about its structure and offers monthly payments, which many online lines do not. It is not cheap.
Pros
- $50,000 annual revenue is enough
- Monthly payment option
- True revolving line with no reapplication
- Clear fee structure
Cons
- 2% draw fee on every draw
- High effective APR
- Maximum of $100,000
- 12 months in business required
How we chose
We ranked by the minimum time in business and revenue required, then by cost and speed within each tier. Products requiring more than 18 months of history were excluded.
Market note, November 2026. Underwriting from live bank data has lowered time-in-business floors across online lenders. Three to six months of consistent deposits now opens real options that did not exist a few years ago.
How to get one
- Step 1
Separate business and personal finances now
An EIN, a business bank account and a business card start the clock on the history every lender asks about.
- Step 2
Protect your personal credit
Every startup product is approved on the owner's score. Keep utilization low and payments on time.
- Step 3
Build deposits before you apply
Three months of consistent revenue in a business account is the threshold that opens Fundbox and similar lenders.
How to compare offers
Cost versus access
Products that accept young businesses cost more. Borrow small, repay fast, and move to cheaper products as your history grows.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a business loan with no revenue?
Conventional loans, no. Business credit cards, microloans, equipment financing with a down payment, grants and personal loans are the realistic pre-revenue options.
How long do you have to be in business to get a loan?
Fundbox accepts three months; most online lenders want six to twelve; banks and the SBA generally want two years.
Do startup loans require a personal guarantee?
Almost always. With no business track record, the owner's credit and guarantee are what the lender relies on.