Business loans
Term loans, lines of credit, SBA, equipment and factoring. Compared by cost, speed and who actually qualifies.
Business loans fall into six families: term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, equipment financing, invoice factoring and merchant cash advances. The right one depends on how fast you need funds, how long the money takes to pay back, and your credit score, time in business and revenue.
Compare the best options
Sortable tables, one rubric, situation-based picks.
Best Small Business Loans of November 2026
We compared more than 40 small business loan products on cost, speed, qualification requirements and transparency. These are the ones worth your time, grouped by the situation they actually fit.
Top pick: SBA 7(a) loan4 picks · updated November 2026Best Business Lines of Credit of November 2026
A line of credit is the product most owners should have before they need it. These are the lines that fund fastest, cost least and ask the least of newer businesses.
Top pick: Bluevine4 picks · updated November 2026Best Equipment Financing of November 2026
Equipment loans let the asset carry the collateral, which is why they are easier to get than unsecured loans and why terms can stretch to the useful life of the machine.
Top pick: National Funding5 picks · updated November 2026Best Startup Business Loans of November 2026
Most lenders want two years of history. These options work for businesses with three to eighteen months of revenue, plus the alternatives that work before revenue exists at all.
Top pick: Fundbox5 picks · updated November 2026Best Bad Credit Business Loans of November 2026
A personal score under 620 closes bank doors but not every door. These lenders underwrite on revenue and collateral, which means they look past the score if the business is sound. They also charge for it.
Top pick: Fora Financial3 picks · updated November 2026Best Invoice Factoring Companies of November 2026
If you sell to other businesses on net terms, your receivables are an asset you can finance. Factoring converts them to cash within days and approval depends on your customers, not you.
Top pick: altLINEReviews
Facts, verdict, where each one stands out and falls short.
Bluevine
Business line of credit · best for fast funding
OnDeck
Term loan · best for short-term expenses
Fundbox
Business line of credit · best for newer and low-revenue businesses
SBA 7(a) loan
Government-guaranteed term loan · best for low rates and long terms
Fora Financial
Term loan · best for bad credit
National Funding
Equipment financing · best for equipment purchases
Headway Capital
Business line of credit · best for startups with some revenue
altLINE
Invoice factoring · best for financing unpaid invoices
Accion Opportunity Fund
Small business term loan · best for women- and minority-owned businesses
Credibly
Working capital loan · best for an alternative to a merchant cash advance
Guides
The exact sequence lenders expect, what each type of lender checks, and how to avoid the two mistakes that cost owners the most.SBA loans, explained
What the SBA actually does, which program fits which purpose, what it costs, and how to get through the process faster.Merchant cash advances, explained
The most expensive money in small business, how to calculate its real cost, and what to use instead.Business loan requirements
The thresholds by lender type and the complete document list, so you apply once.Business loan rates and fees
Current rate ranges by product, the fees that get added on, and how to compare offers that use different pricing.
Calculators
Business Loan Calculator
Estimate the monthly payment, total interest and total cost of a business loan from the amount, term and APR.
CalculatorSBA Loan Calculator
Estimate payments on an SBA 7(a) or 504 loan, including the guarantee fee.
CalculatorFactor Rate to APR Calculator
Convert a merchant cash advance or short-term loan factor rate into total cost and an estimated APR.
CalculatorBusiness Line of Credit Calculator
Estimate what a single draw on a business line of credit costs, including draw fees and the weekly or monthly payment.
Head to head
Choose Bluevine if you qualify. Choose Fundbox if you do not yet, and plan to move to Bluevine at the one-year mark.Bluevine vs. OnDeck
Open the Bluevine line for working capital; use OnDeck when you need a lump sum for one purpose and want the payment history on your business credit file.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of business loan should I get?
How do I qualify for a business loan?
What is the cheapest business loan?
Latest guides
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November 2026How Much of a Business Loan Can I Get? Lender Formulas Explained
November 2026Working Capital Loans: How They Work, Costs and Who Qualifies
November 2026Online Lenders vs Banks: What Borrowers Actually Report
November 2026Working Capital Loans vs Lines of Credit Compared
November 2026