6 Best Fast Business Loans For Quick Cash

Fast business loans provide companies with quick cash-flow injections, often within 24 hours of the initial application.

While these loans can prove helpful in certain circumstances, the loans come fraught with hidden dangers like high interest rates and short repayment schedules. That's why business owners must understand how to identify the best fast business loan providers and products before beginning the application process.

Keep reading to learn more about how fast business loans work, typical eligibility requirements, the affordability of fast business loans and how quickly you may receive funding.

Our Top Picks for the Best Fast Business Loans

• Fundbox - Best for Startups
• SBG Funding - Best for Bad Credit
• QuickBridge - Best Application Process
• OnDeck - Best Shorter-Term Option
• Lendio - Best Rates
• Bluevine - Best Unsecured Loans

Best Fast Business Loans Reviews

Why we chose it: Fundbox tops our list as the best lender for startups because businesses only need to be in operation for six months with an annual revenue of $100,000, as opposed to the higher requirements set by other lenders we evaluated.

Fundbox provides capital for small businesses through business lines of credit. However, to be eligible for a business line of credit, borrowers need a minimum credit score of 600, and the business must be in operation for six months with at least $100,000 in annual revenue.

Repayment terms are 12 or 24 weeks, and you can change these terms each time you draw funds.

Another Fundbox feature that may be helpful for startups is its Flex Pay account, which gives you three extra business days to pay expenses at no extra charge. You can swap your existing business checking account with your Flex Pay account and use it for debits, much like a bank account. This includes ACH debits from vendors, payments made with peer-to-peer platforms such as Venmo or PayPal, online bill pay and payroll.

Users generally hold a positive view of the lending platform. On the BBB website it holds a 4.8/5 star rating with over 400 customer reviews. Customers praise Fundbox for its quick, easy and trustworthy application process. Other reviews mentioned stellar customer service and automated payment reminders.

Why we chose it: SBG Funding provides fast business loans for borrowers with bad credit. A credit score of just 500 may qualify you for a term loan of up to $5 million.

With SBG Funding, the loan application process takes no more than 15 minutes, and fund disbursal can occur within 24 hours of completing the approval process. The company offers bridge loans, short term loans, business lines of credit, equipment financing and invoice financing. Repayment schedules stretch up to five years, and borrowers can choose between biweekly and monthly payments.

The FICO credit score requirement for SBG Funding’s small business term loan stands at 500, which is significantly lower than many other companies we reviewed. Additionally, businesses need only be in operation for six months to apply. However, SBG Funding requires an annual revenue of $250,000.

At signup, you’ll be asked to provide your four most recent bank statements. No collateral is required for most loans at SBG Funding. It’s important to note that it's starting APR of 1.75% per month is offered to the most qualified applicants. For borrowers with bad credit, rates may be significantly higher.

Reviews highlight SBG Funding's friendly and knowledgeable staff. Borrowers also report a friendly, stress-free and transparent loan application process.

Why we chose it: To apply for a loan with QuickBridge, you only need to submit your last three bank statements and your driver’s license. This, plus a fast response decision response time for loans under $200,000, makes Quickbridge our pick for best application process.

The entire application process for a Quickbridge loan takes just a few minutes to complete and only requires that you supply three months' worth of bank statements and your driver's license.

You can apply even with bad credit, as Quickbridge considers other factors, such as average monthly revenue, in its determination process. However, your business must have been in operation for at least six months to be considered.

No collateral is required for a Quickbridge loan, which could be up to $400,000, depending on your needs and eligibility. Decisions are typically made within 24 hours, although loan amounts greater than $200,000 may require additional time. Once approved, a lump sum is deposited into your business checking account as soon as the next day.

Quickbridge holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, where they are accredited. Reviews note helpful service from knowledgeable staff members. Borrowers can take advantage of flexible payment options and those who pay off their loans early may qualify for special discounts.

Why we chose it: OnDeck beats out the competition by providing short-term loans for businesses that have been in operation for at least one year.

Loan amounts for a line of credit with OnDeck start at $6,000 and are capped at $100,000. Short-term loans range from $5,000 to $250,000.

Once your application is reviewed, a company representative will call you to discuss your options. You may be offered a short-term loan, business line of credit, or both. Same-day funding is possible on loans up to $25,000, so long as your loan is processed by 10:30 a.m. EST.

With short-term loans, your repayment term may be as long as 24 months, and payments are either daily or weekly. OnDeck’s repayment terms on its business line of credit start at 12 months but reset each time you withdraw funds. Payments for this type of financing are weekly.

OnDeck charges a one-time origination on its term loans and a $20 maintenance fee for business lines of credit. Annual percentage rates vary depending on eligibility, and OnDeck doesn’t specify a starting rate.

However, the company provides this sample loan scenario for a short-term loan with a weekly repayment schedule:

• Loan amount: $75,000
• Origination fee: $1,875
• Disbursement amount: $73,125
• Interest rate: 24.20%
• Interest payment total: $7,500
• Repayment amount: $82,500
• Weekly payment: $1,586.54

OnDeck reports to the three major credit monitoring bureaus, so on-time payments to your loan or business line of credit could help boost your business credit score. Regarding customer service, online reviews mention excellent service and friendly, knowledgeable representatives.

Why we chose it: Lendio works with more than 75 lenders, so borrowers can compare interest rates and other loan specifics to find the best fit for their needs.

Lendio is an online lending marketplace with over 75 separate lenders, such as OnDeck, Mulligan Funding, American Express, Bank of America and Headway Capital. Borrowers can compare financing options, including short-term loans, startup loans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, business lines of credit and cash advances, through the site or by calling a representative by phone.

Loan offer amounts may range from $1,000 to $1 million. However, because Lendio functions as a marketplace, specific rates and loan terms vary. Each lender will have its own eligibility criteria that you must meet to be considered for its available funding options.

The online application takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Like most alternative lenders, Lendio offers fast-funding business loans, with a deposit to your account potentially made within 24 hours.

Customer reviews note friendly and personable customer service and a quick and easy loan application process.

Note: In May 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning letter to Lendio regarding misleading claims it had made to business owners about their ability to claim PPP loans and other COVID-19 relief funds. Consumers should keep this in mind as they shop for a loan.

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 other companies we evaluated.

Bluevine offers business lines of credit of up to $250,000 with repayment terms of six or 12 months repayment terms. According to the company site, its online loan application takes under two minutes to complete, and a decision could come as quick as five minutes. Plus, there’s no hard credit pull to apply.

Businesses must have been in operation for at least one year to qualify for a business line of credit. However, businesses that don’t meet that requirement may be eligible for invoice factoring, which allows for a cash advance based on outstanding invoices.

Bluevine doesn’t charge any fees for opening a business line of credit. There’s no monthly maintenance fee either, which is required by many other companies we evaluated. You also won’t be charged for paying up your balance early.

Customer complaints centered on software glitches, unclear policies and unresponsive service staff. Positive customer reviews noted a quick and painless application process buoyed by helpful support staff.

Other companies we considered

Fora Financial

Fora Financial is a direct lender that offers short-term business loans and revenue advances to businesses that have been in operation for at least six months. The company also requires an annual gross income of $180,000. Loan amounts start at $5,000 and go up to $1.4 million. If you meet the requirements, check your rates, as Fora Financial could still be an option for getting business loans fast.

Why Fora Financial didn’t make the cut: No information on interest rates or repayment structures (e.g. weekly, monthly) is publicly available.

Triton Capital

Triton Capital works with banks to offer small business financing — working capital, equipment loans and SBA loans — ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. Funds may be disbursed as soon as two days from approval.

Why Triton Capital didn’t make the cut: While Triton Capital is upfront about its loan terms and starting interest rates, the company doesn’t provide any information about eligibility requirements on its website. To find out more, you must call a Triton Capital representative by phone.

Balboa Capital

Balboa Capital, a division of Ameris Bank, offers short-term small business loans from $10,000 to $250,000. A FICO score of 620 is required to be eligible, and the business must be in operation for at least one year. Repayment term lengths are three to 24 months.

Why Balboa Capital didn’t make the cut: Balboa Capital does not publicly disclose any information about its interest rates or minimum annual revenue requirements.

Funding Circle

Funding Circle functions similarly to Lendio in that it connects borrowers to lenders. To qualify for a loan, the business must be in operation for at least two years.

Why Funding Circle didn’t make the cut: The company’s requirements for business funding eligibility (two years in business, FICO 660) are more rigid than those of other fast short-term business loan companies we evaluated.

Fast Business Loans Guide

We've compiled the following guide to help you make an informed decision about the best fast cash business 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. Unlike traditional loans, obtaining a fast small business loan is streamlined and unobtrusive. Businesses with bad credit and startups may be eligible for fast business loans.

Traditional brick-and-mortar banks typically don't offer fast business loans. Instead, borrowers obtain these fast small business loans through online lenders with flexible lending standards. No single definition exists for fast business loans; many loan programs fall under the fast business loan umbrella, including lines of credit, equipment financing and merchant cash advances (MCA).

Fast short-term business loans share some similarities with buy now, pay later loans in that both loan types require users to make scheduled payments to a private lender. However, while buy now, pay later schemes target consumers looking to purchase a single item, fast business loans provide a significant cash infusion that can be used for multiple aspects of a business. For example, a business could take out small business loans fast to quickly meet payroll, order new inventory, repair equipment or fund a store expansion.

Fast business loans range from thousands to millions of dollars, and repayment schedules stretch from months to several years. Borrowers tend to pay higher fees and interest rates compared to conventional small business loan options.

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. Lenders typically require applicants to upload documentation such as bank statements and personal identification to verify their information. Often, AI programs make decisions on behalf of the lender and loans are disbursed within one to three business days of the decision. These quick business loans have a much faster turnaround time than similar offerings from credit unions.

Small business owners can choose between several types of fast business loans, such as term small business loans, lines of credit, equipment loans and invoice loans. They may also be allowed to choose their repayment schedule. Interest rates tend to be higher and repayment terms more aggressive with fast business loans, reflecting the greater risks at play. Lenders may also require the borrower to put up collateral.

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.

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.

How to choose a fast business loan

The company you do business with will tremendously impact how quickly your loan gets approved and how quickly — and how much — you ultimately repay. Consider the following criteria before selecting a loan provider.

Interest rates

Interest rates can cause your principal loan amount to balloon in size or remain at a manageable figure. While you shouldn't expect to see a massive variation in the rates offered, even a single percentage point can add up to thousands of dollars or more in extra interest payments across the life of the loan.

Maintain a high credit score to get the best small business loan. Some fast business loan providers will look at your personal credit score as well as your business credit score.

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. Unsavory operators may subject their clients to poor customer service, hidden fees and inflexible payment schedules. Be sure to read the fine print in your contract and ask your loan representative questions as needed before committing to a loan.

Requirements

While fast business loans don't subject applicants to the same scrutiny that traditional bank loans demand, certain metrics still apply.

• Most lenders require a minimum credit score — though some work with borrowers with poor credit.

• 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, such as unsecured loans, usually require collateral. In such cases, the collateral will be specified in the loan contract along with the repayment terms.

How fast the loan is approved

Unlike standard business loans, which generally have a lengthy application process that can stretch to weeks or even months, fast business loans are typically approved and funded within one to three business days. The best fast business loan providers will offer funding within 24 hours.

When to consider fast business loans

If your business requires capital right away, a fast short-term business loan may help. As long as you meet the lender requirements, you’ll generally receive small business loan funding fast. You can use the funding for any purpose, such as payroll, covering late payments from accounts receivable, equipment purchases and expansion costs.

Are fast business loans affordable?

Interest rates on fast business loans are typically higher than that 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.

It’s important to think about your cash flow before committing to a loan. Once interest and fees are added, you will repay more than the actual loan amount. You could incur fees and damage your credit if you’re late on payments. Failure to repay altogether could result in the seizure of your assets, assuming you’ve signed a personal guarantee. Consider using a business expense tracker to find out if you can afford the loan.

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 short-term 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.

Summary of Money's Best Fast Business Loans for Quick Cash in 2023

• Fundbox - Best for Startups
• SBG Funding - Best for Bad Credit
• QuickBridge - Best Application Process
• OnDeck - Best Shorter-Term Option
• Lendio - Best Rates
• Bluevine - Best Unsecured Loans