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Compare small-business loan opportunities
Last updated: July 12, 2026. Rates and terms change frequently — always check with the lender.
The short version
- For the lowest cost, start with an SBA loan (backed by the Small Business Administration, through a bank) or a credit union before online fintech lenders.
- Online lenders are faster but usually cost more — compare the total cost, and read the personal-guaranty terms.
- If banks turn you down, real nonprofit options exist: SBA microloans, CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions — nonprofit community lenders), Kiva, and Accion.
- We do not list merchant cash advances alongside real loans — they're high-cost and are covered only as a caution.
Listed for your consideration — not ranked or endorsed. Marketplaces and the government referral tool are labeled. Links go to each source's own site.
| Source | Type |
|---|---|
| SBA Lender Match ↗ | Gov referral tool |
| Live Oak Bank ↗ | Bank (SBA specialist) |
| Bank of America ↗ | Bank |
| Chase ↗ | Bank |
| Bluevine ↗ | Fintech (direct) |
| OnDeck ↗ | Fintech (direct) |
| Fundbox ↗ | Fintech (direct) |
| Lendio ↗ | Marketplace |
| Biz2Credit ↗ | Marketplace |
Didn't find your fit? More lenders to consider
If a bank says no, these are real, mission-driven options most comparison sites never mention.
SBA Microloan program ↗ — Loans up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediaries. Good for startups and very small businesses banks pass on.
Kiva ↗ — 0% interest, no fees, no collateral, no minimum credit score ($1,000–$15,000), crowdfunded. Fits early-stage owners with a community network.
CDFIs (find one) ↗ — Community Development Financial Institutions: mission-driven local lenders, often more flexible than banks.
Accion Opportunity Fund ↗ — Nonprofit lender plus free advising; focused on underserved, women-, minority-, and immigrant-owned businesses.
Community banks, credit unions, and state/local programs — Member Business Lending and city/state economic-development programs (including minority-, women-, and veteran-owned business programs) often beat national terms.
Before you borrow at all: free help from SCORE mentors, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Women's/Veterans Business Centers ↗. Be cautious with 0% intro credit cards (rate jumps after the promo) and with using retirement funds (401(k) loans or ROBS — Rollovers as Business Start-ups) — talk to a tax pro first.
A caution, not a recommendation: merchant cash advances (MCAs) are often structured as a purchase of future sales, can cost far more than a 36% yearly rate (APR), and aren't regulated like loans in most states. We don't list them beside real loans.
Questions people ask
What will lenders ask me for?
Expect time-in-business, revenue, and credit questions, plus documents — tax returns, bank statements, sometimes a debt schedule. Newer businesses get asked for more, including personal guarantees (you personally promise to repay if the business can't — read that line carefully).
Expect time-in-business, revenue, and credit questions, plus documents — tax returns, bank statements, sometimes a debt schedule. Newer businesses get asked for more, including personal guarantees (you personally promise to repay if the business can't — read that line carefully).
What's the difference between a term loan and a line of credit?
A term loan is one lump sum repaid on a schedule — right for a defined purchase. A line of credit is reusable borrowing up to a limit — right for cash-flow gaps. Paying interest only on what you draw is the line's advantage; discipline is its risk.
A term loan is one lump sum repaid on a schedule — right for a defined purchase. A line of credit is reusable borrowing up to a limit — right for cash-flow gaps. Paying interest only on what you draw is the line's advantage; discipline is its risk.
Are SBA loans worth the paperwork?
Often, yes. SBA (Small Business Administration) guarantees let lenders offer longer terms and lower rates than the business could get alone. The trade is a slower, document-heavy process. Straight from the source: SBA loan programs ↗.
Often, yes. SBA (Small Business Administration) guarantees let lenders offer longer terms and lower rates than the business could get alone. The trade is a slower, document-heavy process. Straight from the source: SBA loan programs ↗.
Is there grant money instead?
Sometimes — and a grant beats a loan every time you qualify. One honest warning: the SBA itself says it does not give grants for starting or expanding a business, so be suspicious of anyone selling "free government startup money." Real sources: our grants guide ↗.
Sometimes — and a grant beats a loan every time you qualify. One honest warning: the SBA itself says it does not give grants for starting or expanding a business, so be suspicious of anyone selling "free government startup money." Real sources: our grants guide ↗.
Why do you warn about merchant cash advances?
An MCA (merchant cash advance) sells your future sales at a discount — the equivalent yearly cost routinely lands far above what any loan above would charge, and it isn't regulated like a loan. See the caution box above before considering one.
An MCA (merchant cash advance) sells your future sales at a discount — the equivalent yearly cost routinely lands far above what any loan above would charge, and it isn't regulated like a loan. See the caution box above before considering one.
Reviewed by AI and James Mills, retired financial planner with Professional Designations (25-year career), former FL mortgage and real estate broker. Sources here are verified as real and currently operating; inclusion is not an endorsement. Rates and terms come from the lender — always check the source.
Editor’s note: Funding Circle's US arm was sold in 2024 and is intentionally excluded pending confirmation. Verified-detail and review columns get added over time.