8 Best Unsecured Business Loans

The best unsecured business loans can issue funding without collateral requirements. Loans should also carry a combination of competitive interest rates and flexible terms and be provided by lenders with a simple application process and great customer service. Since the best loan will vary based on your company’s circumstances and goals, we’ve selected lenders with various types of loans and ranging qualification requirements.

Below are our picks for the eight best business unsecured loans for 2024:

• Lendio: Best overall for flexible rates, terms, and qualifications
• SBG Funding: Best for quick funding speeds and customer service
• Bluevine: Best small credit line for established businesses
• Clarify Capital: Best for multiple loan options
• Creditfy: Best for high approval rates
• 1West: Best easy online application process
• National Business Capital: Best terms for high-revenue businesses
• American Express: Best credit line for low-revenue businesses

Best Unsecured Business Loans at a Glance

Lendio: Best Overall for Flexible Rates, Terms & Qualifications

Why We Like Lendio

Lendio is our best overall pick because of its flexible rates, terms, and qualifications. This is because it partners with over 75 lenders and can provide several financing options with a single application. You’ll also have access to a dedicated funding specialist to find the one best suited for your qualifications and needs. Lendio’s unsecured options are small business credit lines and term loans, making it viable for several business needs, including companies that prefer low monthly payments for cash flow purposes.

Working with a broker like Lendio gives you expert guidance on choosing the best financing for your needs. If a term loan is not right, you could be referred to Lendio’s other lending options, which include accounts receivable financing, business lines of credit, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, cash advances, and equipment financing.

To apply, visit Lendio’s website. Applications can be completed in under 15 minutes, after which you’ll receive follow-up instructions via email or phone.

SBG Funding: Best for Quick Funding Speeds & Customer Service

Why We Like SBG Funding

SBG Funding made our list since it can offer same-day funding and customized payment options at competitive rates. The company also consistently receives excellent ratings from customers, a testament to the quality of service you can expect to receive.

While it has a high annual revenue requirement compared with other providers in this guide, it offers one of the highest loan amounts available, same with National Business Capital. That said, borrowers should also be aware that despite a high approval rate of 85%, businesses may need compensating factors to offset any weaknesses in the loan application. In other words, meeting the minimum eligibility criteria will not guarantee a loan approval.

To learn more or to apply, visit SBG Funding’s website. Applications can be completed online in minutes, and decisions are issued within 24 hours, with funding that can occur as fast as the same business day.

Bluevine: Best Small Credit Line for Established Businesses

Why We Like Bluevine

Businesses only seeking smaller funding amounts on an as-needed basis should consider Bluevine, as its credit line product can offer competitive rates and fast funding speeds. Funds drawn from the credit line can be used for any business-related expenses. In addition to being chosen for this guide, it is our top pick among the best working capital loans.

While other lenders like American Express can also provide you with a line of credit, we like Bluevine for its ability to offer quick access to funding and having flexible qualification requirements for a wide variety of businesses.

For the most streamlined experience, we recommend pairing a Bluevine line of credit with its business checking product. Doing so will allow you instant access to funds, rather than waiting up to three business days or more for funds to post with an external bank account. You can learn more in our Bluevine business checking review.

If you meet the minimum qualifications and are interested in applying, you can visit Bluevine’s website to submit an online application.

Clarify Capital: Best for Multiple Loan Options

Why We Like Clarify Capital

Clarify Capital is another loan broker in our guide, similar to Lendio, with over 75 lenders in its network. The size of its network—combined with low rates and flexible qualifications—is why we chose it as the best option for businesses seeking multiple loan options.

Applying with a broker like Clarify Capital means you’ll have the opportunity to work with a dedicated loan advisor. This advisor will review your application and discuss your business needs to recommend the best loan for you. Clarify Capital’s unsecured loan options include short-term business loans, business lines of credit, working capital loans, and MCAs.

Loan terms and qualification requirements will vary depending on the type of loan you apply for. While it’s also not guaranteed you’ll get approved if you meet the minimum stated eligibility criteria, your odds of getting funded significantly improve.

Clarify Capital also offers secured loans, including equipment financing, invoice financing, and SBA loans. You can complete an online application on Clarify Capital’s website in under two minutes.

Creditfy: Best for High Approval Rates

Why We Like Creditfy

With an advertised 90% approval rate for those meeting its minimum criteria, Creditfy earns its spot in our roundup as the best pick for high approval odds—if you meet the minimum stated criteria. With that said, approvals are not guaranteed, and there may be additional requirements depending on the loan you’re applying for and your specific circumstances and qualifications.

Like Lendio and Clarify Capital, Creditfy is a loan broker. But unlike other lenders, Creditfy ensures you’ll work with seasoned professionals by requiring all loan representatives to have a two-year minimum of industry experience. As a borrower, this means you’ll get expert guidance throughout the loan process. Creditfy also has exclusive partnerships with certain lenders, which can further improve your approval odds.

In addition to its business term loan, Creditfy offers a small business line of credit, equipment financing, invoice financing, bridge loans, and SBA loans. Applications can be submitted through the broker’s website, which should take no more than five minutes.

1West: Best Easy Online Application Process

Why We Like 1West

1West makes our list as a broker that can offer a simplified application process and provides automated loan options without the need to consult a lender. While other brokers in this guide such as Creditfy offer funding specialists who can work alongside you during the application and approval process, 1West is unique in that it uses an automated engine, named ABLE (Automated Business Lending Engine), to provide you with applicable loan options 24/7.

Notably, 1West has partnerships with over 50 lenders, allowing for multiple opportunities to get the financing you need. While fewer than other brokers such as Lendio or Clarify Capital, this still allows for flexible qualification requirements across various participating lenders, which can benefit businesses looking for unsecured loans. In fact, 1West offers the lowest credit score requirement of this guide.

Documents can easily be uploaded online if you decide to proceed with the loan process. To apply, visit the 1West website, where applications can be completed in just several minutes. Once completed, you can check your loan status via an online dashboard.

National Business Capital: Best Terms for High-revenue Businesses

Why We Like National Business Capital

National Business Capital, a loan broker like Lendio and Clarify Capital, has over 75 lenders in its network and exclusive partnerships you may not find elsewhere. Although it has the highest revenue requirement in our guide, eligible companies are expected to get some of the most competitive rates and loan terms. While undisclosed, favorable rates are commonly associated with this lender and benefit established businesses with consistent cash flow, making it our best pick for businesses with high revenue.

A term loan from National Business Capital can be structured as secured or unsecured. While the unsecured option requires no collateral as a requirement for funding, it also typically carries a higher interest rate. Funds from a term loan can be used for nearly any business expense. Common examples include inventory, payroll, rent, and investment opportunities to grow your company.

Online applications with National Business Capital can be completed in just minutes. Once completed, you can discuss and view your loan options with a loan advisor from the team. Provide any required documents to obtain full approval, after which you can get funding in as little as 24 hours.

American Express: Best Credit Line for Low-revenue Businesses

Why We Like American Express

If your business is new and has yet to generate significant sales, an American Express small business line of credit could be right for you. Although Bluevine also offers a line of credit, American Express has the lowest annual revenue requirement in this guide—making it our top pick for a credit line for low-revenue businesses.

With a line of credit from American Express, you’ll need a valid business checking account. If you don’t already have one, you can apply for American Express’s banking product, which we detail in our American Express business checking review. Instead of a traditional interest rate, American Express charges monthly fees that vary based on your loan term and business qualifications. Fees are structured as follows:

• 3% to 9% monthly fee for 6-month loans
• 6% to 18% monthly fee for 12-month loans
• 9% to 27% for 18-month loans
• 12% to 18% for 24-month loans

American Express does not charge any origination fees or prepayment penalties. To apply, visit the provider’s website, where you can receive funding as quickly as 24 to 72 hours after submitting a completed application.

How We Chose the Best Unsecured Business Loans

Our selection of the best unsecured business loans was based on the following criteria:

• Interest rates and estimated APRs
• Loan fees and available early payoff discounts
• Application, approval, and funding speed
• Minimum credit score, time in business, and revenue requirements
• Types of loans offered
• Maximum loan amount and repayment terms
• Customer reviews and ratings

How to Choose a Loan Provider

When choosing a loan provider for an unsecured business loan, there are some considerations to keep in mind before settling on a lender. Before signing a loan agreement, consider the following:

• Determine your need for financing. Consider how much funding you’ll need to support your business goals. You’ll also need to factor in how you plan to repay the loan and whether or not your budget fits the repayment schedule.
• Review the qualification requirements set by the lender. Each lender has different qualification requirements, which may include your credit score, time in business, and annual revenue. Before applying, ensure you meet the minimum qualification criteria to improve your approval odds.
• Compare loan rates and terms. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices for lenders, you should compare rates, terms, and associated fees across them. This will help you get the best deal and satisfy your business needs.

Alternatives to Unsecured Business Loans

Unsecured business loans tend to have higher rates and fees compared with secured loans, where collateral is pledged. This is because a secured loan allows lenders to recover some of their losses if a borrower defaults. If you’re looking for other financing options other than an unsecured loan, then consider the following alternatives:

• Small business credit cards: A business credit card can be easier to get and can also be useful for covering small to medium expenses. Credit limits generally range from $5,000 to $50,000, and many have an introductory period offering a lower interest rate as well as a rewards program to reduce the effective cost of your business expenses. For options, see our top-recommended small business credit cards.
• SBA loans: SBA loans can offer some of the most competitive rates on the market. However, you’ll generally need excellent credit and strong business finances to qualify. Head over to our guide covering the best SBA lenders.
• Rollover for business startups (ROBS): A ROBS allows you to access your retirement accounts tax- and penalty-free. It’s not a loan, so you won’t be paying interest charges. However, because of the complexity of a ROBS and the potential for fines and penalties if done incorrectly, we recommend paying for the services of a ROBS provider to walk you through the process. We recommended a few companies in our list of the leading ROBS providers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an unsecured business loan?

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Are there different types of unsecured business loans?

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What if I default on an unsecured business loan?

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Bottom Line

The best business unsecured loans should offer flexible qualification requirements, quick access to funding, and competitive rates and terms. However, it’s worth noting that unsecured business loans are typically a more expensive financing option, as they are often considered to be high risk, which is reflected in their rates and fees. Consider alternative financing options to ensure this is the right type of loan for you, and shop multiple lenders to get the best rate possible.