The best cash flow loans for small businesses can issue funding in less than three business days to help you cover shortages in cash flow due to an unexpected expense or reduction in revenue. Depending on the type of loan, you should also have flexible access to additional funding. The best loans will also have a combination of low rates, easy qualification requirements, and a wide range of repayment terms you can choose from.
Here are our picks for the nine best cash flow lenders of 2023:
- Bluevine: Best overall for low rates and easy access to funds
- Fundbox: Best line of credit for short-term expenses
- National Funding: Best for customer service and custom loan options
- QuickBridge: Best for easy application and approval process
- Lendio: Best for multiple loan options
- American Express: Best credit line for low-revenue businesses
- Creditfy: Best credit line for large credit limits
- OnDeck: Best for quick access to funds
- Payability: Best for ecommerce businesses
Best Cash Flow Loans for Small Businesses At a Glance
Maximum Loan Amount | Estimated Starting Annual Percentage Rate (APR) | Maximum Loan Term | Credit Score Required | Annual Revenue Required | Time in Business Required | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Provider | $250,000 | 6.2% | 12 months | 625 | $480,000 | 24 months |
 Provider | $150,000 | 10% | 24 weeks | 600 | $100,000 | 6 months |
 Provider | $400,000 | Varies | 18 months | 600 | $250,000 | 6 months |
 Provider | $400,000 | Varies | 18 months | 600 | $250,000 | 6 months |
 Broker | $5 million | Varies | 10 years | 650 | $50,000 | 1 year |
 Provider | $250,000 | Varies | 18 months | 660 | $36,000 | 1 year |
 Broker | $5 million | Varies | 7 years | 530 | $100,000 | 3 months |
 Provider | $250,000 | 29.9% | 24 months | 625 | $100,000 | 1 year |
 Provider | 80% of receivables | 2% | Varies | None | $120,000 | 3 months |
Bluevine: Best Overall for Low Rates and Easy Access to Funds
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | 6.2% |
Estimated APR | 6.2% to 78% |
Loan Amount | Up to $250,000 |
Repayment Term | 6 or 12 months |
Repayment Schedule | Weekly and monthly |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | As fast as 24 hours |
Financing Type Offered | Line of credit |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 625 |
Annual Revenue | $480,000 |
Time in Business | 24 months |
Why We Like Bluevine
Bluevine offers a small business line of credit with one of the most competitive rates available. It also made our list of the best working capital loans as funds can be used for a number of different business purposes.
Well-qualified businesses can get rates as low as 6.2%. However, you could effectively pay less than that as its rates are shown as a simple interest rate with the assumption that you draw the maximum amount on the line and make only the minimum payments for as long as possible.
Although rates start as low as around 6.2%, businesses will need to have strong credit and finances to qualify for the best rates. Other eligibility criteria include the
requirement to be structured as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), have no bankruptcies in the past three years, be in good standing with your secretary of state, and have a valid business checking account.
If you don’t currently have a checking account, you can open one with Bluevine. You can read more about it in our Bluevine business checking review.
The provider offers weekly and monthly payment plans, but you’ll need to meet stricter criteria to get the monthly plan. You’ll need a credit score of 700, have three years’ time in business, and earn $960,000 in annual revenue.
To learn more or to apply, visit the Bluevine website. There, you can get a loan decision in as little as five minutes with funding to follow within one business day.
Fundbox: Best Line of Credit for Short-term Expenses
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | 4.66% |
Estimated APR | 10% to 79% |
Loan Amount | Up to $150,000 |
Repayment Term | 12 or 24 weeks |
Repayment Schedule | Weekly |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | As fast as 24 hours |
Financing Type Offered | Line of credit |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 600 |
Annual Revenue | $100,000 |
Time in Business | 6 months |
Why We Like Fundbox
Fundbox offers a small business credit line with a repayment term of either 12 or 24 weeks. Although it’s one of the shortest repayment terms on our list, the provider offers competitive rates and easy qualification requirements. For these reasons, it’s a good option if you plan on paying back the loan proceeds quickly.
With a Fundbox credit line, funds drawn can be used for nearly any business purpose. Some examples include covering costs associated with payroll, inventory, and maintenance. You can also combine a line of credit with the company’s Flex Pay loan product.
Flex Pay allows you to pay your vendors or suppliers on time while giving you an additional three business days to pay fee-free. Vendors charge your Flex Pay account for the amount you owe. If you do not make payment in full within the three-day time frame, then it will appear as a draw against your credit line.
To qualify, you must be based in the United States and have a business checking account. If you need a checking account, you can see our recommendations of the best small business checking accounts. Fundbox offers a quick online application that can be completed in under five minutes, with decisions issued in as little as three minutes. Visit its website to apply or learn more.
National Funding: Best for Customer Service and Custom Loan Options
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | Factor rate as low as 1.11x |
Estimated APR | Varies |
Loan Amount | $10,000 to $400,000 |
Repayment Term | 4 to 18 months |
Repayment Schedule | Daily and weekly |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | 1 to 2 days |
Financing Type Offered | Small business loans, working capital loans, and short-term business loans |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 600 |
Annual Revenue | $250,000 |
Time in Business | 6 months |
Why We Like National Funding
National Funding places a large emphasis on customer service. It also reviews applications on a case-by-case basis and assigns you a dedicated funding specialist to learn about your unique business needs. This allows it to provide you with a loan structured in a manner suited to your goals.
If you have excellent credit, then you could qualify for factor rates as low as 1.11x. National Funding typically focuses on short-term loans and offers an early payment discount of 7% on the remaining balance if paid in full within the first 100 days. No collateral is required, although a personal guarantee will be needed.
This provider generally works with businesses that are already performing well and primarily need funding for continued expansion and growth of the business. If you fit this description, visit the National Funding website to submit an application or learn more about its product offerings.
QuickBridge: Best for Easy Application and Approval Process
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | Factor rates as low as 1.11x |
Estimated APR | Varies |
Loan Amount | $10,000 to $400,000 |
Repayment Term | 4 to 18 months |
Repayment Schedule | Daily and weekly |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | 1 to 2 days |
Financing Type Offered | Small business loans, working capital loans, and short-term business loans |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 600 |
Annual Revenue | $250,000 |
Time in Business | 6 months |
Why We Like QuickBridge
QuickBridge has a similar product offering to National Funding but is listed lower in our guide because it does not offer as many loan types as National Funding. Otherwise, qualification requirements and loan terms are nearly identical, and you should consider both providers if either seems like it may be a good fit for you.
With QuickBridge, you can get a short application process in addition to easy documentation requirements. Paperwork to get approved for a loan is often minimal, limited to a completed application and three months of bank statements. With that being said, paperwork requirements may vary depending on your specific business circumstances.
Like National Funding, you’ll need excellent credit to qualify for the best advertised rates, currently as low as a factor rate of 1.11x. To learn more or to apply, head over to the QuickBridge website.
Lendio: Best for Multiple Loan Options
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate |
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Estimated APR | Varies based on loan type |
Loan Amount |
|
Repayment Term |
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Repayment Schedule | Monthly, but can vary based on loan type |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | As fast as 24 hours |
Financing Type Offered | A/R financing, term loan, cash advance, and equipment financing |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score |
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Annual Revenue |
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Time in Business |
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Why We Like Lendio
Lendio is a loan broker with over 75 lenders in its network. This means you’ll not only have multiple chances to get approved, but you’ll also see more options with the potential for better rates. For these reasons, it also made our list of the best business loan brokers.
When you apply, you’ll work with a dedicated funding manager. This individual will learn about your business, its needs, and its goals to match you with a lender in its network. This stage is also used to walk you through different loan options so that you can choose the best business loan.
The broker also offers additional services which you may find useful for your business. Some examples include referral services for credit repair, bookkeeping, and legal assistance. Applications can be completed online in under 15 minutes. There are no fees to do so, nor is there any obligation to accept a loan offer.
American Express: Best Credit Line for Low-revenue Businesses
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate |
|
Estimated APR | Varies |
Loan Amount | Up to $250,000 |
Repayment Term | 6, 12, or 18 months |
Repayment Schedule | Monthly |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | 1 to 3 days |
Financing Type Offered | Line of credit |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 660, but can vary |
Annual Revenue | $36,000 |
Time in Business | 1 year |
Why We Like American Express
Previously marketed under Kabbage Funding, American Express offers a business line of credit with a low annual revenue requirement of just $36,000. This makes it a good option for startups that may not yet have sufficient revenue to qualify for other business loans.
In addition to the requirements listed above, you’ll need to have a business checking account to get approved. This can be from any bank, but you can read our American Express business checking review to see our thoughts on its own banking product. American Express also charges monthly fees as opposed to a traditional interest rate or factor rate. Monthly fees are determined based on the strength of your business credit and finances.
One downside with an American Express small business line of credit is that funds you draw may take one to three business days to post to your bank account. If you’re looking to get more instantaneous access to funds, you can consider an alternative, such as OnDeck, which we cover in the next section. To learn more or apply for an American Express business credit line, visit the provider’s website.
Creditfy: Best Credit Line for Large Credit Limits
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate |
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Estimated APR | Varies based on loan type |
Loan Amount |
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Repayment Term |
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Repayment Schedule | Monthly, but may vary based on loan type |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | As fast as 24 hours |
Financing Type Offered | Line of credit, equipment financing, term loan, invoice financing, and bridge loans |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score |
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Annual Revenue |
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Time in Business |
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Why We Like Creditfy
If your funding needs are large and you want the flexibility of accessing funds on an as-needed basis, Creditfy could be a good fit. It offers credit limits as high as $2.5 million on its small business line of credit product, but it also has other types of loans including equipment financing, term loans, invoice financing, bridge loans, and SBA loans.
This broker is also an excellent option if you’re worried about your ability to get approved. It has a 90% loan approval rate, giving you good approval odds—as long as you meet the minimum qualification requirements.
Creditfy’s loan representatives all require at least two years of industry experience. What this means for you is that you’ll be paired with a knowledgeable and experienced individual to match you with the best lender and loan type. The company also has exclusive partnerships with certain lenders, which can help with securing a more competitive rate.
To learn more or to apply, check out the Creditfy website. Submitting a loan application will not negatively impact your credit score, and applications can be completed in under five minutes.
OnDeck: Best for Quick Access to Funds
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | Not stated |
Estimated APR | 29.9% and up |
Loan Amount |
|
Repayment Term |
|
Repayment Schedule |
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Estimated Time From Application to Funding | 1 to 3 days |
Financing Type Offered | Term loan and line of credit |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 625 |
Annual Revenue | $100,000 |
Time in Business | 1 year |
Why We Like OnDeck
With OnDeck, you could qualify for same-day funding on a term loan for up to $100,000. This availability varies from state to state and must be done on a weekday before 10:30 a.m. Eastern.
In addition to a term loan, OnDeck also offers a small business line of credit. Rates for both loans typically start as low as 29.9% for well-qualified businesses. However, OnDeck states that the average APR is 52% for term loans and 52.6% for credit lines based on data for loans originated in the half-year ending March 31, 2023.
Like many other providers, you’ll need a business checking account to qualify for a loan, and you can choose from our list of the best free business checking accounts if you don’t already have one. OnDeck typically performs only a soft credit pull to determine your eligibility so as not to negatively impact your credit score. However, in some cases, a hard credit pull may be required. To get the process started or to learn more, you can head over to the OnDeck website.
Payability: Best for Ecommerce Businesses
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Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | Typically 0.5% to 2% |
Estimated APR | 2% and up |
Loan Amount | 80% of receivables from the prior business day |
Repayment Term | Varies (satisfied upon receipt of marketplace payment) |
Repayment Schedule | Varies (satisfied upon receipt of marketplace payment) |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | As fast as 1 business day |
Financing Type Offered | Revenue advance |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | None |
Annual Revenue | $120,000 |
Time in Business | 3 months |
Why We Like Payability
Payability’s Instant Access product can give you an advance payment based on your past ecommerce marketplace sales. You can be eligible for this type of financing if you conduct business on an ecommerce platform, such as Amazon, Walmart, or Newegg.
The product works by giving you an advance of 80% of your previous day’s ecommerce marketplace sales—and the remaining 20% is made available once you receive payment from the marketplace. This can be beneficial for your business because it can solve the issue of where your company has made sales but may not receive actual payment for several days to weeks.
If you don’t qualify based on your past sales or need additional funding, you can consider revenue-based financing. It’s similar to what Payability offers but looks at your future revenue instead. You can read our guide on revenue-based financing to learn more about who it’s for and how to apply.
Payability’s fees are simple as you’ll pay a flat fee averaging anywhere from 0.5% to 2% of your gross sales. Advances can be made daily, with funding that is made available within 24 hours. To get started, you can submit an application online, a process that should take no more than 10 minutes. Once approved, you can connect your marketplace account with the provider to view and request advances through your new account dashboard.
How We Chose the Best Cash Flow Lenders
We chose the best cash flow loans for small businesses using the following criteria:
- Interest rates, fees, and estimated APRs
- Application, approval, and funding speed
- Types of loans offered
- Loan amounts offered
- Qualification requirements
- Repayment terms
- Customer reviews and ratings
Alternatives To Cash Flow Loans
You can read our guide on how to get a small business loan to learn more about improving your chances of getting approved. However, if you’re having trouble getting a loan from a cash flow lender, here are some options to consider:
- Small business credit card: Many business credit cards have easier qualification criteria, and credit limits typically range from $5,000 to over $50,000. It’s not uncommon to also get an introductory rate of 0% for a limited time, and you can even earn rewards on purchases. You can view our list of the leading small business credit cards for options.
- Personal loan for business purposes: These loans focus on your personal credit and income rather than that of your business to determine your eligibility. You may want to see our roundup of the best personal loans for business funding as a starting point.
- Loans from friends and family: This type of financing doesn’t carry the typical requirements that lenders may have. However, going this route can carry unintended consequences, so we recommend reading our guide on how to ask friends or family to fund your business to understand the nuances involved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most cash flow loans can be funded within 24 to 48 hours. Funding speed often depends on the lender you’re using and the complexity of your business finances.
No. Many cash flow lenders have flexible qualification requirements that allow for things like lower credit scores, low-revenue businesses, and startups. However, the lowest advertised rates are usually reserved for more highly qualified companies.
Cash flow loans can be more expensive than some other business loans. If you have sufficient sales but haven’t yet received payment, this type of loan can quickly get you funding to cover a cash flow shortage. However, this comes at the cost of higher rates and fees.
Bottom Line
The best cash flow loans for small businesses can help cover cash flow shortages due to unexpected emergencies or lower revenue as a result of seasonality or other factors. The companies we’ve selected offer fast funding within 24 to 48 hours, along with competitive rates and pricing. Qualification requirements will impact the terms you get, so we recommend shopping with multiple lenders so that you can get the best loan possible.
