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 2024:
- Bluevine: Best overall for low rates and easy access to funds
- QuickBridge: Best for easy application and approval process
- National Funding: Best for customer service and custom loan options
- SBG Funding: Best for fast funding and flexible loan terms
- Creditfy: Best credit line for large credit limits
- American Express: Best credit line for low-revenue businesses
- Lendio: Best for multiple loan options
- Funding Circle: Best for low monthly payments on term loans
- 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 | |
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Provider | $250,000 | 6.2% | 12 months | 625 | $480,000 | 24 months |
Provider | $500,000 | Varies | 16 months | 600 | $250,000 | 6 months |
Provider | $500,000 | Varies | 16 months | 600 | $250,000 | 6 months |
Provider | $5 million | 21% | 5 years | 600 | $250,000 | 6 months |
Broker | $5 million | Varies | 7 years | 530 | $100,000 | 3 months |
Provider | $250,000 | Varies | 18 months | 660 | $36,000 | 1 year |
Broker | $10 million | Varies | 10 years | 500 | $50,000 | 3 months |
Broker | $500,000 | Varies | 7 years | 660 | Varies | 2 years |
Provider | 80% of receivables | 2% | Varies | None | $60,000 | 3 months |
Bluevine: Best Overall for Low Rates and Easy Access to Funds
Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | 6.2% |
Estimated APR | 6.2% to 78% |
Loan Amount | Up to $250,000 |
Repayment Term | 26 weeks 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 more strict 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.
QuickBridge: Best for Easy Application and Approval Process
Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | Factor rates as low as 1.11x |
Estimated APR | Varies |
Loan Amount | $10,000 to $500,000 |
Repayment Term | 4 to 16 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 shorter-term business loans |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 600 |
Annual Revenue | $250,000 |
Time in Business | 6 months (4 months business bank statements required) |
Why We Like QuickBridge
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 four months of bank statements. With that being said, paperwork requirements may vary depending on your specific business circumstances.
If you’re not able to get what you need with QuickBridge, you should also consider National Funding. National Funding shares nearly the same set of rates and qualification requirements as QuickBridge, but also offers a few more types of loans. With that said, QuickBridge was selected higher in our list due to a higher degree of emphasis on an easy application process.
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.
National Funding: Best for Customer Service and Custom Loan Options
Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | Factor rate as low as 1.11x |
Estimated APR | Varies |
Loan Amount | $10,000 to $500,000 |
Repayment Term | Up to 16 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 (4 months business bank statements required) |
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.
SBG Funding: Best for Fast Funding & Flexible Loan Terms
Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | 1.75% per month |
Estimated APR | 21% and up |
Loan Amount |
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Repayment Term |
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Repayment Schedule | Biweekly, weekly, and monthly |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | As fast as 24 hours |
Financing Type Offered | Term loan, line of credit, and bridge capital |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 600 |
Annual Revenue | $250,000 |
Time in Business | 6 months |
Why We Like SBG Funding
If you need funding quickly, SBG Funding is an excellent option to consider. The provider states that approximately one-third of its approved loans are funded on the same day, with an even larger percentage funding within 24 to 48 hours. SBG Funding also provides a high level of customer service, evidenced by its 5-star rating on Trustpilot.
SBG Funding boasts a high approval rate of 85%, although it has recently increased some of its minimum qualification requirements. For instance, it previously required a minimum credit score of 500, which has now been increased to 600. Borrowers who meet the stated minimum eligibility criteria, however, are not guaranteed to be approved. If you are borderline on any criteria, we recommend having other compensating factors to strengthen your loan application. For example, businesses with low credit scores may need proof of exceptionally strong financials to get approved.
Depending on the type of loan you get and your qualifications, SBG Funding can also provide flexible loan terms. One example is the possibility of having your payments deferred for up to three months, which can be an excellent option for businesses experiencing a temporary cash flow shortage.
To apply or learn more, you can visit the SBG Funding website. SBG Funding accepts online loan applications, which is a process that most borrowers should be able to complete in less than 10 minutes.
Creditfy: Best Credit Line for Large Credit Limits
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 Small Business Administration (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 less than 5 minutes.
American Express: Best Credit Line for Low-revenue Businesses
Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate |
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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.
Lendio: Best for Multiple Loan Options
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 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, equipment financing, and line of credit |
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 less than 15 minutes. There are no fees to do so, nor is there any obligation to accept a loan offer.
Funding Circle: Best for Low Monthly Payments on Term Loans
Rates & Terms | |
Starting Interest Rate | Not stated |
Estimated APR | Varies |
Loan Amount | $25,000 to $500,000 |
Repayment Term | 6 months to 7 years |
Repayment Schedule | Weekly and monthly |
Estimated Time From Application to Funding | As fast as 2 days |
Financing Type Offered | Term loan |
Qualifications | |
Credit Score | 660 |
Annual Revenue | Varies |
Time in Business | 2 years |
Why We Like Funding Circle
If you know how much funding you need and do not anticipate recurring needs for more funds, a term loan from Funding Circle can give you the lowest monthly payments. This is because in addition to offering competitive rates, it has the longest repayment period for a closed-end loan out of the lenders we’ve selected.
One of the downsides of working with Funding Circle is that it does have one of the highest credit score requirements in our guide. Like other lenders, meeting the minimum requirements also will not guarantee a loan approval. Funding Circle states that on average, it works with businesses that have been operating for 11 years and have $1.4 million in annual sales.
If you decide to work with Funding Circle, you’ll be assigned a dedicated account manager to walk you through the loan process. Depending on your qualifications you may also be charged a one-time origination fee between 4.49% and 10.49%. It’s one of the few fees you’ll have to pay as Funding Circle does not charge monthly maintenance fees, prepayment fees, processing fees, servicing fees, or administration fees.
In addition to the qualification requirements listed above, Funding Circle requires collateral and a personal guarantee from all business owners who have 20% or more equity in the company. Real estate liens are not accepted, but you can use other assets such as equipment, vehicles, and inventory.
To learn more or to apply, you can visit the Funding Circle website.
Payability: Best for Ecommerce Businesses
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 | $60,000 |
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.