Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

Best fast business loans of 2024

Get fast business loans to keep your business running smoothly – often in as little as three days or less.

A fast business loan is a small business loan that a lender is able to fund quickly – within a few business days or less. Fast business loans come in many forms, including: short- and long-term business loans, lines of credit, equipment financing, merchant cash advances and invoice financing.

As long as you can show sufficient revenue, time in business and meet the lender’s minimum credit requirements, you may qualify for a quick business loan. Online lenders tend to have relaxed requirements and are usually the best place to go for a quick business loan.

Here is our list of the top fast business lenders to get you the cash that you need quickly.

7 best fast small business loans

Why trust Finder

  • 35+ business loan lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts
  • 12+ types of business loans analyzed
  • Evaluated under our unbiased rating system covering 10+ categories
  • 20+ years of combined experience covering financial topics

We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.

Best fast business loan marketplace: Lendio

Lendio business loans

4.8
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amount$1,000 – $10,000,000
APRVaries by lender
Min. Credit Score500

Alternative for fast lines of credit: OnDeck

OnDeck business lines of credit

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Loan amount$6,000 – $100,000
APR52.6% average APR
Min. Credit Score625

Best for fast invoice financing: FundThrough

FundThrough Invoice Factoring and Financing

4.5
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site
on Businessloans.com's secure site
Read review
Loan amount$500 – $10,000,000
APRNot applicable
Min. Credit Score500

Best for fast SBA loans: SmartBiz

SmartBiz business loans

4.5
★★★★★

Finder score

Loan amount$30,000 – $500,000
APRPrime Rate, plus 2.75% to 4.75%
Min. Credit Score650

Best for fast merchant cash advances: Credibly

Credibly business financing

3.8
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Loan amount$5,000 – $600,000
APRNot applicable
Min. Credit Score500

Best for fast equipment financing: National Funding

National Funding business loans

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site
Loan amount$5,000 – $500,000
APRUndisclosed
Min. Credit Score600

Best for fast startup loans: Finance Factory

Finance Factory business loans

4.1
★★★★★

Finder score

Loan amount$5,000 – $350,000
APR0% to 15%
Min. Credit Score700

Methodology: How we choose the best business loans

Our lending experts analyze dozens of business loan providers to narrow down the best and fastest for business owners and startups. We search for lenders that suit a range of needs, including ones that offer fast approval and funding times and competitive interest rates.

We weigh lenders against 12 key metrics:

  • Rates
  • Fees
  • Application process
  • Lender reputation
  • Eligibility requirements
  • Credit score minimums
  • Products offered
  • Willingness to work with risky industries
  • Minimum and maximum loan amounts
  • Customer service reviews
  • Funding turnaround times
  • Extra features

What is a fast business loan?

A fast business loan is a loan or financing with a quick turnaround of three business days or less. There isn’t a single type of fast business loan. Many types of loans can qualify as a fast business loan, including term loans, equipment financing, lines of credit, merchant cash advances and invoice financing. The fastest business lenders offer same-day loans that can be funded within the day that you apply if you qualify.

Types of fast business loans and turnaround time

Fast doesn’t mean instant – fast business loans still take time to process. While some may be funded same-day after approval, others might take a few business days or longer.

Loan typeDescriptionAverage turnaround time
Business term loanA lump sum loan with repayment terms between three and 10 years1 to 5 days
Short-term business loanA lump sum loan with repayment terms between three and 24 months1 to 5 days
Line of creditA business loan that works similarly to a credit card1 to 2 days
Equipment financingA loan used to buy or lease business equipment1 to 21 days
Business credit cardA revolving line of creditInstant funding if approved
Merchant advanceAn advance on future credit card salesAs soon as 24 hours
Invoice financingA short-term loan against unpaid invoicesAs soon as 24 hours
Startup loan/financingFinancing options for startup businessesOne to four weeks
SBA Express loanA term loan up to $5,000,000 with repayment terms up to 25 years30 to 90 days

How much can I borrow with a fast business loan?

Fast business loans can range anywhere between $2,000 and $500,000 — although many lenders don’t offer business loans over $250,000.

The amount your business is eligible for depends on several factors, including:

  • Current cash flow
  • Time in business
  • Monthly and annual revenue
  • Personal and business credit scores

Quick loans are often backed by assets, such as with merchant cash advances and invoice factoring. But depending on the lender, you may also be able to get fast turnaround on short- and long-term business loans, equipment financing and lines of credit too.

How to get a fast business loan

Here are the general steps to get a fast business loan:

Determine the type loan of you need

Fast business loans come in a range of different flavors for different needs. You can choose from:

  • Merchant cash advance. A quick turnaround cash advance on future sales. Fees can run high with this option, but it can be a lifeline for new business and startups.
  • Invoice financing and factoring. This is a cash advance on your unpaid invoices, and rates can be competitive – starting as low as 3%.
  • Short term loan. Used to cover unexpected expenses, even out cash flow or finance a short-term project. Short-term loans are usually repaid over three to 24 months.
  • Business term loan. A lump sum loan that provides working capital for a range of needs. These are longer-term loans that are typically repaid over two to 10 years.
  • Business line of credit. This is a revolving line of credit that can be used to pay for emergencies and ongoing cash needs.
  • Equipment loan. Used for buying new machinery, furniture or fixtures and can help keep your cash and existing credit free for other needs.
  • SBA loan. These loans offer government-backed financing at low rates, but take longer to process than other types of loans.
  • ACH business loan. These types of loans, also called ACH cash flow loans, offer a lump sum of cash in exchange for allowing the lender to deduct payment directly from your business bank account. They’re typically easy to qualify for and offer quick cash.

2. Prequalify online

Most lenders offer online prequalification so you can check how much might be eligible for and the rate. This allows you to compare options before you fill out a full application and do a hard credit check.

3. Apply for your loan or financing

Once you’ve narrowed down the best lender for your needs, apply online and get your documents together for uploading.

While every lender is different, be prepared to provide the following types of documents:

  • Bank statements
  • Business tax ID
  • Driver’s license number
  • Accounting software
  • Profit and loss statements
  • Bank account information
  • Contact information of each business owner

The exact information you need to provide will depend on the lender. For fast business loans, plan on submitting everything at once for quicker processing.

How much do fast business loans cost?

Fast loans typically don’t always come cheap. Rates on the fast loans can range anywhere from 3% APR for invoice financing to 60+% APR for a business line of credit. The rates, upfront fees, ongoing fees and collateral will also impact the cost of your business loan.

Since costs depend so much on your personal situation, the best way to determine how much a business loan will cost is to get prequalified online. Most lenders offer free online prequalification, so it’s a good idea to compare several offers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

You can also use a business loan marketplace like Lendio to compare multiple lenders at once with a single form. While Lendio doesn’t charge for its service, you pay a fee if you get funded by a lender – so check fees first.

When a fast business loan makes sense

A fast business loan can make sense if you need to get quick cash in a business emergency to keep your business running smoothly during a seasonal slump or to pay for emergency expenses. With many online lenders offering streamlined applications, it can be easier and faster to apply for a loan online than going to your local bank.

Fast business loan alternatives

If you own a newer business or don’t meet the revenue or time in business requirements, you may not qualify for a business loan or the lowest rates. Here are some alternatives to business loans that can also help you get cash sooner than later.

  • Personal loans. Personal loans offer amounts between $1,000 and $100,000 with rates between 6% and 36%. However, the best personal loans require good credit and may have restrictions on business expenses.
  • Business credit cards. A business credit card may be easier to get approved for than a loan. Many business credit cards come with 0% APR promotional periods, giving you some breathing space for larger purchases.

And if you can wait a little longer for funds, you can also look into crowdfunding or apply for a business grant, which are available from Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and at USA.gov.

Kat Aoki's headshot
Written by

Writer

Kat Aoki was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in consumer and business lending. She’s written thousands of articles to help consumers make better decisions on their home loans, bank accounts, credit cards, cryptocurrency and more. Kat is well versed in working with leading brands in the real estate, mortgage and personal finance industries, and her expertise has been featured on Forbes Advisor, Lifewire and financial comparison sites like iSelect and realestate.com.au. She holds a BS in business administration from California State University, Sacramento and enjoys hiking and yoga in her spare time. See full bio

Kat's expertise
Kat has written 195 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Mortgages
  • Home equity loans
  • Mortgage refinancing
More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site