OnDeck short-term loans isn't available on Finder right now.
Fast financing for startups and fair credit borrowers — but is it worth the high rates?
OnDeck is a direct online lender that offers short-term business loans and lines of credit. It relies on alternative data like shipping records when underwriting your application, so a low credit score or short time in business won't count against you the same way it might at a bank. However, it's an expensive choice compared to the other short-term business lenders and may be better suited for emergencies.
Best for: Businesses in need of emergency business funding.
finder.com's rating: 4.6/ 5.0
★★★★★
Bottom line: OnDeck offers a fast alternative to bank loans for businesses that have struggled to qualify for traditional financing. But the high interest rates combined with daily or weekly repayments can put a strain on your budget. Read our full review or get our 30-second take.
| Min. Amount | $5,000 |
| Max. Amount | $250,000 |
| Loan term | 3 to 24 months |
| Min. Credit Score | 625 |
| APR | Average is 55.9% to 56.1%. |
| Requirements | Companies in business at least 1 year, $100,000+ in gross annual revenue, majority owner with a 625+ personal credit score, active business checking account |
| Product name | OnDeck lines of credit |
| APR | 29.9% - 65.9% based on loans originated in the half-year ending March 31, 2022 |
| Required time in business | 12 months |
| Minimum credit score | 660 |
| Minimum annual revenue | $100,000 |
| Turnaround time | 1 business day |
OnDeck offers fast funding, sometimes in a matter of minutes with the term loan or the line of credit. The lines of credit also come with no draw fees or prepayment penalties.
Credit lines typically take a few days to process a withdrawal, but OnDeck can give you access to cash in a matter of minutes if you draw up to $10,000 — even on nights and weekends. This makes it particularly useful when you need to bridge gaps in cash flow and avoid high-cost emergency financing, like a merchant cash advance.
OnDeck also looks at your whole business’s profile — not only your credit score — when considering your application. It uses alternative data to make financing accessible to business owners who’ve previously had difficulty securing funds. For example, OnDeck considers factors like how your business has used past credit, your vendor payment history and your online presence.
OnDeck’s biggest downfall is the high cost. It may accept credit scores as low as 625, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny. It may also require daily or weekly repayments based on your loan terms.
OnDeck’s credit lines come with rates starting at 29.9% APR, with a weighted average rate of 48.9% APR. Its short-term loan rates start at 29.9%, with a weighted average of 62.1% APR.
In comparison, most banks charge no more than 10% on business loans, even when rates are high. BlueVine — a lender similar to OnDeck — offers a line of credit with a much lower starting rate of 7.8% APR.
While there are no origination or draw fees on OnDeck’s line of credit, the APR includes a $20 monthly maintenance fee. Borrowers may pay up to a 4% origination fee on short-term loans. But OnDeck may reduce or waive the monthly maintenance or origination fee for repeat borrowers.
The starting rate on OnDeck’s loans are significantly higher than the rates available before COVID-19. Previously, rates on term loans started at 11.89% APR and lines of credit began at 10.99% APR — higher than a bank, but average for an online lender. Its new starting rates of 29.9% are much higher than the starting rates available with most online lenders we’ve seen.
OnDeck is clear on how its loans work and their cost.
| Line of credit | Short-term loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum credit score/credit range | 625 | 625 |
| APR | 52.6% average APR | Average is 55.9% to 56.1%. |
| Loan amounts | $6,000 to $100,000 | $5,000 to $250,000 |
| Terms | 24-month repayment term, resets after each withdrawal | 3 to 24 months |
| Approval turnaround | As soon as same day | Offers same day funding |
| Availability | Not available in Nevada, North Dakota and South Dakota | Not available in Nevada, North Dakota and South Dakota |
| Fees |
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OnDeck only has a few minimum requirements to qualify for a business loan or line of credit:
To get instant funding from your line of credit, you need a business debit card with the account they have on file. If you don’t have a debit card, it uses ACH to send you withdrawals. It caps instant line of credit withdrawals at $10,000.
Apply for a loan online or over the phone by calling 888-269-4246. If you apply online, the application takes about 10 minutes to complete. Before you get started, have your business tax ID, three months of business bank statements, the business owner’s social security number, driver’s license and state of issue on hand. OnDeck typically gives you an initial offer in a matter of minutes.
After you’ve reviewed the offer and submitted any additional documents, OnDeck will run a hard credit check and process your application. You can receive your funds as soon as 24 hours after signing the closing documents.
Depending on your loan terms, you may need to make daily or weekly repayments.
BlueVine and Backd are two more online lenders also serving businesses that can’t qualify for traditional financing. Both can process your application within minutes and get you funds as soon as the next business day.
OnDeck short-term loans |
Bluevine business lines of credit |
Backd |
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★★★★★ |
★★★★★ |
★★★★★ Finder rating 4.4 / 5 |
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Loan amount $5,000 – $250,000 |
Loan amount $5,000 – $250,000 |
Loan amount $10,000 – $2,000,000 |
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APR Average is 55.9% to 56.1%. |
APR Starting at 7.8% |
APR Competitive |
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Loan term 3 to 24 months |
Loan term 6 or 12 months |
Loan term 6 to 16 months |
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Requirements Companies in business at least 1 year, $100,000+ in gross annual revenue, majority owner with a 625+ personal credit score, active business checking account |
Requirements 12+ months in business, $40,000+ in monthly revenue, 625+ credit score |
Requirements 1+ years in business, $100K+ annual revenue, 600+ FICO, business bank account, US based business |
Compare more business loans lenders
BlueVine may be a good alternative for established businesses. Its credit limits are slightly higher than OnDeck, with lower rates. But you’ll need to be in business for at least two years to qualify and make at least $40,000 in monthly revenue.
Backd may be a good alternative for new businesses. Like OnDeck, Backd only requires one year in business but has a higher credit score minimum of 600. It offers lines of credit and term loans, though starting rates are similarly high. Despite the high APR, Backd gets overall positive customer reviews.
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 3.65 out of 5 stars, based on 118 customer reviews |
| BBB customer complaints | 35 customer complaints |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on 3,778 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 20 March 2023 |
OnDeck gets mostly positive reviews on Trustpilot and has fair customer reviews on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. Most reviews praise the fast approval process, easy application and great customer service. Other customer reviews rave on about the accessible funding and overall frictionless experience.
Negative reviews are expected with a direct lender, and there are several reviews of customers expressing disappointment on declined applications and complaints about high rates. But overall, most reviews are pleased with OnDeck’s service.
Yes, OnDeck is a legitimate lender. Founded in 2006, OnDeck was one of the first lenders in the online business loan space. Since, it’s funded $13 billion in small business loans across the globe — including businesses in Canada and Australia. In July 2020, OnDeck was acquired by Enova, a company that also owns the payday and installment loan providers CashNetUSA and NetCredit.
It’s more transparent than your average online lender when it comes to rates, fees and terms. While like most online lenders it’s not federally regulated and isn’t required to meet the same requirements as a bank or credit union. This partly helps OnDeck fund more borrowers who can’t qualify for bank funding.
But if you want that extra layer of legitimacy, consider applying with a federally-insured institution.
Bethany Finder
Editor, Banking
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