Compare the best short-term business loans. Get fast funding, low rates, and flexible terms. Find the right lender to meet your business needs.
If your business needs immediate funding, short-term loans can be a good option to cover cash flow gaps or expansion plans. Loan amounts typically range from $2,500 to $500,000, with repayment terms of three months to two years. While interest rates can be higher than traditional loans, approvals often happen within 24 hours, making it very convenient for quick financing.
The best loan depends on your needs, credit profile, and funding speed. Since terms vary by lender, comparing rates, fees, and repayment options is crucial. We evaluated loan amounts, approval speed, credit requirements, and repayment flexibility to help you choose the right option.
Here are our top picks for the best short-term business loans:
Below, I summarized the top features I considered for the six lending providers. Here is our list of the best short-term business loans.
| Best for | Loan amounts | Interest rates | Loan terms | Minimum credit score | |
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| Bluevine Line of credit | Overall | Up to $250,000 | 7.8% | 6 or 12 months | 625+ |
| Lendio Short-term loan | Newer businesses | $10,000 to $5 million | 8.49% | 6 months to 7 years | 600 |
| Clarify Capital Short-term loan | Large, unsecured loans | Up to $5 million | 6% | Varies; flexible | 500+ |
| QuickBridge Short-term loan | Easy application and fast approval | Up to $500,000 | Varies | 6 to 18 months | 600 |
| Fundbox Working capital loan | No collateral | Up to $150,000 | 4.66% or 8.99% | 12-week and 24-week terms | 600+ |
| Credibly Working capital loan | Low credit scores | $25,000 to $600,000 | Factor rates of 1.11x | 6 to 24 months | 500+ |
Bluevine is a financial technology (fintech) company offering an outstanding line of credit with limits of up to $250,000. With interest rates starting at 7.8% and same-day funding, it’s ideal for managing cash flow and covering short-term expenses.
Businesses can borrow as needed and only pay interest on the amount used, making it a fast and flexible financing solution with minimal paperwork. Over the past decade, Bluevine has served over 500,000 businesses, providing $14 billion in loans to support growth.
See how business lines of credit differ from business loans.
I chose Bluevine’s line of credit as the best short-term business loan for its flexibility, fast funding, and competitive rates. With high credit limits, low interest, and same-day financing, it’s a cost-effective way to pay off sudden expenses or go after growth opportunities.
The simple online application, minimal paperwork, and no prepayment penalties make it even more appealing. Plus, opening a fee-free Bluevine Standard business checking account can streamline the process while earning you up to 1.3% APY on qualifying balances.
Visit Bluevine
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Considered a free online loan marketplace, Lendio helps link small business owners with a network of over 75 lenders, including banks and online lenders. Rather than providing loans directly, it helps businesses compare diverse financing options to find the best fit.
Among these are short-term business loans, which offer speedy funding to support your immediate business needs. Aside from short-term loans for business, Lendio also provides access to lines of credit, invoice financing, and other financing solutions.
Lendio’s vast lender network and flexible qualifications make it one of my top choices for short-term business loans. The variety of lending options boosts approval chances, even for borrowers with credit scores as low as 550 (for certain loan products), making it ideal for newer businesses with limited operational history. It offers fast funding within one to two days, pre-approvals in 24 hours, and no loan matchmaking fees. Plus, a lending team member (called a funding manager) helps you find the best business loan and assists you in completing your application.
Visit Lendio
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Clarify Capital is a lending firm that partners with over 75 lenders to help small and medium-sized businesses secure funding. Through a single application, a business owner seeking financing can check multiple loan options to compare rates and terms to identify the most suitable match. Loan options include term loans, lines of credit, and equipment financing.
I chose Clarify Capital as the best for large, unsecured loans because it can connect businesses with lenders offering high loan amounts, up to $5 million, without requiring collateral. With a vast lender network, the approval chances increase for businesses needing substantial funding.
Beyond short-term business loans, its unsecured loan options include business lines of credit, working capital loans, and merchant cash advances. They also have financial advisors guiding you through the entire process. Plus, applying takes just two minutes.
Visit Clarify Capital
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QuickBridge is a direct online lender that provides fast and easy short-term business lending. Known for its streamlined application process and quick approvals, it offers funding up to $500,000 with terms ranging from six to 18 months.
With flexible requirements and a focus on small businesses, QuickBridge is ideal if you need immediate working capital without going through a long approval process. Its loan offerings include working capital, receivable financing, short-term loans, and daily payment financing.
I picked QuickBridge for its simplified online process and fast approval with minimal documentation, making it seamless for businesses to apply. It provides quick funding, often within 24 hours, and only requires over six months of business operation compared to traditional lenders. This makes it an excellent choice for business owners who need immediate capital without the hassle of a lengthy approval process. In addition, dedicated funding specialists provide personalized assistance.
Visit QuickBridge
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Headquartered in San Francisco, Fundbox is a fintech platform that leverages technology to help small businesses access quick working capital for growth. With over a decade of experience and over 500,000 businesses served, it offers fast short-term small business loans with flexible 12- or 24-week repayment terms and automatic weekly payments, making it an ideal solution for companies needing immediate cash flow support.
I chose Fundbox as the best for no-collateral financing because it offers unsecured business lines of credit without requiring assets as security. This makes it an excellent option for small businesses that may not have valuable collateral to pledge. Fundbox also has a fast and flexible application process, with a credit decision in just minutes and funding available as soon as the next business day. In addition, Fundbox earned a 4.7-star rating out of 5 with over 4,000 reviews in Trustpilot.
Visit Fundbox
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Credibly provides flexible financing solutions to small businesses, especially those with lower credit scores. Its lineup of loan products includes working capital loans, MCAs, SBA loans, business lines of credit, equipment financing, and long-term loans. With a minimum credit score of 500, fast approvals, and various loan options, Credibly is ideal for businesses that don’t qualify for traditional bank loans as it prioritizes business performance over credit history.
I chose Credibly as the best option for business owners with low credit scores because even if it generally requires a minimum credit score of over 500, it still considers applications for those with a credit score as low as 500, making it more accessible than many other lenders. Credibly considers factors like business revenue and cash flow, allowing more businesses, especially those with limited credit history, to qualify for funding. It also serves businesses in over 1,000 industries nationwide.
Visit Credibly
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When choosing the best short-term small business loan, consider the following:
| Loan type | Best for | Loan amount | Repayment term | Interest rates | Funding speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term loan | Immediate cash flow needs or emergency expenses | $2,500 to $500,000 | 3 to 18 months | Higher than long-term loans | 24 hours to a few days |
| Long-term loan | Large purchases, expansion, and equipment financing | $5,000 to $5 million | 5 to 25 years | Lower than short-term loans | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Business line of credit | Managing cash flow and short-term needs | $5,000 to $500,000 | Ongoing | Varies | Same-day to a few days |
| Invoice financing | Businesses with outstanding invoices | Up to 90% of invoice value | Until the invoice is paid | 1% to 5% per month | 24 to 48 hours |
| Merchant cash advance | Businesses with strong daily sales | $2,500 to $500,000 | Flexible (until repaid) | High (factor rate 1.1 to 1.5) | Same-day to a few days |
| SBA loan (7a & 504) | Long-term investments and lower-cost financing | $50,000 to $5 million | 5 to 25 years | Low | Weeks to months |
| Equipment financing | Purchasing business equipment | Up to 100% of equipment cost | 2 to 7 years | Varies | 1 to 2 weeks |
Check out our list of the best banks for small business loans. If you own a rental property or plan to own one, you may also want to read our lineup of the best banks for real estate investors.
Short-term loans for small businesses can provide quick funding if you need immediate capital, but they also come with higher costs and frequent repayments. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages:
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When choosing the best short-term business loans for this guide, I focused on loan amounts, repayment terms, interest rates, approval speed, and credit score requirements. I researched lenders and checked information through their websites. I compared options and looked for transparent terms, fast funding, and flexible eligibility. I aimed to provide clear comparisons and practical recommendations to help small businesses make smart financial decisions.
For the easiest short-term business funding, consider working capital loans or business lines of credit for faster approval and flexible terms than traditional business bank loans or SBA loans. However, they may have higher fees and interest rates. QuickBridge, Clarify Capital, and Credibly offer easy application, quick funding, and flexible options, including lower credit score requirements.
Yes, startups can qualify for short-term loans, though requirements may be stricter and interest rates higher than for established businesses. Lenders like Bluevine, Lendio, QuickBridge, and Credibly offer loans to startups with at least 6 months in business. For startups with little or no revenue, business credit cards, personal loans, or investor funding may be better alternatives.
Robi Mansueto brings over a decade of experience in consumer and preferred banking, with expertise in investment services, client relationship management, and financial product sales. She has held key roles at the Bank of the Philippine Islands and CIMB Securities (Singapore), where she managed high-net-worth clients and oversaw investment, loan, and securities transactions. With a strong background in client onboarding, compliance, and risk management, Robi has ensured strict adherence to regulatory standards throughout her career.
