Best Private Lenders for Business Loans and Startups 2024

The Best Private Lenders for Business Loans and Startups Comparison

Why Do I Need a Private Lender for a Startup Business Loan?

The best private lenders for business loans and startups supply funding solutions to new businesses, businesses without established credit, or business owners with poor credit. In other words, private lenders act as an alternative funding source for businesses and owners that would typically be turned down for SBA loans or other bank and credit union business financing.

Suppose your new business requires a $100,000 loan or more for business expansion or equipment purchasing. Or you simply need liquid funds to make payroll and operate the company on a daily basis but have a less-than-ideal credit score.

Neither of these scenarios will qualify for a bank or SBA loan because of the short business history or the below-average credit score. However, a private lender subject to fewer restrictions than an FDIC-insured institution can often help.

Private, non-traditional lenders typically offer a variety of financial products, including term loans, advances, and other loan types. While some may offer just one or two products, others offer multiple borrowing options with just as many repayment terms.

However, there are some essential factors to keep in mind when choosing alternative funding. Higher-risk lending typically features higher borrowing costs, which means that understanding what your business is getting into is crucial before signing the deal.

Features of the Best Private Lenders for Business Loans and Startups

While spotting private lenders is easy due to their online presence and advertising, identifying the best ones for startups or those with below-average credit can be more challenging. Like finding the best online personal loan lenders, starting your search at an online marketplace, such as Lendtingtree, can give you a head start by singling out several of its top picks.

As a quick primer, the following are some features to look for when searching for the best private lender for your business or startup.

• Easy to identify and locate online
• Simple application process
• Pre-qualification abilities that won’t affect your credit score
• Rapid funding
• Manageable approval requirements
• Manageable borrowing costs.

Private Lender Business and Startup Funding Types

The best private lenders for business loans and startups may feature one or more of the following financial tools.

Term Loan

A private lender term loan works the same as a term loan from a traditional lender. Term loans are what many people think of as normal business loans. However, they do have a specific definition.

A term loan provides a lump sum of money upon approval. Your business can use the funding to invest in your business. Repayment terms consist of fixed monthly or weekly payments over a specified length of time. When the loan is paid off, the contract is complete.

Term loans are more challenging to qualify for than other options. Because the lender risks a large sum, the company may require collateral or a personal guarantee to approve the funding.

 Working Capital Loan

A working capital loan is similar to a term loan in that it consists of a lump sum payment and repayment terms that include fixed payments over time. However, a working capital loan typically provides funding coverage for everyday business expenses instead of purchasing big-ticket items, paying for business space, investing, etc.

Working capital loans from alternative lenders may require collateral in some cases. However, many companies offer unsecured options, usually with a personal guarantee.

Equipment Financing

Equipment financing is available from the best private lenders for business loans and startups in several forms. The primary purpose of an equipment financing loan is to purchase big-ticket items necessary to operate the business. However, equipment leasing, refinancing, and leaseback deals are also available.

The key feature of each of these options is that the purchased equipment acts as the collateral. Because the lender is at less risk in a collateral-based loan, borrowing costs are often lower than other loan types, and repayment terms are sometimes more flexible.

Business Line of Credit

A business line of credit provides short-term funding for meeting basic business needs. A credit line is simply a revolving form of credit and operates similarly to borrowing from a credit card. The customer has a spending limit based on how much they’re approved for. The customer can take cash draws against the limit, reducing the available amount.

When repaying the drawn amount, the credit line spending limit will increase again to the maximum borrowing amount.

Invoice Factoring

Invoice factoring or accounts receivable factoring trades immediate cash for unpaid business invoices. For this funding method to work, the business must prove a particular income level adequate to cover the borrowing cost. The business owner receives a lump sum to operate the business, and repayment includes turning over a percentage of the income from invoices as they’re paid.

Cash Advance

A cash advance, merchant cash advance, or MCA functions less like a loan and more like invoice factoring. A cash advance consists of a lump sum presented to the business owner in exchange for repayments that include a portion of future sales. Payments structures can include daily, weekly, or monthly payments.

Best Private Lenders for Business Loans and Startups Pros and Cons

Even the best private lenders for business loans and startups aren’t always perfect for every business owner’s needs. Understanding alternative lending pros and cons is essential to keeping yourself and your business safe when borrowing.

Additionally, knowing the ins and outs of non-traditional lending and using it to your advantage can provide benefits that SBA loans and traditional lenders can’t match.

Pros

• Online lenders are plentiful and diverse.
• Applying for private lending typically requires less paperwork than traditional loans.
• Pre-qualification that won’t affect your credit score is often available.
• Fast funding is often a feature included in alternative borrowing.
• Approval requirements are typically relaxed compared to traditional lending.
• Can provide creative ways to grow your business

Cons

• More expensive than traditional and SBA loans
• Shady lenders do exist and must be avoided
• Can be challenging to understand some repayment terms
• Repayment transparency is sometimes lacking

How to Choose the Best Private Lender for Your Business Startup

Similar to choosing the best debt consolidation company in your personal life, picking the best private lender for your business comes down to identifying your needs and finding a lender to match.

However, that’s oversimplified, and the task can be quite tricky if you’re unsure of what to look for. It’s essential to remember that the business financing solution that works for some may not be what you need. Answer the following questions to begin zeroing in on your best private lender.

1. How will your business use the new money injection?
2. How much does your business need to borrow immediately?
3. How much does your business need to borrow in the near future?
4. What are your gross and net revenue figures?
5. Is there enough steady earnings to cover the cost of repayment?
6. Will the amount left over after making the payments be enough to maintain cash flow?
7. Does my company really need to borrow money, or is there another funding option?

What’s the Best Private Lender for Business Loans and Startups

Our top pick for the best private lender for business loans and startups is Lendingtree. Lendingtree is an online financial marketplace designed to help you quickly, easily, and successfully identify and choose a lending or banking partner.

Lendingtree

Best Overall

Lendingtree is our number one pick as the best lender for business loans and startups. The online lending marketplace connects lenders with customers, allowing both parties crucial access to each other to make getting a business loan simple and possible.

Additionally, LendingTree ranks #3 on our 2024 list of the best personal loans for fair credit, just behind Upstart (#2) and Credible (#1). This ranking is based on our proprietary rating algorithm, which considers factors such as customer reviews, online complaints, and each company’s rates and fees.

Lendingtree partners with multiple business loan providers. Partner companies feature their own loan terms, qualification requirements, and costs. Lendingtree acts as a bridge between the customer and the lender at no cost to the borrower.

Numerous borrowing options are available through the company’s site, designed to fit the needs of a wide demographic, including startups, established companies, and borrowers with lackluster credit scores or histories.

Lendingtree Pros and Cons

Pros

• Pre-qualification won’t affect credit score
• Rapid application and funding times
• Saves time over searching for lenders one at a time
• Multiple loan types and terms available
• Personal and debt consolidation loans are also available
• Offers financial products for almost any situation

Cons

• Not a direct lender
• Generally more costly borrowing options than traditional business loans
• Some lending partners employ aggressive sales strategies

Lendingtree Features and Benefits

As a financial tool marketplace, Lendingtree meets the needs of nearly any business financing situation. However, the company shines when handling transactions for borrowers who are unlikely to qualify for an SBA loan or more traditional funding.

• Multiple borrowing options available
• Apply in minutes
• Receive multiple financial product options in minutes
• Choose from more than one loan product choice
• Pre-qualification won’t affect credit score
• Highly rated lending platform
• Minimum loan amount of $500
• Wide range of interest rates and factor rates
• Additional fees may apply with some lending partners
• No minimum credit score
• No minimum business age
• Approval qualifications vary by lender
• Wide range of loan terms available

Lendingtree Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Lendingtree: 9.8

Lendingtree services encompass the abilities of every lender that wound up in our review, easily taking the top spot. While the company isn’t a direct lender, it can provide the services of numerous lending companies through its single, fast, and easy application process.

We rate Lendingtree highly in our evaluation, and the company’s customers and experts agree with our findings. As a lending marketplace, the company maintains an A+ grade at the BBB for its responsiveness and a 4.3 out of 5 stars rating at Trustpilot. Additionally, 81% of Trustpilot reviewers award Lendingtree a 5-star rating.

Read Full Review: Lendingtree

Find Business Financial Loan Products at Lendingtree.com.

Credibly

Best for Rapid Funding

Credibly is our top pick under Lendingtree as the best rapid-funding private lender for business loans and startups. The company offers several borrowing options with a wide range of repayment terms in amounts up to $400,000. Credibly’s financial tools feature fast funding and relaxed qualification requirements. Borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 with businesses as young as three months may qualify.

Credibly Pros and Cons

Pros

• Low credit score requirements to qualify
• Pre-qualify without affecting credit score
• Up to $400,000 loan amounts available
• Rapid funding between same-day and 48 hours available
• Medium and Long-term business loans are available

Cons

• Stringent contract terms
• Potentially high interest rate
• $15 revenue required to qualify

Credibly Features and Benefits

Credibly’s features and benefits list is long and impressive. While borrowers must remain vigilant regarding borrowing costs, the company likely has a solution to fit most new business owners’ needs.

• Multiple borrowing options available
• Pre-qualify without a hard credit check
• Finance experts available for consultation
• Highly rated company
• Funding up to $400,000
• Minimum loan amount of $5,000
• Starting factor rates from 1.11
• 2.5% origination fees apply
• $50 administration fees apply to MCAs
• Minimum credit score 500
• Minimum business age 3 months
• Minimum revenue to qualify is $15k monthly or $180,000 annually
• Same-day funding possible
• Working capital loan terms of 3 to 15 months
• Long-term business loans available
• Variable loan term lengths

Credibly Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Credibly: 9.5

Credibly meets or exceeds expectations throughout a number of criteria in our evaluation of the company. Despite potentially high borrowing costs, the company outperforms much of the competition in several categories.

We awarded the company 9.5 out of 10 possible points based on customer satisfaction review scores, product availability, terms, and how the company ranks against similar and dissimilar lending organizations.

Read Full Review: Credibly

Fundbox

Best Business Line of Credit

Fundbox offers a single financial product to new businesses or owners with less-than-perfect credit scores. The non-traditional lender’s business line of credit is one of the best in the business. It features a maximum spending limit of $150,000, weekly repayment terms, rapid funding, low qualification requirements, and a pre-qualification step that won’t affect your credit score before formally applying.

Fundbox Pros and Cons

Pros

• Prequalification won’t affect credit score
• Provides rapid funding with minimal forms
• Businesses 6 months old can qualify
• Lower-than-average credit okay
• No origination, maintenance, or early payoff fees

Cons

• Requires weekly repayments
• High borrowing cost
• Low maximum credit line amount of $150,000
• Financial products are limited to lines of credit only

Fundbox Features and Benefits

Instead of offering a long and potentially confusing list of borrowing possibilities, Fundbox offers a single financial tool that’s flexible and convenient to meet the needs of a wide demographic.

• A single borrowing option is available
• Pre-qualify without a hard credit check
• Weekly interest starting at 4.66% or 8.99%
• APRs between 10% and 80%
• No prepayment penalties
• Highly rated company
• Credit line funding up to $150,000
• Minimum draw amount $1,000
• 12 or 24-week repayment terms per draw
• Payments begin 14 days after drawing money
• Hard credit inquiry at the first draw
• No origination or application fees
• Minimum credit score 600
• Minimum business age 6 months
• Minimum revenue to qualify is $100,000 annually
• Funding within 24 hours after approval
• Late payment fees apply

Fundbox Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Fundbox: 9.4

Fundbox scores well in our review for its multiple stand-out features in its very short product lineup. The company’s ability to work with new businesses and those with credit scores as low as 500 impressed us. Additionally, its rapid funding times and flexible repayment terms, applicable each time you draw money, earned Fundbox additional points.

Read Full Review: Fundbox

Fora Financial

Best for Bad Credit

Fora Financial stands out as our winner in the best for bad credit category. While several companies in our review will potentially approve borrowers with credit scores as low as 500, Fora Financial’s two lending products are available in a wide range of loan length terms and offer potential discounts for paying the loan off early. Funding of up to $1.5 million is available through Fora Financial.

Fora Financial Pros and Cons

Pros

• Funding available in 24 to 96 hours
• Low credit score requirements to qualify
• Approves businesses as young as six months old
• Up to $1.5 million loan amounts available
• Low starting factor rates

Cons

• Substantial origination fee applies
• Wire transfer fees apply
• Only two financial loan products are available
• Long-term loans unavailable

Fora Financial Features and Benefits

Fora Financial provides a long list of features and benefits that work well with numerous business types. A distinguishing difference between Fora Financial and more traditional lenders is the use of factor ratings to determine the customers’ borrowing costs.

• Two borrowing options are available
• Pre-qualify without a hard credit check
• Charges factor rates instead of interest rates
• Factor rates from 1.10 to 1.90
• No prepayment penalties
• Early payoff discounts are possible
• Highly rated company
• Loan amounts of up to $1.5 million
• Minimum loan amount $5,000
• Four to 15-month repayment terms
• Origination and wire transfer fees apply
• Origination fees equal higher of 2.5% or $300
• Minimum credit score 500
• Minimum business age 6 months
• Minimum revenue to qualify is $180,000 annually
• Funding within 24 to 96 hours after approval

Fora Financial Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Credibly: 9.2

Borrowing from many nontraditional lenders can be expensive. However, we were impressed when evaluating Fora Financial for its upfront cost disclosures. Fora Financial also scored well regarding customer review scores and flexibility.

Read Full Review: Fora Financial

National Funding

Best for Equipment Financing

National Funding offers two types of business financing for startups and more established businesses, including working capital and equipment financing. The company offers up to $500,000 through its working capital loans and up to $150,000 through equipment financing.

National Funding Pros and Cons

Pros

• Relatively low credit scores required for approval
• Funding available within 24 hours after approval
• Pre-qualification won’t negatively affect credit score
• High borrowing limit of up to $500,000
• Funding available for startups in business for six months
• Prepayment discounts of up to 7% are available

Cons

• Potentially restrictive repayment terms
• Few borrowing options
• Potentially high cost of borrowing
• Limited consumer information on the company’s website

National Funding Features and Benefits

National Funding offers business financing for startups as young as six months old. The company focuses on providing necessary funding to businesses that haven’t had time to develop a solid credit score or to business owners with fair to average credit.

• Two borrowing options available
• Pre-qualify without a hard credit check
• Factor-rate financing starting at 1.1
• Prepayment discounts are available
• Highly rated company
• Funding up to $500,000
• Equipment loans up to $150,000
• Minimum loan amount of $5,000
• Origination fees apply
• Minimum credit score 600 or 650, depending on loan type
• Minimum business age 6 months
• Minimum revenue to qualify is $250,000 annually
• Funding within 24 hours after approval
• Working capital loan terms between four and 24 months
• Equipment financing terms between 24 and 60 months
• Late payment fees apply
• Daily or weekly payments apply for short-term loans

National Funding Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for National Funding: 8.4

National Funding scores points in our review by providing rapid funding to startups and businesses that wouldn’t otherwise be able obtain financing through more traditional means. Depending on the loan type, borrowers may receive approval with credit scores as low as 600 or 650. Additionally, National Funding offers 6% or 7% prepayment discounts, depending on the chosen loan product.

Read Full Review: National Funding

Taycor Financial

Most Borrowing Options

Taycor Financial offers numerous business financing tools designed for startups and established businesses. Borrowers have eight funding options to choose from through the lender. Taycor’s products all have specific requirements, amounts, terms, and other factors that distinguish them from one another and provide various solutions for almost any business funding need.

Taycor Financial Pros and Cons

Pros

• No business age requirement to qualify
• Numerous financial products are available
• Low credit scores may qualify for some products
• 24-hour funding available
• Pre-qualify without affecting credit score

Cons

• Origination or documentation fees may apply
• Potentially high borrowing cost
• Customer complaints exist

Taycor Financial Features and Benefits

Despite some low Taycor Financial review scores, the company provides a long list of features and benefits that can work well in startup or poor credit situations. Additionally, the company is responsive to customer complaints, as evidenced by its A+ grade at the BBB.

• Many borrowing options are available
• No minimum business age for some products
• Pre-qualify without a hard credit check
• Charges factor rates for some products
• Factor rates from 0.960 to 1.60
• Interest rates from 4.99% to 36%+
• No prepayment penalties
• Loan amounts of up to $5 million
• Minimum loan amount of $500
• Two to 84-month terms based on financing product
• Origination fees of up to 5% may apply to some products
• Documentation fee applies to some products
• Undisclosed documentation fees
• Minimum credit score of 500 for term loans
• Minimum revenue to qualify is $48,000 annually for cash advances
• Funding within 24 hours in most cases

Taycor Financial Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Taycor Financial: 8.3

When evaluating the company, we were impressed by Taycor Financial’s wide product selection and relaxed qualifying requirements for those with bad credit. We were also impressed by its relatively low starting rates for borrowers with better-than-average credit and longer business histories. While the company does have some lower customer review ratings, it earns an A+ grade at the BBB for its responsiveness to complaints.

Read Full Review: Taycor Financial