Fundbox reviews highlight an online lender well-liked by consumers and experts despite charging APR equivalents of between 10% and 80%. Fundbox clients appreciate the availability of quick funding that allows them to choose how much they need at a given time—And Fundbox features don’t end there.
Although the company only offers a single financial product, its focus on flexibility and ability to cater to new companies as young as six months sets it apart. Fundbox can also work with clients who have less-than-ideal credit, offering its business line of credit to those with credit scores as low as 600.
Fundbox provides business lines of credit of up to $150,000 with 24-hour funding. The company offers its services on its website or through its partner company, LendingTree, where Fundbox is featured as being an excellent source for startup borrowing.
While Fundbox offers some excellent benefits for many borrowers, there are some precautions to keep in mind when working with a high-risk online lender. Below are the results of our evaluation of Fundbox, along with information to help you decide if the company is right for you, as well as what to look out for when choosing a lender.
Pros
Prequalification won’t affect credit score
Provides rapid funding within 24 hours
Businesses 6 months old can qualify
Lower-than-average credit okay
No origination, maintenance, or early payoff fees
Cons
Requires weekly payments
High borrowing cost
Low maximum credit line amount of $150,000
Financial products are limited to lines of credit only
Fundbox Reviews: Features and Benefits
As an online, alternative business lending organization, Fundbox breaks the mold in some respects. While most of its competitors offer multiple financial tools to cater to a wide demographic, Fundbox provides just one financial product and tries to make it work for as many businesses as possible. Judging by Fundbox reviews from consumers and experts, the company mostly accomplishes that goal.
- 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 Reviews: Editorial Rating
Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Fundbox Business Line of Credit: 9.4
Evaluating Fundbox can be challenging. The company behaves quite differently than typical norms when placed side by side with traditional lenders or even many of its peers. We rate the company highly for a number of stand-out attributes, including its ability to work with new companies and those with less-than-excellent credit scores.
The company also scores points in our review of the best lenders for startups for its rapid funding turnaround time and ability to provide a financial product that can meet the needs of many businesses that may require fast cash for things like payroll, purchases, or surprise outflows.
However, Fundbox lost points in our review for its seemingly deceptive advertising practice, including stating its interest rates as lower percentages than the actual APR when calculated.
The company states that its interest rates start at 4.66% for loans with 12-week terms and 8.99% for loans with 24-week terms. While true, when calculated as an APR, the actual rates range between about 10% and 80%.
However, despite the high cost of borrowing through a Fundbox business line of credit, the company is otherwise upfront about costs, doesn’t charge application or origination fees, and doesn’t penalize for early payoffs.
| Funding Type | Rates | Terms |
| Business Line of Credit | 4.66% – 8.99% weekly
APR equivalent is roughly 10% – 80% |
12 – 24 weekly payments per draw |
Online Lender Data and Disclaimer
Among the questions surrounding how to obtain a business loan, the legitimacy of online lenders almost always comes up. It’s not a bad question to ask. A report from debt.org states,
“In recent years, millions of consumers have lost money to government impersonation scams, after being led to believe they were dealing with a real government agency. In fact, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) collected the following information from consumers in 2021:
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Fortunately, there are some telltale signs of fraudulent lenders. Business.org lists the following things to check to determine if you’re dealing with a legitimate business before becoming involved with it.
- Check the lender’s website and that it uses its own domain name.
- Research the company’s physical address.
- Find the company’s registration within its state.
- Check the lender’s Better Business Bureau profile.
- Read company reviews.
- Run an internet search for the company’s involvement with scams, lawsuits, etc.
- Be aware of red flags, such as promises of low-interest loans for bad credit or requiring upfront fees in order to borrow money.
Fortunately, Fundbox is a legitimate lending organization and checks all the boxes as such. In fact, Trustpilot even states that the company responds to any and all negative complaints within 24 hours.
About Fundbox Business Line of Credit
Fundbox offers business lines of credit with a maximum amount of $150,000. The company requires weekly payments in 12 or 24-week terms. Payments start 14 days after each fund draw. Interest is calculated weekly, however. So Fundbox’s advertised interest rates, which start at 4.66% and 8.99%, depending on term length, translate into much higher APRs.
The company stands out for providing fast funding, often within 24 hours, after an equally short application process. Business owners with credit scores as low as 600 and companies as new as six months old may qualify with Fundbox.
Fundbox charges no application or origination fees and doesn’t penalize you for paying off your debt early. The weekly payments must come through direct deposit from a business banking account.
The company’s business line of credit product is available on its website or the site of its partner, LendingTree. LendingTree is a well-known and highly respected online marketplace where you can find business financing, the best personal loans, and the best debt consolidation options.
Fundbox Borrowing Requirements
Another aspect of Fundbox that sets it apart from many of its competitors is its ease of use and relatively low qualification requirements. The minimum requirements to obtain a business line of credit through Fundbox include the following:
- Six-month business history
- Business bank account
- Business accounts documentation and records for at least the past three months
- $100,000 minimum annual revenue
- Minimum credit score of 600
Fundbox Plus
Fundbox offers one other lending product tool called Fundbox Plus. Fundbox Plus is only available to some borrowers and the company is pretty tight-lipped about who it offers it to. The general consensus is that the product is still being developed and tested with a limited number of clients.
Fundbox Plus is an upgraded version of the company’s original business line of credit offering. The version requires a $99 monthly fee for membership. Membership qualifies businesses for similar terms as the original version but features interest rates up to 20% lower and a 28-day grace period between drawing funds and making the first payment.
Fundbox Reviews
Fundbox reviews are generally positive. Customers appreciate the company’s ease of use, rapid application process, fast funding, and relaxed approval requirements. Reviewers on Trustpilot rate Fundbox 4.3 out of 5 stars, with 88% of consumers awarding the company 5 stars, while just 5% give it 2 stars or below. Fundbox also carries an A+ grade at the BBB, where it maintains a 4.75 out of 5 stars rating.
While some complaints exist amid Fundbox reviews, they are the exception rather than the rule. Most complaints cite miscommunication and technical troubles dealing with approvals and payments.
5-star
“Easy to use system that makes fair offers based on what you can afford. The weekly payment plan makes the repayment process simple to budget for.” – Chris, BBB
4-star
“Fundbox was the easiest platform that I have come across since I have been seeking funds for my business. Tiffany explained all of the details and made me feel like these are the kind of people I want to do business with.” – Team Kleen, LLC, Trustpilot
Who Is a Fundbox Business Line of Credit Best For?
Fundbox is an excellent business funding option for new business owners who may have less-than-stellar credit. Fundbox’s business line of credit allows customers to choose how much to borrow at any time and allows some freedom when choosing the loan terms.
However, the weekly interest calculations and payments can add up quickly and be problematic for businesses with limited cash flow. Borrowers in need of more than $150,000 in financing will have to look elsewhere for a source.
Borrowers with excellent credit who operate well-established businesses at least several years old can likely find less costly financing options through other online lenders or through more traditional means.
Fundbox Competitors
Putting Fundbox head to head against its nearest competitors can be tricky. While most online and more traditional lenders offer a wide array of financial tools, Fundbox limits choices to just a single business line of credit option.
Fundbox Vs. Credibly
Fundbox and Credibly could hardly be farther apart in terms of options. Credibly offers several financing tools with borrowing amounts of up to $400,000 and loan terms spoken in months and years rather than weeks. Credibly also offers lending to borrowers with credit scores as low as 500. However, like Fundbox, that lending doesn’t come cheaply.
Approval through both companies is generally laid-back. Where Credibly requires at least a three-month business history and $180,000 in annual revenue, Fundbox approval needs a six-month business history but just $100,000 in revenue.
| Fundbox | Credibly | |
| Rates | 10% – 80% estimated | 1.11 factor and nondisclosed |
| Amounts | $1,000 – $150,000 | $5,000 – $400,000 |
| Terms | 12 – 24 weeks per draw | 3 – 24 months |
| Minimum Credit Score | 600 | 500 |
| Minimum Business Age | 6 months | 3 months |
| Minimum Revenue | $100,000 | $180,000 |
Fundbox Vs. National Funding
Like Fundbox, National Funding offers limited financial products for owners of young businesses who may have average or below-average credit scores. National Funding offers a working capital loan product and equipment financing. Also similar to Fundbox is National Funding’s potentially confusing repayment costs. National Funding uses factor rating to determine costs, while Fundbox calculates interest weekly.
The primary difference between the two is that Fundbox’s business line of credit can provide more flexible borrowing options than either of National Funding’s offerings.
| Fundbox | National Funding | |
| Rates | 10% – 80% estimated | 1.1+ factor and nondisclosed |
| Amounts | $1,000 – $150,000 | $5,000 – $500,000 |
| Terms | 12 – 24 weeks per draw | 4 – 60 months |
| Minimum Credit Score | 600 | 600 |
| Minimum Business Age | 6 months | 6 months |
| Minimum Revenue | $100,000 | $250,000 |
Fundbox Alternatives
Companies like Fundbox include another LendingTree partner, OnDeck. OnDeck offers a business line of credit similar to Fundbox’s. However, there are some important distinctions. While OnDeck offers its services to customers with similarly low credit scores and annual revenue, its credit line approval requirements include a company age of at least one year.
Another difference between the two is that OnDeck doesn’t limit options to a single financial product. OnDeck also offers business loans of up to $250,000 with terms of 12, 18, or 24 months. However, the APRs OnDeck collects rival those of Fundbox.
While OnDeck offers more financing choices, both companies can benefit new business owners, provided they understand and can accept the high cost of borrowing through either lender.
| Fundbox | OnDeck | |
| Rates | 10% – 80% estimated | 35.40% – 39.90% starting 60%+ average |
| Amounts | $1,000 – $150,000 | $5,000 – $250,000 |
| Terms | 12 – 24 weeks per draw | 12, 18, or 24 months |
| Minimum Credit Score | 600 | 625 |
| Minimum Business Age | 6 months | 12 months |
| Minimum Revenue | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fundbox legit?
Does Fundbox check personal credit?
Does Fundbox do a hard inquiry?
Does Fundbox require a personal guarantee?
Source
Image Sources: fundbox.com – bbb.org – trustpilot.com
Deane Biermeier
