Best Quick Business Loans in February 2026
Find financing for your business in as little as 24 hours.
Best fast business lenders: More details
What’s considered a fast business loan?
A fast business loan is a type of small business financing that typically delivers funds within one to three business days. Generally offered by online lenders, quick business loans use a streamlined application process to assess your eligibility quicker than traditional banks.
Fast small business loans tend to have flexible qualification requirements, making them accessible for startups, bad credit borrowers or those who don’t qualify for traditional financing.
What affects funding speed for a business loan?
Though many lenders advertise the ability to get a business loan “as soon as” the same or next business day, it’s important to remember that this paints the picture of a best case scenario. In reality, it may take longer to receive your funds.
In addition to the lender you choose, several factors can impact funding times, including:
- Loan documentation: Business lenders require certain documents, like tax returns and financial statements, to underwrite your loan. Incomplete or insufficient documentation can delay the process, so doing your best to provide the requested documents as quickly and accurately as possible will prevent related delays.
- Collateral valuation: If you’re pledging collateral to secure a business loan, your lender may require additional documentation to verify the value of your assets. Try to have these documents handy to avoid delays.
- Borrower responsiveness: If fast funding is a top priority, keep an eye on your phone and email for any updates from your lender. Delays in your actions, such as slow responses to information requests or procrastination in reviewing loan agreements, can extend the time it takes for your loan to be funded.
Pros and cons of quick business loans
Pros
- Get the funds you need within one to three business days
- Ideal for low-credit borrowers and startups
- Various types of loan products to tackle most business needs
Cons
- Lenders may charge high interest rates in exchange for fast funding
- May offer smaller loan amounts than traditional banks and SBA lenders
- Collateral or personal guarantee may be required
When to consider a fast business loan
Fast business loans are a great tool in time-sensitive situations, but you’ll pay for the speed in the form of higher fees and interest rates. And if a quick loan is nothing more than a band-aid solution on a larger issue, it may start a dangerous debt cycle that could hurt your business in the long run.
Here are some situations where a fast business loan might make sense:
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You’re struggling to pay the bills
If seasonal sales are down and you need to make payroll, a fast business loan may be a good solution — but only if you expect your circumstances to change in the short-term future. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the same situation next month. -
You have unexpected expenses
If issues arise that are out of your control, a quick business loan may be a lifeline for your business, allowing you to access working capital when you need it most. Unexpected expenses might include broken equipment or rising supply costs. -
You want to capitalize on a business opportunity
From investing in real estate to purchasing business assets, a fast business loan could allow your company to take advantage of a limited-time growth opportunity you might otherwise miss. -
You don’t qualify for other types of business financing
Traditional lenders typically set strict standards for loan approval, including credit score, debt ratio and annual revenue requirements. If your business doesn’t qualify for a conventional loan, you might have an easier time qualifying for a quick loan through an alternative lender.
Ultimately, whether a fast loan makes sense will depend on your unique set of circumstances. If you can afford to wait a few weeks to receive your funds, consider applying for a traditional bank or SBA loan for the best rates.
To make the best choice for the future of your business, compare quotes between lenders to see exactly how much more you’ll pay for the luxury of fast funding.
You can apply directly with lenders or use a marketplace like LendingTree to gather quotes quickly.
Types of quick business loans
The following types of small business loans offer fast funding to help you start, grow or expand your business.
Line of credit
A business line of credit allows you to borrow up to a predetermined limit instead of a one-time lump sum. Like a credit card, you can borrow, repay and borrow again. You typically only pay interest on the withdrawn amount, although some lenders charge maintenance, withdrawal or annual fees.
Short-term loans
Short-term business loans have shorter repayment terms of around three to 24 months. They are ideal for fulfilling short-term expenses, such as purchasing inventory or covering cash flow gaps. Depending on the lender and your qualifications, you can borrow anywhere from $2,000 to $1 million or more.
Equipment financing
Equipment financing can help you get the funds you need to purchase or upgrade machinery or equipment necessary for running your business. Since equipment financing uses the equipment as collateral, this type of financing typically has more lenient eligibility criteria.
Merchant cash advance
A merchant cash advance (MCA) company can give your small business a cash advance by collecting a percentage of your daily credit card and debit card sales. While fast and convenient, MCAs tend to be a costly way to borrow.
Invoice factoring
Invoice factoring allows you to unlock money tied up in unpaid invoices. You get an upfront payment of 70% to 90% of an invoice’s face value, while the factoring company collects payments from your customers. You will then receive the remaining balance minus a predetermined fee.
How to get a quick business loan
If you need fast cash for your business, here are the basic steps to get a business loan.
1. Decide how much you need
Creating a detailed business budget can determine how much you need to cover essential expenses. Fast loans for businesses typically have higher interest rates and less favorable terms. If you need to tackle long-term projects, it could be worth waiting until you qualify for an SBA loan or traditional bank loan.
Use our business business loan calculator to estimate how much you could borrow.
2. Check if you meet the requirements
Here’s a general idea of the business loan requirements your business may need to meet:
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Credit score
Having a personal FICO Score of 670 or higher and a business credit score above 80 can help you get the best rates and terms. -
Time in business
Lenders typically want businesses to have a steady track record and may require between six months to two years in operation. -
Annual revenue
Quick business lenders typically accept annual revenues between $30,000 to $250,000.
You can use LendingTree Spring to check and monitor your credit score before applying for a fast business loan. Boosting your credit score can help improve your chances of approval.
3. Compare fast business lenders
Some lenders advertise low interest rates, only to add extra fees during the final stages. Read business lender reviews to ensure a potential lender fits your current and future business needs.
Don’t work with any lender who tries to pressure you into borrowing more than necessary or those offering no-credit-check business loans. Always look for signs of predatory lending and report any suspicious behavior to the Better Business Bureau.
4. Gather required documents
Gathering essential business info in advance can speed up the application process. While requirements will vary, here are some essential documents to have on hand:
- Business plan
- Personal and business tax returns
- Personal and business bank statements
- Business licensing and permits
- Information on existing debts
- A recent balance sheet
- A recent profit and loss statement
- A certificate of good standing
- Collateral information, if required
- Lease agreements, if applicable
5. Apply for a fast business loan
The application and approval timeline for fast loans for business generally happens within a few business days. You may need to provide additional documents after hitting submit, but most online lenders make a final decision within minutes.
Review the business loan agreement before signing on the dotted line. If you don’t understand the wording or the repayment schedule, ask for clarification before proceeding.
How to compare fast business loans
When picking the best fast business loan for your company, here are some metrics to compare:
Interest rate
While lenders tend to advertise their lowest rates, that doesn’t mean that’s the rate you’ll qualify for. Your actual business loan interest rate will depend on the loan type, your credit score and other criteria. You can convert factor rates to annual percentage rates (APRs) to accurately compare offers.
Repayment term
The repayment period for a quick business loan varies by lender, with terms ranging from three to 84 months. Some lenders require daily or weekly payments.
Time to fund
Check the lender’s timeline for how quickly funds could be deposited into your business bank account. Keep in mind that the fastest business loans aren’t necessarily the most affordable.
Additional fees
Review the loan contract for origination fees, late charges, maintenance fees and business loan prepayment penalties.
Collateral
Secured business loans require collateral, such as equipment or a down payment. If you fail to repay the debt, the lender could seize your assets. You may also need to sign a personal guarantee, which could put your personal finances at risk.
You might struggle to qualify for an unsecured versus secured business loan if your business has not established a solid financial history. Since providing collateral helps reduce lender risk, small business owners can potentially access more attractive rates and terms with secured financing.
Alternatives to fast business loans
Quick loans for business can help in emergencies or when you can’t qualify for traditional financing. But if you can wait, here are some alternative financing options to consider.
Traditional bank loan
Banks and credit unions typically offer a range of small business products, including long-term business loans, lines of credit, commercial loans and more. While rates are generally lower than online speedy loans, eligibility requirements can be stricter with longer funding times.
SBA loans
Backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SBA loans can provide low-cost funding solutions for small business owners unable to qualify for traditional financing. Popular options include the SBA 7(a) loan and an SBA microloan.
While the application and approval process for SBA loans can take up to two months or longer, you can reduce the funding time to around two weeks by working with an SBA Preferred Lender.
Business credit cards
Business credit cards can finance everyday expenses like low-cost supplies or business meals, with the potential to earn sign-up bonuses and travel rewards. While it’s generally easier to get a credit card than a small business loan, you’ll likely encounter higher interest rates with the former. Paying the balance in full each month will enable you to avoid paying interest on your purchases.
If you pay interest on your business loans and business credit cards, you can claim these expenses as qualified business tax deductions. Check with your financial advisor on how to deduct these expenses, along with other business expenses, on your next tax return.
Business grants
The federal, state and local governments and private corporations offer a range of small business grants. You can search for grants by demographics, such as location, gender, industry and more. While business grants can be competitive, it can be worth the effort to access free money for your business.
Our methodology: How we chose the best fast business loans
We considered more than 30 traditional and online lenders to determine the overall best fast business loans. To make our list, lenders had to meet the following criteria:
- Time to funding: To qualify as a quick business loan, funding needs to be available in one to three business days. Keep in mind that for any provider, funding can take longer if you have unique circumstances or don’t have all the needed documentation.
- Eligibility requirements: To include financing options for businesses at different stages of life, we included lenders with a range of credit score, time in business and annual revenue requirements, focusing on the best lenders for specific situations.
- Rates and terms: We prioritized lenders with competitive rates, limited fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
- Repayment experience: We considered each lender’s reputation and overall business practices, favoring lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like early payoff discounts.