Unsecured Business Loans: Your Top Options
The Best Unsecured Business Loans for Small Businesses
Unsecured business loans are small business loans that don’t require a borrower to offer collateral. With unsecured business loans, borrowers avoid the risk of putting valuable assets on the line for financing, but lenders make up for their increased risk by charging higher interest rates, requiring personal guarantees, or filing liens.
Here’s a comparison of the best unsecured business loans:
| Lender | Eligibility | Loan Amounts | Cost and Repayment Term | Personal Guarantee or Lien? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
One year business history; $100K annual revenue; 625 credit score |
$5K – $250K
|
29.9% – 99.9% annual interest rates (based on loans originated in the half-year ending March 31, 2022); up to 24 months |
Personal guarantee and lien |
|
Six months in business; $25K annual revenue; 600 credit score |
$2K – $250K |
6.5% – 39%; 3 – 36 months |
Personal guarantee and lien for lines of credit and larger loans |
|
24 months in business; $40K monthly revenue; 625 credit score |
$5K – $250K |
Starting at 6.2%; 6 or 12 months |
Personal guarantee and lien |
|
Three months in business; $25K annual revenue; 500 credit score |
$1K – $100K |
Starts at 4.66%; 12 or 24 weeks |
Keeping this in mind, here are the top four options for unsecured business loans:
1. OnDeck Capital
Best for: Working capital financing with more favorable interest rates than similar lenders.
OnDeck Capital offers short-term unsecured business loans and unsecured business lines of credit. OnDeck financing doesn’t depend on the value of specific business collateral. They offer financing from $5,000 to $250,000.
OnDeck’s interest rates range from 29.9% to 65.9% (based on loans originated in the half-year ending March 31, 2022) on their line of credit product.
OnDeck’s unsecured product works particularly well if you need working capital. You can use OnDeck’s product to handle cash flow issues or cover unexpected expenses that come up. To qualify, you need a credit score of 625, one year in business, and $100,000 in annual business revenue.
Get more details from our OnDeck review.
2. StreetShares
Best for: Veteran-owned or slower-growth businesses that don’t have significant annual revenue.
StreetShares is another alternative business lender that offers unsecured business loans. Loans go up to $250,000 and come as a short-term loan or line of credit. This lender originally launched to help veteran-owned businesses, but loans are available to non-veterans as well in a range of industries.
In order to qualify for StreetShares financing, you need to have a 600 credit score and be in business for at least one year. However, only $25,000 in annual revenue is required, and interest rates start at just 7%. This makes StreetShares an economical option for home-based businesses, microbusinesses, and slower-growth businesses that are seeking unsecured business loans.
Get more details from our StreetShares review.
3. Bluevine
Best for: Business emergencies and cash flow gaps that need fast funding.
Bluevine offers an unsecured line of credit that doesn’t require collateral. Credit lines extend up to $250,000, with repayment options of six or 12 months. The interest rates start as low as 6.2%. The fact that you pay back the balance so quickly can make this line of credit ideal for business emergencies and cash flow gaps. You only have to pay for the funds that you actually draw from your credit line.
The Bluevine line of credit also has a fast turnaround time. The initial online application takes just a few minutes, and you can have funding in your bank account within two business days. To qualify, you need 24 months of business history, a credit score of 625, and $40,000 in monthly revenue.
Get more details from our Bluevine review.
4. Fundbox
Best for: Easy, fast funding with more lenient requirements and, in some cases, no personal guarantee.
Fundbox is one final option for unsecured business loans. Similar to Bluevine, Fundbox offers an unsecured business line of credit. They don’t require specific collateral on any credit lines and on smaller credit lines, they’ll even waive a personal guarantee. Their credit lines are smaller, topping out at $100,000. However, Fundbox is one of the easiest unsecured loans to qualify for. You only need a 500 credit score, $25,000 in actual or projected annual revenue, and three months in business.
Similar to the other unsecured loan options, it’s very quick and easy to apply for a Fundbox line of credit. You can connect your business bank account or accounting software to the Fundbox application and get a credit decision within minutes. The funds can be in your account as soon as the next business day after you apply. Fundbox interest rates start at 4.66% of the draw amount and go up from there based on creditworthiness.
Get more details from our Fundbox review.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
The risk of defaulting on a business loan is very real for business owners—especially those who fail to qualify for financing from a traditional bank. Acknowledging this risk isn’t meant to scare entrepreneurs away from pursuing debt financing—but it is important to think about all the factors involved before signing on the dotted line for a new business loan.
Unsecured business loans save you the trouble of having to offer a specific asset as collateral in exchange for a business loan. However, you could still be on the hook if your business fails. Lenders use alternative methods, such as personal guarantees and blanket liens, to shore up their interests. Make sure that you read the fine print on any unsecured business loan and have a clear plan for paying it off.
Priyanka Prakash, JD
Priyanka Prakash is a senior contributing writer at Fundera.
Priyanka specializes in small business finance, credit, law, and insurance, helping businesses owners navigate complicated concepts and decisions. Since earning her law degree from the University of Washington, Priyanka has spent half a decade writing on small business financial and legal concerns. Prior to joining Fundera, Priyanka was managing editor at a small business resource site and in-house counsel at a Y Combinator tech startup.