"I need it this week"
Advances and quick lines. Accept higher cost for speed only if the use is short-lived and pays for itself.
Compare business funding options
Every structure solves a different problem. This table is the honest version of the comparison charts you see elsewhere: ranges instead of best-case numbers, and the catch for each one.
| Option | Typical use | How cost is quoted | Speed (typical) | Repayment | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital advance | Short gaps, urgent needs | Factor rate + fees | Days | Daily or weekly, fixed | High estimated APR, renewal and stacking traps |
| Merchant cash advance | Card-heavy businesses | Factor rate + holdback % | Days | Percentage of card sales | Effective term unknown; reconciliation terms |
| Business line of credit | Recurring swings, flexibility | Interest rate + draw/maintenance fees | Days to weeks | Interest on drawn balance | Variable rates, annual reviews, fees on unused lines |
| Term loan | Larger, planned purposes | APR + origination | Weeks | Monthly, fixed | Documentation, prepayment penalties, personal guarantee |
| Invoice financing / factoring | B2B with slow-paying customers | Discount % per 30 days + fees | Days after setup | When customer pays | Customer notification, recourse terms, minimum volumes |
| Equipment financing | Buying or replacing assets | APR or lease factor | Days to weeks | Monthly, fixed | End-of-term buyouts, useful life vs. term |
| SBA 7(a), 504, microloans | Long-term growth, real estate, small starts | Capped interest rates + fees | Weeks to months | Monthly, long terms | Eligibility, paperwork, timelines (education only) |
Speed and cost vary by provider, state, and your file. Nothing here is an offer. Disclosures.
Pick by the problem, not the product
"My customers pay in 45 days"
Invoice financing or factoring prices the wait instead of your whole business.
"I need a truck / oven / machine"
Equipment financing. The asset is the collateral, so it usually beats unsecured options.
"I have three advances already"
Stop. Consolidation or a term facility first; adding a fourth rarely ends well.
"I want the cheapest money and can wait"
Bank term loans and SBA programs. Start early; gather documents.
"My credit is rough"
Revenue-based products look at deposits more than scores. Costs are higher; know them.
How we built this comparison
Ranges reflect commonly published product structures and public regulator guidance, not any provider's specific offer. Cost is described the way each product is actually quoted, then translated with our calculator so you can compare on estimated APR and total dollar cost.
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