Best Low-Interest Business Loans in April 2025

Compare top lenders to find the best low-interest loan for your business.

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Low-interest lenders at a glance

American Express: Best line of credit

$2,000 to $250,000

3.00% to 27.00%  3% to 9% for 6-month terms
6% to 18% for 12-month terms
9% to 27% for 18-month terms
12% to 18% for 24-month terms

6 to 24 months

Pros
  • Relatively low time in business and annual revenue requirements
  • Only pay interest on what you borrow
  • No application, origination or prepayment fees
Cons
  • Only select customers can qualify for financing over $150,000
  • May require collateral and/or a personal guarantee
  • Potential late fees of up to $100

Why we picked it

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How to qualify

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Fundbox: Best for startups

$100 to $150,000

4.66% to 8.99%  4.66% for 12-week terms
8.99% for 24-week terms

3 to 6 months

Pros
  • Relatively low credit score, time in business and annual revenue requirements
  • Revolving funds let you to borrow money as needed
  • Helps build business credit
Cons
  • Short repayment terms increase the cost per payment
  • Weekly payments required

Why we picked it

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How to qualify

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Bank of America: Best financing from a traditional bank

From $10,000

7.50%

12 to 60 months

Pros
  • Lengthy repayment terms
  • No collateral required
  • Potential interest rate discounts for Preferred Rewards members
Cons
  • Doesn’t disclose maximum interest rate
  • High minimum credit score requirement
  • Origination fee of $150

Why we picked it

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How to qualify

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iBusiness Funding: Best for fast funding

$25,000 to $500,000

7.49%

6 to 84 months

Pros
  • Relatively fast funding times
  • No application fees or prepayment penalties
  • No hard credit check required
Cons
  • Collateral, personal guarantee and/or blanket lien may be required

Why we picked it

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How to qualify

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Accion Opportunity Fund: Best for minority-owned businesses

$5,000 to $250,000

8.49%

12 to 60 months

Pros
  • May be easier for minority-owned businesses to qualify
  • Relatively low credit score, time in business and annual revenue requirements
  • Offers business coaching and support programs
Cons
  • Does not disclose funding times
  • Not available in all states

Why we picked it

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How to qualify

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Live Oak Bank: Best SBA lender

Up to $5,000,000

10.50% to 14.00%  14% for loans $50,000 or less
13.5% for loans $50,001 to $250,000
12% for loans $250,001 to $350,000
10.5% for loans above $350,000
Some borrowers may qualify for lower rates. Based on the current prime rate of 7.50% + a rate maximum set by the SBA.

12.50% to 15.50%  15.5% for loans $25,000 or less
14.5% for loans $25,001 to $50,000
13.5% for loans $50,001 to $250,000
12.5% for loans above $250,000
Some borrowers may qualify for lower rates. Based on the current prime rate of 7.50% + a rate maximum set by the SBA.

Up to 300 months

Pros
  • SBA Preferred Lender
  • No balloon payments
  • Both fixed and variable interest rates are capped by the SBA
Cons
  • Slower time to funding than other loan types
  • High time in business and annual revenue requirements
  • Exact rates are not disclosed online

Why we picked it

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How to qualify

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Kiva: Best for microloans

Up to $15,000

0.00%

Up to 36 months

Pros
  • Interest-free loan option
  • No minimum credit score, time in business or annual revenue requirements
Cons
  • Smaller loan amounts
  • Slower funding than traditional lenders
  • The amount you receive depends on the funds you raise during the Private Fundraising Period

Why we picked it

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How to qualify

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What’s considered a low interest rate?

Based on data from the Federal Reserve, the average rate on a business term loan is 7.98%.  Based on Q2 data from 2024. Anything at or below this industry average is typically considered a low rate, though it can vary based on your loan details.

The exact rate you pay for business financing will depend on several factors, including your finances and the loan type, term length and amount.

However, the lender you choose will also affect your interest rate, with some lenders offering more affordable rates than others.

Pros and cons of low-interest business loans

The lenders that offer the lowest rates don’t always provide the same perks as higher-interest lenders, so small businesses will need to weigh their options carefully to make the best choice for their situation. Low-rate loans can:

ProsCons

 Keep monthly payments manageable

 Cost your business less over time

 Be harder for low credit and startup businesses to qualify for

 Take longer to fund

 Require collateral or a personal guarantee in some cases

How to qualify for a low-interest business loan

Getting a low-interest business loan takes some preparation, but it’s often worth the extra work. With a low rate, you could potentially save thousands of dollars on your financing costs, potentially leaving you more money to invest into your business.

If you’re planning ahead and don’t have an urgent need for financing, spend some time working on the following factors to improve your chances of loan approval.

  • Personal credit score: For the best rates, many lenders require a credit score of 670 or higher. To raise your score quickly, focus on paying down existing debts. If you have more time, you can also use a credit card or cash-secured line of credit to build your credit history.
  • Business credit score: Building business credit can make it easier to secure low rates. A business credit card can help in this endeavor, though because these cards have higher rates than other types of small business financing, you’ll want to pay off your balance in full at the end of every month to avoid increasing your debt.
  • Time in business: While some lenders may be willing to work with new businesses, startup business loans are generally considered risky, which means they often have higher rates. For lower rates, consider waiting until you’ve been in business for at least two years to apply for financing.
  • Annual revenue: As your business grows and generates more revenue, qualifying for a low-interest business loan gets that much easier. If you can afford to take some time for your business to grow, it may allow you to get a better deal on your financing.

Where to find low-interest business loans

There are many different types of lenders that offer business financing, but not all lenders are created equal. Let’s explore some of your low-interest options.

  • Banks and credit unions: Traditional lenders tend to offer the lowest interest rates on business loans, though these loans are often the hardest to qualify for. However, it may be easier to get approved for financing if you have an existing relationship with the bank or credit union.
  • SBA lenders: Loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration are offered through a network of banks, credit unions and alternative lenders. These loans can take longer to get, but they tend to offer more affordable rates and terms.
  • Nonprofits and local organizations: Although more rare, some nonprofit lenders offer low-interest business loans to minorities who may not qualify for favorable business financing offers from other lenders.

Note that while it may be faster and easier to qualify for a loan with an online lender, these loans typically come with higher rates than those offered by traditional lenders.

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Low-interest alternatives to business loans

The best business loan rates are typically reserved for the most qualified of borrowers. If you don’t qualify for a low-interest business loan, you may have better luck with one of these other financing options:

  • Crowdfunding: If you have a strong business concept, you may be able to raise funds with the help of friends, family and crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Fundable.
  • Small business grants: Many federal, state and independent agencies offer business grants. However, these grants can be competitive and may be limited to businesses in certain industries. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers grants for businesses in the green sector.

Though businesses that struggle to qualify for financing can also choose to fund their business through a personal loan or line of credit, it’s important to note that these forms of financing carry higher interest rates, so they may not be a good option if low rates are a top priority.

How we chose the best low-interest business loans

We reviewed more than 15 lenders to determine the best low-interest business loans on the market. To make our list, lenders must meet the following criteria:

  • Rates and terms: We prioritize lenders with more competitive fixed rates, fewer fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
  • Repayment experience: We consider each lender’s reputation and business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like free wealth coaching.

Frequently asked questions