How do I choose between business financing options?

Start by matching the product to your use of funds and timeline: SBA and conventional term loans for large, multi-year needs; lines of credit for revolving cash-flow gaps; equipment financing for asset purchases; working capital and MCA for short-term needs. Then compare total APR including fees, not the headline rate. Each comparison on this page breaks down a specific pair side by side.

What is the cheapest business financing option?

For borrowers who qualify, SBA loans and conventional bank term loans are usually cheapest (roughly 9-14% APR in 2026), followed by secured equipment financing. Lines of credit, online term loans, and especially merchant cash advances cost more in exchange for speed and looser underwriting.

Should I compare APR or factor rate?

Always convert everything to APR before comparing. Factor rates (used by MCA and some short-term products) look smaller than they are because they ignore the short repayment window. A 1.30 factor over six months is roughly 80% APR, not 30%.

Business Loan Comparisons | Compare Financing Options Side by Side

Quick answer

Picking the right business financing comes down to two things: match the product to your use of funds and timeline, then compare total APR including fees — not the headline rate, and never a factor rate against an APR. This hub links every side-by-side comparison on the site, grouped by product. Start with the pair closest to your decision, or see current pricing on the 2026 business loan rates page.

Not sure which fits? Get matched →

Start Here: Choosing a Product

Which business loan is right for you
Personal loan vs business loan
Business loan vs business credit card
Factor rate vs APR

SBA Loan Comparisons

SBA 7(a) vs 504 loan
SBA 504 vs 7(a) decision tree
SBA 7(a) vs SBA Express
SBA 7(a) vs conventional bank loan
SBA 504 vs conventional CRE
SBA loan vs business line of credit
Term loan vs SBA 7(a)
Equipment loan vs SBA 7(a)
Equipment financing vs SBA loan

Term Loans & Lines of Credit

Line of credit vs term loan
Term loan vs line of credit
Term loan vs bridge loan
$250k term loan: bank vs online
Secured vs unsecured term loan
Secured vs unsecured line of credit
Working capital loan vs line of credit
Startup financing vs line of credit
Startup line of credit vs term loan

Working Capital, MCA & Factoring

MCA vs working capital loan
Merchant cash advance vs working capital loan
Invoice factoring vs merchant cash advance
ACH loan vs MCA
Revenue-based financing vs MCA
Invoice factoring vs working capital loan
Invoice factoring vs invoice financing
Term loan vs merchant cash advance

Equipment Financing Comparisons

Equipment leasing vs loan
Equipment lease vs loan vs cash
Equipment financing vs business credit card
Equipment financing vs vendor financing
Excavator lease vs loan
Forklift lease vs loan
Semi-truck lease vs loan
Commercial kitchen lease vs buy

Commercial Real Estate, Bridge & Fix-and-Flip

DSCR loan vs conventional mortgage
Hard money vs conventional CRE
SBA 504 vs conventional CRE loan
Owner-occupied vs investment property loan
CMBS vs life company vs agency debt
Cash-out vs rate-and-term refinance
Bridge loan vs HELOC
Commercial bridge loan vs hard money
Construction loan vs bridge loan
Fix-and-flip vs hard money loan

Still Deciding?

If you'd rather not compare every pairing yourself, answer a few questions and get matched with the products that fit your business, timeline, and credit profile. Get matched, or check current pricing on the 2026 business loan rates page.