Fundible vs. SMB Compass: Which small business lender is right for you?

Fundible and SMB Compass are both online lenders offering several types of small business loans. The lenders both offer unique features that will appeal to different types of small business owners, including startups and people who need bad credit business loans.

Fundible vs. SMB Compass at a glance

Both lenders offer large loan amounts and accessible eligibility requirements, but Fundible has the lowest personal credit score minimum requirement.

Fundible business loans

Fundible is an online lender with several business loan options. A key feature of the lender is their low personal credit score requirement for certain loan types. Their minimum credit score requirement starts at 450 which is much lower than the typical 600 to 625 minimum credit score required by most of its competitors. Fundible’s requirement for only 6 months of time in business also caters to startups who need funding.

The lender offers business term loans, business lines of credit, equipment financing, bridge loans, invoice factoring and SBA loans. The lender can cater to many different business loan needs with these options.

Fundible makes SBA loans more accessible than other business lenders. Applicants can easily apply on their website in just a few minutes. The lender clearly outlines the documents and information required for the application on their website. The SBA loan application process is notoriously lengthy, so resources like this make applying for an SBA loan simple and convenient.

Pros

• Low personal credit score requirement
• Variety of loan options
• Large loan amounts

Cons

• Strict requirements for certain loan types
• Uses partner network

SMB Compass business loans

SMB Compass offers nine different loan types including SBA loans, equipment loans, business term loans, business lines of credit and invoice financing. This wide range of options can fit the needs of many different borrower types.

The requirements and features vary by loan type for the lender, but SMB Compass gives several attractive options for borrowers. For example, their asset-based loans have interest rates starting as low as 5.25 percent. Industry standard for low interest rates in 2023 typically starts around 6 percent. Keep in mind that strong credit is likely required to qualify for their lowest interest rates. The lender also offers funding in as little as 24 hours on most loan types.

Requirements for business loan applicants vary by loan type. But SMB Compass offers fairly relaxed requirements for their business line of credit and equipment loans. The lender requires a credit score minimum of 600 and a minimum of one year in business to qualify for an equipment loan. Their business line of credit requires at least a 600 personal credit score, a minimum of two years in business and at least $100,000 in annual revenue.

Pros

• Low interest rates
• Several business loan types
• Fast funding for most loan types

Cons

• Not available to sole proprietors
• Not available in all 50 states
• Strict requirements for some loans

How to choose between Fundible and SMB Compass

Both Fundible and SMB Compass offer business loans that are more accessible and affordable than business loans from their competitors. Fundible offers the best options for small business loans for bad credit borrowers. Meanwhile, SMB Compass provides low interest rates that make large loan amounts more affordable.

Choose Fundible for accessible small business loans

Most of the business loan options from Fundible have low credit score minimum requirements and low minimum revenue requirements for businesses. Additionally, some loans even have low minimum time in business requirements making Fundible the best lender for startups or businesses with bad credit.

Loan applicants can find loan options from Fundible with as little as 6 months required in business and credit scores as low as 450. For example, their business line of credit only requires 6 months in business and a credit score of 500 from applicants. The minimum revenue required for most of Fundible’s loan types is $8,000 per month.

Comparatively, SMB Compass has stricter applicant requirements. The lender looks for a credit score of at least 600 in most cases. SMB Compass has some loan types that only require 6 months in business, but most of their loans ask applicants to have one or two years minimum in business history.

Choose SMB Compass for large business loans

Taking on a business loan for a large amount of money is a big commitment. You want to make sure you are finding the most cost-effective loan. Low interest rates mean you pay less for the loan over time. SMB Compass offers interest rates as low as 5.25 percent, making it a cost-effective choice for large loan amounts.

The lender also gives borrowers several loan options where they can borrow up to $10 million, or more in some cases. The remaining loan types have borrowing limits of $5 million, which is still a large amount. The variety of loan types with high loan limits gives borrowers looking for a large loan a lot of options.

While Fundible offers some loan types with high loan limits, they don’t have quite as many options. For example, the business line of credit from Fundible allows qualifying borrowers to draw up to $250,000 which is not nearly as high as the potential borrowing limit of $5 million for SMB Compass’s business line of credit.

SBA 7(a) loans

Both Fundible and SMB Compass offer SBA loans. Fundible has a more accessible SBA loan option. Its website states a minimum credit score of just 500 is required of applicants and six months in business. But a spokesperson told Bankrate applicants need a minimum score of 650, at least one year in business and $250,000 in annual revenue.

SMB Compass requires at least three years in business for SBA loan applicants and a minimum credit score of 650. But the advantage of applying for an SBA loan through SMB Compass is that interest rates start as low as 6.25 percent, which is low compared to the typical starting SBA loan interest rate of 10.75 percent you’ll find from competitors.

Alternatives

Fundible and SMB Compass aren’t the only options for business lenders. Traditional banks offer low-interest loans with flexible repayment periods. For example, Wells Fargo offers flexible business lines of credit with interest rates starting as low as 8.75 percent APR. Bank of America offers business loans with interest rates starting as low as 6.25 percent APR.

If you’re looking for the best bad credit business loan options, Fundible isn’t the only option. Lendio also has a fairly low credit score requirement of 560 for business loans. You only need a 500 credit score to qualify for a business loan with Fora Financial.

While both Fundible and SMB Compass offer several loan types, they don’t offer business credit cards. These revolving lines of credit can be a cheaper way to build credit and cover short-term capital costs if you keep you balance paid in full each month.

Alternative SBA loans

If you’re looking for an SBA loan, know that there are several different types of SBA loans. SMB Compass and Fundible only offer 7(a) loans. But the other loan types you can get through the SBA include microloans and Community Advantage loans.

Microloans are SBA loans for small amounts, typically under $50,000. The requirements for a microloan also aren’t as strict as they are for a 7(a) loan.

Community Advantage loans are another type of 7(a) loan from the SBA that are more accessible. These loans are designed for applicants in underserved communities who don’t qualify for traditional business loans.

Bottom line

Applying for a business loan is a big step. Research multiple lenders and loan types before you apply. Fundible and SMB Compass are both business lenders that offer a lot of loan options with accessible eligibility requirements. Choose Fundible if you have bad credit. SMB Compass may be the best option for large loan amounts.

Remember to research other lenders, as well. You may find a better interest rate with a different lender. Or, you could find a loan type that fits your needs better not offered by these two lenders.

Frequently asked questions

• Can you get a business loan with no revenue?

  Most business loans require a certain amount of minimum revenue from businesses to apply. But you may be able to find a few options for business loans that don’t require any revenue like Kiva or SBA microloans. Getting a business loan with no revenue will likely be difficult, though. You may want to consider other funding options such as business grants, business credit cards or crowdfunding.

• Can you get a business loan for startup costs?

  It is possible to get a business loan for startup costs. Traditional business loans require applicants to have a certain amount of time in business and a minimum amount of annual revenue. But there are some loans created specifically for startups that you may be able to use for startup costs. The SBA has a few programs created specifically to help with startup costs. For example, Microloans are loans for $50,000 or less that go towards the cost of starting your business.

• What is the minimum interest rate for a business loan?

  Interest rates for business loans vary considerably based on your credit score, business history and loan amount. The average rate for business loans ranges from six to 45 percent in 2023. If you have strong credit, you may be able to find interest rates for business loans as low as 4.90 percent.