7 Best Loans to Buy a Business in 2026

Lendio business loans

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Features	Accepts a wide range of credit scores Quick online application Funding as quick as 24 hours

Buying an existing business often requires more upfront capital than starting one from scratch. Business acquisition loans can help cover the purchase price and related costs, but the right choice depends on factors like your credit, experience and how quickly you need funding. Here’s a closer look at some of the top lenders to help you find the best fit.

Best business acquisition loans

• Best business loan marketplace: Lendio business loans
• Best SBA loan: Huntington National Bank SBA loans
• Best for competitive APRs: Bank of America business loans
• Best for fast funding: Become business loans
• Best for large loan amounts: Fundible
• Best for long repayment terms: BHG business loans
• Best for equipment loans: National Funding business loans

Finder Score	Loan amount	Loan term	APR
Best business loan marketplace
9.6 Excellent Lendio business loans	9.6 Excellent	$1,000 – $10,000,000	Varies by lender	Varies by lender	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you want to compare different business acquisition loans quickly, consider the Lendio marketplace. Lendio lets you search 75+ partners with just a single application. It offers term loans and SBA loans up to $5 million — plus equipment loans, commercial real estate loans and more. Past customers rate Lendio highly, praising the company for its fast, streamlined application process and helpful loan officers. While marketplaces like Lendio can be a great place to search for a loan, you may get a large number of marketing calls and emails after applying. Pros & cons Pros No fees to use the service Options for bad credit Wide range of financing options Excellent customer reviews Cons Not a direct lender Requirements set by partner lenders Marketing may continue after receiving funds
Best SBA loan
Not scored yet Huntington National Bank SBA loans	Not scored yet	$5,000 – $5,000,000	Up to 10 years	Varies	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it SBA business loans are long-term loans of up to 25 years that are partially backed by the government, which can mean more competitive rates for business owners. But it may be harder to qualify for an SBA loan than other types of loans due to the stricter eligibility requirements. Huntington National Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender with some of the highest approval numbers for SBA loans in the nation. It offers the SBA 7(a), 504 and Express loans, which can be used to purchase a new business. And as a preferred SBA lender, it can help push your application through faster. Pros & cons Pros Specialists to help with your application May offer faster turnaround times than non-preferred SBA lenders High number of approvals compared to other lenders Cons No SBA Microloans Mixed customer reviews Lengthy application and funding process
Best for competitive APRs
7.2 Great Bank of America business loans	7.2 Great	$10,000 – $5,000,000	Not listed	Fixed rates as low as 7.00%	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you're an established business owner, Bank of America has some of the lowest rates available. Its Business Advantage Term Loan is an unsecured loan that can be used for buying a business and offers fixed rates as low as 6.5%. And you could shave an additional 0.25% to 0.75% off that rate with BofA's relationship discounts. To qualify, you'll need a credit score of 700 or higher, at least two years in business and a minimum annual revenue of $100,000. For loans over $50,000, you'll need to work with a dedicated specialist at the bank. Because it's a traditional bank, the application process may take longer than with an online lender. Pros & cons Pros Potential for reduced rates Full suite of business banking products SBA Preferred lender Cons Strong credit and financials required Origination fee of $150 Pattern of customer complaints
Best for fast funding
9.3 Excellent Become business loans	9.3 Excellent	$5,000 – $500,000	6 to 120 months	Starting from 7.5%	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If speed is a priority, Become is a good option because it’s designed to move quickly once you submit your information. The platform matches borrowers with partner lenders that offer fast decisions, with some funding options available in as little as a few hours, depending on the lender and loan type. Become is a marketplace, not a direct lender, and offers access to SBA and non-SBA financing options. You can borrow up to $5 million in some cases, and there’s no minimum credit score required to apply. Time in business and revenue requirements are also low: just four months in business with $10,000 monthly revenue or six months with $3,000 in monthly revenue. Pros & cons Pros Potential for same-day funding Low credit score requirement Short time-in-business requirement Cons Not a direct lender APRs not published Mixed reviews on Trustpilot
Best for large loan amounts
9.8 Excellent Fundible	9.8 Excellent	$1,000 – $6,000,000	5 months to 10 years	Starting at 1% per month	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you need a larger loan to buy a business, Fundible stands out for its higher funding limits compared to many online lenders. Through its lending network, borrowers may be able to access loans of up to $6 million, which can make it a viable option for larger business acquisitions. Fundible works as a marketplace, connecting borrowers with lenders that offer term loans and other financing options with repayment terms of up to 10 years. Minimum requirements are low: You just need a credit score of 500, $8,000 in monthly revenue and six months in business to apply. Pros & cons Pros Borrow up to $6 million Repayment terms up to 120 months Low credit score requirement of 500 Cons Not a direct lender Rates and terms vary by lender Origination fees may apply
Best for long repayment terms
8.7 Great BHG business loans	8.7 Great	$20,000 – $500,000	Up to 12 years	8.77% to 41.26%	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If long repayment terms are your priority, BHG Financial stands out among non-SBA lenders. It offers business loans with terms of up to 12 years, which is longer than what most online lenders provide. This can be helpful since longer terms can keep monthly payments more manageable when financing a larger purchase. But BHG Financial may not be the right fit for everyone. Its typical borrower profile skews toward highly qualified applicants, with the average customer having a FICO score around 740 and many years in business. The lender primarily works with licensed professionals and higher earners, which can limit access for newer or less established buyers. Pros & cons Pros Repayment terms up to 12 years Fast approval process High ratings on the BBB and Trustpilot Cons Loan amounts only go up to $500,000 Higher credit score and time in business standards Mostly for licensed professionals
Best for equipment loans
9.6 Excellent National Funding business loans	9.6 Excellent	$5,000 – $500,000	4 to 24 months (working capital); 2 to 5 years (equipment)	Not listed	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you need equipment as part of a business acquisition, National Funding offers equipment financing up to $150,000. It’s a direct lender with an online application and access to lending specialists to help you apply. If approved, you could finance up to 100% of equipment costs with $0 down. National Funding also offers a lowest payment guarantee on its equipment lease payments. If you find a lower payment elsewhere, it will pay you $1,000. The lender is known for strong customer reviews and offers early payoff discounts, which can help reduce borrowing costs. Pros & cons Pros Up to 100% financing Quick turnaround No down payment required Cons Origination fee may apply Low maximum loan amount Rates not publicly disclosed

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Methodology: How we chose these lenders

We evaluate lenders based on the following factors:

• Application process
• Credit score minimums
• Customer service reviews
• Eligibility requirements
• Extra features
• Fees
• Funding turnaround times
• Lender reputation
• Minimum and maximum loan amounts
• Products offered
• Rates
• Willingness to work with risky industries

We also search for lenders that cater to a range of needs, including those that work with bad credit and newer business owners.

How to compare business acquisition loans

To narrow down your options and find the best fit, it helps to compare business acquisition loans using the following criteria:

• Eligibility requirements. Check the lender’s eligibility requirements for the type of loan you want to apply for. Long-term business loans and SBA loans tend to have tougher eligibility requirements than working capital loans and equipment loans.
• Repayment terms. Because term and SBA loans generally have the longest terms, they tend to accrue the most interest over time. However, this may be a fair tradeoff for having lower monthly payments over a longer repayment period.
• APRs. APRs on long-term business loans and SBA loans are generally lower than APRs on shorter-term loans. It’s always a good idea to compare multiple quotes from different lenders to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
• Origination and other fees. Depending on the lender and your credit profile, you may be charged an origination fee on your loan. Also, be aware of prepayment penalties, late fees and monthly administrative fees that may apply to your loan.
• Funding times. While you may get a term loan in a week or less from an online lender or bank, some SBA loans can take weeks to fund. If you need funds right away, other options may work better, including short-term business loans.
• Customer support options. Many lenders have loan officers who can answer your questions and support you throughout the application process. This can be especially important for loans that require extensive documentation.
• Customer reviews. Customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website are a good place to learn how previous customers have fared with a particular lender.

What is a business acquisition loan, and how does it work?

Business acquisition loans are used to purchase or buy into an existing business. Most buyers use term loans or SBA loans, which are repaid in fixed monthly installments over a set period. Shorter term options, like lines of credit, can also be used in some cases, but they tend to be more expensive and are usually better suited for smaller purchases or working capital needs.

Repayment terms for business term loans typically range from three to 10 years, while SBA loans can extend up to 25 years. Depending on the lender and loan type, loans may be secured or unsecured, with SBA and commercial real estate loans often requiring a down payment of around 10% to 20%.

To qualify, lenders usually look for good credit along with at least two years in business and steady revenue. Many business acquisition loans also require a personal guarantee from the borrower.

Pros and cons of business acquisition loans

Business acquisition loans can make it possible to buy an existing business, but they often come with stricter requirements than other types of financing. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of loans to buy a business:

Compare other business acquisition loans

Want to see how the business acquisition loans on our list compare to other lenders? Then check out the table provided below.

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Updated regularly

Finder Score	Min. Amount	Max. Amount	APR	Requirements
Promoted 9.9 Excellent Pinnacle Funding	9.9 Excellent	$10,000	$5,000,000	Varies by loan type	525 credit score, 6+months in business, $180,000+ annual revenue	Apply in minutes with funding as fast as 24 hours and zero impact to your credit score.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.6 Excellent Lendio business loans	9.6 Excellent	$1,000	$10,000,000	Varies by lender	Operate business in US for 6 months or more, have a business bank account, minimum 520 personal credit score, at least $8,000 in monthly revenue.	Submit one simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.5 Excellent Lendzi	9.5 Excellent	$5,000	$20,000,000	Varies by lender	Minimum credit score of 500, minimum annual revenue of $120,000, preferably one to two years in business	Compare lending options and get funded fast.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.5 Excellent Fundera business loans	9.5 Excellent	$2,500	$5,000,000	Varies by lender	$60,000+ of annual revenue, 600+ personal credit score, in business for 6+ months	Get connected with short-term funding, SBA loans, lines of credit and more.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.8 Great PayPal LoanBuilder	8.8 Great	$5,000	$300,000	Fixed fee (amount not disclosed)	Minimum credit score not disclosed, 9+ months in business, at least $33,300 in annual revenue	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.8 Great Fora Financial business loans	8.8 Great	$5,000	$1,500,000	Factor rate of 1.05-1.5	6+ months in business, $240K+ annual revenue, 570 minimum credit score	Get approval decision for funding in minutes for up to $1,500,000 without affecting your credit score. Best for companies seeking large business loans.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.9 Great Best Money	8.9 Great	$5,000	$5,000,000	Varies by lender	Depends on the lender	Apply in minutes. Get funded fast.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How we picked these

What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 12+ types of business loans across 35+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.

To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best business loans for startups loans, you can see how each business loan stacks up against other business loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.

Read the full breakdown

Types of business acquisition loans

These are the most common types of loans used to purchase a new or existing business.

How to qualify for a business acquisition loan

To qualify for a business acquisition loan, you’ll need to meet the lender’s credit score, time in business and annual revenue requirements. Also, be prepared to provide the following documents when applying for a business acquisition loan:

• Sales contract
• Financial statements from the business
• Business plan and sales projections
• Proof of funds for a down payment, if required
• Personal and business tax returns
• Proof of collateral, if required

How to apply for a business acquisition loan

Applying for a long-term business loan typically follows these four steps:

1. Check your eligibility. This step involves checking your personal and business credit scores, tallying your revenue, verifying your time in business and determining if you have any collateral to pledge if you go with a secured loan.
2. Gather your documentation. Required documents typically include bank statements, tax returns, financial statements and other documents. You may also need to provide a business plan and personal guarantee if you’re a newer business owner.
3. Complete the application. Fill out the full application and upload the required documents or link to your financial accounts. Be sure to review the application for accuracy before submitting to avoid delays in processing.
4. Wait for approval and funding. Depending on the type of loan you choose, you could receive approval and funding in a few days or up to several weeks. Online lenders tend to have faster processing times than banks.

How to prequalify for a long-term business loan

Prequalification involves answering a series of questions about yourself and your business to determine your eligibility before you formally apply for a loan.

Here are the general steps:

1. Visit the lender’s website and fill out the prequalification form.
2. Provide information about yourself and your business.
3. View your loan options and compare offers.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options based on your quotes, you can formally apply for a loan with the lender of your choice. Just keep in mind that not all lenders offer a prequalification option; you may have to complete the full application to find out if you qualify.

Where can I find a loan to buy a business?

Business acquisition loans are available from traditional lenders like banks and credit unions, online lenders and business loan marketplaces like Lendio, Lendzi and Biz2Credit. Here’s a look at the top options:

Banks and credit unions

Banks and credit unions are a good place to start a search for a business acquisition loan. These institutions tend to have the most competitive rates, especially if you’re an existing customer. To qualify, you’ll typically need a minimum credit score of around 700, two years in business and at least $100,000 in annual revenue.

Online lenders

Online lenders tend to have more relaxed eligibility requirements than banks and credit unions and may offer faster processing times on term and SBA loans. Many online lenders also offer the SBA Express loan program, which typically offers faster turnaround times and funding than the SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs.

Alternative lenders

Besides bank and online loans, there are other options for funding a new business acquisition. These include personal loans, home equity loans, venture capital and angel investor financing, crowdfunding or asking family and friends.

Alternatives to a business acquisition loan

If you don’t qualify for a business acquisition loan because you don’t meet the lender’s revenue or time in business requirements or you’re a startup, consider these alternatives:

• Personal loan. You may be able to use a personal loan for business expenses. Personal loans aren’t dependent on your time in business or revenue, which could work well if you’re buying or starting your first business.
• Home equity loan or HELOC. If you have more than 20% equity in your home, you could borrow against it to secure funds for a new business venture. But if you can’t keep up with the payments, you could risk losing your home.
• Credit cards. A form of self-funding, credit cards can provide the capital you need to buy an existing business or to start one from scratch — but watch out for high rates.
• Investor financing. If you’re an entrepreneur, money from an angel investor can give you the cash you need to get your business off the ground. But you’ll have to give up equity in your company in return.
• Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is a popular marketing tool and a good way to gauge interest in your product or service. It can help you gain potential customers while you drum up funding for your business.
• Grants. Business grants are free money through federal and state government agencies, as well as private corporations. Since they’re free, many people compete for grants, and they can take months to fund.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best loan for acquiring a business?

  The best loan for acquiring a business depends on your credit, time in business and how much you need to borrow. SBA loans are often a good fit for larger purchases and longer repayment terms, while bank or online term loans can work better for faster funding or smaller acquisitions. Comparing multiple options can help you find the loan that best matches your situation.

• Can you get an SBA loan to buy a business?

  Yes, you can use an SBA loan to buy an existing business. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are commonly used for business acquisitions, but they come with stricter credit, documentation and down payment requirements than many non-SBA options.

• What is the monthly payment on a $50,000 business loan?

  The monthly payment on a $50,000 business loan depends on the interest rate and repayment term. For example, a five-year loan at around 8% interest would have a monthly payment of roughly $1,000, while a longer term or lower rate would reduce the payment.

• What is the easiest business loan to get approved for?

  The easiest business loans to get approved for are usually short-term loans or lines of credit from online lenders. These options often have lower credit and revenue requirements than bank or SBA loans, but they typically come with higher rates and shorter repayment terms.

• What do I need to get a $500,000 business loan?

  To get approved for a $500,000 business loan, lenders usually look for strong personal credit, consistent revenue and a proven operating history. You'll also need solid financial documentation and a clear plan for how the funds will be used. A down payment, collateral and a personal guarantee may also be required.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Christi Gorbett

Contributor

Christi Gorbett is a freelance writer with more than eight years of experience and a master's degree in English. She’s created a wide range of content for banks, financial product comparison sites, and marketing companies on topics like small business loans, credit cards, mortgages, retirement planning, lender reviews, and more. As a former teacher, Christi excels at making complex financial topics accessible and easy to understand. Her interest in finance grew when she returned to the U.S. after living in South Korea for nearly a decade. This shift was driven by several personal financial challenges: rebuilding her financial base after the move home, starting her own business, and catching up on retirement savings. These experiences deepened Christi’s practical understanding of finance and intensified her interest in the field. See full bio