Business Loans. Without the Fuss.
Compare business loans by cost, eligibility, repayment, and speed — plain-English guides to help you choose the right lender and apply with confidence.
Business loans explained
Use these guides to compare business loan options by cost, eligibility, repayment structure, speed, and lender fit before you apply — so you walk into a funding decision already knowing the answers.
What to compare before you borrow
Total cost of borrowing
Look past the headline rate at the APR, arrangement fees, and the total amount repayable over the full term.
Repayment structure
Fixed monthly payments, a share of card takings, or a flexible facility — match it to how your revenue actually arrives.
Eligibility & trading history
Most lenders weigh time trading, turnover, and credit profile. Knowing yours up front avoids wasted applications.
Speed to funding
Some lenders pay out in 24–48 hours, others take weeks. If timing matters, prioritise lenders built for speed.
Security & guarantees
Check whether the loan is secured against assets or needs a personal guarantee before you commit.
Early repayment terms
If you might clear the balance early, confirm whether there are exit fees or interest savings.
Latest guides
Business Loan Repayment Examples: Real Payment Scenarios for UK SMEs
Business loan repayments typically range from £200 to £5,000 monthly for loans between £10k-£1m, depending on loan amount, term length, and interest rates.
Business Loan Declined: What to Do Next
When your business loan gets declined, request the specific rejection reasons from the lender, review your credit reports for errors, and consider alternative funding sources like online lenders or merchant cash advances. Most rejections stem from credit issues, insufficient revenue, or incomplete documentation — all fixable problems that don't require waiting months to address.
Secured Business Loans UK: Complete Guide to Asset-Backed Funding in 2026
Secured business loans in the UK require collateral (typically property, equipment, or vehicles) in exchange for lower interest rates and higher borrowing limits.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Business Loans: Which Funding Option Fits Your Business
Short-term business loans offer faster funding (often within 24 hours) with repayment periods up to 18-24 months, while long-term loans provide larger amounts over 5-25 years but take weeks to approve. Short-term loans cost more but require less paperwork and accept lower credit scores, making them ideal for urgent cash flow needs or businesses banks have declined.
Personal Guarantees on Business Loans: What UK Business Owners Need to Know in 2026
A personal guarantee on a business loan makes you personally liable for the debt if your company defaults.
Business Loan Eligibility Criteria UK: Complete Guide for 2026
Business loan eligibility criteria UK requirements vary by lender, but most require your business to be UK-registered, trading for at least 6-12 months with minimum annual turnover of £50,000-£100,000, and demonstrate ability to repay. Traditional banks impose stricter credit score requirements (typically 650+), while alternative lenders often accept lower scores and focus more on current trading performance than historical credit files.
Business Overdraft vs Line of Credit vs Loan: Which Funding Option Fits Your Business?
Business overdrafts provide immediate short-term cash when your account runs low, lines of credit offer flexible revolving funds up to a set limit, and traditional loans deliver lump sums for specific projects. Overdrafts cost the most but work instantly, lines of credit balance flexibility with moderate costs, and loans offer the lowest rates for planned investments.
Invoice Finance vs Business Loans: Which Funding Option Fits Your Business in 2026
Invoice finance lets you borrow against unpaid invoices and get cash within 24-48 hours, while business loans provide a lump sum with fixed monthly repayments over several years.
How Do Merchant Cash Advances Work: The Complete UK Guide for 2026
A merchant cash advance (MCA) gives your business a lump sum of capital upfront, which you repay through a fixed percentage of your daily or weekly card sales — not through fixed monthly instalments. There's no interest rate in the traditional sense; instead, a "factor rate" determines the total repayment amount from the start. It's fast, flexible, and based on how your business actually trades, not on how clean your credit file looks.
Business Loans questions
The important details before you check eligibility.
What should a business compare before choosing a loan?
Compare total repayment cost, repayment frequency, eligibility criteria, security requirements, application speed, and whether the loan fits the way the business earns revenue.
How much can a business typically borrow?
Loan sizes vary widely by lender and depend on turnover, trading history, and affordability. Facilities commonly range from a few thousand to several hundred thousand pounds, with larger amounts available to established businesses.
Do I need to be a homeowner to get a business loan?
Not always. Some lenders ask for a personal guarantee that can take homeownership into account, but many business loans don't require you to own property.
Will checking my options affect my credit score?
An initial eligibility check is often a soft search that doesn't affect your score. A full application may involve a hard credit check, so confirm with the lender before you proceed.
How quickly can the money arrive?
It depends on the lender and how ready your paperwork is. Some online lenders approve and fund within a day or two, while traditional lenders can take longer.
Are business loan requirements the same in every market?
No. Eligibility, terminology, credit checks, and lender expectations vary by market, so each Funding Fred guide is written for the relevant country.
Ready when you are
Explore business funding options
Start a short eligibility check and compare selected business funding options. It only takes about 2 minutes, with no hard credit check to start.