Top 3 Best OnDeck Alternatives in 2026: Small Business Lenders Worth Considering

OnDeck is one of the best-known online business loan providers. While many business owners appreciate its ability to fund loans as soon as the same day, the company isn’t the right fit for everyone. OnDeck’s rates can be on the higher end (depending on your credit profile), its term loans cap at $400,000, and not every business meets its requirements.

The Federal Reserve’s latest Small Business Credit Survey found that high interest rates and unfavorable repayment terms are the most common challenges at online lenders. Consider Biz2Credit, SoFi, and Fundera if OnDeck denied your application, underfunded you, or quoted a higher APR than you wanted to pay.

Below, we cover who each of these OnDeck alternatives is best for, what it takes to qualify, and how to choose among them.

Here are three small business loan alternatives to consider.

• Biz2Credit: Best for larger loans from a direct lender
• SoFi: Best for comparing multiple offers at once
• Fundera: Best for newer or lower-credit businesses

Our Top 3 Picks for the Best Alternatives to OnDeck—Reviews:

Here are more details on how these top OnDeck competitors compare.

Best For: Established businesses that want a larger loan from a direct lender.

Biz2Credit is a direct lender with term loans up to $2 million and larger commercial real estate financing beyond that amount. The company reviews your last six months of bank statements for approval, so a few slow months won’t automatically disqualify you. You’ll need about a year in business and a 650 credit score to qualify, which is slightly higher than OnDeck’s minimum score requirement.

Why Biz2Credit Is a Good Alternative to OnDeck

The main reason to choose Biz2Credit over OnDeck is the larger loan size. If you need more than OnDeck’s $400,000 limit, Biz2Credit can fund much higher amounts. It also topped BestMoney’s 2026 Best Business Lenders in Florida list, scoring 9.5 out of 10.

Pros

• Higher loan amounts than OnDeck
• Direct lender with hands-on underwriting

Cons

• Higher qualification requirements (650 credit score and longer financial review)
• Rates and funding times not published online

Best For: Comparing several loan offers at once without a hard credit pull.

SoFi’s Small Business Loans Marketplace matches you with multiple lenders through a single application. Checking your options only requires a soft credit pull, so comparing offers won’t affect your score.

You can compare a variety of loan types, including SBA, term, and line-of-credit loans. Some lenders in the marketplace offer next-day or same-day business funding, though timing isn’t guaranteed.

Why SoFi Is a Good Alternative to OnDeck

SoFi lets you compare several offers at once before committing, all without a hard inquiry impacting your credit. It scored 9.6 on BestMoney.

Pros

• Compare multiple offers with one soft credit check
• Access to multiple types of loans in one place

Cons

• It’s a marketplace, not a direct lender (won’t work with SoFi for your loan)

Best For: Newer or lower-credit businesses looking to compare lenders

Fundera, now part of NerdWallet, is also a marketplace rather than a direct lender. With a single application and a soft credit check, you can access a network of vetted lenders. Like SoFi, Fundera covers a wide range of loan types, including SBA loans, equipment financing, and invoice factoring. It has helped more than 77,000 businesses secure over $5.4 billion in financing.

Why Fundera Is a Good Alternative to OnDeck

Some Fundera partner lenders accept credit scores as low as 500, while others work with startups with just three to six months in business. Both of these minimum requirements are more lenient than OnDeck’s, making Fundera a source of fast business loans for startups. Fundera scored 8.8 on BestMoney.

Pros

• Lower credit and time-in-business requirements than OnDeck
• One application reaches many lenders and loan types

Cons

• Final rates and terms depend on individual lenders

OnDeck offers term loans and lines of credit, but other loan options are available, from unsecured business loans to invoice factoring. Understanding what they are, who they’re best for, and their typical APRs can help you find the right fit, whether you need working capital loans for small businesses or a larger SBA loan.

*Sources: SBA.gov, Kansas City Federal Reserve, TMC Financing

The right alternative depends on your business’s needs. Here’s how to choose among these OnDeck alternatives:

1. Consider how much you need and what it’s for: Biz2Credit is ideal for larger, one-time investments, while a marketplace like SoFi or Fundera lets you compare several loan types at once, including business line of credit alternatives.
2. Be realistic about your qualifications: Credit requirements range from around 500 with some Fundera partners to 650 at Biz2Credit.
3. Weigh speed against cost: Fast online funding often comes at a higher price, so it’s wise to compare a few offers before you commit.
4. Decide whether you prefer a direct lender or a marketplace: A soft-pull marketplace lets you shop around without affecting your credit.

Among these OnDeck alternatives, the best choice for your business depends on how much you need, how quickly you need it, and what you can qualify for. OnDeck funds fast and is well-known, but it may not be the best fit for your business.

If so, Biz2Credit is a strong choice for larger loans, while SoFi lets you compare multiple lenders at once. If you’re a newer or lower-credit business, Fundera is worth considering. Be sure to compare a few offers before deciding to make sure you get the best loan terms for your business.