Funding comparison

SBA Loan vs Invoice Factoring

Compare published guidelines for structure, timing, credit profile, and common uses. Final terms depend on underwriting and the specific offer.

Compare my options

Side by side

Published product guidelines

These ranges and timing estimates were retained from the legacy Now Biz Fund project. They are not offers or guarantees.

ConsiderationSBA LoanInvoice Factoring
Range$50K–$5M$10K–$5M
Typical funding speed30–60 days24–48 hours
FICO guideline650+Revenue-based
Often considered forEstablished businesses seeking lower-cost, longer-term capitalB2B businesses waiting 30–90 days for customer payments
StructureGovernment-guaranteed term financing, including SBA 7(a) and ExpressAn advance against eligible unpaid business invoices

The short version

SBA Loan

SBA loans can offer longer repayment periods and competitive costs to qualified, established businesses that can support a more involved process.

  • Designed for eligible long-term business uses
  • More documentation and underwriting than faster products
  • Best when cost matters more than immediate funding

The short version

Invoice Factoring

Invoice factoring converts eligible B2B receivables into working cash, with underwriting focused heavily on invoice quality and customer credit.

  • Tied to eligible business invoices
  • Customer payment quality is a central consideration
  • Can shorten the gap between invoicing and collection

Decision guide

Which should you consider?

Choose the SBA path when the business can support deeper underwriting and waiting for a potentially lower-cost, longer-term structure. Choose invoice factoring when the stated use and faster timing matter more. Compare total cost, payment cadence, collateral, and guarantees in the actual offers.

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Common questions

SBA loan vs Invoice factoring: practical answers

Which option is usually faster?

Invoice Factoring has the faster published timing guideline here, but document readiness and underwriting determine actual timing.

What credit profile is generally considered?

SBA Loan lists 650+; Invoice Factoring lists Revenue-based. These are guidelines, not approval guarantees, and other underwriting factors apply.

How should I compare cost?

Request the total repayment, fees, payment frequency, term, prepayment treatment, and any collateral or guarantee requirements in writing. A rate or factor alone does not show the full cost.

Can a business use both?

Sometimes, if each product serves a distinct need and the combined payments remain affordable. Existing obligations affect underwriting, so disclose them before accepting an offer.