6 OnDeck Alternatives

While OnDeck pioneered online business lending, modern alternatives now offer faster approval, transparent pricing, and innovative underwriting that better serve today's small businesses. With an increasing share of SMBs going directly to non-bank lenders and many dissatisfied with traditional loan terms, the market demands better solutions. Resolve's net terms platform leads this evolution by reducing merchant risk through non-recourse advances on approved invoices, while providing fast credit decisions and upfront cash flow.

Key Takeaways

• Non-recourse financing eliminates risk: Resolve provides non-recourse net terms financing with advances on approved invoices, meaning Resolve assumes default risk on eligible invoices under program terms
• AI-powered underwriting delivers speed: Modern platforms like Resolve provide credit decisions in minutes versus OnDeck's lengthy processes, addressing the majority of SMBs who prefer online applications
• Transparent flat-fee pricing: Resolve's average fees are around 2.61% on 30-day net terms or up to approximately 3.5% for higher advances, compared to OnDeck's average APR
• Lower qualification barriers: Resolve's business credit checks require only company name and address with 24-hour turnaround, serving the many SMBs who don't apply due to fear of denial
• Embedded solutions integrate seamlessly: Resolve's platform connects directly to your existing ecommerce and accounting systems, automating the entire credit-to-cash workflow
• B2B focus addresses specific needs: Unlike general business lenders, Resolve specializes in B2B invoice financing, accounts receivable automation, and net terms management

1. Resolve — The Modern Alternative to OnDeck for B2B Businesses

Resolve stands out as the premier OnDeck alternative by fundamentally reimagining B2B financing through embedded payments and non-recourse risk management. Rather than offering traditional business loans with high APRs and personal guarantees, Resolve provides a comprehensive platform that addresses the root causes of cash flow challenges for B2B companies.

Key Features:

• 100% non-recourse financing that shifts default risk to Resolve under program terms
• Instant credit decisions using proprietary AI models evaluating thousands of data points
• Net 30, 60, or 90-day payment terms
• Advance payment within 24 hours
• Transparent flat-fee pricing: around 2.61% on 30-day net terms or up to approximately 3.5% for higher advances
• Seamless integration with QuickBooks, Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, and WooCommerce
• White-label payment portal accepting ACH, credit card, wire, and check payments

Why Resolve Outperforms OnDeck for B2B Companies:

OnDeck’s eligibility typically includes minimum credit score, revenue, and time-in-business thresholds, while charging average APRs that can be significantly higher. In contrast, Resolve's B2B focus means qualification is based on your customers' creditworthiness, not your own financial history. This paradigm shift is crucial for the many small businesses that don't apply for financing because they believe they'll be denied.

Resolve's accounts receivable automation streamlines the entire credit-to-cash workflow, reducing days sales outstanding (DSO) and accelerating cash flow without manual overhead. The platform's LLM-powered invoicing workflow automatically syncs transactions across systems, while AI agents manage payment reminders and collections.

The business credit check service provides personalized assessments free of charge, requiring only your customer's business name and address with results within 24 business hours. This eliminates the lengthy application processes that frustrate the majority of SMB owners who expect each financing stage to take one business day or less.

Unlike OnDeck's rigid daily or weekly repayment requirements, Resolve's model aligns with natural B2B payment cycles. Your customers maintain their net terms relationships while you receive immediate cash flow. This preserves customer relationships and eliminates the cash flow strain of fixed loan payments during slow business periods.

Resolve currently serves thousands of businesses and advances on invoices from approved customers within 24 hours. The platform's experts—formerly of Amazon, PayPal, and Fortune 500 firms—deliver deeper credit insights than traditional bureaus, enabling better risk assessment and higher approval rates.

2. SBA Loans — Government-Backed Financing for Established Businesses

SBA loans provide a traditional alternative to OnDeck with significantly lower interest rates and longer repayment terms, though they come with slower approval processes and stricter requirements.

Key Characteristics:

• SBA 7(a) loans up to $5 million with terms up to 25 years
• SBA 504 loans for real estate and equipment purchases
• Interest rates are negotiated but typically fall in the low-to-mid double digits given recent Prime rate levels, compared to OnDeck's average APR which can range significantly higher
• Government guarantee reduces lender risk
• Requires 2+ years in business, strong credit (680+), and substantial collateral

When SBA Loans Make Sense:

SBA financing works best for established businesses with strong credit histories and longer-term capital needs. The SBA approved over 70,000 loans for approximately $31.1 billion in recent years, showing continued government support for small business growth.

For businesses needing immediate working capital, the SBA's typical 30-90 day approval timeline is too slow. However, for major investments like equipment purchases or real estate acquisitions, the lower rates and longer terms can provide significant savings over time.

3. Fundbox — Revolving Credit Lines for Cash Flow Management

Fundbox offers revolving lines of credit up to $150,000 with flexible repayment terms, serving as an alternative for businesses that need ongoing access to working capital.

Platform Features:

• Credit lines up to $150,000 with 12 or 24-week repayment terms
• Accepts credit scores as low as 600 with only three months in business
• Next-day funding after approval
• Cash flow insights and analytics
• Integration with accounting software

Cost Considerations:

Fundbox charges fees that can translate to effective APRs exceeding 35%. While this may be lower than OnDeck's average APR, it's still significantly higher than Resolve's transparent flat fees of approximately 2.61-3.5%.

Fundbox works best for businesses with predictable cash flow that can manage weekly repayments. However, the platform's focus on short-term financing doesn't address the fundamental B2B payment cycle challenges that Resolve solves through net terms automation and accounts receivable management.

4. Revenue-Based Financing — Growth Capital Without Equity Dilution

Revenue-based financing (RBF) is experiencing explosive growth, with the global market projected to increase significantly in coming years. This model provides an alternative to traditional term loans by allowing repayment as a percentage of future revenue.

How RBF Works:

• Lenders provide capital in exchange for a percentage of future sales
• Repayment adjusts based on actual revenue, providing flexibility during slow periods
• No fixed repayment schedule or personal guarantees required
• Retains full equity ownership unlike venture capital

Ideal Use Cases:

RBF works best for businesses with recurring revenue streams, such as subscription services or e-commerce companies with consistent sales patterns. The model's flexibility makes it attractive to the majority of small businesses citing rising costs as their top financial challenge, as payments automatically adjust when expenses impact revenue.

However, RBF doesn't address B2B-specific challenges like managing net terms, accounts receivable, or customer credit risk. For B2B companies, Resolve's embedded net terms solution provides more comprehensive cash flow management while maintaining customer relationships.

5. Microloans and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

Microloans and CDFIs serve businesses that don't qualify for traditional financing, including startups and underserved communities. Organizations like Accion and Grameen America provide loans typically under $50,000 with more flexible requirements.

Key Benefits:

• Loan amounts from $500 to $50,000
• Flexible qualification requirements
• Support for underserved communities and minority-owned businesses
• Educational resources and business coaching
• Lower interest rates than online lenders

Limitations:

While microloans provide crucial access to capital for businesses excluded from traditional lending, they don't scale with business growth. The typical $50,000 maximum loan amount is insufficient for businesses with significant working capital needs or growth ambitions.

For B2B companies, Resolve's ability to advance on approved invoices provides scalable financing that grows with sales volume, making it a more sustainable long-term solution than fixed microloan amounts.

6. Equipment Financing — Asset-Based Lending for Specific Needs

Equipment financing allows businesses to acquire essential assets while preserving working capital. This specialized lending focuses on the equipment's value as collateral rather than the business's overall creditworthiness.

Key Features:

• Financing for machinery, vehicles, technology, and other business equipment
• Loan amounts based on equipment value rather than business revenue
• Terms typically 2-7 years matching equipment useful life
• Equipment serves as collateral, reducing lender risk
• Often available with lower credit scores than general business loans

When to Choose Equipment Financing:

This option works well for businesses making significant equipment investments, especially when the equipment directly generates revenue. The equipment financing market is seeing steady expansion, driven by businesses investing in automation and modernization.

However, equipment financing addresses only specific capital needs and doesn't solve ongoing working capital challenges. For comprehensive cash flow management, B2B companies benefit more from Resolve's integrated platform that handles credit, invoicing, collections, and payment processing.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

The best OnDeck alternative depends on your business model, financing needs, and growth stage:

For B2B Companies: Resolve provides the most comprehensive solution by addressing the fundamental challenge of B2B payment cycles. Instead of taking on debt with high APRs, you offer net terms to customers while receiving immediate cash flow.

For Established Businesses with Long-Term Needs: SBA loans offer lower rates and longer terms for major investments, though with slower approval.

For Businesses with Recurring Revenue: Revenue-based financing provides flexible repayment that adjusts with sales volume.

For Equipment Purchases: Specialized equipment financing preserves working capital while acquiring essential assets.

For Startups and Underserved Businesses: Microloans and CDFIs provide access to capital when traditional lenders won't help.

The market shift is clear: an increasing majority of small businesses now go directly to non-bank lenders, and many have no strong preference for where they get loans. This creates enormous opportunity for digitally-native platforms like Resolve that prioritize speed, transparency, and customer experience over traditional banking relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest business loan to get approved for with bad credit?

For B2B businesses, Resolve's net terms platform is often easier to qualify for because approval is based on your customers' creditworthiness, not your own. Traditional lenders like OnDeck require a 625 credit score, but Resolve evaluates your buyers using proprietary AI models that analyze thousands of data points beyond traditional credit scores. This serves the many SMBs who don't apply for financing because they believe they'll be denied.

Can I get business financing with no revenue as a startup?

While traditional lenders require revenue history, B2B startups can use Resolve's platform to offer net terms to their customers and receive advances on approved invoices. This creates a revenue-generating cycle where you can fulfill orders without upfront capital, making it possible to start and scale a B2B business without traditional loan requirements or personal credit reliance.

How quickly can I get funding from OnDeck alternatives?

Resolve provides funding within 24 hours of invoice approval, addressing the majority of SMBs who prefer online applications and expect each financing stage to take one business day or less. Traditional alternatives like SBA loans take 30-90 days, while other online lenders typically fund within 1-3 days. Resolve's speed advantage comes from AI-powered underwriting that eliminates manual review processes.

What credit score do I need for SBA loans vs OnDeck?

OnDeck requires a minimum 625 credit score, while SBA loans typically require 680+ for the best terms. However, Resolve doesn't require a specific credit score from the merchant because qualification is based on your customers' creditworthiness. This fundamental difference makes Resolve accessible to businesses that might not qualify for traditional financing due to credit challenges or limited operating history.

What is the difference between invoice factoring and a business loan?

Traditional invoice factoring requires selling your invoices at a discount and typically involves recourse liability if customers don't pay. Resolve provides non-recourse financing with transparent flat fees (approximately 2.61-3.5%) where you retain control of customer relationships. Unlike business loans that create debt obligations with fixed repayments, Resolve's model aligns with natural B2B payment cycles while eliminating merchant risk.

This post is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult his or her own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this post. Resolve assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.