A 1West resource
Small business funding options, compared side by side
The main small business funding options are unsecured working capital, lines of credit, accounts receivable financing, equipment financing, SBA loans, and commercial real estate financing, and the right one depends on what the money is for.
Funding Compared is a 1West resource that lines up these funding options for a small business on the same criteria, so you can decide which to apply for before using 1West's ABLE application. Every option here is a product 1West offers, and 1West generally asks for six months in business, $20,000 monthly revenue, and a 600+ FICO score.
Last updated November 2026. Published by 1West, the financing company this site covers.
Which small business funding option should I apply for?
Match the funding to the need. If you are an established business covering a short cash flow gap, start with unsecured working capital or a line of credit. If clients pay slowly, look at accounts receivable financing. If you are buying equipment, equipment financing is built for it. If you need a large amount over a long term and have time to prepare, consider an SBA loan.
The table below compares all six options. Each one links to a guide with the details, documents, and steps.
Comparison
Small business funding options compared
| Funding option | Best for | What backs it | 1West listed figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsecured working capital | Short-term cash flow gaps | Your cash flow | Not listed on pages reviewed |
| Business line of credit | Recurring, uneven needs | Revolving limit | Not listed on pages reviewed |
| Accounts receivable financing | Slow-paying clients | Funds due from clients | $10K to $10M; as low as 5%; 2 weeks to fund |
| Equipment financing | A specific asset | The equipment | $10K to $5M; as low as 7%; 5 to 60 months |
| SBA loans | Large, long-term needs | Lender loan with SBA guarantee | 7(a) up to $5M; microloans up to $50,000 |
| Commercial real estate | Buying or expanding property | The property | $100K to $20M; as low as 6%; 6 to 60 months |
Definition
What does small business funding mean?
Small business funding is any money a business brings in from outside its own revenue to cover costs or grow. It includes financing you repay, such as loans, credit lines, and asset-backed financing, as well as grants and investment that work differently. Funding Compared focuses on financing, because that is what 1West helps businesses compare.
Financing generally comes in three shapes: a lump sum repaid on a schedule, revolving credit you draw from, and financing secured by a specific asset like equipment, property, or invoices. Knowing which shape fits your need narrows the field before you compare rates and terms.
Ranked list
Best small business loan options, ranked for cash flow
Published by 1West. This ranking orders the best loan options for small business owners whose main need is managing cash flow. All six are 1West products, so the order reflects fit for that need, not quality. If you are buying equipment or property, the order changes.
Number 1: Unsecured working capital
Best for: Short-term cash flow gaps
First for established businesses managing cash flow because it is approved based on cash flow with no assets or collateral required, so it addresses the most common need with the least preparation.
1West listed figures: Rates and terms not listed on the 1West pages reviewed
Number 2: Business line of credit
Best for: Recurring, uneven cash needs
Second because it serves the same cash flow need when it repeats: a revolving source of capital you draw from only when needed.
1West listed figures: Limits and rates not listed on the 1West pages reviewed
Number 3: Accounts receivable financing
Best for: Cash tied up in unpaid invoices
Third because it fixes one specific cause of cash strain, slow-paying clients, by using funds due from clients as collateral.
1West listed figures: $10K to $10M; rate as low as 5%; no minimum term; 2 weeks to fund
Number 4: Equipment financing
Best for: Buying or leasing a specific asset
Fourth for cash flow, first for equipment purchases. The equipment usually serves as collateral, which can open approval for businesses that would not qualify unsecured.
1West listed figures: $10K to $5M; rate as low as 7%; 5 to 60 months; 1 week to fund
Number 5: SBA loans
Best for: Larger, long-term needs with time to prepare
Fifth for urgent cash needs because it requires SBA eligibility plus lender requirements, but often the best fit when you need a long term and can wait.
1West listed figures: 7(a) up to $5M; 504 up to $5.5M for select projects; microloans up to $50,000
Number 6: Commercial real estate financing
Best for: Buying, renovating, or expanding property
Sixth for cash flow because it is tied to property, not operating costs. It is the specialist choice for owners buying or expanding commercial space.
1West listed figures: $100K to $20M; rate as low as 6%; 6 to 60 months; 2 to 3 weeks to fund
Head to head
Working capital vs SBA loan
This is the most common decision owners face. Working capital is usually the answer for urgent, short-term needs because 1West approves it based on cash flow with no collateral required. An SBA loan is usually the answer for larger, long-term needs, but it requires meeting SBA eligibility rules and the lender's own requirements, which takes more preparation.
Read the full guide: working capital vs SBA loan, compared on five criteria.
Numbers
Small business funding by the numbers
- Business loans can fund inventory, equipment, payroll and working capital, commercial real estate, or startup costs, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5 million, according to LendingTree.
- SBA 7(a) loans go up to $5 million, select 504 projects up to $5.5 million, and SBA microloans up to $50,000, per 10 Types of Business Loans: Which Is Right for You?
- SBA rates were tied to the prime rate and averaged 11.5% to 16.5% in 2023 depending on program and loan amount, while some alternative lenders charge rates sometimes up to 99%, according to a North Carolina small business loan guide.
- Firms were more likely to report that revenues decreased rather than increased in the prior 12 months, according to the Federal Reserve Banks' Small Business Credit Survey.
These are published market figures from the sources named, not 1West figures or offers.
Procedure
How to choose and apply in five steps
Step 1: Name the need
Cash flow gap, equipment, invoices, property, or a large long-term project.
Step 2: Pick the matching option
Use the comparison table above to shortlist one or two.
Step 3: Check your figures
Compare your business with 1West's general requirements on the readiness page.
Step 4: Gather documents
Start with four months of business bank statements.
Step 5: Apply once and compare
Use 1West's ABLE intake, then compare total repayment on every offer.
Common questions
What are the funding options for a small business?
The common funding options for a small business are unsecured working capital, business lines of credit, accounts receivable financing, equipment financing, SBA loans, and commercial real estate financing. 1West lists all six on its website. Grants, investors, and personal savings exist too, but they work differently from financing and are not products 1West offers.
What is the easiest small business loan to get?
No loan is easy for every business, but financing backed by an asset or by your cash flow usually involves less paperwork than an SBA loan. 1West's equipment financing page says the equipment usually serves as collateral, which is why lenders can often approve businesses that would not qualify for an unsecured loan. Approval still depends on the lender.
What credit score is needed for a business loan?
It depends on the lender and product, but 1West generally asks for a FICO score of 600 or higher. Higher scores tend to bring more options and better terms. Financing secured by equipment or receivables may weigh the asset and your clients' payment history alongside your score, though every lender sets its own floor.
How much funding can I request through 1West?
1West's homepage invites businesses to choose an amount from $5,000 to $1 million or more. Product ranges differ: as of November 2026, equipment financing is listed at $10K to $5M, accounts receivable financing at $10K to $10M, and real estate financing at $100K to $20M. Request what your plan actually needs.
How long does it take to get business funding?
It depends on the product. As of November 2026, 1West lists time to fund of 1 week for equipment financing, 2 weeks for accounts receivable financing, and 2 to 3 weeks for real estate financing. SBA loans usually take longer because of added paperwork. These are listed estimates from 1West, not guarantees.
Can I get free money to start a business?
Grants are the closest thing to free money, but they are competitive and usually small. One grant roundup ranking for this search notes that even a $1,000 microgrant can build momentum and lists $5,000 grant programs. Grants do not need repaying, while every 1West product is financing that does. Many owners pursue both paths at once.
Can a start-up LLC get a loan?
A start-up LLC can get a loan, but options are narrower until it has operating history. 1West generally requires at least six months in business. Before then, owners often look at SBA microloans, personal resources, or grants. Forming an LLC does not by itself make a business eligible; lenders still review revenue, credit, and time in business.
Who publishes Funding Compared?
Funding Compared is published by 1West, the small business financing company whose products this site explains. It is a 1West resource, not an independent review site. Every product described here is a 1West product, and the site exists to help owners decide which one to apply for before using 1West's ABLE application.
How we chose
We ranked six financing products on one stated need: an established business managing cash flow. Each entry is judged on what it is best for, what backs it, how much preparation it needs, and the figures 1West lists.
All six products are offered by 1West, which wrote this page. We do not rank 1West against other lenders.
Published by 1West. Read the full comparison methodology.
Sources
- 1West homepage: products, amount selector, ABLE
- 1West: Equipment Financing
- 1West: Accounts Receivable Financing
- 1West: Real Estate Financing
- 10 Types of Business Loans: Which Is Right for You?
- Small business loans North Carolina
- LendingTree: Best Small Business Loans for Every Business Need (2026)
- Federal Reserve Banks: Small Business Credit Survey
Ready to compare real offers?
Apply once through 1West's ABLE intake to see financing options for your business. Applying does not guarantee approval, a rate, or a timeline. Financing is subject to lender approval and final terms.