A 1West resource
How we compare small business funding options
Funding Compared judges every funding option on the same stated criteria, using 1West's published facts for 1West products and named public sources for market figures.
This methodology was written by 1West, which publishes the site and offers every product it compares. Because of that, the site compares funding types for fit, not lenders for quality, and it never declares that one 1West product is better than another for everyone.
Last updated November 2026. Published by 1West, the financing company this site covers.
How are the funding options ranked?
Options are ordered by fit for one stated need. On the home page, that need is an established U.S. small business managing cash flow, which is the audience this site serves first. If your need is equipment or property, the right order changes, and each guide says so.
The criteria we use
| Criterion | What it means | Where the facts come from |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | The need the option is designed to serve | 1West product descriptions |
| What backs it | Cash flow, an asset, invoices, or a guarantee | 1West product pages |
| Preparation | Documents and steps usually involved | 1West guides and sba.gov |
| Listed figures | Amounts, starting rates, terms, time to fund | 1West product pages, dated |
| Choose the other if | The cases where another option fits better | Comparison of the above |
Rules for facts and numbers
- 1West figures are copied exactly from 1West's own pages and dated "as of November 2026." Rates are starting figures, not offers.
- Where 1West does not list a figure, we say it is not listed rather than estimate it.
- Market figures from other publishers are credited by name and link, with their original dates and conditions, and are never presented as 1West figures.
- We publish no testimonials, customer results, approval odds, or competitor rankings.
- The readiness check uses only 1West's four published general requirements.
Who writes and reviews the pages
1West writes and publishes every page. This site is a demonstration concept subject to review before official use. Pages show a "Last updated" date, and we update content when 1West's published facts change. See About Funding Compared for more on why the site exists.
Common questions
Is this site an independent review?
No. Funding Compared is a 1West resource and is not independent. It compares funding types, not competing lenders, and it does not rank 1West against other companies. Facts about 1West come from 1West's own website, and market figures are credited to the published sources they come from.
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.
Does applying guarantee approval or a specific rate?
No. Financing is subject to lender approval and final terms. Rates shown on this site are starting figures 1West lists on its product pages, not offers. Approval, amount, rate, and timing depend on the product, the lender, and your business's qualifications, so compare every offer before you accept one.
What is the lowest interest rate for a business loan?
The lowest rates usually go to secured financing and strong applicants. As of November 2026, 1West's product pages list starting rates as low as 5% for accounts receivable financing, 6% for real estate financing, and 7% for equipment financing. Those are starting points, not offers; your rate depends on the lender, the product, and your qualifications.
What are typical interest rates on a business loan?
Rates vary widely by product and borrower. A North Carolina small business loan guide ranking for this search notes that some alternative lenders charge rates sometimes up to 99% in exchange for lower barriers to entry, and reports SBA rates averaged 11.5% to 16.5% in 2023 depending on program and loan amount. Always compare total cost.
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.