Business Loan vs. Personal Loan: Pros and Cons for Business

When considering what type of loan option works best for your business, a business loan is most likely the most "obvious" answer. However, that doesn't mean that personal loans are out of the equation, and can be a workable option for some situations. To be honest, there are ups and downs to both business loans and personal loans when searching for the best financing option for your company, and there is a myriad of factors to consider before making a final choice.

If you're weighing the pros and the cons of business loans vs. personal loans, you'll also need to weigh the pros and cons of your business and personal needs. You'll need to think ahead and identify potential pitfalls or achievements that could stem from your decision. With that being said, let's get into the differences between personal loans, and business loans so that business owners like you can be better prepared for growth and success.

What's a Small Business Loan?

When it comes down to getting a loan for business use, small business loans offer a great way to get the funding you need, fast. Whether you're looking for a diverse loan option that can be used for a wide variety of business purposes, a small business loan is a great option.

Small business loans is a pretty broad term, and that's because they serve a fairly broad spectrum of business opportunities. Whether you're looking for purchasing equipment, working capital, marketing cash flow, or even new technology — small business loans can help. There are a ton of various loan options available too. For example:

• Term loans
• Equipment financing
• Invoice financing
• SBA Loans
• And more

A Brief Note on Term Loans

A business term loan is typically a lump sum of capital from a lender that you pay back with an agreed-upon or specified repayment schedule. These loans have either a fixed (or adjustable) principal and interest rate — and their terms vary in duration depending on the type of term loan it is. We'll cover some of the basics below, but you can check this article if you're looking for a more in-depth look at short-term vs. long-term business loan solutions.

Long-Term Business Loans

Business loans with terms over two years in duration are considered long term business loans. These loans can have a wide range of rates (6.99% - 28%) based on credit history or financial conditions of the business. Long-term business loans require significant documentation due to attractive rates and terms. Approval rates are around 15-25%, so you'll need a profitable and healthy business and sound credit to get approved. You'll also need to have at least 2 years in business to qualify.

Short-Term Business Loans

On the flip side of the term loans coin, you have short term business loans, which have a fixed lump sum offered upfront, along with a fixed payback amount over fixed terms of around 6-18 months. More traditional loan products can have fairly stringent credit standards and documentation needs. However, short-term business loans are a fantastic alternative, with less paperwork required and more lenient credit qualification standards.

What is a Personal Loan For Business?

A personal loan for business is a much less complex than a business loan. Personal loans require a look into your financial information, including your credit history and income. These loans are also usually unsecured, so there's no need for collateral. Loan amounts are typically between $1,000 - $50,000 (or more), and last around 12-60 months. One of the most significant differences between personal and business loans is that if your business fails to pay back the funding, you become personally responsible for any outstanding balance.

The Pros and Cons of Business Loans

When considering any type of loan for your small business, it's important that you're doing the research. Whether considering traditional vs. online lenders or weighing the pros and cons of various business loan options — you'll need to be diligent about where your cash flow is coming from. So, let's look at some of the positives and negatives associated with both business loans and personal loans for business — to help give you the critical insights you need to make the right decisions down the line.

The Pros

Starting with the upsides of business loans, it's a great way to separate your business finances from your personal ones. Sure, it seems like an obvious observation, but you would be surprised how many business owners find themselves in a world of trouble because they're personal finances are interweaved into their business financials. As a business grows or expands, separating its expenses and your own becomes increasingly important — especially during tax season.

Now, another pro is that depending on the loan itself, business loans can limit your personal liability if the business defaults or undergo financial uncertainty or difficulties during a loan's term. Alternative lenders are a great place to find these, as they offer various loan options with various conditions to boot.

Lastly, productive and responsible use of business loans can help boost a business's credit score and credit history, which will help expand future financing opportunities. The better your business credit score is, the larger you'll be able to grow — giving you access to higher lending limits, larger loan amounts, and trade credits with certain suppliers and vendors.

The Cons

Now, there are some downsides or potential issues with business loans for your company — depending on certain conditions of course. Business loans can be tough to acquire if your business doesn't have its own credit history or if your personal credit is poor. Also, it's not uncommon for a business loan to be a lengthy and time-consuming process. When choosing between a business loan and a personal loan for business, it's not uncommon for this to play a major role — as the potential mountain of paperwork and rejection can seem daunting and difficult to manage.

Another potential con is that certain situations require a personal guarantee for a business loan, which means you'll be liable for repaying if the business defaults. For some, this is enough to call it quits — but it may be a far better option than alternatives. It's all about weighing your personal goals and circumstances with the pros and cons we've mentioned.

The Pros and Cons of Personal Loans for Business

Here are the benefits and disadvantages of personal loans for businesses.

The Pros

A personal loan is far easier to obtain and qualify for than a business loan. Personal loan lenders will usually only look at your credit score and finances when evaluating whether or not you'll qualify. Compared with business lenders, who take a deep dive into your personal credit, business credit, business plan, and a wide range of additional financial statements — it's a far less stringent process.

Personal loans are usually unsecured, so you won't have to fret about any collateral to obtain the loan. The lack of collateral can significantly reduce business loan opportunities. However, personal loans are a great alternative for many.

The Cons

There are, of course, some issues with personal loans when it comes to funding for business purposes, and these come in the form of reduced lending limits and higher interest rates compared with business loans. Now, this depends on the lenders you're considering. However, it's important to note, just in case. Weighing the possibility of higher interest rates and the inability to secure all of the financings your business needs is important, as it may start to eat away at chunks of your profit.

The other downside is that you cannot build business credit with personal loans. While personal scores play a major role in obtaining a wide variety of funding opportunities, building business credit opens up new doors, expands your options with lenders, and gives your business the flexibility it needs to grow alongside your goals. Additionally, if your business defaults and you've taken out a personal loan — it may negatively impact your personal credit score. This is a tough hole to dig yourself out of, as you'll be juggling a failing business and a poor personal credit score.

Obtaining a Business Loan vs. a Personal Loan

Now that we've covered some of the pros and cons associated with these two loan categories, let's dive into discovering and applying for both business and personal loans. There is certainly some crossover here, as certain pros and cons will inevitably play a part in the selection and application process, but there's always more to learn.

Choosing and Applying for a Business Loan

You'll want to take a handful of steps when finding a business loan and then attempting to qualify. These steps may differ depending on the type of loan you're going for, the lenders themselves, and various personal and business circumstances — but there are some foundational aspects that remain the same. So, whether you're through traditional loan options from banks or credit unions or alternative financing solutions like online lenders — you can make the process easier by preparing.

To get a business loan, here's where you should start:

• Research various loans available for your business and identify which is a good fit for your business needs and current circumstances.
• Discover lenders that work with your business. Certain lenders have varying requirements, so before spending the time and energy applying, you can save yourself some trouble by figuring out ic you meet some minimum requirements, whether it be the length of time in business, credit score, or minimum income.
• Identify rates and payments from various loan offers. When considering various loan options, you'll see a fairly diverse range of APR, loan terms, fees, and monthly payments, so it's important to figure out which works for you and not against you.
• Organize your loan documents so that you're prepared for the application process. Business loans require a ton of paperwork — and if you've followed this list, you'll know what certain lenders require, so you'll be better prepared for this step.
• Start applying for whichever business loan you're going for. The application process can be lengthy, depending on certain factors, like the lenders you're considering or the type of loan you're applying for. It may take weeks for lenders to get through your finances and paperwork, and prequalification doesn't always guarantee approval.

Choosing and Applying for a Personal Loan for Your Business

Depending on the lenders you're considering, applying for a personal loan can be quick and painless. It may only take a few days and can be a great way to secure the financing you need for your business. So, when applying for a personal loan, lenders will look at your financial information, including credit scores and income. This is a great alternative for business owners who haven't had the opportunity to build their business credit and gives you some flexibility when applying for a business loan.

To get a business loan, here's where you should start:

• Research minimum qualifications that specific lenders require. Lenders will have various minimum requirements that you'll need to meet such as credit scores or minimum income.
• Compare loan terms through prequalification. These prerequisites will usually come in the form of soft credit checks, which is great because they won't impact your credit score. This stage can also identify loan terms.
• Compare and contrast various loan offers. A personal loan inherently has lower borrowing limits than a business loan, so be sure it's enough for what your business requires.
• Complete the application process after you've chosen a lender that works for you. This formal application process will require a hard credit check and possibly additional supportive documents like pay stubs.

What Type of Business Loan Makes Sense for You?

When looking at a business loan vs. personal loan, there's never a one size fits all answer as to what makes the most sense for your company. Instead, it's all about doing the research, knowing what you need the money for, how much money you need, various requirements, and getting the best traction possible for your small business so that you can succeed. Deciding Between a Business Loan vs. Personal Loan :

A Business Loan May Be Right If

• Your company needs a significant amount of money.
• You want to protect your personal assets
• You want to build your business credit

A Personal Loan May Be Right If

• Your business doesn't have a strong credit history
• Your business is fairly new
• You need money fast
• You don't have any collateral

Now, these aren't set-in-stone circumstances, but they're important factors to consider when you're trying to get money through financing for your business.

Alternative Online Lenders

If you're having trouble getting the financing you need, online lenders are a great workaround for your business. Whether you're a new business, have less than stellar credit, or need cash flow fast — these lending opportunities offer a sound option for many business owners.

As entrepreneurship continues to grow and expand, new avenues for funding have become necessary. That's why online lenders have popped up left and right, opening new doors for obtaining the money many new business owners or small businesses need for growth. Furthermore, these online lenders give you the flexibility to obtain the personal or business loans you're searching for. There's a lot of red tape with traditional funding options, especially for new business-goers struggling with their credit score or time in business. Even businesses with a longstanding history may have trouble going through traditional channels. That's why online lenders are such a fantastic opportunity for both a personal loan and a business loan — with a wide range of interest rates and terms.

You can expect:

• Speedy approval
• Lines of credit up to $500,000
• Flexible repayment terms
• All personal credit scores considered
• A simple and painless application process
• Financing catered to your timeline

Through online lenders, you'll have access to a broad spectrum of personal and business loan opportunities you'll need to see your company grow.

• Business Term Loans
• Lines of Credit
• Invoice Factoring
• Merchant Cash Advance
• Business Credit Cards
• Equipment Loans
• And more

Frequently Asked Questions

We thought that it would be a great way to finish off this article on deciding between a business loan vs. personal loan by answering some of the most frequently asked questions we get about the two. Choosing between different loans tend to be a difficult and stressful choice.