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Funder comparison · 2026

Bluevine vs TBS Factoring Service — who wins for what.

Both fund small businesses. They solve different problems. Here's the honest side-by-side, then five use-case verdicts so you don't have to guess.

By Fundnode Editorial7 min read

The specs

BluevineTBS Factoring Service
Product typeLOCMulti-product
Amount range$10K – $250K$500 – $5M+ in invoices factored (no hard cap)
Cost (factor / APR)APR 6.2% – 27% (LOC)Factor rate 1.5 – 5% of invoice value (volume-tiered; lower at higher monthly factored volume)
Speed to fund1 – 3 business daysSame-day funding on verified invoices (often within 4 hours)
Min time in business12 months0 months
Min monthly revenue$10,000Volume-based (typically $10K+/mo factored); accepts new-authority MC carriers
Min credit score625+No FICO floor — underwrites against broker / shipper credit, not carrier credit
Products
  • Line of credit
  • Invoice factoring
  • Freight factoring (recourse standard, non-recourse optional)
  • Fuel card with TA/Petro discounts
  • Free broker credit checks
  • Dispatch and back-office services

Verdicts by use case

  • Trucking carrier with steady freight invoices — Winner: TBS Factoring Service. TBS Factoring is purpose-built for trucking with same-day funding on verified loads, free broker credit checks, and a TA/Petro fuel card. Bluevine LOC isn't structured for invoice-by-invoice freight cash flow and doesn't include fuel-card or broker-credit infrastructure.
  • Established trucking business wanting revolving capital for off-invoice needs — Winner: Bluevine. Bluevine LOC ($10K – $250K, APR 6.2 – 27%) is materially cheaper than factoring at the LOC's qualification bar (12+ months TIB, 625+ FICO, $10K+/mo revenue). For established fleets with strong credit, an LOC for off-invoice working capital plus TBS factoring for invoice cash flow is a common stack.
  • New-authority MC carrier (0 – 12 months) — Winner: TBS Factoring Service. TBS accepts new-authority MC carriers from day one. Bluevine requires 12+ months TIB without exception. For new-authority operations TBS is structurally available where Bluevine isn't.
  • Cheapest effective rate for established fleet at scale — Winner: Bluevine. Bluevine LOC starting at 6.2% APR is cheaper than TBS factoring at 1.5 – 2.5% per invoice (equivalent 18 – 30% APR-equivalent). For carriers who qualify for both, Bluevine LOC for general working capital plus factoring only for problem-broker invoices is the optimal stack.
  • Solving the NET 30 – 45 day broker payment gap — Winner: TBS Factoring Service. Factoring converts invoices to same-day cash; Bluevine LOC delivers a credit line you draw against but you're still front-funding the wait between load delivery and broker payment. For carriers without a cash cushion to bridge NET 30 – 45 day terms, factoring solves the structural cash-flow gap that an LOC doesn't.

The honest takeaway

Bluevine and TBS Factoring Service solve overlapping but distinct problems. The right choice depends on three things you already know about your business: how fast you need the money, how long you've been operating, and whether the capital need is one-time or recurring.

Frequently asked questions

Can a trucking business stack Bluevine LOC and TBS factoring?
Yes, and it's a common stack for established fleets. Bluevine LOC handles general working capital (equipment maintenance, payroll between settlements, driver bonuses) at 6.2 – 27% APR. TBS factoring handles freight invoice cash flow at 1.5 – 3% per invoice. The combination is cheaper than relying solely on either product for both needs. Disclose the LOC when signing the factoring contract — it's standard practice and rarely affects approval.
Does Bluevine fund trucking businesses?
Yes — Bluevine funds trucking with 12+ months TIB, 625+ FICO, $10K+/mo revenue. The LOC structure with monthly interest payments fits trucking cash flow better than daily-ACH MCA products. Common use cases: equipment down payments, repair-shop emergencies, driver retention bonuses.
Why factor at all if Bluevine LOC is cheaper?
Two reasons: (1) Cash flow timing — broker payment terms are typically NET 30 – 45 days; factoring converts those receivables to same-day cash without you front-funding the wait. Bluevine LOC doesn't solve the NET 30 wait. (2) Broker credit risk — factoring (especially non-recourse) shifts default risk to the factor. Bluevine LOC keeps that risk on you. Most established fleets use both products in parallel for these distinct functions.