I got both offers — Amazon at $60K / 10% APR and OnDeck at $100K / 31% APR — which?

Take both if you can deploy the capital productively. Amazon's $60K at 10% is essentially free money compared to MCA market — use it for Amazon inventory. OnDeck's $100K at 31% is expensive but funds anywhere — use it for non-Amazon needs (payroll, off-Amazon marketing, retail expansion). Disclose Amazon Lending to OnDeck during underwriting.

Why is OnDeck so much more expensive than Amazon Lending?

Underwriting risk model. Amazon Lending underwrites against an Amazon seller account they fully control — if you stop paying, they intercept future Amazon disbursements automatically. OnDeck underwrites against general business cash flow with no auto-collection lever; they price for the higher recovery risk. Cost reflects collateral and collection rights.

I'm doing $40K/mo on Amazon but Amazon hasn't offered me a loan — what now?

OnDeck if your business overall meets 12+ mo TIB and 600+ FICO. Or Credibly at the 6-month TIB floor. Amazon's algorithm weighs more than revenue — return rate, account health, tenure all factor in. Keep selling cleanly and an Amazon Lending offer may surface, but don't wait if you need capital now.

OnDeck vs Amazon Lending — honest comparison 2026

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.

The specs

OnDeckAmazon Lending

Product typeMulti-productMulti-product

Amount range$5K – $400K (term); $6K – $200K (LOC)$1K – $750K (typical; varies by seller account performance)

Cost (factor / APR)Term APR 27%+; LOC APR 30%+APR 6 – 22% (term loan); single-fee MCA structures also offered

Speed to fundSame-day for approved filesFunds land in seller account in 5 business days or less after acceptance

Min time in business12 months12 months

Min monthly revenue$8,000Amazon FBA / Pro Seller sales required; no public floor (algorithmic invitation)

Min credit score600+No FICO pull — underwrites against Amazon seller account history

Products

Term loan
LOC

Term loan (Amazon Lending)
Embedded merchant cash advance via Marcus / Lendistry partners
Line of credit (limited availability)

Verdicts by use case

Cheapest cost of capital — Winner: Amazon Lending. Amazon Lending term loans price 6 – 22% APR. OnDeck term loan APR starts at 27%+. Amazon wins decisively on cost when both will approve.
Can actually apply (vs invitation-only) — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck accepts applications from any qualifying merchant. Amazon Lending is invitation-only based on Amazon account performance — most sellers never see an offer.
Larger deal size ($500K+) — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck term loans cap at $400K but pair with LOC for total exposure to ~$600K. Amazon Lending tops out near $750K but typical offers are much smaller ($20K – $150K) and tied to Amazon GMV. For predictable large funding, OnDeck wins.
Speed to fund — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck funds same-day on approved + verified files. Amazon Lending takes up to 5 business days to land in seller account. OnDeck wins on emergency speed.
Multi-channel use of funds — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck funds into your business bank account and repays via fixed ACH. Amazon Lending funds the seller account and ties repayment to Amazon disbursements — capital practically anchored to Amazon operations.

The honest takeaway

OnDeck and Amazon Lending 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

I got both offers — Amazon at $60K / 10% APR and OnDeck at $100K / 31% APR — which?: Take both if you can deploy the capital productively. Amazon's $60K at 10% is essentially free money compared to MCA market — use it for Amazon inventory. OnDeck's $100K at 31% is expensive but funds anywhere — use it for non-Amazon needs (payroll, off-Amazon marketing, retail expansion). Disclose Amazon Lending to OnDeck during underwriting.
Why is OnDeck so much more expensive than Amazon Lending?: Underwriting risk model. Amazon Lending underwrites against an Amazon seller account they fully control — if you stop paying, they intercept future Amazon disbursements automatically. OnDeck underwrites against general business cash flow with no auto-collection lever; they price for the higher recovery risk. Cost reflects collateral and collection rights.
I'm doing $40K/mo on Amazon but Amazon hasn't offered me a loan — what now?: OnDeck if your business overall meets 12+ mo TIB and 600+ FICO. Or Credibly at the 6-month TIB floor. Amazon's algorithm weighs more than revenue — return rate, account health, tenure all factor in. Keep selling cleanly and an Amazon Lending offer may surface, but don't wait if you need capital now.