The specs
OnDeckFundbox
Product typeMulti-productLOC
Amount range$5K – $400K (term); $6K – $200K (LOC)$1K – $150K
Cost (factor / APR)Term APR 27%+; LOC APR 30%+Weekly fee + APR equivalent typically 30–60%
Speed to fundSame-day for approved filesAs fast as 1 day
Min time in business12 months6 months
Min monthly revenue$8,000$8,000
Min credit score600+600+
Products
- Term loan
- LOC
- Line of credit
Verdicts by use case
- Lump-sum capital need (one-time) — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck term loan structure fits a single-deployment use case (expansion, equipment, debt consolidation) better than Fundbox's draw-on-demand LOC.
- Recurring or fluctuating capital need — Winner: Fundbox. Fundbox's LOC structure — draw what you need, pay interest only on what's drawn — fits recurring inventory or AR-gap funding better than OnDeck's term loan.
- Under 12 months in business — Winner: Fundbox. Fundbox accepts 6+ months TIB. OnDeck requires 12+ months. Newer businesses have a path with Fundbox; not with OnDeck.
- Larger deal size ($150K+) — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck term loans go to $400K. Fundbox LOC caps at $150K. For meaningful working capital needs above $150K, OnDeck is the only option of the two.
- Cheapest APR-equivalent — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck term loan APR (27%+) is typically lower than Fundbox's weekly fee APR-equivalent (often 30–60%). For sizable advances repaid over 12+ months, OnDeck wins on cost.
- Fastest funding — Winner: OnDeck. OnDeck funds same-day on approved files. Fundbox is typically 1-day. Both are fast; OnDeck is marginally faster.
The honest takeaway
OnDeck and Fundbox 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 I have both an OnDeck loan and a Fundbox LOC?
- Technically yes. Many merchants use OnDeck for a one-time capital deployment (e.g. equipment) and Fundbox for ongoing AR gaps. Both products report to commercial credit bureaus, so payment history on either helps the other.
- Which builds business credit?
- Both. OnDeck and Fundbox both report payment history to commercial bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business). Generalist MCAs (Credibly, Greenbox) typically don't.
- If I'm denied by OnDeck, will Fundbox approve me?
- Often. Fundbox has lower minimums (6 months TIB, $8K/mo revenue, 600+ credit) vs OnDeck (12 months TIB, $8K/mo revenue, 600+ credit). The TIB gap is the main differentiator — newer businesses can often qualify for Fundbox after an OnDeck denial.
- Which is better for an unexpected expense (emergency repair, tax bill)?
- Fundbox if you already have a line set up — draws are instant once approved. OnDeck if you don't have a line and need a structured one-time amount. Speed-wise both fund within 1-2 days; the setup time is the variable.