Funding Circle vs Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint)
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top business loans picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Funding Circle
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Term loans for established small businesses with competitive fixed rates
Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint)
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
American Express-backed small business lines of credit with instant decisions
Our pick: Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint). Our editors rank Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint) higher overall in Business Loans — but Funding Circle can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Funding Circle | Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Term Loan | Line Of Credit |
| Editorial rank | #4 of 15 | #2 of 15 |
Strengths
Funding Circle
- ✓Loan terms up to 7 years — longer than most online lenders
- ✓Competitive fixed rates for businesses with strong credit profiles
- ✓No prepayment penalty — pay off early and save on interest
- ✓Large loan amounts up to $500,000 suit growing businesses
- ✓Dedicated account managers provide personalized service
Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint)
- ✓Backed by American Express with strong financial stability
- ✓Lines of credit up to $250,000 with instant online decisions
- ✓Cash flow dashboard and business insights included at no extra cost
- ✓Monthly fee structure rather than traditional interest for transparency
- ✓No minimum credit score requirement — evaluated on business performance
Watch out for
Funding Circle
- !Requires at least 2 years in business and $50,000 in annual revenue
- !Minimum credit score of 660 required for most products
- !Application process is more thorough than quick-funding alternatives
- !Origination fees of 3.49%–6.99% added to loan cost
Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint)
- !Monthly fees can be expensive compared to traditional bank lines of credit
- !Not available to all business types — some industries restricted
- !Requires linking business bank account for ongoing monitoring
- !Customer support can be slow during peak periods
Best use cases
Funding Circle
- →Established business looking to expand operations or open a new location
- →Manufacturer purchasing capital equipment with favorable long-term financing
- →Business owner refinancing high-cost short-term debt into a longer fixed-rate loan
Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint)
- →Small business owner needing flexible working capital without a traditional bank relationship
- →E-commerce business managing seasonal cash flow fluctuations
- →Entrepreneur who values integrated financial insights alongside credit access
About each tool
Funding Circle
Funding Circle is a leading online marketplace lender specializing in term loans from $25,000 to $500,000 for established small businesses. Operating as a peer-to-peer lending platform, Funding Circle connects borrowers directly with institutional and individual investors, which enables more competitive rates than many online lenders. With loan terms up to 7 years and a transparent application process, Funding Circle is ideal for businesses looking for longer-term, lower-cost financing than what most fintech lenders offer.
Kabbage (American Express Business Blueprint)
Kabbage, now operating as American Express Business Blueprint, provides small business lines of credit from $2,000 to $250,000 with automated decision-making powered by American Express. The platform evaluates business performance data in real time, offering a seamless online application and fast access to funds. Business Blueprint also integrates business cash flow insights and financial management tools, making it more than just a lending product — it is a comprehensive financial hub for small business owners.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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