Can You Use a Personal Loan for Business Expenses?

Edited by Michael Galvis

Edited by Anastasia Economides

Published on: September 28th, 2020

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

If you’re launching your own venture, you may consider a personal loan for business expenses, instead of a traditional business loan. Personal loans and business loans come with their own benefits and drawbacks, so weigh your options and learn about alternatives before borrowing funds for your business.

Yes, you can use a personal loan for business costs
Pros and cons of using a personal loan for business expenses
5 alternative ways to finance your business venture

Yes, you can use a personal loan for business costs

Between inventory and LLC filing fees, business startup expenses can add up. About two-thirds of business owners will need more than $10,000 to start their business, according to a 2020 study by LendingTree researchers. Getting a loan to open a business is no simple task, as it can be difficult to qualify for small business loans. That’s one reason why business owners turn to personal loans to cover expenses.

Personal loans are lump-sum loans that are repaid in fixed monthly payments over a set period of months or years. They are typically unsecured, meaning they don’t require collateral, although secured personal loans do exist.

Unlike business loans, personal loans are issued to you as an individual rather than your business. Borrowing a personal loan to pay for business expenses means that you’re putting your personal credit on the line if you can’t repay the loan. Compare your options in the table below:

At a glance: Business loans vs. personal loans
	Business loan	Personal loan for business
What is it?	An umbrella term for loans that are issued to a business, including SBA-guaranteed loans, bank loans and equipment financing, for instance.	A lump-sum loan that’s issued to an individual and is repaid in fixed monthly payments. Personal loans are typically unsecured, which do not require collateral.
Eligibility requirements	Established business credit Time in operation (6+ months) Business plan Balance sheet Cash flow history Accounts receivable and payable reports Collateral	Good credit score History of on-time payments Favorable debt-to-income ratio
Key takeaways	Business loans are long term and low-interest, and interest is tax-deductible Personal liability is limited You can qualify for large loan amounts Applying can be a lengthy, difficult process You have the opportunity to build business credit	Personal loans may be easier to obtain than business loans APRs range from about 10%-25% or more, and are determined by an individual’s credit history and debt-to-income ratio Lending limits may be lower than the capital you need
Risks	Business loans may require a personal guaranty	You’re putting your personal finances on the line if you default on the loan

When is it a good idea to use a personal loan for small business purposes?

You’ve exhausted other financing avenues, like business loans, business credit cards and crowdfunding. Using a personal loan to start a business is a potential avenue for funding when traditional business loan requirements are holding you back.
You have good personal credit and can secure a low APR. You should only take out a personal loan if you can get favorable terms. Use LendingTree’s online loan marketplace to comparison shop for the lowest APR for your financial situation.
You are confident in your ability to repay the loan. Personal loans are issued to individuals, not businesses. If your business goes under, you’re personally responsible for repaying the loan.

Pros and cons of using a personal loan for business expenses

When compared with business loans, personal loans offer fast funding and a simple application process. However, that convenience comes at a cost: When you take out a personal loan to start a small business or pay for business costs, you’re betting your personal credit on the success of your business.

Weigh the pros and cons of using a personal loan for business investment in the breakdown below:

Using a personal loan for business
Benefits	Drawbacks
It is easier to qualify for a personal loan than a business loan, particularly for new businesses that can’t get traditional funding.	You’re putting your personal credit on the line. And with a secured personal loan, you would be risking a personal asset if you can’t repay the loan.
Personal loans offer fast funding. You will likely get funding within a few days of approval.	Personal loan interest isn’t tax-deductible, unlike business loan interest.
Typically, you don’t have to put up collateral like business inventory, although secured personal loans are an option.	Personal loans are typically only worth up to $50,000, although certain personal loan lenders do offer loans for up to $100,000.
You can use the funds for virtually anything, including a mix of business and personal expenses.	APRs tend to be higher than they are for business loans. Personal loan APRs typically range from 10%-25%, but can be higher for subprime borrowers.

5 alternative ways to finance your business venture

SBA loans

SBA loans are long-term, low-interest loans that are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. SBA loans may be easier to qualify for than other types of business loans. There are three types of SBA loans: SBA 7(a) loans, DC/504 loans and SBA microloans.

An SBA 7(a) loan can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

Working capital
Debt refinancing
Marketing and advertising
Hiring expenses
Tools and equipment
Franchises and new construction

DC/504 loans are strictly for real estate and equipment purchases. SBA microloans, as the name suggests, come in smaller amounts (up to $50,000).

How it compares to a personal loan: SBA loans have a lengthy application process compared with personal loans, but the extra work could pay off in the form of lower interest rates: SBA loan rates range from 4.75% to 7.00%. Plus, you’re not putting your personal credit on the line and may be able to borrow more money than with a personal loan.

Business lines of credit

A business line of credit allows business owners to borrow money on an as-needed basis rather than take out a lump-sum loan. Like a credit card, business lines of credit have a revolving limit. And like business loans, you may need a certain amount of time in business and revenue requirements in order to qualify.

Business lines of credit can be secured or unsecured, although unsecured lines of credit may result in higher interest rates. Plus, you may have to sign a personal guaranty, which means that you’d be personally responsible to repay the amount borrowed if your business goes under.

How it compares to a personal loan: Lines of credit are a flexible financing option that allow borrowers to withdraw money on an as-needed basis, in contrast to personal loans that are issued as a lump-sum amount. However, business lines of credit may be a safer alternative with less personal liability if you can get one that doesn’t require a personal guaranty.

Working capital loans

If you simply need a loan to hold your business over during a lull, consider a working capital loan. This allows you to borrow from your working capital (your current assets minus your current liabilities). With this type of business loan, you can keep operating during times of reduced business activity and repay the loan when business is back at its peak.

How it compares to a personal loan: A working capital loan is best for an established business that has thorough records of their assets and liabilities. Compared with other types of business loans, working capital loans have fast funding time frames, like personal loans.

Equipment financing

Business equipment is a large expense, and if your business is just starting out, you might not have the capital to purchase needed equipment like construction vehicles, commercial ovens and manufacturing equipment, for example. That’s where equipment financing companies come in.

Equipment financing is more expensive than simply buying the equipment outright, since you’ll have to pay back the amount borrowed plus interest.

How it compares to a personal loan: Equipment financing is typically secured by the equipment itself, so if you don’t make payments, you will lose the equipment. A personal loan for a business vehicle can be unsecured, meaning you don’t risk losing any assets if you default on the loan. However, you do risk ruining your credit if you don’t repay the lender.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe allow you to raise business funds from the general public. Commonly shared on social media to reach a wider audience, crowdfunding pages can help small businesses that are struggling to pay for expenses.

Crowdfunding is a savvy option because it’s not a loan that needs to be repaid. However, there’s no guarantee that a crowdfunding campaign will be successful. Plus, you may have to pay taxes on the money you receive.

How it compares to a personal loan: Since crowdfunding is not a loan, the money doesn’t need to be repaid and there’s no interest to pay. Personal loans are a much more expensive alternative to crowdfunding, but it’s less work to apply for a personal loan than it is to run a successful crowdfunding campaign.

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