Equipment Financing

Learn about different equipment financing solutions.

10-Minute
application process and fast funding

$15 Billion
delivered to U.S. businesses

A+ Rating
with the Better Business Bureau

Equipment financing options for small businesses.

Equipment financing commonly refers to one of two types of business funding: equipment loans or equipment leasing. Equipment loans are a form of secured funding in which the borrower uses the funds to purchase the equipment and the lender uses the equipment as collateral. Once the loan is fully paid off, the equipment is the businesses’ to keep, free of any lien.

With equipment leasing, the lender buys the equipment and then leases it to the borrower for a flat monthly fee. Most equipment leases come at a fixed interest rate and term length to keep the monthly payments the same. At the end of the predetermined lease term, depending upon the lease, the business owner may be able to purchase the equipment at fair market value or a predetermined amount — sometimes for as little as a dollar.

Other types of small business funding can be used to finance equipment purchases. OnDeck has two options for equipment financing: a term loan and a line of credit.

Cover equipment financing costs with OnDeck.

OnDeck offers two small business financing solutions that can be used to pay for business equipment. For large, one-time purchases, the OnDeck Term Loan provides up to $250,000 in lump-sum funding. For smaller purchases or multiple future expenses, the OnDeck Line of Credit offers a credit limit up to $100,000 with the ability to draw funds as needed.

OnDeck Line of Credit

A revolving credit line you can draw from 24/7 to receive funds within seconds.*

  • Credit limits from $6K - $100K
  • Flexible repayment terms of 12, 18 or 24 months
  • Great for smaller, ongoing equipment expenses

OnDeck Term Loan

A one-time lump sum of cash with an eventual option to apply for more.

  • Loan amounts from $5K - $250K
  • Repayment terms up to 24 months
  • Great for larger, one-time equipment expenses

Benefits of short-term business loans from OnDeck.

No hard credit pulls

Check your eligibility without affecting your credit score.

Fast funding

Lines of credit can fund instantly.* Term loans can fund the same day.

Build business credit history

We report to business credit bureaus, which helps build business credit history with on-time payments.

Are we a match? Check our minimum requirements.**

1 Year
in business

625
personal FICO® score

$100K
business annual revenue

Business
checking account

Financing solutions that move at your speed.

  • Step 1

    Complete the application.

    Our streamlined process is designed to be completed in just minutes.

  • Step 2

    Get a decision.

    Work with an expert loan advisor to choose the best option for your equipment financing needs.

  • Step 3

    Receive your funds.

    Sign your contract and get funds as soon as the same day.

Learn more about equipment financing.

Equipment financing typically refers to a loan used to pay for the purchase of business equipment. The type of equipment varies depending on the nature of the business. With an equipment loan, the equipment purchased will most often act as collateral to secure the loan. This allows the lender to offer the loan for a better interest rate than standard small business financing options.

The term equipment financing can also refer to equipment leasing. With this type of business funding, the lender owns the equipment and the borrower pays flat monthly payments to use it. The lease payments include an interest rate, however payments may be smaller than an equipment loan since the lender doesn’t need to recover the full cost of equipment. This can be a good option for equipment that may go obsolete and need to be replaced within the span of a few years.

Equipment loans can come from a variety of sources depending upon your creditworthiness and the nature of the equipment being purchased. These sources may include:

  • Commercial banks
  • Credit unions
  • Online lenders
  • Government-backed SBA loans

Term lengths and interest rates for equipment loans vary by individual lender, based on your credit profile and the amount borrowed. Commercial loan repayment terms tend to max out at seven years.

While loan terms will differ, most traditional lenders will ask for a down payment upfront — typically 20% of the loan. An SBA 504 loan will require a 10% down payment. As with most loans, the interest on an equipment loan is tax deductible.

Depending upon the equipment, lease terms could last from typically three to 10 years. The equipment is owned by the leasing company, which charges you a flat monthly fee that includes an interest rate of typically 5% to 16%. If you pursue equipment leasing, ask your tax accountant about whether the monthly payments could be deducted as a business expense.

When people think of business equipment, they will generally think of larger industrial and mechanical equipment. They don’t always consider items such as office furniture, supplies or smaller office appliances and machines. When it comes to equipment loans and equipment leasing, any tangible asset (other than property or buildings) used in the operation of a business may be considered business equipment.

First, make sure you have the documents needed for the particular lender you’re applying with. The requirements for traditional lenders and online lenders are different, so the amount and type of documentation will vary depending upon the lender. For example, a loan at the bank may require a business plan while an online loan likely will not.

If you’re applying with a bank, you will meet with a loan officer at the local branch. If you’re working through the equipment dealer, they will likely be able to handle your application on site. If you pursue an online loan, that application will take place via their online website and possibly a phone call.

Whether you decide to purchase or lease business equipment, make sure you completely understand the terms and costs. Always take the time to read the disclosures and make sure anything unfamiliar or difficult to understand is explained to you.

As with all business financing options, there are pros and cons that come with equipment leasing.

Pros

  • May cost less since lender doesn’t need to recover full price of equipment
  • Won’t tie up credit or cash flow as much as a loan
  • Good for equipment that may become obsolete quickly

Cons

  • Equipment is owned by lender, although you may be able to purchase it after term ends
  • Not all types of equipment are available for lease
  • Still have to cover cost of repairs and maintenance

Like equipment leasing, there are pros and cons that come with equipment loans.

Pros

  • Business owns the equipment
  • The equipment is an asset that can be sold
  • Can be easier to qualify for, since equipment acts as collateral

Cons

  • Sizable down payment required, which can impact cash flow
  • Risk of equipment becoming obsolete
  • Can only be used for equipment expenses