Short-term business loans: borrow over days, weeks and months

Cover a short gap without committing to years of repayments. Because we only charge interest for the days you borrow, a short-term loan can cost you less overall.

  • Borrow £1,000 to £1 million
  • Instand decsion on many loans, or within 24 hours
  • No fees for repaying early – even after a day
Apply now
See how much you could get

Applying won't affect your credit score

woman in apron handling a tablet smiling

Borrow up to

20% of turnover

No fees

for repaying early

Apply now

Applying won’t affect your credit score

arrow pointing down
green tick check

Borrow up to 20% of turnover

green tick check

No fees for repaying early

green tick check

Top-ups available

man setting up a surf board on a shelf with beach in the background

When a short-term loan is the right choice

A short-term business loan is money you borrow and repay over months rather than years. It suits a specific, near-term need – not a long-term investment you'll pay back slowly.

It's a good fit when you can see the money coming back soon: a big order to fulfil, a seasonal stock-up, or a gap while you wait to get paid. If you're funding something you'll repay over many years, a longer term loan usually makes more sense.

Short-term vs longer-term: what it actually costs

We only charge interest on what you still owe, for the days you owe it. So a shorter term usually means less interest overall. But your monthly repayments will be higher. A longer term brings the monthly cost down. Over time, though, you'll pay more interest.
60 days calendar icon
Shorter term
Pay more each month, pay less overall. Short-term loans might be best when you'll have the cash back soon.
24 months calendar icon
Longer term
Pay less each month, spread over longer. Longer term loans might be ideal for a bigger investment.
The good news: if your situation changes, you can repay early at any time with no fees - so a longer term with iwoca never traps you.
Compare your repayments

Repay early, pay less interest

Total interest on a £100,000 short-term business loan, by how long you take to repay.

£0k£5k£10k£15k£20k£25kTotal interest paid 1 month£3,3303 months£6,7336 months£11,97312 months£22,942

Illustrative only, based on iwoca's representative APR of 49% (3.33% per 30 days) with a fixed monthly repayment. Your actual rate and repayments depend on your circumstances. At least 51% of customers who take a loan of £25,000 or less get our representative APR or lower. There are no fees for repaying early.

How our customers use our short-term loan

cash flow icon
Bridging a cash flow gap
While you wait on customer payments
trolley icon
Buying stock
Ahead of a busy or seasonal period
credit card in hand icon
Taking on a big order
Covering uprfont costs to fulfil it
wallet icon
A one-off cost
An urgent repair or a short opportunity
photo of man handling weights

How MuscleSquad pulls consistent gains from unpredictable cash flow

"I can make a request and it's in the bank within 30 seconds. Then we're deploying that cash where we need to, straight away."
Read the full story
Man doing woodwork

Rates and speed at a glance

  1. Rates from 1.5% per 30 days

    Representative APR of 49%

  2. No fees to worry about

    None on 12 months loans, and never for repaying early

  3. A decision fast

    Instant for many, or within 24 hours for larger loans - then draw down straight away

Ready to apply?

Apply now

Short-term business loans FAQs

What is a short-term business loan?

plus sign

It's money you borrow and repay over months rather than years, usually for a specific near-term need like stock, a big order or a cash flow gap. You can repay early at any time with no fees.

Is a business loan short or long term?

plus sign

It can be either. "Short term" generally means repaying within a year or so; "long term" means spreading it over several years. With iwoca you choose a term from one year up to five years, so you decide which suits you.

What are typical short-term loan rates?

plus sign

Our rates start at 1.5% per 30 days, with a representative APR of 49%. You're only charged interest for the days you're using the loan, so repaying sooner costs less. At least 51% of customers borrowing £25,000 or less get our representative APR or lower.

Can I get a short-term business loan with bad credit?

plus sign

Possibly. We look at how your business is doing, not just your credit score, so it's worth checking your eligibility. Applying won't affect your credit score.

What are the alternatives to a short-term loan?

plus sign

Depending on your need, a longer-term loan, a business credit card or spreading supplier costs might fit better. If you'll repay over several years, a longer term usually costs less per month. We'll always be honest if another option suits you better.

How fast can I get a loan with iwoca?

plus sign

Apply in about five minutes. Many customers get an instant decision, and larger loans get a decision within 24 hours. Once you accept, you can draw down your funds right away.

Work out the details

Once you know a business loan is right for you, these pages help you weigh up the specifics:
Custumer service team

Questions?

We’re here to help

Call us from Monday to Friday (9am - 6pm). We can take your application over the phone, or answer your questions about applying online.