COMPARISON
Lendway vs Kiva
An honest comparison to help you choose the right business funding partner for your needs.
✓ Unbiased Analysis✓ Real User Feedback✓ Updated December 2025
OVERVIEW
At a glance
L
Lendway
RECOMMENDEDA modern business funding marketplace that connects you with 75+ lenders for the best rates and terms. Transparent pricing, fast approvals, and dedicated support.
Highlights
- No hard credit pull to check rates
- Access to 75+ lenders in one application
- Same-day funding available
- Transparent fee structure
- US-based support team
K
Kiva
Est. 2005Kiva is a nonprofit that crowdfunds microloans to entrepreneurs worldwide, including small business loans in the US with 0% interest.
Pros
- 0% interest
- No credit requirements
- Nonprofit mission
- Build credit
Cons
- Slow funding
- Low loan amounts
- Crowdfunding required
- May not fund fully
FEATURES
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lendway | Kiva |
|---|---|---|
Soft Credit Pull to Check Rates See rates without impacting your credit score | ||
Same-Day Funding Get funds deposited the same day you apply | ||
Multiple Lender Options Compare offers from multiple lenders | ||
Bad Credit Accepted Options for credit scores below 600 | ||
No Collateral Required Unsecured funding options available | ||
Transparent Pricing Clear fee structure with no hidden costs | ||
Dedicated Advisor Personal support throughout the process | ||
Maximum Loan Amount Highest available funding | $5,000,000 | $15,000 |
Minimum Credit Score Credit requirements | All credit types | No minimum |
Time in Business Required Minimum operating history | 3 months | No minimum |
APR Range Interest rate range | 7.5% - 45% | 0% - 0% |
Funding Speed How quickly you can get funded | Same day - 7 days | 30-45 days |
Rate Competitiveness How competitive are the offered rates | 4.5 | 5.0 |
Application Experience Ease and speed of the application process | 4.5 | 1.0 |
Customer Support Quality Responsiveness and helpfulness of support | 5.0 | 4.0 |
RATINGS
How they compare
Interest Rates
Lendway
4.5
Kiva
5.0
Funding Speed
Lendway
4.5
Kiva
1.0
Customer Service
Lendway
5.0
Kiva
4.0
Flexibility
Lendway
5.0
Kiva
3.0
Overall Experience
Lendway
4.5
Kiva
4.0
OUR VERDICT
Lendway edges out Kiva
Both are solid options, but Lendway's marketplace model gives you more flexibility and options. Kiva excels at 0% interest, but for most businesses seeking the best rates and terms, Lendway's ability to compare multiple lenders in one application is a significant advantage.
FAQs
Common questions
Is Lendway better than Kiva?+
Both options have their strengths. Lendway is a lending marketplace that connects you with 75+ lenders, giving you more options to compare. Kiva is a direct lender with 0% interest. The best choice depends on your specific needs, credit profile, and funding timeline.
What are the main differences between Lendway and Kiva?+
The key difference is that Lendway provides access to 75+ lenders through one application, while Kiva offers funding directly. Lendway offers loan amounts up to $5M with funding as fast as 4 hours, while Kiva offers up to $15,000 with funding in 30-45 days.
Which has better rates: Lendway or Kiva?+
Rates vary based on your business profile, credit score, and loan type. Lendway's marketplace model often helps businesses find more competitive rates by comparing multiple lenders. Kiva's rates range from 0% to 0%. We recommend checking both to see which offers better terms for your situation.
What credit score do I need for Kiva?+
Kiva typically requires a minimum credit score of No minimum. Lendway works with all credit types and can connect you with lenders even if you have bad credit, giving you more options to explore.
How fast can I get funded with Kiva vs Lendway?+
Kiva typically funds in 30-45 days. With Lendway, depending on the lender match, you can receive funding as fast as 4 hours for certain products, though most loans fund within 1-7 days.
Does Kiva do a hard credit pull?+
Kiva uses a soft credit pull initially, similar to Lendway. Lendway never performs a hard credit pull when checking your rates—only when you choose to proceed with a specific lender.