Kabbage alternatives: what to use now that Kabbage is closed to new customers
Reviewed by Turan Zeynal, Managing Partner, Outset Funding Partners ·
American Express acquired Kabbage in 2020, folded it into American Express Business Blueprint / Business Line of Credit, and no longer accepts new Kabbage customers — the standalone Kabbage line of credit is gone. If you were a Kabbage user, the closest 1:1 replacement is an American Express Business Line of Credit (if you qualify) or a traditional business line of credit or MCA from a broader marketplace. For most operators, a full-file MCA marketplace is the fastest way to replace the speed and credit flexibility Kabbage was known for.
Quick facts
- Kabbage status
- Closed to new customers (folded into Amex)
- Amex Business Line of Credit
- Direct successor product, invite/apply-based
- Traditional business LOC
- $10k – $500k, 680+ FICO typical
- MCA marketplace
- $10k – $2M, 500+ FICO, 24–72 hr
- Best speed match
- MCA (24–72 hr) or Amex BLoC
- Best cost match
- Traditional business LOC or term loan
- Best credit-flex match
- MCA marketplace
- Application
- Open — you can apply today
The 60-second answer
Kabbage built its reputation on one thing: a fast, automated business line of credit for small operators that banks wouldn't touch. American Express bought Kabbage in 2020 and rolled the product into what is now American Express Business Blueprint — and along the way it stopped onboarding new Kabbage customers under the old name. If you're looking for "Kabbage" in 2026, you're looking for a product that no longer exists in its original form.
The good news: the market for what Kabbage did — fast, revenue-based, credit-flexible small business funding — is bigger and more competitive than ever. The direct successor is American Express Business Line of Credit, but it's not the only option, and for many operators it isn't the best fit. Here's the honest map of what actually replaces Kabbage depending on your credit, revenue, and how fast you need the money.
Pros and cons
- ✓American Express Business Line of Credit inherits Kabbage's underwriting and automation
- ✓A traditional MCA marketplace beats Kabbage's original 24-hour funding speed
- ✓Full-file MCAs give you 3–8 competing offers instead of one lender's take-it-or-leave-it quote
- ✓Bank and SBA lines of credit are materially cheaper if you can qualify (680+ FICO, 2+ yrs)
- ✓You can combine a bank LOC (cheap) with an MCA (fast) to cover different cash-flow scenarios
- ×The original Kabbage product is not available to new customers
- ×Amex Business Line of Credit requires you to have or open an Amex Business relationship
- ×MCA replacements are faster than Kabbage but more expensive per dollar
- ×Bank LOCs are cheaper than Kabbage but slower and stricter on qualification
- ×Some fintechs advertising 'Kabbage replacement' are just MCAs with a Kabbage-style landing page
Kabbage replacements at a glance
| Option | When to use | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Closest 1:1 successor | Amex Business Line of Credit — same team, same automation, needs Amex profile | Availability varies; not everyone qualifies |
| Fastest replacement | MCA marketplace — 24–72 hours, revenue-based | Higher cost per dollar |
| Cheapest replacement | Traditional business line of credit or term loan (680+ FICO) | 1–3 weeks to fund, more docs |
| Best for < 660 FICO | MCA marketplace | Watch factor rates, avoid stacking |
| Best for < $10k/mo revenue | Business credit cards, microloans (SBA 7(a) Small) | Slower, lower amounts |
| Best for asset purchase | Equipment financing | Asset-specific — not general working capital |
| Best for AR-heavy B2B | Invoice factoring | Not a fit for card-sales businesses |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kabbage still open?
Not as a standalone brand. American Express acquired Kabbage in 2020 and folded the technology and team into American Express Business Blueprint. The successor lending product is the American Express Business Line of Credit. Existing Kabbage customers have been transitioned; new customers cannot open a Kabbage account.
What's the closest replacement to a Kabbage line of credit?
Structurally, American Express Business Line of Credit — same underwriting team, same automated flow. Practically, any modern automated business line of credit (BlueVine, OnDeck, Fundbox) or a traditional business LOC through a bank. If you don't qualify for a real LOC, a merchant cash advance is the closest revenue-based, credit-flexible substitute.
Was Kabbage a loan or an MCA?
Kabbage was a business line of credit — a revolving facility with draw-based fee pricing, not a merchant cash advance. That's part of why the transition to Amex Business Line of Credit is a clean structural match.
I have an existing Kabbage line — what changes for me?
Existing Kabbage customers were migrated to American Express and receive statements from Amex. Terms on your existing balance don't change unilaterally, but new draws, renewals, and credit line increases now flow through the Amex Business Line of Credit product.
What's the fastest Kabbage replacement if I need money this week?
A merchant cash advance through a marketplace. Real offers in 24 hours, funding in 24–72 hours, on revenue-based underwriting that closely mirrors what Kabbage would have approved — with the tradeoff that MCAs are more expensive per dollar than a real line of credit.
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