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Bluevine Review: Expert Analysis & User Insights for 2024

Consider Bluevine if you’re looking for a small business line of credit. Bluevine is a fast and easy online lender with flexible qualification requirements. Bluevine offers credit lines up to $250,000 and approves borrowers with credit scores as low as 625.

BlueVine review
bluevine
4
Credit Score
Min. Credit Score 625+
Loan Amount
Loan Amount $5K-$250K
loan repayment
Loan Repayment 6-12 months
Gordon Scott
Written by:Gordon Scott
Chartered Market Technician (CMT)

Reviewed by: Sarah Brooks, Personal Finance Writer and Editor

Fact Checked by: Somer G. Anderson, Accounting and Finance Professor

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Expert Reviewer Verdict

Bluevine business lines of credit are best for businesses that are steady and have a need for bridge funding just to help them get from one project to the next. Another type of costumers for Bluevine loans are businesses with high probability projects that don't have the required credit scores but don't want to make their credit score any worse by taking loans from traditional banks.

In fact, most small business line of credit customers rate Bluevine as “excellent”, meaning that they are generally happy with their loan products. In this review, our team of expert reviewers has thoroughly analyzed and evaluated Bluevine's business line of credit. We will share our findings and provide our expert recommendations on whether Bluevine business line of credit is worth considering.

 

Bluevine Reviews - What People Are Saying

Bluevine has a robust online presence. Most of the Bluevine reviews speak positively about the platform. The company garnered an average rating of 4.4 stars on Trustpilot with over 7,000 reviews. On Better Business Bureau (BBB), customers rated Bluevine loans and products 2.19 out of 5 stars across 160 reviews and an A+ rating. Bluevine also closed 281 complaints i the last 3 years, and 78 complaints i nthe last 12 months.

Let us take a closer look at customer reviews on Trustpilot

bluevine trustpilot reviews

While 81% of customers rate Bluevine as “excellent”, 11% of customers rate their experience as “bad.” However, most of these bad reviews refer to Bluevine’s checking accounts.

Bluevine offers a 1% interest on their checking accounts, which is quite attractive. However, during the period between September and October 2021, the company underwent a transfer from one named entity to another, and some of the funds got held up and frozen. So, when looking at negative reviews, keep in mind that most of them are related to the frozen funds in checking accounts, and not Bluevine’s loan services.

In fact, most small business line of credit customers rate Bluevine as “excellent,” meaning that they are generally happy with their loan products. If you believe that you are the right type of customer for loan products offered by Bluevine, this alternative lender is definitely worth your attention.

Positive ReviewsNegative Reviews
Customer care support teamHigh late fee payment
Simple and intuitive platformRejected draws
No minimum balance requiredNotification factoring

Summarized Ratings

User Reviews4.1
Loan Features2.5
Interest Rates & Fees3.3
Qualification Leniency4.2
Application Process4
Soft-pull impact on credit score5
Customer Support5

This parameter considers the scores achieved from independent user review sites, such as Trustpilot. Ideally, each platform’s rating reflects scores from three distinct user review sites. However, this isn’t always possible. Ultimately, the various scores were aggregated and averaged to establish an overall user reviews score.

Bluevine has a good User Reviews rating of 4.1. It reflects the average rating from 2 independent user review sites, including a Trustpilot score of 4.2.

Bluevine Review Video

Our small business loan expert, Gordon Scott, provides an in-depth analysis, including pros and cons, of Bluevine’s small business line of credit.

 

What is Bluevine?

Bluevine is a fintech company offering checking accounts and small business lines of credit to businesses with less-than-perfect credit scores. Backed by the FDIC, Bluevine is an attractive alternative to traditional banks and credit unions.

 

Bluevine Line of Credit Pros and Cons

Pros
Quick and easy application process
Funds available in a matter of hours or days depending on the product
Interest rates as low as 4.8%
Only pay for what you use
Excellent person-to-person customer support
Funding up to $250K available to borrowers with relatively low credit scores
Cons
Bluevine funding is not available in every state
Services are only available for business-to-business companies
Rates for lower credit scores can be high

Bluevine Line of Credit Features

A business line of credit is an unsecured, flexible small business loan that you can access as needed with interest charged when the money is borrowed. Businesses typically use lines of credit to cover gaps in revenue, to finance new projects, or to purchase inventory. In order to qualify, you must have a minimum credit score of 625.

Term Length6 or 12 months
Repayment PeriodWeekly and monthly
Min-Max Amount$5,000 to $250,000

Bluevine Interest Rates and Fees

Bluevine offers monthly or weekly repayment options for their lines of credit, with a six or 12 month payback period. Since repayments are calculated daily using simple interest, you save money by paying early. There are no penalties for paying early.

Below are the following fees you can expect with a Bluevine line of credit:

Origination FeesNone
Prepayment FeesNone
Late Payment FeesUp to 5% of missed repayment plus the interest that has accrued
Maintenance FeesNone
Interest Rates0.30%-1.50% per week (Flex6)
1.50%-6.50% per month (Flex12)

How to Qualify for Bluevine Loan

During the application process, your business will be evaluated to determine the likelihood you can pay back the loan. Certain industries are not eligible for lines of credit, including gambling, political campaigns, auto sales, firearms, financial institutions, and nonprofits. In addition, North and South Dakota businesses are not eligible for lines of credit with Bluevine.

  • Credit History: 625+ FICO score
  • Time in Business: 6+ months in business
  • Monthly Revenue: $10,000 a month in revenue

Bluevine Loan Application Process

The Bluevine loan application process is incredibly simple, and can be completed in as little as five minutes. Below, Gordon Scott walks us through the step-by-step process.

1. Soft Credit Check

First, Bluevine performs a soft credit pull. This means that they check your credit through an independent party, which gives them enough information to make sure you qualify without hurting your credit score.

Note: Soft credit pulls can add up if you shop around, and they may temporarily have a minimum effect on your credit score.

2. Fill Out the Application Form

The questions you would need to answer are very simple, including:

  • Amount of money required
  • Preferred financing type
  • Identification information

You’ll also need to provide a few documents, such as:

  • Two to three months of bank statements
  • Two years of personal tax returns

bluevine review

When filling out the application form, make sure to read the fine print so that you don’t miss any important details. You will then be asked to share some details about your business. The answers you provide to the questions in the application form will determine what additional information you will be asked for.

bluevine review

3. Connect Your Bank Account

Once you fill out all the required fields, you will be asked to connect your bank account. If you are approved for the loan, the funds will be electronically transferred into your account in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

bluevine review

4. Pay Back the Loan

Each draw on your line of credit is paid back with fixed monthly or weekly payments over six or 12 months. When the time comes to make your payment, Bluevine will automatically take it out of your bank account. While this is very convenient, it means that the lender can take the money out on their own terms. You need to keep track of your payment schedule in order to be prepared for automatic payments.

5. Continually Access More Funds

As you pay off your balance, your funds are replenished and you’re able to use that money again. This is similar to how a credit card works in that it’s a revolving line of credit. Use as needed, pay it off, use again as needed, and so on and so forth.

bluevine line of credit review

Bluevine Customer Support

Bluevine’s customer service is highly rated and regarded. You can get in touch with the customer care support team from morning (8 am ET) to evening (8 pm ET) Monday through Friday. Customers can reach representatives through their website contact page, as well as through Facebook and Twitter for less formal interactions

Bluevine’s customer service representatives are very responsive regardless of the contact method you choose. Additional help is also available on Bluevine’s FAQ page.

Bluevine is highly rated for its transparency and you can find additional information in their resources section, including a FAQ page, a help center, a list of partners, and a business blog that covers a variety of relevant topics.

Perks and Bonuses

Bluevine’s primary focus is working with the financial needs of small businesses. Perks and bonuses of securing a loan with Bluevine include:

Flexibility

Customers may repay their lines of credit via check, credit card or ACH transfers. Once approved, Bluevine funds are available upon demand. Qualified borrowers can gain access to credit limits up to a maximum of $250,000. The credit limit terms are a maximum of 12 months.

Transparency

Bluevine’s website is easy to navigate and Trustpilot reviews for Bluevine are outstanding, with customers reporting high levels of satisfaction with the application process and funding experience. Bluevine clearly states what you need to qualify, what you can expect as far as repayment terms, and how to make the most of your Bluevine line of credit.

Technology

Customers are able to access their account information via the online portal, Bluevine app or ATM by using the Bluevine Business Debit Mastercard. Borrowers may also opt to pay on their line of credit via autopay or by setting up recurring online payments.

Bluevine Alternatives

Fundbox

Fundbox offers small business loans and lines of credit up to $150,000. The requirements are similar to Bluevine’s, with the exception being credit score. To qualify for funding from Fundbox, you need a minimum credit score of 600, as opposed to Bluevine’s minimum of 625.

Fundbox lines of credit terms are 12 or 24 weeks, with rates starting at 4.66% for 12-week terms. Term loans, on the other hand, are paid back over 24 or 52 weeks, with rates starting at 8.33% for 24-week terms. Applying takes just a few minutes, and funds can be in your account as soon as the next business day.

Learn more in our Fundbox vs Bluevine review.

Additional Alternatives

LenderLoan AmountInterest RatesMin. time in businessMin. Revenue
CrediblyUp to $400KStarting at 6.99%2 years$100K
Biz2Credit$25K - $6 millionStarting at 7.99%6 months$250K
OnDeck$6k - $250KVaries1 year$100,000

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

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Gordon Scott

Written by: Gordon Scott

Chartered Market Technician (CMT)

Gordon Scott is an author, trading instructor, trading coach and curriculum developer for financial education. He served as the managing director for the CMT Association from 2013 to 2018, overseeing the development and production of the CMT exams and their curriculum.

More about me

Reviewed by: Sarah Brooks

Personal Finance Writer and Editor

Sarah Brooks is a personal finance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. She specializes in personal and business loans, mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.

More about me

Fact Checked by: Somer G. Anderson

Accounting and Finance Professor Ph.D., CPA, CGMA, CFE

Somer G. Anderson has been working in the accounting and finance industries for over 20 years as a financial statement auditor, a finance manager in a large healthcare organization, and a finance and accounting professor. Over that time, she's earned a doctorate in personal financial planning and her CPA, CGMA, and...

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