If you compare Bluevine and Kabbage, the Kabbage product is now the American Express Business Line of Credit. Both are revolving lines worth up to $250,000, and both are linked to a business account for quick payouts. Bluevine accepts a lower credit score (625 vs. 660), but requires a monthly turnover of $10,000 and only serves LLCs and corporations. Amex requires just $3,000 in monthly sales, charges a monthly loan fee for each, and charges monthly instead of weekly.
For more information about each lender, see our Bluevine review and our American Express Business Line of Credit review, or browse all comparisons in the Lender Ratings Hub. The following numbers are from each lender’s website.
What happened to Kabbage?
Kabbage no longer operates under its own name. It became part of American Express and its small business line of credit is now offered as the American Express Business Line of Credit through Amex Business Blueprint. The American Express Help Center tells former Kabbage customers that “to access your account, you must create an American Express user ID and password” and log in using “the email address and password that were associated with your Kabbage account” (American Express Business Blueprint Help Center). The loans are issued by American Express National Bank.
Bluevine vs. Amex Business Line of Credit at a glance
The figures were verified on September 21, 2026. Prices are shown as provided by individual lenders.
| Bluevine | Amex Business Line of Credit (formerly Kabbage) | |
|---|---|---|
| Line size | $1,000 to $250,000 | $2,000 to $250,000 (first lines over $150,000 for select customers only) |
| repayment | Weekly for up to 52 weeks or monthly for 12 months | Monthly; Installment payments over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months or one-off loans over 1 to 3 months |
| Prices as stated | Interest rates “as low as 7.8%” for the best qualified customers (base unspecified); no maintenance fees; “Additional fees apply” | Monthly loan fee of 0.55% to 1.55% of the borrowed amount (conditions); no effective annual interest rate published |
| Minimum credit score | 625 FICO (weekly plan); 700 (monthly plan) | 660 FICO (can be higher) |
| Minimum sales | $10,000 per month or $120,000 per year; $80,000 per month for the monthly plan | $3,000 average monthly revenue |
| Minimum time in store | 12 months; 3 years for the monthly plan | 1 year |
| Business type | Corporation or LLC only | Not all sectors are eligible |
| speed | Decision in just 5 minutes; will be collected in Bluevine Business Checking within 24 hours or immediately | 1 to 3 business days to publish; immediately into Amex Business Checking |
| States not served | Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, US territories | Not published |
| Registered Lender | Celtic bench | American Express National Bank |
How everyone rates a draw
Bluevine provides an interest rate; Amex charges a monthly fee. A interest rate will be deducted from the balance you owe while a monthly loan fee is a flat percentage of the amount you borrow, calculated each month the loan is in place, even if the balance decreases. Neither is one APR (effective annual interest rate), which combines interest and fees into an annual value. This makes the APR the fairest way to compare the two.
Bluevine
Bluevine touts “interest rates as low as 7.8% for the best qualified customers” and “no maintenance fees,” noting that “additional fees apply” (Bluevine Line of Credit). The site doesn’t say whether 7.8% is an APR or a simple interest rate, but it is a best-case rate. Ask Bluevine for the APR and total repayment for the draw you would like to claim.
Amex
The Amex terms and conditions state: “Monthly loan fees may range from 0.55% to 1.55% of the total amount borrowed” (Amex Business Line of Credit terms and conditions). The Blueprint Help Center instead reports total fees by term: 3% to 9% for 6-month loans, 6% to 18% for 12-month loans, 9% to 27% for 18-month loans, and 12% to 18% for 24-month loans, as well as 0.95% to 6.05% for one-time repayment loans 1 to 3 months. Amex provides two sets of numbers. Therefore, confirm which one applies to your offer.
Our own rough conversion: For a 12-month installment payment, repaid in equal monthly principal payments, 0.55% per month equals approximately 12% APR and 1.55% per month equals approximately 33% APR. That’s our estimate, not an Amex number.
Worked example: a drawing of $50,000 over 12 months at Amex
Using Amex terms, paying $50,000 in installments over 12 months at 0.55% per month will incur fees of $275 per month, or a total of $3,300. At 1.55% per month, it’s $775 per month, or a total of $9,300. Each monthly statement also includes a partial amount of the capital sum. Bluevine doesn’t release enough to cost the same draw. So ask Bluevine for the total repayment of $50,000 via its weekly or monthly plan and put the two side by side.
Who is qualified?
Bluevine
- Weekly Plan: 625+ FICO, 12+ months in business, an average monthly bank balance of $2,000, and monthly sales of more than $10,000 or at least $120,000 per year (Bluevine Help Center).
- Monthly plan: 700+ FICO, 3+ years, an average balance of $10,000 and more than $80,000 in monthly revenue or at least $960,000 per year.
- Both plans: a corporation or an LLC with no bankruptcies on your credit report. Sole proprietors are not qualified.
Amex business line of credit
- A FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application, which “may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, your credit history, and other factors” (Amex Business Line of Credit).
- Current average monthly revenue of at least $3,000 and a business founded at least a year ago. You must be at least 18 years old.
- Not all sectors are eligible. Loans require a personal guarantee and are secured by the borrower’s assets.
Choose Bluevine if…
- Your credit score is between 625 and 659.
- You want draws starting at $1,000 and are happy with weekly payments.
- You bank with Bluevine or want instant deposits in Bluevine Business Checking.
- You may want a lump sum later: Bluevine can refer you to partners for term loans of up to $500,000 and SBA 7(a) loans of up to $350,000 (Bluevine business loans).
Choose the Amex business line of credit if…
- Your revenue is less than $10,000 per month but at least $3,000.
- You are a sole proprietor or partnership, or you operate in Nevada or South Dakota, where Bluevine’s line is not available. First, check your industry eligibility with Amex.
- They prefer monthly payments without reaching Bluevine’s monthly plan limit (700 FICO, 3 years, $80,000 per month).
- You want terms of up to 24 months for a draw.
Not sure if a line of credit is the right product? Our guide to lines of credit vs. term loans explains when a lump sum is a better fit.
Pitfalls to be aware of
- Fee on the original amount. The monthly Amex fee is a percentage of the amount borrowed, not the remaining balance. So early repayment is an opportunity to reduce costs. When paying in installments, unaccounted fees are not charged if you repay the principal early; For a one-time repayment loan, early repayment “does not result in a reduction in the loan fee.”
- Best case rates. Bluevine’s 7.8% applies to the best qualified customers. Your rate could be higher.
- Weekly debits. Bluevine’s standard plan is weekly. Make sure your cash flow can support the payments.
- Personal guarantee. Amex charges a fee for each loan. Ask Bluevine if his line does the same.
FAQ
Is Kabbage the same as American Express?
Kabbage is now part of American Express. Former Kabbage customers sign up with an American Express user ID and the line of credit is offered as American Express Business Line of Credit, issued by American Express National Bank.
Is it easier to qualify for Bluevine or Amex?
Bluevine has the lower credit minimum (625 vs. 660). Amex has the lower minimum revenue ($3,000 vs. $10,000 per month) and doesn’t post any business type restriction, while Bluevine only serves corporations and LLCs.
Which means faster?
Both can be done instantly when you use your checking account: Bluevine withdrawals are deposited instantly into Bluevine Business Checking, and Amex withdrawals are deposited instantly into Amex Business Checking. Otherwise, Bluevine only says 24 hours and Amex says 1 to 3 business days.
Does the application affect my creditworthiness?
According to Bluevine, applying has no impact on your personal credit score. This is not addressed on the Amex credit line page. So ask Amex before you apply.
Next step
If you want to compare Bluevine or Amex to other lines of credit, SMB Compass can help you compare offers from the lenders we work with. Start with our Business Line of Credit page or read OnDeck vs. Amex Business Line of Credit, OnDeck vs. Bluevine, and Bluevine vs. Fundbox.
Sources
- American Express: Business Line of Credit
- American Express: General Terms and Conditions for the Business Line of Credit
- American Express: Business Blueprint Help Center
- Bluevine: Line of Credit
- Bluevine Help Center: Repayment Plans and Line of Credit Requirements
- Bluevine Help Center: Credit Line Ranges
- Bluevine: Business Loans
About this page. Written by Ezra Cabrera, Content Team Lead at SMB Compass. The figures were reconciled with each lender’s website on September 21, 2026; Lenders change their terms. Therefore, please check the current conditions before applying and let us know if you notice a number that has changed. SMB Compass is a corporate finance broker: we do not lend our own money and are paid by the lenders we lend from. This site provides general information and does not provide financial, legal or tax advice.
This article is for general information purposes only. This does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice, nor does it take into account your company’s specific situation. Interest rates, terms and requirements change and vary by lender. Before making a financing decision, speak to a qualified financial advisor, accountant or lawyer. SMB Compass is a business financing company and not a direct lender.
