COMPARISON
Tree of Life vs
Live Oak Bank
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
T
Tree of Life Funding
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
L
Live Oak Bank
Est. 2008Live Oak Bank is one of the nation's top SBA lenders, specializing in SBA loans for specific industries including veterinary, dental, and pharmacy.
Pros
- Top SBA lender
- Industry expertise
- Best SBA rates
- Excellent service
Cons
- Very slow process
- High minimums
- Industry-specific focus
- Strict requirements
FEATURES
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tree of Life | Live Oak Bank |
|---|---|---|
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 | $25,000,000 |
Minimum Credit Score Credit requirements | All credit types | 680+ |
Time in Business Required Minimum operating history | 3 months | 2 years |
APR Range Interest rate range | 7.5% - 45% | Prime + 2% - Prime + 2.75% |
Funding Speed How quickly you can get funded | Same day - 7 days | 30-90 days |
Rate Competitiveness How competitive are the offered rates | 4.5 | 5.0 |
Application Experience Ease and speed of the application process | 4.5 | 2.0 |
Customer Support Quality Responsiveness and helpfulness of support | 5.0 | 5.0 |
RATINGS
How They Compare
Interest Rates
Tree of Life
4.5
Live Oak Bank
5.0
Funding Speed
Tree of Life
4.5
Live Oak Bank
2.0
Customer Service
Tree of Life
5.0
Live Oak Bank
5.0
Flexibility
Tree of Life
5.0
Live Oak Bank
3.0
Overall Experience
Tree of Life
4.5
Live Oak Bank
5.0
OUR VERDICT
Both are excellent choices
Live Oak Bank is a strong competitor with top sba lender. However, Tree of Life Funding's unique marketplace approach means you can potentially access Live Oak Bank AND 74 other lenders through one application, ensuring you find the absolute best deal for your business.
Get Started with Tree of LifeFAQs
Common Questions
Both options have their strengths. Tree of Life Funding is a lending marketplace that connects you with 75+ lenders, giving you more options to compare. Live Oak Bank is a direct lender with top sba lender. The best choice depends on your specific needs, credit profile, and funding timeline.
The key difference is that Tree of Life Funding provides access to 75+ lenders through one application, while Live Oak Bank offers funding directly. Tree of Life Funding offers loan amounts up to $5M with funding as fast as 4 hours, while Live Oak Bank offers up to $25,000,000 with funding in 30-90 days.
Rates vary based on your business profile, credit score, and loan type. Tree of Life Funding's marketplace model often helps businesses find more competitive rates by comparing multiple lenders. Live Oak Bank's rates range from Prime + 2% to Prime + 2.75%. We recommend checking both to see which offers better terms for your situation.
Live Oak Bank typically requires a minimum credit score of 680+. Tree of Life Funding works with all credit types and can connect you with lenders even if you have bad credit, giving you more options to explore.
Live Oak Bank typically funds in 30-90 days. With Tree of Life Funding, 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.
Live Oak Bank may perform a hard credit pull as part of the application process. Tree of Life Funding never performs a hard credit pull when checking your rates—only when you choose to proceed with a specific lender.
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