COMPARISON
Tree of Life vs
SmartBiz
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
S
SmartBiz
Est. 2010SmartBiz specializes in SBA loans, making the traditionally complex SBA loan process simpler and faster for small businesses.
Pros
- Lowest SBA rates
- Long repayment terms
- Dedicated support
- Streamlined SBA process
Cons
- Slow funding
- Strict requirements
- Lots of paperwork
FEATURES
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tree of Life | SmartBiz |
|---|---|---|
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 | $5,000,000 |
Minimum Credit Score Credit requirements | All credit types | 650+ |
Time in Business Required Minimum operating history | 3 months | 2 years |
APR Range Interest rate range | 7.5% - 45% | 10.5% - 12.75% |
Funding Speed How quickly you can get funded | Same day - 7 days | 2-4 weeks |
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 | 4.0 |
RATINGS
How They Compare
Interest Rates
Tree of Life
4.5
SmartBiz
5.0
Funding Speed
Tree of Life
4.5
SmartBiz
2.0
Customer Service
Tree of Life
5.0
SmartBiz
4.0
Flexibility
Tree of Life
5.0
SmartBiz
3.0
Overall Experience
Tree of Life
4.5
SmartBiz
4.0
OUR VERDICT
Tree of Life Funding edges out SmartBiz
Both are solid options, but Tree of Life Funding's marketplace model gives you more flexibility and options. SmartBiz excels at lowest sba rates, but for most businesses seeking the best rates and terms, Tree of Life Funding's ability to compare multiple lenders in one application is a significant advantage.
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. SmartBiz is also a marketplace with lowest sba rates. 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 SmartBiz connects you with a network of lenders. Tree of Life Funding offers loan amounts up to $5M with funding as fast as 4 hours, while SmartBiz offers up to $5,000,000 with funding in 2-4 weeks.
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. SmartBiz's rates range from 10.5% to 12.75%. We recommend checking both to see which offers better terms for your situation.
SmartBiz typically requires a minimum credit score of 650+. 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.
SmartBiz typically funds in 2-4 weeks. 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.
SmartBiz 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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