Recommended by the government’s development bank, which helps SMEs get finance
Compare Merchant Cash Advances
Match with trusted UK lenders in minutes. See real options for merchant cash advance and flexible small business funding—all in one place.
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- Borrow against your card sales with trusted lenders
- Get expert help throughout the process
- Applying won’t affect your credit score
- Apply in minutes
Compare Merchant Cash Advance Providers to Find the Best Deal for Your Business
What is a Merchant Cash Advance?
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a type of business finance where a lender provides an upfront lump sum, which is then repaid through a percentage of your future debit and credit card sales. It’s not technically a loan but an advance based on your revenue.
MCAs are especially popular with retail, hospitality, and e-commerce businesses that take regular card payments, as repayments automatically adjust with daily or monthly sales volumes.
With a merchant cash advance, you can:
- Access funding quickly without traditional collateral
- Repay flexibly based on card sales, not fixed instalments
- Use funds for working capital, stock, or business growth
Merchant cash advances provide a fast and flexible alternative to traditional loans, giving businesses access to finance that grows and shrinks in line with their revenue.
Benefits of Merchant Cash Advances
Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs) provide fast, flexible funding for businesses with strong card sales. Repayments are taken as a percentage of daily transactions, making them a cash-flow friendly option. Here are the main benefits for retailers, restaurants, and service providers:
Fast Access to Funds
Approval and funding are quick—often within days—helping you seize opportunities or cover shortfalls.
No Fixed Repayments
Pay back a set percentage of daily card sales, so repayments naturally align with your revenue.
Unsecured Funding
No need to put up property or assets as collateral—eligibility is based on card turnover.
Flexible Use of Funds
Use the advance for stock, equipment, marketing, or cash flow—whatever supports growth.
Revenue-Linked Repayments
During quieter months, repayments fall, easing pressure on cash flow and providing breathing space.
Supports Credit-Challenged Businesses
Approval is based on card sales, making it accessible for businesses with limited or poor credit history.
About Funding Options
Funding Options is our trusted UK partner that makes it simple to compare business funding solutions. With one quick application, their Funding Cloud technology reviews your business profile and matches you with over 120+ lenders—so you can see tailored offers in minutes without affecting your credit score.
Whether you’re looking for a merchant cash advance, a flexible business cash advance for small business, or other funding options like unsecured lending, revolving credit, asset finance, and invoice finance, Funding Options helps you find the best fit. You can compare repayment terms, eligibility, and rates—all in one place, helping your business access funding fast.
How to Compare Merchant Cash Advances in Minutes
Startupdeals.co.uk has StartupDeals.co.uk has partnered with Funding Options to give you fast access to more than 120 UK lenders through one simple application. Their Funding Cloud technology reviews your business profile and instantly returns tailored matches, including merchant cash advances, business cash advances, and other flexible finance products.
This means you can quickly compare repayment terms, eligibility, and rates—all without affecting your credit score. It’s free to apply, and you’ll know in minutes which funding options best suit your business.
Tell us about your business
Share how much you need, what it’s for, and key details so we can compare business loans matched to your profile.
Compare quotes instantly
Funding Options compare your details against 120+ lenders so you can see tailored finance quotes in seconds.
Apply and get your funding
Apply for finance and initial checks won’t affect your credit score. Receive funds into your account.
Choosing the right loan type
Your goals, cash flow and security available will shape the best fit. Use the tiles below to compare loan types and to explore wider business finance options.
Unsecured Business Loans
Borrow without collateral. Quick decisions; may require a personal guarantee.
Secured Business Loans
Backed by assets for lower rates and larger amounts.
Working Capital / Short-Term Finance
Cover day-to-day costs and short cash-flow gaps.
Revolving Credit Facility
Flexible line of credit — pay interest only on what you use.
Asset Finance
Hire purchase or leasing for vehicles, machinery and equipment.
Invoice Finance
Release cash tied up in invoices (factoring & discounting).
Merchant Cash Advance
Repay via a % of future card sales — flexible with turnover.
Commercial Property Finance
Commercial mortgages & development finance.
Bridging Loans
Short-term funding to bridge a purchase, sale or refinance.
Growth Guarantee Scheme
Government-backed lending via accredited providers.
Bad-Credit Business Loans
Options for thinner files or weaker credit profiles.
Startup Business Loans
Funding to launch or grow a new business—often unsecured, with flexible criteria for early-stage companies.
Who Can Get a Merchant Cash Advance?
- Business types
- Sole traders, partnerships/LLPs, limited companies, and many small businesses that take customer card payments.
- Stage of business
- Trading 6+ months: Most providers prefer established businesses with consistent card sales.
- New businesses: Fewer options, May face fewer options but some lenders offer startup-friendly cash advance products.
- Financial profile
- Lenders assess card payment turnover rather than traditional credit history. A steady flow of card transactions can secure approval—even if your credit score isn’t perfect.
- Directors & owners
- Basic ID and address checks are required. In most cases, no personal guarantee is needed, making a business cash advance more flexible than traditional loans.
- Security & guarantees
- Unsecured: No assets required—repayments are automatically taken as a percentage of daily card sales.
- Flexible terms: Repay as you earn, with no fixed monthly payments.
- Use of funds
- Merchant cash advances can be used for working capital, stock purchases, marketing, equipment, refurbishments, or smoothing out seasonal cash flow.
Compare Merchant Cash Advance Quotes Today
Find the right loan for your business – its fast and free
Apply today – no obligation, no impact on your credit score
FAQs: Merchant Cash Advance (UK)
What is a merchant cash advance?
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a type of business funding where you borrow a lump sum and repay it through a percentage of your daily card sales, making repayments flexible and linked to your revenue.
How does a merchant cash advance work?
With an MCA, lenders advance you money based on your average card sales. Repayments are automatically deducted as a percentage of each transaction, meaning you pay more when business is busy and less during quieter periods.
Who can apply for a merchant cash advance?
Merchant cash advances are ideal for small businesses that take regular card payments, such as retailers, restaurants, cafes, and service providers. Sole traders, limited companies, and partnerships may all qualify.
How much can I borrow with a merchant cash advance?
The amount you can borrow usually depends on your monthly card turnover. Most lenders will offer an advance between 50% and 150% of your average monthly card sales.
Do I need good credit to get a business cash advance?
Not necessarily. Because repayments are based on card sales, merchant cash advance providers often focus less on credit history and more on your revenue patterns.
What are the advantages of a merchant cash advance?
Flexible repayments linked to sales
Fast approval and funding (sometimes within 24–48 hours)
No fixed monthly repayments
Usually unsecured (no assets required)
Are there downsides to a merchant cash advance?
The main drawback is cost. MCAs can have higher fees than traditional loans, and not all businesses will be eligible—especially those with low or irregular card sales.
How fast can I get funding with a merchant cash advance?
Many providers can approve and release funds in as little as 1–3 working days, making MCAs one of the fastest ways to access business funding.
Can sole traders get a merchant cash advance?
Yes. Sole traders who take card payments from customers can often qualify for a business cash advance without needing a detailed business plan or personal guarantee.
What can I use a merchant cash advance for?
Funds can be used for almost any business purpose: managing cash flow, buying stock, covering payroll, marketing, equipment upgrades, or refurbishments.
Merchant Cash Advance vs Business Loan: Which is better?
A merchant cash advance offers flexible repayments tied to your sales, while a business loan has fixed monthly payments. MCAs are often faster to access and don’t usually need collateral, but they can be more expensive than traditional loans.
Do I need to provide security for a merchant cash advance?
No, most merchant cash advances are unsecured. Lenders rely on your card sales data rather than physical assets, making them easier to qualify for compared to secured loans.
Can I repay a merchant cash advance early?
Yes, many providers allow early repayment. However, fees and terms vary, so it’s important to check whether early settlement reduces the overall cost or if you’ll still be charged the agreed factor rate.
Is a merchant cash advance suitable for seasonal businesses?
Yes. Because repayments are linked to card sales, seasonal businesses like cafes, restaurants, or retailers often find MCAs useful. You pay more during busy periods and less when sales slow down.
FAQs: About Funding Options
Is Funding Options a lender or a broker?
Funding Options acts as a broker, not a lender. They work with over 120 trusted UK finance providers to match your business with the most suitable funding options, including merchant cash advances and other types of business finance.
Does using Funding Options affect my credit score?
No. Funding Options uses soft checks during the initial application, which means exploring your options won’t impact your credit score. A full credit check is only carried out if you decide to proceed with a lender.
How does Funding Options match my business to lenders?
Their Funding Cloud technology reviews your business profile, turnover, and funding needs, then matches you with lenders most likely to approve your application—saving you time and increasing your chances of success.
Are there any fees for using Funding Options?
No, there are no upfront fees to use Funding Options. They are paid by the lender once your funding is approved, so you can explore business finance solutions at no cost to your business.
Can new businesses and startups use Funding Options?
Yes. While more established businesses often have a wider choice, startups can still access tailored funding solutions, including startup loans, asset finance, and business cash advance products designed for newer businesses.
How fast can Funding Options help me secure funding?
In some cases, businesses can receive decisions within hours and funding within days. Products like merchant cash advances are particularly fast, making them ideal for businesses that need urgent working capital
What loan types can I compare through Funding Options?
You can compare a wide range of products including merchant cash advances, unsecured business loans, revolving credit, invoice finance, asset finance, and commercial property loans—all in one place.
Is Funding Options safe to use?
Yes. Funding Options is FCA-regulated and trusted by thousands of UK SMEs. Their platform is secure, and they only work with reputable lenders to ensure your business gets fair, transparent funding options.
FAQs: About Startup Deals
Do StartupDeals provide business loans directly?
No — StartupDeals does not lend money directly. We work as an introducer partner with Funding Options, who connect UK businesses to more than 120 lenders through their regulated platform.
Is StartupDeals paid by Funding Options?
Yes — if you are successfully matched with a lender and take out finance, StartupDeals may receive a commission from Funding Options. This comes at no extra cost to you as the customer.
Can I trust StartupDeals when applying for a business loan?
Yes — StartupDeals is a trusted affiliate partner of Funding Options. Funding Options is FCA-regulated, and all loan applications are handled securely by them, ensuring compliance and transparency.
Why does StartupDeals recommend Funding Options?
At StartupDeals, our goal is to help startups, sole traders, and SMEs access the tools and services they need to grow. We recommend Funding Options because they provide access to a wide network of over 120 UK lenders — from high street banks to specialist and alternative finance providers. This means that instead of applying to lenders one by one, businesses can complete a single application and quickly see tailored funding options side by side.
Funding Options also uses secure technology to match businesses with lenders most suited to their profile, making the process faster and more efficient. For startups, this can be particularly valuable, as many lenders on the platform specialise in supporting early-stage businesses.
By partnering with Funding Options, we can introduce our audience to a trusted, FCA-regulated broker where they can explore some of the best business loan options in the UK, compare rates and terms, and find funding that may fit their circumstances — all in one place.
Does StartupDeals decide if my business loan is approved?
No — StartupDeals does not make lending decisions. All applications are assessed by Funding Options and their panel of lenders. Approval depends entirely on the lender’s criteria.
Is StartupDeals regulated to provide credit?
StartupDeals does not provide credit directly and is not a lender. We act as an introducer to Funding Options, who are FCA-regulated and work only with authorised UK lenders.
Will it cost me extra to use StartupDeals?
No — you won’t pay any additional fees by applying through StartupDeals. If you proceed with a loan, StartupDeals may receive a commission from Funding Options, but this does not affect the cost of your finance.
Who handles my data if I apply for a loan?
Your loan application and personal data are handled securely by Funding Options, not StartupDeals. They use regulated systems and strict data protection measures to keep your information safe.
Does StartupDeals provide financial advice?
No — StartupDeals does not provide personalised financial or lending advice. We introduce businesses to Funding Options so they can compare loan options. All content on StartupDeals.co.uk is created to be impartial and informative. It is designed to help startups and SMEs explore tools, services, and funding options available in the UK. The information is not intended as financial advice. For tailored guidance, you should seek advice from a qualified financial professional.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date at the time of publication, please be aware that regulations and circumstances may change. We recommend consulting with a qualified professional for personalised guidance specific to your situation. Additionally, some links on this website may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. Please ensure you read and understand all terms and conditions before making any decisions.