Business Cash Advance Providers UK (2026): Compare Your Options
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026 | Mehmi Financial Group
Looking for business cash advance providers in the UK? Several established funding companies and payment platforms offer business cash advances, including 365 Finance, YouLend, Liberis, PayPal Working Capital, Shopify Capital, Stripe Capital, Square Cash Advance and Teya Cash Advance.
These providers do not all operate in the same way. Some accept direct applications, while others make financing available through existing payment-processing accounts. Several branded programmes also use the same underlying funding company.
A business cash advance, commonly called a merchant cash advance (MCA), provides upfront commercial funding in exchange for an agreed percentage of future sales. Unlike a conventional business loan, collections generally rise and fall with qualifying business revenue.
For UK businesses comparing financing options in 2026, the main considerations are eligibility, funding costs, repayment percentages, contractual obligations and whether the provider supports their existing payment arrangements.
This guide explains how the UK business cash advance market works, profiles established providers and shows what to check before submitting an application.
Which Companies Provide Business Cash Advances in the UK?
UK businesses can explore several business cash advance programmes.
The following are established providers and funding channels identified through their published UK product information.
1. 365 Finance — Direct Business Cash Advance Provider
365 Finance is a UK business finance provider offering merchant cash advances and revenue-based financing.
Its published merchant cash advance programme advertises funding between £10,000 and £500,000.
The provider identifies two initial eligibility requirements: businesses must generally have traded for at least six months and process more than £10,000 in monthly debit and credit card sales.
Rather than requiring conventional fixed monthly instalments, 365 Finance collects an agreed percentage of qualifying card receipts.
According to its published programme, this deduction is typically between 5% and 15% of card sales.
Suitable for: Established restaurants, retailers, pubs, cafés and other businesses with substantial card transaction volumes.
Important considerations: The business must demonstrate sufficient eligible card revenue. The collection percentage is not the financing cost; applicants should request the full amount repayable, including the agreed funding fee.
The published eligibility thresholds do not guarantee approval or establish the funding amount an individual applicant will receive.
2. YouLend — Revenue-Based Funding and Embedded Finance Provider
YouLend provides revenue-based business funding through direct business-facing channels, commercial partners, marketplaces and payment platforms.
Its published partner and broker information advertises funding of up to £2 million, subject to eligibility and underwriting.
YouLend's approach considers business performance, sales activity and other relevant financial information. Depending on the programme, collections may be linked to future sales.
One distinguishing feature is its embedded financing model.
YouLend's infrastructure supports funding arrangements offered through third-party platforms, meaning a merchant may encounter YouLend financing under another commercial brand.
For example, Shopify Capital's UK merchant cash advances and Stripe Capital's published UK financing programme identify YouLend as the financing provider.
Suitable for: Established businesses seeking revenue-based finance, including eligible online merchants and businesses accessing partner funding programmes.
Important considerations: Not every YouLend-funded offer has identical terms. Availability, financing amounts, fees and repayment arrangements depend on the programme and applicant.
Applicants should confirm the legal funding provider named in their agreement.
3. Liberis — Business Cash Advances Through Payment Partners
Liberis is an embedded business finance provider that offers business cash advances through commercial partnerships.
An established UK example is Worldpay Business Cash Advance, which is provided by Liberis.
Worldpay's published programme advertises advances from £1,000 to £300,000 for eligible merchants.
The programme identifies an initial eligibility starting point of at least ten debit and credit card transactions totalling more than £1,000 per month. Worldpay also indicates that an established processing history, ideally more than four months with Worldpay, is preferred.
Under the arrangement, Liberis agrees a funding amount and fixed cost, while an agreed percentage of Worldpay-processed card receipts is directed towards the advance.
This may be convenient for businesses already processing their payments through Worldpay.
Suitable for: Eligible Worldpay merchants seeking sales-linked working capital.
Important considerations: Worldpay discloses that it receives a commission under its Liberis arrangement. Applicants should confirm their actual costs, obligations and contractual rights.
Liberis may also be available through other partner arrangements, but eligibility and terms can differ.
4. PayPal Working Capital — Cash Advances for PayPal Merchants
PayPal Working Capital is a business cash advance programme based on eligible PayPal sales and account history.
PayPal's UK product information advertises funding up to £200,000 for an initial advance, with up to £300,000 potentially available for repeat funding.
Its published minimum eligibility criteria include:
- A PayPal business account active for at least 90 days.
- At least £9,000 in eligible annual PayPal sales.
- A UK-based business.
- No outstanding PayPal Working Capital advance unless early renewal is offered.
PayPal charges a fixed funding fee rather than periodic interest. The business selects an available repayment percentage, and collections are made from eligible PayPal sales.
One particularly important difference is that PayPal Working Capital has a minimum repayment requirement every 90 days.
This means the arrangement is not entirely dependent on how much PayPal revenue a business generates in a given period.
Suitable for: Established UK businesses with regular, qualifying PayPal transaction activity.
Important considerations: Review the quarterly minimum repayment requirement carefully, especially if PayPal represents only part of your business's total revenue.
PayPal Working Capital should also be distinguished from the separate PayPal Business Loan product, which uses a different financing structure.
5. Shopify Capital — Business Cash Advances for Shopify Stores
Shopify Capital provides business funding to eligible Shopify merchants.
In the United Kingdom, Shopify Capital offers merchant cash advances through its financing partner YouLend.
Under Shopify's published UK programme, eligible businesses receive an upfront funding amount in exchange for an agreed portion of future store sales.
The arrangement establishes a total remittance amount and deducts an agreed percentage of eligible daily sales.
Shopify's UK guidance states that there is no fixed deadline for remitting the total amount, although businesses remain subject to their contractual obligations.
Eligible businesses can view available funding options through the Finance section of their Shopify administration account.
Suitable for: Established UK e-commerce businesses operating through Shopify.
Important considerations: Funding is not automatically available to every Shopify merchant. Eligibility depends on the business and its platform activity.
Shopify also explains that paying the balance early does not reduce the original financing cost.
6. Stripe Capital — Business Funding for Eligible Stripe Users
Stripe Capital provides access to financing for selected UK businesses processing payments through Stripe.
Its UK programme identifies YouLend as the financing provider.
Stripe uses relevant payment volume and account history to assess which businesses may receive financing offers.
Eligible merchants can review available financing amounts, fixed fees and payment percentages within the Stripe Dashboard.
Collections are generally automated as an agreed proportion of sales.
Suitable for: UK businesses already using Stripe with sufficient payment activity to support an available financing offer.
Important considerations: Stripe Capital is offered to selected businesses rather than being universally available on request.
Applicants should review the precise financing structure, minimum payment provisions and contractual obligations in their individual offer.
7. Square Cash Advance — Funding for Eligible Square Merchants
Square Cash Advance provides merchant cash advances to eligible UK Square sellers.
Unlike Square's separate business loan product, Square Cash Advance involves the purchase of a portion of future card sales.
Square states that its UK Cash Advance programme is available to eligible sole traders and partnerships using Square for payment processing.
Its published eligibility guidance indicates that merchants processing at least £10,000 in annual card transactions and taking payments on at least 20 separate days may be more likely to qualify.
Eligibility is assessed automatically using factors including payment history, processing volume and transaction frequency.
The business can review a personalised offer through its Square account if one becomes available.
Suitable for: Eligible UK sole traders and partnerships with established Square transaction activity.
Important considerations: The programme is not currently presented as a general application route for all UK company structures. Square's separate Loans product has different eligibility and payment requirements.
Square states that its Cash Advance product does not require a personal guarantee.
8. Teya Cash Advance — Funding Through Teya's Partner Network
Teya Cash Advance provides sales-linked financing access to eligible businesses using Teya payment solutions.
Its UK product documentation, updated in June 2026, identifies Liberis, YouLend and iwoca among its funding partners.
Teya publishes a typical funding range of £1,000 to £500,000, although the available amount depends on the business and underlying partner.
The programme is designed primarily for businesses processing the majority of their card transactions through Teya.
Collections are generally based on an agreed percentage of card sales, but the programme may also include minimum repayment requirements specified by the financing partner.
Teya also states that limited companies and LLPs may be required to provide a personal guarantee.
Suitable for: Eligible UK businesses already using Teya's payment-processing services.
Important considerations: Teya is a funding distribution channel involving multiple financing providers, not necessarily the company providing the capital in each transaction.
The actual financing partner and signed agreement determine the applicable terms.
Direct Cash Advance Providers vs Payment Platform Funding
One of the most important distinctions in the UK market is between the company providing the capital and the platform through which a business accesses it.
A direct funding provider may accept applications from businesses outside a particular payment-processing ecosystem.
An embedded funding platform may make offers available primarily to merchants already using its systems.
For example, YouLend is the underlying financing provider for UK Shopify Capital merchant cash advances and Stripe Capital's published UK programme.
Similarly, Liberis provides financing through Worldpay, while Teya works with several financing partners.
This matters because multiple branded programmes do not necessarily represent multiple independent funding sources.
A business comparing offers should identify both the customer-facing platform and the legal provider of the financing.
When does a direct provider make sense?
A direct provider may be more useful when a business wants to explore funding without relying on an invitation from its existing payment processor.
For example, a card-taking restaurant meeting 365 Finance's published criteria may be able to request a quotation without already using a specific embedded financing dashboard.
When does platform-based funding make sense?
A platform-based programme may be convenient when the business already has a substantial payment history with the platform.
The provider may be able to evaluate existing transaction information and present an offer through familiar business software.
However, convenience should not replace a proper comparison of the total repayment cost and contractual obligations.
How Do Business Cash Advance Providers Work?
A traditional business cash advance provides an upfront funding amount in exchange for agreed payments from future card receipts or other qualifying sales.
The structure differs from a conventional business loan with fixed scheduled instalments.
The process usually starts with an assessment of business revenue, trading history, payment-processing activity and affordability.
If a provider is willing to proceed, it presents a financing offer that specifies how much the business will receive and what it is required to repay or remit.
The business should receive enough information to understand its funding cost and payment obligations before signing.
Once the funds are released, the agreed portion of eligible revenue is collected until the contractual amount is satisfied.
Business cash advance repayment example
Consider a restaurant that receives a hypothetical £20,000 business cash advance.
The provider charges a fixed £4,000 funding fee, resulting in a total contractual repayment of £24,000.
The agreement requires 12% of qualifying card revenue to be collected.
If the restaurant processes £30,000 in eligible card sales during a month, the provider would collect £3,600.
If the following month's eligible card revenue falls to £20,000, the collection would decrease to £2,400.
These are illustrative calculations, not real provider quotations. They assume there are no separate minimum payment requirements or other charges.
The restaurant must still meet rent, wages, supplier costs and its other financial obligations using the revenue that remains.
The key point is that lower collections during a slower month do not necessarily mean the overall funding is inexpensive or that every contractual obligation disappears.
How Much Do UK Business Cash Advance Providers Charge?
There is no single standard rate applicable to all UK business cash advance providers.
Many programmes quote a fixed funding fee. Others may express pricing through a factor-rate calculation.
For example, a hypothetical £10,000 advance with a 1.25 factor rate produces a total repayment of £12,500.
The financing cost is therefore £2,500, before any separately applicable charges.
A factor rate is not equivalent to an annual percentage rate.
The economic cost depends partly on how quickly the financing is repaid. Paying a fixed £2,500 fee over four months is different from paying that same amount over twelve months.
What should you compare between providers?
Total repayment: Establish the amount you will ultimately pay, including compulsory fees.
Advance received: Confirm the net amount arriving in your business account.
Collection percentage: Understand how much of each qualifying sale will be deducted.
Minimum payments: Determine whether periodic minimum repayment requirements apply even during slow trading periods.
Early settlement: Check whether settling early reduces the total financing cost.
Security and guarantees: Establish whether owners have personal liability or whether security arrangements apply.
Payment processor restrictions: Check whether changing providers could affect the advance.
Default provisions: Understand the consequences of missed obligations, insolvency, business closure or revenue interruption.
A lower total funding fee may still come with a higher collection percentage that places additional strain on operating cash.
Which UK Businesses Are Eligible for a Cash Advance?
Eligibility requirements differ across funding providers.
Businesses generally need to demonstrate sufficient trading activity, eligible payment receipts and the ability to support the proposed arrangement.
Restaurants and takeaways
Restaurants and takeaway businesses often receive recurring debit and credit card payments.
Cash advance funding may be considered for stock, commercial kitchen repairs, equipment purchases or refurbishment expenses.
However, a provider must consider the business's trading history and affordability.
Convenience stores and off-licences
Convenience retailers may require additional working capital for stock purchases, refrigeration equipment or store improvements.
These businesses should examine the relationship between gross card revenue and operating margins before accepting daily deductions.
Pubs, bars and nightclubs
Hospitality businesses often experience seasonal variations in revenue.
Sales-linked financing may accommodate variations in takings, although minimum payment provisions can affect that flexibility.
E-commerce businesses
Online retailers using platforms such as Shopify, Stripe or PayPal may have access to financing programmes connected to their transaction histories.
Businesses should verify which sales channels qualify for collections and whether revenue from other platforms is considered.
MOT centres, garages and tyre shops
Vehicle repair businesses may explore cash advances for parts, workshop improvements and short-term operating requirements.
A business paid largely by bank transfer rather than card may be less suited to a conventional card-sales-linked MCA.
Other eligible sectors
Cafés, bakeries, salons, barbers, independent retailers, hotels, B&Bs and other commercial businesses with recurring qualifying sales may also be considered, depending on the funding provider.
No particular industry is automatically approved.
Can You Get a Business Cash Advance With Bad Credit?
Some UK cash advance providers may consider businesses with imperfect credit histories.
Unlike a conventional loan assessment that can place substantial emphasis on credit scores, MCA underwriting often evaluates sales activity and business cash generation.
However, credit history may still be relevant.
Providers can review company credit reports, business banking activity, outstanding financing, insolvency information and other indicators of repayment risk.
Businesses with recent defaults, substantial existing MCA obligations or significant cash-flow problems may have fewer options.
A business should also avoid taking a costly cash advance simply to postpone an existing financial problem without a credible repayment plan.
Bad credit does not necessarily prevent an application, but it does not justify expecting guaranteed approval.
How to Choose a Business Cash Advance Provider in the UK
Selecting a provider involves more than comparing advertised maximum funding amounts.
1. Confirm your eligibility before submitting a full application
Review the provider's minimum trading history, payment-processing requirements and supported business structures.
A business may be a strong trading operation but still fail a platform's specific eligibility requirements.
2. Confirm who provides the financing
Identify the legal funding entity and whether the offer is made directly or through a commercial partner.
This is particularly important when using embedded financing programmes.
3. Request the total repayment amount in writing
Do not accept a financing quotation that leaves the total cost unclear.
The business should understand exactly how much it receives and how much it must ultimately repay or remit.
4. Stress-test your cash flow
Calculate how much revenue would remain after deductions during an ordinary trading month and a significantly slower month.
Account for wages, rent, suppliers, taxes and other financial obligations.
5. Review the agreement's guarantees and security
Even where funding is advertised as unsecured, personal guarantees or other contractual protections may apply.
Understand the legal obligations of the business and its owners.
6. Check early repayment and renewal terms
Ask whether early settlement reduces costs and whether taking additional financing would increase existing payment obligations.
Repeat funding should not automatically be treated as a sign of improving business finances.
7. Understand the consequences of changing payment processors
Some financing programmes rely on sales generated through a particular platform.
Changing payment processors may affect how collections are made or create additional contractual requirements.
8. Compare alternative financing structures
A business cash advance may not be the most suitable option simply because it is available.
Consider whether a working capital loan, overdraft, business line of credit, invoice finance or equipment finance arrangement better matches the commercial requirement.
Are Business Cash Advance Providers Regulated in the UK?
Regulatory treatment depends on the provider, legal agreement and nature of the financing.
Many traditional commercial merchant cash advances structured around the purchase of future receivables fall outside the regulated consumer-credit framework.
For example, Square explicitly states that its UK Cash Advance product is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Worldpay makes a similar disclosure about its Liberis Business Cash Advance programme.
However, businesses should not assume every product marketed as a cash advance has the same legal or regulatory status.
The distinction becomes particularly important for sole traders, small partnerships and other unincorporated businesses.
According to GOV.UK's guidance on offering credit, certain business lending arrangements involving these borrowers can require FCA authorisation.
It is also important to distinguish a company's authorisation to conduct payment services from regulation of its merchant financing product.
Before entering an agreement, businesses should confirm the legal funding provider, product structure, regulatory status and applicable complaints procedures.
Where the position is unclear, qualified UK legal advice may be appropriate.
Should You Use a Direct Provider or a Business Finance Broker?
Businesses can approach cash advance providers directly or explore financing through a commercial finance intermediary.
Both routes can be appropriate.
Working directly with a provider
A direct application may make sense when the business already knows which product it wants and meets the provider's published criteria.
Existing payment-platform users may also benefit from reviewing personalised offers within their merchant dashboards.
Working with a commercial finance broker
An intermediary may help the business evaluate its financing requirement, prepare information and identify potential providers within its available network.
The intermediary's actual role depends on its relationships, authority and services.
Some introduce applications to financing companies, while others may assist with documentation and the comparison process.
A broker cannot guarantee that a business will qualify for an MCA or that its network includes every UK provider.
Businesses should ask whether an intermediary receives commissions, charges fees or has commercial relationships that may influence the options presented.
Documents Business Cash Advance Providers May Request
Documentation requirements depend on the funding programme.
An applicant may need to provide business registration details, owner identification, bank statements and card-processing records.
Providers may also request information about existing debts, outstanding cash advances, trading history and the intended use of funds.
For payment-platform financing, some of this information may already be available through existing transaction records.
However, eligibility based on payment data does not mean every application will proceed without additional verification.
Before transmitting bank statements or identity documents, confirm that the receiving party is legitimate and use an approved secure submission channel.
Business Cash Advance vs Business Loan: Which Is Better?
A merchant cash advance and a conventional business loan both provide commercial capital, but they operate differently.
A traditional cash advance generally collects a specified percentage of eligible revenue. A term loan typically requires scheduled repayments and has a defined borrowing term.
A cash advance may be considered when the business has reliable card receipts, needs short-term capital and can afford the sales deductions.
A loan may be more appropriate when the business requires predictable scheduled payments, longer repayment terms or financing that does not depend on card-processing activity.
Businesses financing machinery or other identifiable assets may also find equipment finance better suited to the purchase.
The correct choice depends on affordability, total cost and how the funding will generate commercial value.
The British Business Bank's merchant cash advance guidance provides additional information on the advantages, disadvantages and alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Business Cash Advance Providers
Who are the main business cash advance providers in the UK?
Established UK providers and programmes include 365 Finance, YouLend, Liberis, PayPal Working Capital, Shopify Capital, Stripe Capital, Square Cash Advance and Teya Cash Advance.
Some of these are distribution channels using the same underlying funding providers rather than entirely independent lenders.
Which business cash advance provider offers the lowest fees?
No provider can reliably be identified as universally cheapest without comparing actual financing offers. Costs depend on the business, requested amount, payment activity and contractual terms.
What is the difference between a business cash advance and a merchant cash advance?
The terms are commonly used interchangeably in the UK. Both generally describe financing provided against qualifying future business sales. The precise legal structure depends on the agreement.
Can a limited company apply for a business cash advance?
Yes, certain providers consider limited companies. However, not every platform product supports every business structure. For example, Square's UK Cash Advance programme is specifically aimed at eligible sole traders and partnerships.
Can sole traders get business cash advances?
Some providers offer products to eligible sole traders. Regulatory treatment and contractual obligations can differ from arrangements made with incorporated companies.
How much business cash advance funding can I receive?
Funding amounts differ widely. Some published programmes begin around £1,000, while others advertise substantially larger maximum advances. Actual offers depend on revenue, eligibility and underwriting.
Can I apply without a card machine?
Potentially. Businesses receiving payments online may qualify through an eligible payment platform. However, providers generally require suitable revenue or receivables to support collections.
Do cash advance providers check credit scores?
Some providers review credit information as part of underwriting. Others place substantial weight on transaction history. Credit checks and their effects depend on the specific programme.
What happens if my sales decline?
Collections linked to eligible revenue generally decline when sales fall. However, some programmes have minimum repayment requirements or additional contractual provisions.
Can I get another cash advance before repaying my existing advance?
Some providers may offer additional funding or early renewal, subject to eligibility. Others require the original advance to be satisfied first. Existing obligations may reduce the affordability of new financing.
Are business cash advances secured?
Many traditional MCA products do not require specific property or equipment collateral. However, personal guarantees and other contractual protections may still apply, depending on the agreement.
Can I repay a business cash advance early?
Some programmes permit early settlement, but the fixed funding fee may remain payable. Always check the relevant agreement.
How long does business cash advance approval take?
Timelines depend on provider procedures, verification requirements, underwriting and the completeness of the application. Published processing times are not funding guarantees.
Can a restaurant or takeaway qualify?
Restaurants and takeaway businesses with established eligible card transactions may qualify. The provider will still assess trading performance, financial obligations and affordability.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right UK Business Cash Advance Provider
The UK business cash advance market includes direct finance companies, embedded financing providers and merchant-payment platforms.
Businesses should recognise the distinction between a branded financing programme and the institution actually providing the capital.
An offer available through Shopify, Stripe, Worldpay or Teya may use an underlying provider that also participates in other financing arrangements.
The best approach is to compare the complete terms of the financing rather than relying solely on a provider's brand, advertised funding limit or stated processing speed.
A suitable business cash advance should solve an identifiable funding need without undermining the cash flow required to run the business.
Explore Business Cash Advance Options With Mehmi Financial Group
Looking for working capital for your UK business?
Mehmi Financial Group assists with commercial financing enquiries and can review potential financing pathways subject to UK provider availability and applicable local requirements.
Whether your business operates in hospitality, retail, e-commerce, vehicle repair or another commercial sector, the starting point is understanding your funding requirement and financial position.
To request an initial review, provide your business location, industry, trading history, approximate monthly revenue, monthly card sales and required funding amount.
The team can explain the next steps and whether a relevant funding route may be available.
Contact Mehmi Financial Group — Request a Business Financing Review