7 Best Merchant Cash Advance Companies for 2025
The best MCA companies are transparent about their products and how they work. However, consider other types of funding before turning to a merchant cash advance.
| Lender | NerdWallet rating | Best For | Max loan amount | Min. time in business | Min. interest rate | Term length | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for same-day approvals | $300,000 | 12 months | Undisclosed | 3 to 12 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for strong revenue | $1,500,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for self-employed individuals | $10,000 | 3 months | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for low fees | $500,000 | 3 years | Undisclosed | 3 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for flexible repayment | $500,000 | 12 months | 18% | Up to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for startups | $300,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | with Fundera by NerdWallet | |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for bad credit | $500,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | 6 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
best merchant cash advance companies: More details
Forward Financing : Best for same-day approvals
Forward Financing is an MCA company that provides funding to borrowers with a minimum credit score of 500. If approved, you may be able to receive funds the same day that you sign your agreement.
Forward Financing - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$300,000
Min. credit score
500
Term length
3 to 12 months
Pros
- Can be approved for financing within the same business day.
- Simple application process with minimum documentation.
- Can be used to build business credit.
- No prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments required.
- Charges an origination fee.
Pros
- Can be approved for financing within the same business day.
- Simple application process with minimum documentation.
- Can be used to build business credit.
- No prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments required.
- Charges an origination fee.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Fora Financial: Best for strong revenue
To qualify for an MCA from Fora Financial, you need a minimum credit score of 570, six months in business and $20,000 in monthly revenue. Fora offer advances up to $1.5 million, with the ability to borrow more once you've repaid at least 60%.
Fora Financial - Revenue advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$1,500,000
Min. credit score
570
Term length
Undisclosed
Pros
- Large advance amounts available.
- No physical collateral required.
- Prepayment discounts available.
Cons
- Charges one-time processing fee.
- UCC lien may be required.
Pros
- Large advance amounts available.
- No physical collateral required.
- Prepayment discounts available.
Cons
- Charges one-time processing fee.
- UCC lien may be required.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Giggle Finance: Best for self-employed individuals
Giggle Finance offers fast funding designed specifically for freelancers, contractors, online sellers and other self-employed individuals. There is no minimum credit score requirement to qualify.
Giggle Finance - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$10,000
Min. credit score
300
Term length
Undisclosed
Pros
- No minimum credit score requirement.
- Same-day funding available.
- Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Cons
- Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee.
Pros
- No minimum credit score requirement.
- Same-day funding available.
- Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Cons
- Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Rapid Finance: Best for low fees
Rapid Finance does not charge an origination fee, maintenance fees or prepayment penalties, which can help bring down the overall cost of financing. Factor rates can be as low as 1.12.
Rapid Finance - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
600
Term length
3 to 18 months
Pros
- No prepayment penalties or other fees.
- Can be approved with a credit score as low as 600.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments.
- Lengthy time in business requirement.
Pros
- No prepayment penalties or other fees.
- Can be approved with a credit score as low as 600.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments.
- Lengthy time in business requirement.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Fundomate: Best for flexible repayment
Fundomate offers a daily, weekly or biweekly repayment schedule. Additionally, if you can pay your advance back ahead of schedule, prepayment discounts are available.
Fundomate- Business funding
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
600
Term length
Up to 18 months
Pros
- Cash can be available in as little as 24 hours.
- Can get a discount for prepaying your loan.
Cons
- Rates can be high compared with traditional banks.
- May have to pay an origination fee.
Pros
- Cash can be available in as little as 24 hours.
- Can get a discount for prepaying your loan.
Cons
- Rates can be high compared with traditional banks.
- May have to pay an origination fee.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Expansion Capital Group: Best for startups
You may be able to qualify for an MCA from Expansion Capital with a minimum of $8,333 in monthly revenue, a credit score of 500 and six months in business, making it a good choice for startup businesses with limited revenue.
Expansion Capital Group - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$300,000
Min. credit score
500
Term length
Undisclosed
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
Pros
- Simple application with minimal documentation required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Daily or weekly repayment available.
- Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
- Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
- Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
- Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Uplyft Capital: Best for bad credit
Uplyft Capital- Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
475
Term length
6 to 18 months
Pros
- Funding in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Startups may qualify.
- No personal guarantee required.
Cons
- MCAs charge factor rates which makes it difficult to understand the true cost of financing.
- Only directly funds MCAs.
- Cost information not available on website.
Pros
- Funding in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
- Startups may qualify.
- No personal guarantee required.
Cons
- MCAs charge factor rates which makes it difficult to understand the true cost of financing.
- Only directly funds MCAs.
- Cost information not available on website.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
How to choose a merchant cash advance company
You’ll want to research and vet several merchant cash advance companies before deciding which one is right for your business.
Some MCA companies have been criticized for confusing contracts and misleading sales tactics — leading businesses to fall victim to cycles of expensive debt that are difficult to break.
Although some states have taken legal action to require transparency from MCA companies in recent years, predatory lenders still try to take advantage of business owners, promising things like “guaranteed approval” or “business loans with no credit check
Not all merchant cash advance companies are bad actors, but it’s important to watch for red flags — and look elsewhere if an offer doesn’t seem right.
As you compare MCA providers, consider these factors:
Funding availability
Costs of borrowing
Repayment options
Qualification requirements
Speed and application process
Transparency and lender reputation
Confession of judgment
🤓
Reputable MCA companies are transparent about how their products work. This includes being upfront about the factor rate you will receive, additional fees they charge and repayment requirements for the advance. You shouldn’t feel pressured to sign an MCA agreement, especially if you don’t have a clear understanding of your obligations under the contract. Nerdy Tip
What is a merchant cash advance?
A merchant cash advance
Merchant cash advances are also referred to as business cash advances and business payday loans
How does a merchant cash advance work?
- Automatic repayments. Borrowers are typically set up for automatic repayments through a percentage of their debit and credit card sales or withdrawals from their business bank account. These payments are typically made daily or weekly.
- Factor rates. MCA companies charge a factor rate instead of an interest rate. For example, an advance of $50,000 with a factor rate of 1.2 would require a total repayment of $60,000 ($50,000 x 1.2 = $60,000).
- Additional fees . In addition to a factor rate, you may also pay charges such as underwriting, administration, setup or service fees. And some MCA lenders offer prepayment discounts if you repay the advance early.
- Term lengths. Term lengths vary by lender, but generally run from three to 24 months. In some cases, the MCA company may advance you additional funds if you’ve paid off a portion of the original advance.
How to improve your chances of getting traditional financing
Review your credit history
Reviewing your personal and business credit reports for accuracy and then removing errors or outdated information can often help raise your credit scores.
There are also steps you can take to build your business credit score that may make it easier to get traditional financing. This may include applying for an employer identification number, setting up trade credit
» MORE: Business loans for bad credit
Offer collateral
A borrower who offers collateral
Add a cosigner
If you’re having difficulty getting approved for traditional financing, adding a cosigner may help you avoid MCA financing. When someone agrees to be a cosigner on a business loan
A cosigner with excellent credit, strong income and assets would typically work to your benefit when applying for a loan. But remember that if you default on the loan, the cosigner’s finances will be affected along with your own.
Alternatives to merchant cash advance companies
It’s worth exploring other options besides merchant cash advances, which can include:
Online term loans
Invoice factoring
Business credit cards
Last updated on March 27, 2025
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If the lender approves you, you’ll sign closing documents in order to receive funds. Some lenders can approve and fund loans within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Merchant cash advances are one of the most expensive forms of business financing. Factor rates typically range from 1.1 to 1.5, but can translate into APRs that range from 40% to 350%. Your total cost, however, will depend on the amount advanced, the factor rate and other fees charged by the MCA company.
Simply having a merchant cash advance on your credit report won’t negatively impact your credit; however, they are an expensive form of financing that can trap you in a harmful cycle of debt, eat away your cash reserves and even result in a judgment. These consequences can all impact your credit.
