Kapitus Business Loans: Multiple Options But Stiff Qualifications

Kapitus provides short-term loans and merchant cash advances for established entrepreneurs with strong revenue, but factor rates may make it hard to compare loan options.

Kapitus - Term loan

Overview

The bottom line:

Kapitus offers fast funding and high borrowing limits, but its factor rate-based pricing and frequent repayment schedule may not suit every business owner.

Loan details

Min. Loan Amount

$10,000

Min. Term Length

6 months

Max Loan Amount

$750,000

Max Term Length

24 months

Qualifications

Min. credit score

Min. credit score

625

Min. Time in Business

Min. Time in Business

24 months

Min. Annual Revenue

Min. Annual Revenue

$250,000

Pros & Cons

Pros

    pros icon
    Offers a variety of business financing options.
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    Can be used to build business credit.
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    No prepayment penalties.
    pros icon
    Offers daily, weekly or monthly repayment options.

Cons

    cons icon
    Factor rates make it difficult to compare loan options.
    cons icon
    Qualification criteria is on the high end compared with other online lenders.
    cons icon
    You may need to contact a representative to activate your online loan dashboard.
Editor's note: While Kapitus offers other types of business loans, this review focuses on its business term loan and merchant cash advance.
Founded in 2006, Kapitus is an online lender that offers short-term small-business loans and merchant cash advances. Its term loan provides up to $750,000 in working capital to cover everyday business expenses.
The lender’s merchant cash advance (MCA) allows business owners to access up to $5 million in funding. Repayments are based on a percentage of future credit or debit card sales. However, Kapitus’s MCA is relatively difficult to qualify for compared with other MCAs.

Consider Kapitus business loans if you:

  • Have an established business. Applicants must have at least 24 months in business and generate $250,000 or more in annual revenue to qualify.
  • Need access to large funding amounts. Kapitus offers up to $750,000 for term loans and up to $5 million for merchant cash advances, making it a good option for small-business owners financing big projects.
  • Need fast cash. Borrowers in need of fast financing may access funding in as little as 24 hours.
  • Have sufficient cash flow. Businesses that borrow a large short-term loan may struggle to meet higher repayments if their cash flow isn’t steady enough.

How much do you need?

See Your Loan Options

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We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

Kapitus loan details

Here’s what you can expect from Kapitus’s term loan and merchant cash advance.

Kapitus term loan

Loan amount
$10,000 to $750,000.
Estimated factor rate
1.10 to 1.45.
Fees
  • Origination fee of 2.5% to 5% of total loan amount.
  • Wire fee.
Terms
6 to 24 months.
Repayment schedule
Daily, weekly or monthly.
Funding speed
As fast as 24 hours.

Kapitus merchant cash advance

Loan amount
Up to $5 million.
Estimated factor rate
Not disclosed.
Fees
Not disclosed.
Terms
On average, borrowers repay their advances in 6 to 24 months.
Repayment schedule
Daily, weekly or monthly.
Funding speed
As fast as 24 hours.

Where Kapitus stands out

Fast financing

Kapitus may approve online applications in as little as four hours and provide funding within 24 hours. It may be an option for small-business owners in need of cash to cover emergency expenses.

High maximum funding amounts

Kapitus offers up to $750,000 for its term loan and up to $5 million for its MCA, which are higher than what many other online lenders offer. These high limits may be attractive to established business owners looking to seize time-sensitive business opportunities. But beware: MCAs are among the costliest forms of business financing. Borrowing at this level can result in a significant repayment burden.

Where Kapitus falls short

Factor rates make it difficult to compare offers

Unlike traditional interest rates that can be used to calculate an annual percentage rate (APR), Kapitus uses a factor rate for both its merchant cash advance and term loan. While common for an MCA, this is an unusual pricing model for a term loan. Factor rates make it harder to compare the true cost of financing against lenders that use APRs.

Convert factor rates to APRs

NerdWallet has built a calculator to help you convert factor rates to APRs. This can help you understand the true cost of financing before you commit. Give it a try!

The MCA is difficult to qualify for

Merchant cash advances are typically seen as a last resort for small-business owners who can’t secure traditional forms of financing. However, Kapitus’s MCA has qualification criteria similar to those of traditional loans and business lines of credit.
If you can qualify for a Kapitus MCA, then, you’re actually better off applying for a different type of financing, either through Kapitus or another small-business lender. Check out the alternatives we recommend below.

Alternatives to Kapitus

iBusiness Funding

iBusiness Funding

iBusiness Funding - Online term loan

NerdWallet Rating

4.1

Min Credit

660

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iBusiness Funding is another online lender offering term loans to businesses with at least 24 months in operation. Unlike Kapitus, it charges a traditional interest rate for its term loan rather than a factor rate, and its repayment terms go up to 60 months. However, its term loan maxes out at $500,000 (lower than Kapitus’s maximum) and it requires a slightly higher minimum credit score of 660.
OnDeck

OnDeck

OnDeck - Online term loan

NerdWallet Rating

4.8

Min Credit

625

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For a more accessible online term loan, take a look at OnDeck. You can qualify with a minimum credit score of 625, only 12 months in business and a much lower annual revenue of only $100,000. Terms for OnDeck’s loan range up to 24 months. Note that OnDeck issues a maximum of $400,000, significantly lower than what Kapitus can offer. This one can also help you build your business credit.
Forward Financing

Forward Financing

Forward Financing - Merchant cash advance

Min Credit

500

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Forward Financing offers a more accessible merchant cash advance that may be a good fit for startups and business owners with bad credit. Its MCA requires just 12 months in business and a credit score of 500. Forward Financing caps funding at $500,000, though, which is much lower than Kapitus’s $5 million maximum.
» Want more options? Check out our list of best online business loans.