Recommended ProviderYouLend — Europe's Leading Revenue-Based Finance Platform
YouLend is one of the largest embedded finance platforms in Europe, having provided over £3 billion in funding to businesses across the UK. They specialise in merchant cash advances and revenue-based finance, offering flexible funding from £1,000 to £2 million. Trusted by major platforms including Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Dojo, and SumUp.
£2M
Max Funding
4.8/5
Trustpilot
24hrs
Speed
£3B+
Total Funded
How a Merchant Cash Advance Works
From application to funding in four simple steps — with repayments that automatically adjust to your card sales.
Apply in Minutes
Complete a short online application. YouLend reviews your card sales history — no lengthy business plans or financial forecasts required.
Get an Offer Within 24 Hours
YouLend analyses your card turnover and provides a funding offer with a single fixed cost. No hidden fees, no compounding interest.
Receive Funds Fast
Once accepted, funds can land in your account within 24 hours. Use the money for anything — stock, marketing, equipment, refurbishments, or cash flow.
Repay Automatically
A small, agreed percentage of your daily card sales is taken automatically. Busy day? You repay more. Quiet day? You repay less. No fixed monthly payments.
Why Choose a Merchant Cash Advance?
Merchant cash advances offer unique advantages over traditional business loans — especially for businesses with strong card turnover.
Revenue-Based Repayments
Repayments flex with your card turnover. You'll never struggle with a fixed monthly payment that doesn't match your cash flow. If sales dip, your repayments drop automatically.
Funding in 24 Hours
YouLend's technology-driven process means decisions are fast. Most businesses receive an offer within hours and funds within a single working day.
No Personal Guarantees
Unlike traditional business loans, YouLend doesn't require personal guarantees. Your personal assets are not at risk, and applying won't affect your credit score.
Works With Your Processor
YouLend integrates with all major payment processors and platforms including Worldpay, Barclaycard, Stripe, Square, Dojo, Amazon, Shopify, eBay, and more.
Renew & Top Up
Once you've repaid a portion of your advance, you can apply for additional funding. Many YouLend customers renew multiple times as their business grows.
One Fixed Cost
You agree a single fixed fee upfront. There's no APR, no compounding interest, and no penalty charges. The total cost never changes, no matter how long repayment takes.
Merchant Cash Advance vs Business Loan
| Feature | Merchant Cash Advance | Traditional Business Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Repayments | Flexible — % of daily card sales | Fixed monthly instalments |
| Personal Guarantee | Not required (YouLend) | Usually required |
| Credit Score Impact | No impact to apply | Hard credit check required |
| Speed of Funding | As fast as 24 hours | 1–4 weeks typically |
| Cost Structure | Single fixed fee (factor rate) | Interest rate (APR) + fees |
| Collateral | Future card sales | Assets or personal guarantee |
| Early Repayment | No penalty | May incur fees |
| Eligibility | Based on card turnover | Based on credit history & accounts |
Who Is a Merchant Cash Advance Best For?
A merchant cash advance is ideal for businesses that process a significant portion of their revenue through card payments. It's particularly well-suited to:
- Retail shops and high street stores with consistent card turnover
- Restaurants, cafés, pubs, and hospitality venues with seasonal fluctuations
- Ecommerce businesses selling on Amazon, Shopify, eBay, or Etsy
- Salons, spas, and beauty businesses needing to fund fit-outs or stock
- Tradespeople and service businesses looking for working capital without personal risk
- Businesses that have been declined for traditional bank loans
Not ideal for: Businesses that don't take card payments, or cash-heavy businesses where card turnover is minimal. The advance is repaid from card sales, so you need consistent card revenue for this type of funding to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a merchant cash advance?
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a type of business funding where you receive a lump sum in exchange for a percentage of your future card sales. It's not technically a loan — it's an advance against your revenue. Repayments are taken automatically as a small percentage of your daily card transactions, so they flex with your income. MCAs are popular with retail, hospitality, and ecommerce businesses that have strong card turnover but may not qualify for traditional bank loans.
How much can I borrow with YouLend?
YouLend offers funding from £1,000 up to £2 million, depending on your card turnover and trading history. The amount you're offered is based on your average monthly card sales — typically you can access between 50% and 150% of your monthly card revenue. There's no minimum trading period requirement, but you'll need to be processing card payments regularly.
What does a merchant cash advance cost?
YouLend charges a single fixed fee (called a factor rate) on top of the amount you borrow. For example, if you borrow £10,000 with a factor rate of 1.2, you repay £12,000 in total — regardless of how long repayment takes. The factor rate depends on your business profile, turnover, and risk assessment. There are no hidden fees, no compounding interest, and no early repayment penalties.
How is a merchant cash advance different from a business loan?
A business loan has fixed monthly repayments over a set term, regardless of how your business is performing. A merchant cash advance has flexible repayments that adjust with your card sales. Loans typically require personal guarantees and credit checks; MCAs from YouLend don't. Loans charge interest that compounds over time; MCAs have a single fixed fee agreed upfront.
Will applying affect my credit score?
No. YouLend uses a soft credit check during the application process, which does not appear on your credit file and does not affect your credit score. The decision is primarily based on your card sales data rather than your personal credit history.
What can I use the funds for?
Anything your business needs. Common uses include purchasing stock or inventory, funding marketing campaigns, covering seasonal cash flow gaps, refurbishing premises, buying equipment, hiring staff, or expanding into new locations. There are no restrictions on how you use the funds.
How long does repayment take?
Repayment timelines vary depending on your card turnover and the percentage rate agreed. Most YouLend advances are repaid within 4–12 months, but there's no fixed end date. If your card sales are higher than expected, you'll repay faster. If they're lower, repayment simply takes longer — with no penalty.
Is YouLend regulated?
YouLend is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 738684. They are one of Europe's largest embedded finance platforms, having funded over £3 billion to businesses across the UK and Europe. YouLend is rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot with a 4.8/5 score.
Get Flexible Funding for Your Business
Apply directly with YouLend for revenue-based funding up to £2 million, or let Merchant Insight find you the best deal from our panel of FCA-regulated providers.
Disclosure: Merchant Insight may receive a referral fee if you apply through our links. This does not affect our editorial independence or the rates you receive. YouLend is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 738684). All provider statistics, rates, and Trustpilot scores were believed accurate at time of writing and are sourced from publicly available information. Please verify current figures directly with the provider.