Alternatives to UK business lenders
Pick the lender you're considering or already approved by. Each page surfaces 4 UK alternatives compared on rate, ticket band, decision speed and eligibility.
| Lender | Product | Ticket | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternatives to Funding Circle | Term loan | £10k to £500k | 1 to 3 business days |
| Alternatives to iwoca | Flexi-loan / line of credit | £1k to £500k | Same day to 24 hours |
| Alternatives to Capify | Merchant cash advance + term loan | £3.5k to £500k | Same day |
| Alternatives to 365 Business Finance | Merchant cash advance | £10k to £500k | 24 to 48 hours |
| Alternatives to Allica Bank | SME term loan + commercial mortgage | £150k to £5m | 5 to 10 business days |
| Alternatives to OakNorth | SME term loan + bridging | £500k to £50m+ | 7 to 14 business days |
| Alternatives to Tide loans (Funding Options) | Broker / aggregator (not a direct lender) | £500 to £20m (panel-priced) | 24 hours to 5 days |
| Alternatives to Fleximize | Term loan with flex features | £5k to £500k | 24 to 48 hours |
| Alternatives to Liberis | Merchant cash advance and BNPL for SMBs | £1k to £1m | Same day to 48 hours |
| Alternatives to YouLend | Embedded MCA / revenue-based finance | £1k to £1m | Same day |
| Alternatives to Bizcap | Specialist post-decline / fast cash | £5k to £500k | Same day |
| Alternatives to Shawbrook Bank | Term loans, asset finance, commercial property | £25k to £25m | 7 to 14 business days |
Frequently asked questions
What is an alternatives page?
Each alternatives page takes a UK lender you are considering or already approved by, then sets out comparable UK options side by side on product type, ticket band, typical rate, decision speed and eligibility. It is a like-for-like comparison, not a ranking.
Why look at alternatives to a lender?
A single lender suits a specific ticket size, credit profile and speed need. Comparing alternatives lets you check whether another UK provider fits your deal better on rate, ticket band or decision time before you apply and commit a credit footprint.
How many lenders are covered here?
12 lenders have a dedicated alternatives page, each comparing that lender against four UK options. Pick the one you are weighing up from the table below to see its alternatives compared on the same criteria.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-18. Editorial by Oliver Mackman.