Best UK business loans for e-commerce
E-commerce lending depends on where the revenue lives. Marketplace sellers (Amazon, eBay, Shopify) have access to embedded RBF; off-marketplace DTC brands rely on mainstream term lenders or stock finance specialists.
Director, BestBusinessLoans
Oliver leads BestBusinessLoans's editorial reviews and methodology. With a background in UK commercial finance, he oversees lender research, rate verification and review independence.
Last reviewed: 26 April 2026
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Embedded MCA / revenue-based finance · £1k to £1m · Same day
Pre-approved RBF via Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Just Eat, Deliveroo. Same-day funding.
Read full YouLend review → -
Merchant cash advance and BNPL for SMBs · £1k to £1m · Same day to 48 hours
Embedded MCA via Worldpay / Sage / Klarna; strong on hybrid e-commerce.
Read full Liberis review → -
Flexi-loan / line of credit · £1k to £500k · Same day to 24 hours
Best off-marketplace working capital for DTC brands.
Read full iwoca review → -
Term loan with flex features · £5k to £500k · 24 to 48 hours
Flex-loan features useful for stock-cycle e-commerce where revenue lumps.
Read full Fleximize review → -
Term loan · £10k to £500k · 1 to 3 business days
Mainstream term loans for £100k+ growth investment; clean-credit applicants only.
Read full Funding Circle review →
Side-by-side comparison
| Lender | Typical rate | Ticket | Decision | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouLend | Factor rate 1.06 to 1.45 | £1k to £1m | Same day | Pre-approved RBF via Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Just Eat, Deliveroo. Same-day fundin... |
| Liberis | Factor rate 1.10 to 1.40 | £1k to £1m | Same day to 48 hours | Embedded MCA via Worldpay / Sage / Klarna; strong on hybrid e-commerce. |
| iwoca | From 2% per month | £1k to £500k | Same day to 24 hours | Best off-marketplace working capital for DTC brands. |
| Fleximize | From 0.9% per month | £5k to £500k | 24 to 48 hours | Flex-loan features useful for stock-cycle e-commerce where revenue lumps. |
| Funding Circle | 6.9% to 26.9% APR | £10k to £500k | 1 to 3 business days | Mainstream term loans for £100k+ growth investment; clean-credit applicants only... |
What is the best business loan for a UK e-commerce or DTC brand?
For marketplace sellers (Amazon, eBay, Shopify), embedded RBF from YouLend or Liberis is the fastest path. For off-marketplace DTC, an iwoca flexi-loan or Funding Circle term loan covers stock and growth. For marketing spend, see specialist providers like Wayflyer.
How does revenue-based financing work for UK marketplace sellers?
You receive a lump sum, repaid as a fixed percentage of marketplace sales until a pre-agreed total is met. Underwriting is automated against your marketplace data. Same-day funding, factor rate typically 1.10 to 1.25.
Can a UK Amazon FBA seller get pre-approved finance?
Yes. Amazon Lending offers pre-approved finance for eligible sellers based on sales history. YouLend and Liberis are the partner-channel alternatives, often quicker to access than Amazon Lendings own pre-approval cycle.
What turnover does a UK DTC brand need to qualify for finance?
For mainstream term lenders, typically £100k+ annualised. For RBF on marketplaces, £5k+ monthly platform sales. For stock finance specialists, £250k+ annualised. Sub-£100k brands usually rely on personal funding or marketplace RBF only.
Is stock finance available for UK e-commerce?
Yes, from specialist stock-finance lenders against confirmed purchase orders or held inventory. Pricing is typically 1% to 2% per month on funded balance. Sub-£250k operations more often blend an iwoca flexi-loan with supplier credit terms instead.
How we ranked these
Weighted on marketplace and gateway integration (30%), stock and inventory finance fit (20%), decision speed (20%), eligibility clarity (15%), Trustpilot record (15%).
Methodology weights
Weights specific to "Best UK business loans for e-commerce":
- Marketplace and gateway integration30%
- Stock and inventory finance fit20%
- Decision speed20%
- Eligibility clarity15%
- Trustpilot record15%
Full methodology.
Also considered
- Capify (gateway-flow MCA)
- Wayflyer / Clearco (marketing-spend specialists, separate review)
Not for
Pre-revenue brands; pure marketing-spend financing without revenue history.
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Use our /get-quotes/ form to be matched across these lenders and apply with the ones most likely to approve your business.
Open our /get-quotes/ form →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-04-26.