Compare The Best Business Loan Deals

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A Guide to 5 Business Loan Providers in the Market

We’ve put together a list of 5 UK business loan providers to help you make the right choice.

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Compare The Best Business Loan Deals

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A Guide to 5 Business Loan Providers in the Market

We’ve put together a list of 5 UK business loan providers to help you make the right choice.

Adam Jackson-Wright

Reviewer

Last updated 11/07/2025

Business loans can be the perfect way to access new funds for your business. Whether you’re looking to cover day-to-day operations, bankroll expansion into new markets, or improve your cash flow, there’s a business loan for various reasons. 

But with so many providers out there, it could be difficult to know which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 5 UK business loan providers to make that decision a bit easier and make sure you make the right choice.

What is a Business Loan?

A business loan is a loan that is taken out strictly for commercial purposes. They could be an option for businesses looking to increase their capital. This increase in funds can go towards supporting numerous things, including the following:

  • Buying new inventory.
  • Business Expansion.
  • Moving to new premises.
  • Buying another business.
  • Consolidating debt.*
  • Marketing.
  • Boosting cash flow.
  • Market expansion.
  • Managing day-to-day running costs.
 

Although there are various options, you can break down a business loan into three main parts:

  • The loan amount: How much money you borrow.
  • Repayment period: The length of time you will pay your loan back for.
  • Interest rate: How much interest you will be charged.
 

Top 5 UK Business Loan Providers: Our Verdict

Before we kick things off, we just need to point out that this isn’t a ranking table. Instead, we’re going to compare 5 of the leading providers in the UK, the loans they offer, and any interesting features they offer. This way, you can make an informed decision and find the best provider for your specific needs. 

Provider Lender or Broker Types of Loans Offered
Swoop FundingBrokerUnsecured/Secured loans; start-up loans; business acquisition loans; asset finance; invoice finance; merchant cash advance; working capital loans; commercial mortgages; Islamic loans; loans for women.
CapifyLenderUnsecured and secured business loans; merchant cash advances.
Rise FundingBrokerUnsecured loans; cash flow funding; invoice finance; asset finance; VAT loans; property finance; working capital loans; bridging finance; merchant cash advances.
White Oak UKLenderBusiness loans; asset finance; invoice finance; VAT/tax loans; professional loans; commercial property finance.
Redwood BankLenderCommercial mortgages; investment loans; owner-occupied loans; property development finance.
Swoop

Swoop Funding

All-in-one platform; accounting integration; tailored funding matches; equity and grant access; expert support.

Kicking things off, we have Swoop Funding. Founded in 2018 in London, Swoop is a broker whose aim is to simplify the way that UK businesses can access funding. Their platform helps connect SMEs with loans, grants, equity investments, and cost-cutting services. 

Swoop Funding’s Features

  • All-in-one platform: Their platform gives you access to more than just loans. You can also easily access grants, equity funding, banking, insurance, and utility-saving schemes. These are perfect for smaller businesses looking to expand.
  • Accounting integration: Swoop allows you to integrate with accounting software like Sage. This streamlines your entire accounting process, allowing you or your team to increase efficiency and focus efforts elsewhere.
  • Tailored funding matches: Their advanced algorithm connects you with lenders most relevant to your specific needs.
  • Equity and grant access: Unlike most brokers, Swoop allows you to benefit from non-debt funding options like equity and grants.
  • Expert advice and support: Despite their digital approach, they back this up with human-based support. You can benefit from their personalised advice and expertise, allowing you to make the best decision when selecting your financing option.
  • Speed and efficiency: Don’t have time to sit and sift through countless lenders? Don’t worry; Swoop allows you to match with suitable funding options in no time!
  • Transparency: Information about fees, interest rates, and other important details is provided upfront. This means you can sleep soundly at night, knowing you’ll avoid any hidden costs.
  • FCA-regulated: Speaking of sleeping soundly. Swoop is fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), so everything is legal and above board.
 
Capify

Capify

Repayments linked to sales; quick approvals; short repayment terms.

Born out of the 2008 financial crisis, serial entrepreneur David Goldin formed Capify to help struggling businesses access much-needed funding. With a customer-focused approach, Capify aims to make the application process as simple and accessible as possible. As a direct lender, you’ll borrow straight from them, cutting out the middleman.

Capify’s Features

  • Repayments linked to sales: Merchant cash advances are repaid as a percentage of your daily sales. This is great if your business is seasonal or experiences revenue fluctuations, allowing your repayments to reflect these periods and making them more manageable.
  • Quick approvals: Loan decisions and payouts are often within days, so you could potentially get cash quickly.
  • Short repayment terms: Capify specialises in short-term loans, so you can save money on long-term interest payments. The repayment window is between 3 and 12 months, and you can even make daily payments to pay off the loan in smaller chunks.
  • No early repayment fees: Most lenders charge you for paying off your loan early, as they will lose money on collecting interest payments. Not with Capify! You won’t be charged a penny if you pay off your outstanding balance before the agreed window.
  • Poor credit options: Capify caters to a wide range of businesses, and poor credit is considered.
  • Human customer support: Over-the-phone customer service is available, so you can speak directly with another human if needed.
  • Requirements to borrow: You need a monthly turnover of at least £10,000 for a small business loan. For a merchant cash advance, you’ll require £20,000 in monthly credit or debit card turnover.
 
Rise Funding

Rise Funding

Fast application; 24-hour funding; high approval rates; no upfront fees.

Another London-based broker, founded in 2019, Rise climbed up the business finance ladder at a rapid speed. They’ve already helped hundreds of businesses up and down the country source the funding they need. From fresh start-ups to thriving SMEs, whatever stage of the journey you’re at, Rise could have something for you!

Rise Funding’s Features

  •  Rise Funding has confirmed that their application process only takes  2 minutes to match you with multiple lenders.
  • 24-hour funding: Many loans are approved and paid out within a business day. This helps you quickly increase your cash flow and access emergency cash should you need it.
  • High approval rates: Rise has a high approval rate, even for those with limited credit or unusual funding requirements, due to its large network of lenders.
  • No upfront fees: Businesses can explore funding risk-free with no obligations or application costs.
  • Credit-safe searches: Applying for a loan won’t impact your credit score.
  • Personal account manager: Each applicant is assigned a dedicated advisor to assist throughout the funding process, ensuring clarity and support.
  • FCA regulated: As a fully FCA-regulated business, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re sourcing loans from only the most trusted of lenders.  
 
White Oak UK

White Oak UK (formerly LDF)

Tax and VAT loans; rapid turnaround; loan sizes £5k–£2M; fast decisions.

Nothing beats a bit of experience, and White Oak has over 35 years of it. They’ve funded over 1,000 companies throughout the UK, US, Canada, and Europe to the tune of $20 billion. White Oak is a major player in business financing that might be the perfect fit for you.

White Oak UK’s Features
  • Specialist tax and VAT loans: Cover HMRC bills, so you don’t have to dip into your cash reserves.
  • Rapid turnaround times: White Oak offers quick turnaround times, with funding processed in as little as 24 hours.
  • Large loan sizes: You can borrow between £5,000 and £2M, so no matter how much (or little) you need, White Oak may have you covered.
  • Fast decision times: Waiting for approval is tedious, but with White Oak, you won’t be waiting around too long because you could know the outcome of your application within four hours.
  • Direct lending with support: In-house underwriting provides more consistent service, faster decisions, and informed customer service.
  • Decades of experience: With over 35 years in the game as both White Oak and LDF, they’ve got bags of experience that some of their newer competition may be lacking.
  • Quick funding: Providing fast funding solutions, with many lending decisions turned around within 24 hours, you can get the cash you need in no time.
  • Personalised service: White Oak prides itself on building meaningful relationships with its partners. They work closely with you to find the best commercial loan options and provide dedicated support throughout the funding process.
  • Diverse funding solutions: Beyond traditional loans, you can benefit from a range of financing options, such as invoice finance and tax loans, catering to a wide range of business needs.
 
 

Redwood Bank

Property-focused; dedicated relationship manager; loans £250k–£6M; flexible repayments.

A bit of a different flavour with our final pick. Unlike the other four mentioned on this list, Redwood is a specialist business bank that deals exclusively with commercial mortgages. If you’re looking to upgrade or purchase property, its specialised knowledge may make it the perfect choice for you.

Redwood Bank’s Features

  • Property-backed lending focus: Its speciality lies in loans for commercial real estate. This dedicated focus makes them perfect if you want to upgrade your current property or purchase a new one.
  • Borrowing range: You can borrow between £250k and £6.0m with a loan-to-value of up to 70%.
  • Flexible repayment terms: Get a commercial property loan with up to 25 years of repayment terms.
  • Fixed and variable options: Choose between a fixed or variable rate loan.

Compare The Best Business Loan Deals

What type of business are you?

How to Choose the Right Business Loan Provider for You

Loan Terms and Amounts

How much do you want to borrow, and how long do you want to spend paying it off? Shorter terms will cost you more in monthly repayments, but will save you in the long run with less interest paid. On the other hand, longer terms will mean a lower monthly payment but more overall payment through interest. 

Interest Rates and Fees

Choose between a fixed or variable interest rate. Fixed ones clarify how much you will pay each month, making forecasting and budgeting easier. But with a variable interest rate, this will fluctuate alongside the Bank of England’s base rate, for better or worse.

Secured or Unsecured

With a secured loan, you put up an asset such as equipment, inventory, or property to borrow against. These loans will often come with more favourable terms, but do put you at risk of losing that asset if you default on your payments. With an unsecured loan, you don’t put up an asset as collateral, but with the lender taking on more risk, your rates will be less favourable.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

Some providers have more stringent requirements for using their services. Things like credit scores, business financials, and other important information will be examined to ensure you qualify.

Loan Purpose

There are a host of different types of business loans to choose from. For example, business mortgages are designed to upgrade or purchase properties, whereas short-term loans are great for accessing quick cash. Find the right loan to match your needs.

Reputation and Customer Service

Doing a bit of digging can go a long way when choosing the right provider for you. Have a look at what current and past customers are saying about them. You can ignore one or two bad reviews, but if you notice any patterns (good and bad), be sure to take these seriously. Remember that customer reviews are subjective, so it is always best practice to do your own research.

How Can I Get a Business Loan?

Now, there’s only one thing left to do: find a business loan provider! You could crawl the web, spending hours finding different business loan quotes, but do you really have the time to do that? Of course you don’t; you’re busy running your business! 

Instead, you can skip that entire process by letting us at Commercial Experts help you. All you have to do is tap the button below and answer a few quick questions about your business. Then, based on the information you enter on the application form, if you meet the criteria of one of the partners on our panel, they will contact you to discuss your application further.

Complete our free-to-use application form, and if you don’t like the quotes you get, just walk away without spending a penny. 

So, want to find out more? Tap below now! 

Compare The Best Business Loan Deals

What type of business are you?

FAQs

What is a business loan?

A business loan is funding provided to support commercial activities like purchasing stock, expanding premises, or boosting cash flow. It involves borrowing a set amount, paying it back over time, and paying interest on top. These loans are vital tools for growing your business.

Lenders provide the money directly, set their terms, and manage the loan. Brokers don’t lend but connect businesses with suitable lenders, offering wider options and expert advice. 

Consider how much you need, your repayment ability, interest rates, and whether you need secured or unsecured funding. Also, check eligibility criteria, customer reviews, and support levels. Different providers suit different business goals, so always match the loan type to your needs.

UK business loan providers offer various options, including unsecured loans, asset finance, invoice finance, commercial mortgages, and cash advances. Some also provide tax loans, start-up funding, or specialist products like Islamic finance or loans for women entrepreneurs. Loan types vary by provider.

Skip hours of online searching; just tap the button on this page and answer a few quick questions about your business. Then, based on the information you enter on the application form, if you meet the criteria of one of the partners on our panel, they will contact you to discuss your application further. There’s zero obligation to accept an offer if it doesn’t meet your needs! 

*IF YOU ARE THINKING OF CONSOLIDATING EXISTING BORROWING YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BE EXTENDING THE TERMS OF THE DEBT AND INCREASING THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU REPAY.

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