Capify – reviews, analysis and fees

Last updated on 10 August 2023

Capify is a flexible resource of business lending, offering merchant cash advances to a business that trades using debit and credit card payments, and small business loans to SMEs or sole traders that issue invoices on a credit basis. Read on to compare Capify reviews, interest rates and more.

Compare business finance What are you looking for?


In partnership with Nerdwallet

The business is the result of a merger between Capiota and United Kapitol, with a firm emphasis on aiding small businesses and sole traders that may not qualify for financial support from a high street bank.

This means that Capify is likelier to accept a request for funding, but that comes at a price – Capify offers small business loans, in particular, at an APR that will raise eyebrows.

Video: Merchant Cash Advance explained

Capify business loans and finance

Pros and cons of Capify for business finance 

ProsCons
Borrow up to £50,000 quickly and efficiently Very high APR on loans, as well as set-up costs
Flexible repayment schedule – rather than lump sums, you’ll frequently repay smaller amounts  Minimum income of £10,000 a month required for loans – £20,000 per month for cash advances
Most successful applications pay within 24 hours Not regulated by the FCA
Greater flexibility on lending than a bank – decisions are not based solely on a credit score Must have been trading for at least 12 months
Capify business finance pros and cons
Capify account login

Merchant cash advance

A merchant cash advance from Capify applies to businesses that take payments through debit or credit cards. You will need to have been trading for at least six months and take in a minimum of £20,000 per month through card sales to qualify. 

If you are eligible for a merchant cash advance from Capify, you can borrow between £5,000 and £500,000 against future sales. Capify will be repaid by automatically taking a percentage of all card transactions that your business processed until the balance is settled. Capify usually caps the lending period at 12 months, so how much you need to repay from each transaction will depend on how much you borrow. 

Applications for a merchant cash advance through Capify usually take just minutes to complete online, and if your request is approved, you will receive a cash lump sum within 48 hours. 

Business loans 

If your business generates income through invoices raised on a credit basis, you can apply for a small business loan through Capify. You will need a minimum business income of £10,000 per month to qualify for this service, and loans are available for any amount between £5,000 and £500,000.

Rather than a monthly lump sum, Capify takes regular, smaller repayments from your business, usually over the course of 12 months. These collections will be fully automated. Perhaps most importantly, Capify prides itself on its willingness to work with SMEs and sole traders that may not qualify for lending from a bank. If you have 12 months of trading history and meet the minimum income threshold, you are likely to be approved for funding.

Fill in a form on the Capify website to check your eligibility for a small business loan and receive a quote. This is where things get a little hairy. Capify charges a set-up fee for any loan, and the APR is much higher than most high street lenders – your interest rate could be as high as 67.89%. This means you will need to repay considerably more than you borrow in a short space of time, so take this under advisement before agreeing to such a deal.

If your application for a loan is successful, you will typically receive the funds from Capify within 24 hours.

Video: Business loans and finance explained

Business credit cards

Not available from Capify. See best business credit cards

Asset finance 

Not available from Capify. See best asset finance

Invoice finance

Not available from Capify. See invoice factoring

Commercial mortgages

Not available from Capify. See commercial mortgages.

Business vehicle finance

Not available from Capify. See business vehicle finance.

Capify key information

Phone number0800 151 0980
App downloadsN/A – Capify does not have an app
Websitewww.capify.co.uk
Number of branchesN/A – Capify is an online business
FSCS protected?No
Founded2002 in the US and Canada, 2008 in the UK
Key information

Capify reviews

Review platformScoreNumber of votes
TrustPilot4.4/5427
FeefoNot reviewedN/A
Reviews.ioNot reviewedN/A
Smart Money People4.59/529
Which?Not reviewedN/A
Average score4.395/5456 total votes
Capify reviews and ratings

Capify business eligibility criteria

To qualify for borrowing from your Capify, you must meet the following criteria. 

  • Be a registered director of an SME or partnership listed on Companies House, or a sole trader registered with HMRC
  • Take a minimum business income of £10,000 per month to qualify for a loan, or £20,000 per month to qualify for a merchant cash advance
  • Have at least 12 months of trading history, with bank statements to prove this

Capify business finance alternatives

Capify offers lending solutions to businesses that may not find funding elsewhere, but it is far from the cheapest lender on the market. Before committing to a loan or merchant cash advance with Capify, consider the alternatives. These include 365 Business Finance, YouLend, Iwoca, Nucleus Commercial Finance, and Liberis.

Capify additional considerations

Capify is dedicated to providing aid and assistance to SMEs that struggle with cashflow in uncertain times, which is why this lender established a £40,000,000 fund to prop up businesses that would not qualify for lending from traditional high street banks.

FAQ

How do I apply for funding from Capify?

Applying for lending from Capify is extremely simple. Head to the website and fill in a form that asks for some basic information about your business for confirmation that you are eligible for borrowing and a bespoke quote if so. If you are happy to proceed based on this, you will be asked to upload supporting documentation.

How long does it take to receive funding from Capify?

Most successful applications for funding from Capify are approved within hours. If you qualify for lending, you will receive the funds for a small business loan within 24 hours or 48 hours for a merchant cash advance.

What documents do I need to provide to get finance from Capify?

If you are to successfully apply for lending from Capify, you will need to provide:

Proof of your identity and business trading address
12 months of business bank statements

Does Capify lend to a business in my industry?

On paper, Capify is happy to work with businesses from any industry. However, like all lenders, Capify reserves the right to decline a loan or merchant cash advance if they consider your business model to pose an excessive risk.

Can I get a loan from Capify if I am already in debt to a competitor?

You can still successfully apply for lending from Capify if you have an outstanding loan from another provider if you have paid 50% or more of the balance. 

Will Capify run a credit check when I apply for funding?

Capify will not run a credit check when you request a quote for funding, so this will not impact your credit score in any way. A soft credit check will be run before releasing the funds as a final security measure.

Compare ⓘ

Reviewed by , Managing Director

Important

Business Financed provides general information, but not financial advice. Always speak to a qualified expert to get personalised advice for your business.

Advertising disclosure

We may be paid a commission by our FCA-regulated partners when you click on the links in our articles. This does not affect our independent journalism.

Learn more

You can learn more about how this website operates by clicking here.