Capify review: fast unsecured and secured business loans for UK SMEs

Capify is a non bank business lender best known for speed: short-term working capital loans that can be approved and paid out quickly, with secured options for larger amounts. Capify is one of the lenders on our panel, and as an independent broker we can compare its offer with other fast lenders and with cheaper, longer term finance before you sign.

01About Capify

Capify has been lending to UK businesses since 2008. It began life in the UK as United Kapital, part of a group whose roots go back to revenue advance funding for small businesses, and the UK and Australian operations were brought together under the Capify name in 2015. The company is privately owned, has its UK office in Altrincham, Cheshire, and also lends in Australia.

Capify says it has funded more than 20,000 businesses and over £1.2 billion across the UK and Australia.

Smart Funding Solutions is an independent broker and is not part of Capify.

Capify says you can check your eligibility in around 30 seconds without affecting your credit score, and that secured loans can be funded within 48 hours.

02What Capify funds

Capify's website describes business loans from £10,000 to £3,000,000, split broadly into unsecured working capital and larger secured lending:

Capify also refers to cash flow loans, debt consolidation, refinancing and VAT funding. Its history is in revenue advances, so card taking businesses may also want to compare a merchant cash advance, where repayments flex with sales.

Speed is the headline. Capify says unsecured loans can be funded on the same day, with secured loans typically taking 24 to 48 hours once everything is in place. Repayment periods on its standard loans are short, from about 3 to 12 months, with up to five years available on some products.

03Who Capify suits (and who it may not)

Capify's stated minimums are clear: a UK registered business, trading for at least 12 months, with monthly turnover of at least £10,000. It tends to suit established, busy businesses such as retailers, hospitality operators, trades and service firms that need money quickly for a specific short-term purpose and can comfortably afford daily, weekly or monthly repayments.

It is less likely to be the right answer for start ups, very low turnover businesses, or anyone funding a long term project. Short terms mean higher repayments, so using a short loan to buy equipment or property can strain cash flow. If you already have several short-term lenders taking repayments, adding another may make things worse rather than better.

04What Capify looks at

For fast unsecured lending of this type, typical requirements include:

• Recent business bank statements, usually several months, to show turnover and how the account is run.
• Basic company and director details, with credit searches on the business and its directors.
• Details of existing finance, including other short-term loans or advances.
• For secured loans, details of the property offered and its value and existing borrowing.

These are typical for the product type rather than a published checklist. If you have HMRC arrears or other debts, mention them at the start: some short-term lenders will consider them, and hiding them only slows things down.

05Pros and cons

Pros

• Very fast decisions and funding, including same day for unsecured loans.
• Wide range of sizes, from £10,000 to £3,000,000 with security.
• Long track record, having lent in the UK since 2008.
• Considers businesses that a high street bank may turn away.

Cons

• Short terms mean high repayments relative to the amount borrowed.
• Usually more expensive overall than a longer term bank or government backed loan.
• Needs 12 months of trading and at least £10,000 a month in turnover.

06Applying through a broker vs going direct

If speed matters, going direct to one lender can feel quicker, but you lose the chance to see whether a longer, cheaper loan is available on a similar timescale. We compare short-term business loans and wider unsecured business loans side by side, present your case once and approach the lenders that fit. If you already have short-term debt, we can also look at consolidating it into something more manageable.

It is free to enquire; any broker fee is disclosed separately before you proceed. Use Instant Quotes to compare lenders in minutes.

07Alternatives to Capify

• iwoca: a flexible credit line that can suit smaller, repeat working capital needs.
• Cubefunder: smaller unsecured loans with a lower turnover threshold, useful for younger limited companies.
• Credit4: human underwritten facilities, including a revolving line and secured loans over longer terms.