Working Capital
Editorial Team
At Working Capital, we believe access to funding should be simple, transparent, and designed around your business not the other way around. We’re committed to helping entrepreneurs make smart financial decisions with tools, guidance, and lending partners they can trust.
Cardiff and Shopify Capital may both put cash in a business owner’s hands, but the way they do it, and who they’re built for, couldn’t be more different. One serves Main Street businesses across every industry, while the other focuses on e-commerce merchants operating inside a single platform. Understanding the differences between these working capital direct lenders is key to knowing which one supports the way your business runs.
This comparison breaks down how each lender evaluates applicants, structures repayment, and supports business growth. It’s designed to help business owners quickly spot where these products overlap and where they diverge. Whether cash flow is tight, a large purchase is looming, or you’re planning the next phase of growth, the right partner matters.
By understanding these distinctions upfront, business owners can avoid the wrong fit and confidently choose the funding model that moves their business forward.
Loan amounts start at a few hundred dollars10 but can go as high as $2 million for qualified applicants.8
Streamlined for busy business owners with a fast online application, approval in minutes, and funds often available the same-day as approval.1
Pre-approved offers appear in clients’ Shopify dashboard. Once accepted, funds are deposited in as fast as two business days (often two to five days).8
Loan terms vary based on product. MCAs carry terms from three to 24 months, equipment financing two to seven years, term loans average 39 months.1
Repayments can be daily, weekly, or monthly, with options for fixed payments or payments tied to revenue. Early payoff is welcomed (no prepayment penalties), often allowing access to additional funds at better terms.
Repayments based on daily sales. Automatic payments taken as a fixed percentage of your Shopify sales until a set amount is repaid, capped around 12–18 months.8,11 Shopify requires minimum repayment progress. Borrowers must meet a minimum within the first two 6-month periods.
Fixed fee and monthly fee structures available.11
Business revenue and history most important factors. No strict FICO cutoff, so business owners with 550+ scores are typically fine. Looks for a one year operating history (for most funding) and at least $20k in monthly revenue for working capital funding.2 Personal guarantees may be required on certain loans, but collateral is usually only needed for secured loans like equipment financing.3
Offers given based on Shopify platform data (sales trends, store performance, etc.). Thus, only Shopify merchants are eligible, and you must have used Shopify for at least three months and meet their sales, volume, and operational benchmarks.12
Funds can be used for any business purpose. Specialized options like equipment financing are tailored to meet specific business needs.1
Intended to fuel your Shopify business. Common uses include purchasing inventory, marketing, or bridging cash flow while you wait for sales to come in.12
Comprehensive financing suite, including merchant cash advances, business term loans, equipment financing, revolving business lines of credit, and business credit cards. Can also facilitate SBA 504, 7(a), and Microloans through lending partners.1
Financing geared to retailers in the form of short term loans repaid as a percentage of daily sales.8 Also offers a pay-in-full Visa card.14
Flexible amounts for various business expenses from roughly $5k for working capital up to $500k term loans.1
Loan amounts start at a few hundred dollars10 but can go as high as $2 million for qualified applicants.8
Streamlined for busy business owners with a fast online application, approval in minutes, and funds often available the same-day as approval.1
Pre-approved offers appear in clients’ Shopify dashboard. Once accepted, funds are deposited in as fast as two business days (often two to five days).8
Loan terms vary based on product. MCAs carry terms from three to 24 months, equipment financing two to seven years, term loans average 39 months.1
Repayments can be daily, weekly, or monthly, with options for fixed payments or payments tied to revenue. Early payoff is welcomed (no prepayment penalties), often allowing access to additional funds at better terms.
Repayments based on daily sales. Automatic payments taken as a fixed percentage of your Shopify sales until a set amount is repaid, capped around 12–18 months.8,11 Shopify requires minimum repayment progress. Borrowers must meet a minimum within the first two 6-month periods.
Fixed fee and monthly fee structures available.11
Business revenue and history most important factors. No strict FICO cutoff, so business owners with 550+ scores are typically fine. Looks for a one year operating history (for most funding) and at least $20k in monthly revenue for working capital funding.2 Personal guarantees may be required on certain loans, but collateral is usually only needed for secured loans like equipment financing.3
Offers given based on Shopify platform data (sales trends, store performance, etc.). Thus, only Shopify merchants are eligible, and you must have used Shopify for at least three months and meet their sales, volume, and operational benchmarks.12
Funds can be used for any business purpose. Specialized options like equipment financing are tailored to meet specific business needs.1
Intended to fuel your Shopify business. Common uses include purchasing inventory, marketing, or bridging cash flow while you wait for sales to come in.12
Cardiff’s merchant cash advance (MCA) provides flexible, fast working capital loans with terms as short as three months or as long as 24 months. Repayment can be structured either as fixed daily, weekly, or monthly payments or as a percentage of sales, so the payback rises and falls with revenue.2 This flexibility lets Cardiff tailor the advance to clients’ cash flow to solve everyday cash crunches, such as covering payroll, buying inventory, or handling unexpected bills.
Rather than using a traditional interest rate, Cardiff’s MCAs have a factor rate (starting at 1.1). This factor rate allows business owners to know the total cost of repayment before finalizing the advance. And early repayment is always an option. Cardiff will forgive any remaining amount owed when you repay a loan, cutting the cost of financing.2
The application is online and asks for basic business information and bank information, easily shared by connecting your accounts through Plaid. Cardiff’s approval criteria are relatively lenient, requiring a minimum of six months in business and $20k in monthly revenue.2 No hard collateral needed. Cardiff can approve and fund an MCA incredibly fast (often funding the same day as approval).
Additionally, Cardiff may approve additional MCAs if a company needs more funding before remitting the total repayment amount.
While Shopify Capital previously offered merchant cash advances in the U.S., it no longer provides this option.12 U.S. retailers only have the option of a Shopify Capital loan. However, this loan functions very similarly to an MCA. You can receive a lump sum and, in return, pay a fixed percentage of future sales until the loan amount is repaid.
There is no set term for these loans. If sales are slow, it simply takes longer (up to a maximum of 18 months). You pay more on busy days and less on slow days, which helps manage cash flow. However, borrowers must hit two minimum repayment milestones in the first two 6-month terms of the loan.11
With no application or negotiation, Shopify Capital can be an easy choice for online merchants. Shopify’s algorithm evaluates a store’s performance and extends preset offers. Simply choose one and accept.12 No credit check, no personal guarantee, no collateral are required (for most loans), which lowers the barrier for many.8
Funding usually arrives in a couple of days.8 The cost comes as a fixed fee or monthly fee.11 For fixed fee loans, Shopify uses a factor rate (e.g., 1.1 or 1.2) to give borrowers a total repayment amount for the loan. There’s no interest accruing over time, but also no discount for early payoff.
A Shopify loan with a monthly fee does not use a factor rate. Rather, borrowers pay a pre-determined monthly fee every month they carry a Shopify Capital loan. Paying off the loan stops the monthly fee payments.11
The obvious limitation is that you must be a Shopify merchant to receive an offer. Additionally, the loans are short term and relatively expensive capital compared to bank loans (since the flat fee on a short duration can equate to a high APR). Still, for many e-commerce entrepreneurs, Shopify Capital has become a handy lifeline to seize inventory opportunities or boost marketing when extra cash is needed.
Cardiff clearly stands out here as a leading MCA funding company in terms of flexibility and accessibility. While both Cardiff and Shopify offer fast revenue-based financing, Cardiff’s MCA is available to any small business and can offer more flexible repayment options, from fixed monthly payments to fluctuating payments, and daily payments based on sales. Cardiff also offers longer term lengths (up to 24 months). That means Cardiff can spread payments out if needed, potentially reducing strain on cash flow.
Shopify Capital’s big advantage is convenience for those already in their system (no credit checks, automatic collection). Even for Shopify retailers, the loans are not available as needed. Business owners must receive an offer from Shopify Capital in their portal.
If you’re comparing head-to-head, Cardiff gives a broader range of businesses a shot at a same day MCA business loan and offers a more individualized fit on how you repay. It’s the more versatile choice for revenue-based financing.
Cardiff offers traditional business loans that provide more approval and repayment flexibility than many traditional bank loans. Through their long term and short term loans for business, Cardiff provides a lump sum of capital, which you repay on a fixed schedule over a set term (the average term is 39 months).1
Business term loans through Cardiff may be unsecured or secured. Interest rates for secured loans can be as low as 5.99%, while unsecured loans carry higher rates.1 A hallmark of Cardiff’s lending is that they often don’t require perfect credit. A personal credit score of around 550 can often suffice.2 They focus on business fundamentals: consistent revenue, time in business, and cash flow to support payments. Further, Cardiff only performs a soft credit pull when you apply, so it won’t affect your personal credit.
Cardiff term loans for business can be up to $500k if revenues support it, and Cardiff touts an average approval of around $82k (indicating comfort with larger loans than many fintech lenders).1 The use of funds is flexible. You can use funds for any business expense, from opening a new location, bulk-buying inventory, hiring staff, to smoothing out seasonal cash flow.
Funding speed is still relatively fast. Cardiff can often approve applicants in minutes and fund shortly after with same day funding possible. In short, Cardiff’s online loans for small business provide a scalable, longer-term financing option beyond the immediacy of an MCA, which is ideal for business investments that need more time to repay.
Shopify Capital loans are a non-traditional approach to a term loan, as they function more like a merchant cash advance. Approved businesses receive an upfront lump sum, and repayment happens automatically as a fixed percentage of sales until the full payoff amount is reached.
For many online sellers, the ease of accessing Shopify Capital is its biggest benefit. However, no one can request a loan. Shopify’s internal algorithm determines which businesses receive offers based on store performance.12 If you get an offer, there’s no credit inquiry, no collateral, and no personal guarantee needed.8 This streamlined approach makes funding extremely accessible.
Once accepted, the funds typically land within a couple of days.8 The cost of borrowing is either charged as a flat fee through a factor rate or as a monthly fee, depending on the structure.11 When a factor rate applies, Shopify sets the total amount owed upfront. If the loan uses a monthly-fee structure, the borrower pays a pre-determined fee each month until the balance is cleared. Paying off the loan early stops those monthly fees.11
These loans don’t come with a fixed repayment schedule. Slower sales simply mean repayment stretches out (up to a maximum of 18 months), while stronger sales shorten the timeline. Daily remittances rise and fall with revenue, which can help smooth cash flow. Borrowers do, however, have to meet two minimum repayment checkpoints within each of the first two six-month periods of the loan.11
However, funding is only available to businesses operating on the Shopify platform, and the loans are short-term with relatively high costs compared to traditional bank financing. For those on the platform, Shopify Capital offers a fast, simple way to secure working capital for restocking inventory, launching campaigns, or covering short-term needs.
For best term loans for businesses, Cardiff holds a decisive edge. Cardiff can deliver true term loans with multi-year repayment schedules, larger principal amounts, and even low-interest options. If a small business needs, say, a 3-year loan to undertake a major project or wants to borrow a substantial sum at a reasonable interest rate, Cardiff is the clear winner.
Shopify’s loans are really just short term advances repaid in 18 months or less. They are an option for Shopify retailers who need quick working capital, but they cannot match the depth and flexibility of Cardiff’s loan programs. Moreover, Cardiff’s willingness to lend outside the e-commerce domain (to almost any industry) and to structure financing in different ways means more businesses can find a suitable loan.
Shopify Capital is confined to a niche and a one-size-fits-all payback model. Cardiff provides the more traditional, robust business term loan solutions that can grow with a business.
A business line of credit from Cardiff is a flexible financing tool that gives companies ongoing access to funds on demand. Rather than taking one lump sum loan, business owners get approved for a credit limit and can draw from it whenever needed. Notably, Cardiff’s line of credit is revolving, meaning that as the amount borrowed gets repaid, the credit line gets replenished. Businesses only pay interest on the amount they borrow.6
Cardiff emphasizes there are no hidden fees on their credit lines, including no monthly maintenance fees, no draw fees, no opening or closing fees, and no prepayment penalties.6
To qualify for a business line of credit, businesses must meet Cardiff’s basic criteria (550+ credit score, 12+ months of operation, consistent monthly revenue).6 It’s worth noting that Cardiff does not restrict its business lines of credit to any specific industry. This product is extremely useful for many types of businesses to cover a shortfall like a late-paying client or a seasonal dip, then repay when cash picks up, without having to reapply for a loan or cash advance each time.
Line of credit limits can vary with this business line of credit provider, but the credit limit offered to a business auto-adjusts based on revenue and business growth. Thus, the line of credit can grow with the business. Cardiff’s line of credit offers flexibility, pay-as-you-go interest, and repeatable access to capital—a practical financing solution for operational liquidity.
In 2024, Shopify expanded its financing options for merchants by launching a business line of credit through Shopify Capital. This new product gave eligible U.S. retailers ongoing access to cash, up to a set limit, with the flexibility to draw funds as needed. These changes represented a departure from the lump-sum advances or loans Shopify had traditionally offered.
However, Shopify’s experiment with this line of credit was short-lived. According to their help documentation, they have since stopped accepting new applications. Existing merchants who secured the line were allowed to continue making withdrawals through the end of 2024, but no new draws were allowed after December 31 of that year.13
In phasing out this program, Shopify directed eligible merchants to explore Shopify Capital financing options, which remain their primary lending solution. This shift underscores Shopify’s move toward streamlined, flexible financing for businesses using their platform, while winding down newer credit-line strategies that didn’t gain sustained traction.
Without a business line of credit offering, calling this category becomes far more straightforward. Cardiff has the best business line of credit because it provides a true revolving credit line to qualified small businesses, while Shopify no longer offers one at all.
Cardiff’s credit lines are available across industries and business models and allow retailers, service providers, contractors, and e-commerce brands to secure flexible access to capital on their schedule. Additionally, credit limits can scale with a company’s financial strength, and businesses pay interest only on the funds they draw.
Because Shopify has exited the credit-line space, merchants on its platform must rely on Shopify Capital loans if they want financing. Those loans can be useful, but they don’t replace the flexibility of a revolving credit line. For businesses that need ongoing access to working capital, the ability to borrow, repay, and borrow again makes a credit line a very different tool.
Through Cardiff’s equipment financing program, small and growing businesses can access financing for business equipment, including titled vehicles (such as trucks and vans), medical and dental equipment, restaurant appliances, and tech hardware. The key idea is that you pay for the equipment over time as you use it, rather than all at once.
Cardiff offers low monthly payments over two to seven-year terms for equipment loans or leases. Often, the equipment itself serves as collateral for the loan, which is why the rates are relatively low (starting at 5.99%).1 Cardiff can even roll in soft costs like installation, shipping, or training into the financing, which is helpful because these extra costs can be significant.
Both equipment loans and leases are on the table with Cardiff. A lease might have lower payments and give you flexibility to upgrade or purchase the equipment when the lease ends. With a loan, the goal is to own the asset at the end of the term. Cardiff supports both, depending on whether a business owner plans to keep the equipment.3
Cardiff’s industry expertise means they understand the value of the business equipment and can get approvals done quickly. This is a big deal for industries like trucking, construction, healthcare, etc., where specialized financing is necessary. With Cardiff, a business owner can acquire that new truck or oven and spread the cost over years, keeping cash free for other needs.
Additionally, business owners can repay equipment financing in a way that works best with their revenue. Cardiff offers seasonal schedules for seasonal business, payment ramp-ups for businesses that anticipate higher revenue with the addition of new equipment, and deferrals for special circumstances. It’s worth noting that reliable repayment on an equipment loan can unlock approval for a business line of credit down the road.3
Cardiff’s equipment financing is a robust offering tailored to businesses that need to invest in assets, and Cardiff’s speed and willingness to finance niche equipment can make it an ideal financing option.
Shopify Capital does not offer any dedicated loans or leases to finance equipment. Shopify’s funding is general-purpose working capital, not tied to specific purchases or assets. A Shopify merchant seeking to purchase equipment is unable to obtain a separate equipment loan from Shopify Capital.
Technically, a business owner could use a Shopify Capital loan to purchase equipment, but that would essentially be using working capital for equipment. It’s not equipment financing in the formal sense. There are a few key differences. With real equipment financing, the equipment serves as collateral, allowing for better rates and terms to be available. Second, equipment loans are typically larger and longer-term, as equipment can be expensive and have a long usable life.
In short, Shopify Capital lacks this category entirely. They focus on financing needs that align with e-commerce sales (like inventory, ads, etc.), not big capital expenditures like equipment.
On equipment financing companies, it’s an easy win for Cardiff. Shopify Capital doesn’t provide equipment-specific loans or leases at all. Cardiff not only offers it, but also has a well-developed program for financing and leasing equipment with tailored terms. For any business that needs to buy vehicles, machinery, or technology and pay for it over time, Cardiff can help. Cardiff’s ability to include soft costs, offer two to seven-year terms, and structure leases and loans gives businesses a lot of flexibility in acquiring assets.
Cardiff’s comprehensive equipment financing option far outshines Shopify Capital’s lack of offering, making Cardiff the only choice in this matchup for companies needing to finance equipment.
SBA loans are typically the gold standard for affordable small business loans. However, these loans for small business have stringent approval criteria and require significant paperwork. While not an SBA lender, Cardiff does facilitate SBA loans for small businesses.
Acting as an SBA loan facilitator or broker, it helps businesses package and apply for programs like the SBA 7(a), 504, or Microloan programs. They advertise a quick initial process.4 In reality, SBA loans do take some time due to the necessary paperwork and approvals. However, with Cardiff’s help applicants can feel confident submitting a complete and accurate application, increasing their chances of quick approval for these sought after business loans for small business.
To qualify, a business usually needs to be established (often two or more years in business), have solid financials, and the owners should have decent personal credit. Collateral might be required for larger SBA loans.4 Cardiff provides guidance through this process and connects applicants with an SBA-approved lending partner.
The big benefit of SBA loans through Cardiff is the cost. SBA loans offer low interest rates and long repayment terms (up to 10 years or even 25 years for real estate). The loan amounts can range widely from as small as a few thousand dollars up to $5 million maximum.4 It’s great for major growth projects, refinancing high-cost debt, or buying a business or real estate.
If a business owner can qualify for an SBA loan, Cardiff can help them get one. If not, or if it’s too slow, they can offer an alternative financing product. The trade-off is speed. SBA loans aren’t instant. They can take weeks or even a couple of months from application to funding, due to government and bank processes. If a business needs capital more quickly, Cardiff has other fast small business lending options.
All told, Cardiff’s inclusion of SBA loans in its product lineup means qualified borrowers can access the lowest-cost capital on the market with Cardiff’s help.
SBA loans are typically provided by banks or specialty lenders and require a detailed application, underwriting, and approval by both the lender and the SBA, which is far outside Shopify Capital’s streamlined, automated model. Shopify’s focus is on quick financing based on sales data, and they do not engage in the lengthy process of SBA lending.
Additionally, SBA loans are often used for larger expenses, such as purchasing real estate, business acquisitions, or long-term product development, which Shopify’s short term advances aren’t suited for. There is also a fundamental eligibility difference. SBA loans require good credit and substantial documentation, whereas Shopify Capital is purposely low-doc and no credit check. In essence, Shopify Capital serves a different segment and purpose than SBA programs.
Some Shopify merchants might use both—Shopify Capital for quick cash and separately pursue an SBA loan for a major project. But acquiring a government-backed loan would happen outside of Shopify’s platform.
When it comes to SBA loans and the best lender for small business loans, Cardiff is the only option here. Shopify Capital simply doesn’t play in this arena. More importantly, Cardiff’s ability to help businesses secure SBA financing is a huge advantage if you’re looking for the lowest-cost, longest-term funding. Small businesses that qualify can save tremendously on interest with an SBA loan. So, Cardiff’s edge is that it can offer you these premium financing options, like an SBA loan, as well as faster alternatives.
For a business owner, that means Cardiff can be a long-term business loan partner as you grow. If you outgrow short term loans, Cardiff can graduate you to an SBA loan. In our opinion, Cardiff is the clear winner for any government-backed or long-term loan needs, and its inclusion of SBA loans in its product suite underscores its commitment to providing a full spectrum of financing solutions.
Cardiff has two business credit card products: a standard Business Card and a Business Rewards Card. Both come with an attractive 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, meaning business owners can carry a balance or transfer other card balances to a Cardiff Card interest-free for the first year.5 This feature is great for making a large purchase and paying it off over time without interest.
No annual fee, 24/7 customer service, and detailed account management tools to separate and track business expenses are among the other perks available with a Cardiff business credit card. The Rewards Card version adds exclusive rewards, including cash back on spending and enhanced travel benefits.5 Essentially, Cardiff’s business credit cards are competitively designed to give small businesses flexible spending power, a 12-month interest holiday, and rewards on spending with no fee, which is a strong value proposition.
Perhaps one of the most useful features of the Cardiff business credit cards is the ability to receive a cash advance up to the limit of the card.5 These cash advances do incur a fee, but also provide instant access to cash to businesses without applying for an MCA or other business loan.
Having a business credit card through Cardiff complements their loans by allowing entrepreneurs to handle smaller, everyday expenses on credit, separate personal and business spending, and manage cash flow. It’s another way Cardiff tries to meet business funding needs with revolving credit for purchases.
Shopify Credit is a business credit card offering through Shopify for Shopify merchants. The company describes this card as a “pay-in-full” Visa business card with up to 3% cashback on expenses in a chosen category and 1% everywhere else. Shopify Credit also has no annual fee.14
“Pay-in-full” usually means it’s like a charge card, and businesses must pay the full amount each month. However, Shopify provides an option to carry a balance for up to 10 months through a percentage of daily sales. However, there is a fee associated with this option.14
Celtic Bank issues this Visa card, but Shopify Credit is only available to Shopify merchants since it’s part of their Shopify Balance and finance ecosystem. Merchants who receive an invitation to apply can expect an approval decision in minutes. Note that if a business already has Shopify Capital funding, they will not be eligible to apply for Shopify Credit.14
While Shopify Credit gives merchants another way to manage expenses with rewards, it’s somewhat limited in audience and possibly in flexibility as it must be paid off each month to avoid fees.
For best small business credit cards, we lean toward Cardiff for offering its cards to a broader range of businesses with very attractive terms. Cardiff’s business credit cards come with a full 12-month 0% intro APR, which is a huge benefit for any business looking to finance short term expenses interest-free. They also have a rewards program and no annual fee, making their cards competitive with top small-business credit cards on the market.
On the other hand, Shopify’s credit card is only for Shopify merchants and functions as a charge card with an option for a 10-month payoff. That’s a unique structure and might be beneficial for some, but not as universally useful as a typical credit card. Shopify’s up-to 3% cashback is appealing, but Cardiff’s Rewards Card likely offers similar perks and an ongoing revolving credit line.
For businesses not on Shopify, Shopify Credit isn’t even an option. And even for those on Shopify, they might prefer a 0% APR intro and the flexibility to revolve a balance longer if needed with Cardiff’s card. Therefore, Cardiff positions itself as the best credit card for business expenses on universality and the generous introductory financing features. Cardiff’s credit cards are a strong tool for any business.
Shopify Capital serves growing Shopify online stores in need of quick cash very well. Shopify’s integrated funding can be a convenient lifeline. The platform’s strengths lie in its simplicity and automation. There’s no denying that eligible Shopify merchants enjoy a streamlined, low-hassle experience. Shopify Capital has carved out a useful service, and many online sellers have benefited from that easy access to working capital.
That said, Cardiff offers a far broader and more flexible financing toolkit that extends beyond the confines of any single platform. Cardiff brings to the table a comprehensive product mix, from revenue-based advances and credit lines to multi-year term loans, specialized equipment financing, and business credit cards. This breadth means Cardiff offers products that align with unique business needs and grow with them, making them one of the best lenders for quick working capital.
Need a quick infusion of cash? Cardiff can do that. Need a larger loan or a longer term once your business expands? Cardiff can approve loans with terms averaging over three years and amounts larger than typical fintech advances.
Cardiff doesn’t limit funding to one sales channel. They finance restaurants, contractors, retailers, manufacturers, you name it, with equal ease. They’ve funded over $10 billion across 21 years, signaling deep experience in small business lending. And despite offering more, Cardiff doesn’t sacrifice speed or modern convenience. The loan process is online, fast, and with flexible criteria (no minimum credit score required in many cases), often helping businesses that banks would turn away.
For most small businesses, Cardiff emerges as the stronger online loan provider for working capital, business credit cards, and business lines of credit. It provides flexibility, scalability, and comprehensive support that a narrow program like Shopify Capital simply can’t match.
Whether you’re looking for a tiny cash boost or a substantial long-term loan, Cardiff has options on the menu, and you won’t be constrained by platform or product limitations. If we’re talking about overall financing capability and benefit to a small business, Cardiff stands out as the more robust solution to fuel your growth.
Cardiff provides a wide range of funding options for small businesses, including merchant cash advances, business term loans, business lines of credit, equipment financing and leasing, and business credit cards with 0% introductory APR offers. Through its broad suite of loan products, Cardiff can fund needs from a few thousand dollars for cash flow up to $500k to cover almost any financing need a small business might have. They can also facilitate government-backed SBA loans for clients.
Very quickly. For most working capital products, Cardiff offers near-instant approvals with decisions as quickly as five minutes after submitting an application. Once approved, funds can often be delivered as soon as the same business day. Larger or more complex loans (like SBA loans) will take longer due to paperwork, but for Cardiff’s core offerings (advances, short term loans, lines of credit), the turnaround is among the fastest in the industry.
No. One of Cardiff’s advantages is its flexible credit criteria. They do not have a strict minimum FICO score. In fact, Cardiff often works with business owners who have personal credit scores in the 550s and up. Cardiff looks for consistent revenue and a track record of operations. Even if a bank has turned you down for credit score reasons, Cardiff might still approve financing based on business cash flow. That said, a higher credit score will improve your approval chances for larger loans. But generally, Cardiff is open to helping borrowers with less-than-perfect credit who have a healthy business.
The amount Cardiff can finance depends on the product and your qualifications. Its average approval amount is about $82,000.1 With its own working capital loans or advances, loan amounts can be as high as $500,000.2 Equipment financing can go up to $250k if the equipment is valuable.3 Through its SBA loan partners, Cardiff can facilitate loans up to $5 million.4
The exact maximum will depend on your business’s revenue, cash flow, and collateral (if applicable). But rest assured, Cardiff can scale from very small loans (a few thousand dollars) to very substantial financing. If you need multi-million-dollar financing beyond what Cardiff does directly, they might use SBA programs or other partnerships to get you there.
Yes. Cardiff provides long-term financing options. For example, equipment financing with up to 7-year terms, and general business term loans that can go out multiple years.3
Cardiff can also facilitate SBA loans that come with low interest rates and long repayment terms (up to 10 years or more). Cardiff can help you apply for and secure an SBA 7(a), 504, or Micro loan if you meet the qualifications.
Keep in mind that SBA loans do require more paperwork and time, but Cardiff’s team can guide you through it and also offer interim solutions if you need quicker funds while the SBA process is underway.
Typically, Cardiff approves funding for businesses with at least six to 12 months of operating history for its financing products.2 They don’t typically fund pure startups with only an idea or initial setup. However, equipment financing may be an option for new companies.
Once you have six months or more of sales and some consistent income, Cardiff can likely work with you even if your business is still young and growing.
Shopify Capital is only available to merchants using the Shopify platform for their sales. You must be in a supported country (currently the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, and Australia) and have been using Shopify for at least three months.12
Shopify’s algorithms look at your store’s sales history, volume, growth, and other metrics like customer transactions and any payment disputes to determine eligibility. If your store meets their criteria, Shopify will extend you a funding offer (or offers) visible in your Shopify admin. There’s no manual application form for outside businesses. Additionally, Shopify does not support funding for certain business types.
Shopify Capital offers a business loan repaid based on sales. You get a lump sum and repay through a percentage of daily sales. There is no set term for the loan, but you must repay it within 18 months and hit minimum repayment milestones along the way. It’s a fairly focused financing aimed at providing working capital based on sales. Everything is designed to be easy and integrated for Shopify store owners.
Shopify Capital loans are repaid automatically via your Shopify sales. Each day, Shopify will take a fixed percentage of your store’s daily gross sales. For example, if you have a 10% daily repayment rate and you make $500 in sales today, $50 goes to repay your funding, and you keep $450. On a day with no sales, Shopify takes nothing. This continues until you repay the total agreed amount (the original funding plus the fixed or monthly fee).
No. One of the appealing features of Shopify Capital is that it does not perform a hard personal credit check on the business owner and does not ask for a personal guarantee.8 Shopify’s decisioning is based on your store’s data (sales trends, history, etc.), not your personal credit score. While some funding is unsecured, Shopify may place a lien on business assets or require collateral under some circumstances.11
No. Shopify Capital does not offer SBA loans, equipment loans, or any kind of financing that is designated for specific purposes. All Shopify Capital funding is general working capital that’s repaid from sales, typically over a short term. If your business needs a low-interest, long-term SBA loan or a loan specifically to purchase equipment, you’ll need to go to a lender that provides those products.
1https://cardiff.co/
2https://cardiff.co/business-loans/products/merchant-cash-advance/
3https://cardiff.co/business-loans/products/equipment-leasing/
4https://cardiff.co/business-loans/products/sba-loans/
5https://cardiff.co/business-loans/products/business-cards/
6https://cardiff.co/business-loans/products/line-of-credit/
7https://cardiff.co/learn/faq/
8https://www.shopify.com/capital
9https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/finance/shopify-capital/eligibility#shopify-capital-availability-and-funding-options
10https://www.shopify.com/news/capital
11https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/finance/shopify-capital/united-states
12https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/finance/shopify-capital/eligibility#shopify-capital-eligibility-requirements
13https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/finance/line-of-credit
14https://www.shopify.com/credit
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