Fast Merchant Cash Advances for Small Business

Get the working capital you need in as little as 24 hours. No collateral, no long bank process. The Broker Shop connects you to the right funders so you get the best deal — completely free.

No obligation to pre-qualify
Funded in 24 hours
100% free service
All 50 states
$5K–$2M
Funding Available
24 Hrs
Typical Funding Time
50+
Competing MCA Funders
500+
Min. Credit Score

What Is a Merchant Cash Advance?

A simple, flexible way to access business capital based on your revenue — not your credit score.

A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a form of small business financing where a funder provides a lump sum of cash upfront. In return, you agree to repay the advance — plus a fee — through a fixed percentage of your daily credit card and debit card sales. Payments are automatic and flexible: when sales are slow, you pay less; when business is booming, you pay back faster.

Unlike traditional bank loans, MCAs don't require perfect credit, extensive paperwork, or weeks of waiting. They're one of the most accessible and fastest forms of business funding available — making them popular with restaurants, retailers, contractors, and any business that needs capital now.

How a Merchant Cash Advance Works

Three simple steps from application to funded.

1

Apply in Minutes

Fill out a short online form — business name, monthly revenue, how much you need. No formal credit approval. Takes about 2 minutes.

2

The Right Funders for You

The Broker Shop submits your profile to our entire funder network and comes back with the best offers — ranked by rate and terms.

3

Pick Your Offer & Get Funded

You choose the offer that works best for your business. Funds hit your account in as little as 24 hours. No surprises, no hidden fees.

How Fast Can You Get a Merchant Cash Advance?

Same-day and 24-hour funding — here's the realistic timeline.

Speed is the whole reason most owners choose an MCA. Because approval is based on your recent business bank statements and card sales — not a slow credit review — most applications are approved the same day you apply. Apply in the morning with clean, complete statements and same-day funding is common. Otherwise, funds typically arrive within 24 hours of approval, during banking hours.

Need capital today? See our same-day merchant cash advance guide for how to line everything up for a same-day approval.

✓ Fund fastest when you

  • Apply early in the day with 3–6 months of complete bank statements ready
  • Have steady daily card and deposit volume
  • Answer your phone for a quick verification call
  • Have a business bank account in good standing

⚠ What can add a day

  • Missing or incomplete bank statements
  • Applying late in the day or over a weekend
  • An open advance that needs a payoff or buyout
  • Verification calls that go unanswered

What Does a Merchant Cash Advance Cost? Factor Rates Explained

Why MCAs are priced with a factor rate instead of an interest rate — and how to compare offers.

A merchant cash advance isn't quoted with an interest rate or APR. Instead it uses a factor rate — a simple decimal applied to the amount you receive. Multiply the advance by the factor rate to get your total payback. Example: a $50,000 advance at a 1.3 factor rate means you repay $65,000 in total. Factor rates commonly land somewhere between about 1.1 and 1.5, depending on your business.

A few things shape the number you're offered: your monthly revenue, time in business, industry, how consistent your deposits are, and whether you already have an open advance. Repayment is collected as a fixed slice of your daily sales — called the holdback — until the total is paid.

Because the cost is a fixed dollar amount rather than compounding interest, the smart move is to compare the total payback and holdback percentage across offers — not just the factor rate. That's exactly what The Broker Shop does for you. See how the numbers stack up in our MCA vs. business loan comparison.

MCA Requirements

What you typically need to qualify.

Time in Business
6+ months
Monthly Revenue
$10,000+
Credit Score
500+ (flexible)
Collateral Required
None
Funding Amount
$5K – $2M
Funding Speed
Same day – 24 hrs

Merchant Cash Advances by Industry

MCAs work best where revenue is steady and daily sales are strong. Businesses we fund most often:

Retail & Convenience Stores

Daily card sales make repayment smooth — ideal for shops, markets, and hardware stores stocking up on inventory.

Restaurants & Food Service

Cover payroll, equipment, or a slow season. Steady card volume is exactly what MCA funders look for.

Auto Repair Shops

Parts, tools, and bay expansions — fast. Auto & body shop funding →

Salons & Spas

Chairs, stations, and marketing when you need it. Salon funding →

Contractors & Trades

Bridge the gap between winning a job and getting paid — materials and crew up front, before the invoice clears.

Coffee & Quick Service

High transaction counts fund fast. Coffee shop funding →

Don't see your industry? We fund most business types with consistent revenue. See all industries we fund →

Pros & Cons of a Merchant Cash Advance

Understand whether an MCA is the right product for your situation.

✓ Advantages

  • Fastest funding available — same day or 24 hours
  • No collateral required
  • Flexible repayment tied to daily sales
  • Accessible with lower credit scores
  • Minimal paperwork compared to bank loans
  • No fixed monthly payments to miss

⚠ Considerations

  • Factor rates are higher than traditional loans
  • Daily deductions affect cash flow
  • Best for short-term capital needs
  • Not ideal if business has very low card volume

Why Use a Merchant Cash Advance Broker?

One application, every offer — and it costs you nothing.

You can apply to a single MCA funder and take whatever they offer. Or you can work with a broker who sends your profile to a whole network at once and brings back competing offers to choose from. The Broker Shop is that broker — the shop that shops the funders for you.

⚠ Going direct to one funder

  • One offer, with nothing to compare it against
  • You repeat the whole application if you're declined
  • No one in your corner on rate or terms
  • Easy to overpay without ever knowing it

✓ With The Broker Shop

  • One application reaches 50+ competing funders
  • Offers ranked by total cost and terms
  • Matched to funders that fit your industry, revenue, and credit
  • 100% free — the funder pays us only when your deal closes

See Your Merchant Cash Advance Options in 2 Minutes

No obligation. No commitment. We show you every offer you qualify for — then you decide.

Pre-Qualify Now — It's Free →

Merchant Cash Advance FAQs

Everything you need to know before you apply.

What is a merchant cash advance?
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a type of business financing where a funder provides a lump sum of cash in exchange for a percentage of your future daily credit and debit card sales, plus a fee. Repayment is automatic — a fixed percentage is deducted from your daily transactions until the balance is repaid.
How fast can I get a merchant cash advance?
Most merchant cash advances are approved within hours and funded within 24 hours. Same-day funding is common. It's the fastest form of small business financing available — significantly faster than a bank loan or SBA loan.
What credit score do I need for a merchant cash advance?
MCA funders focus primarily on your monthly revenue and business history — not your personal credit score. Many funders approve businesses with credit scores as low as 500. What matters most is that your monthly revenue is consistent and meets the minimum threshold (typically $10,000+/month).
How much can I get with a merchant cash advance?
Most businesses qualify for 50%–150% of their average monthly revenue. If your business brings in $50,000/month, you may qualify for $25,000–$75,000. Through The Broker Shop, the right funders find your highest approval amount and best terms.
Is a merchant cash advance the same as a business loan?
No. An MCA is technically a purchase of future receivables, not a loan. This means it's not subject to the same regulations as a traditional loan, approval is faster, and repayment flexes with your sales rather than being a fixed monthly payment.
What businesses qualify for a merchant cash advance?
Any US business with at least 6 months in operation and $10,000+ in monthly revenue can apply. MCAs are especially popular with restaurants, retail stores, contractors, salons, trucking companies, and any business with consistent revenue — even if credit is imperfect.
How much does a merchant cash advance cost?
MCAs are priced with a factor rate — a decimal applied to the amount you receive — not an interest rate. Multiply the advance by the factor rate for your total payback (for example, $50,000 at a 1.3 factor = $65,000 repaid). Your rate depends on revenue, time in business, and industry. Because it's a fixed dollar cost, compare the total payback and daily holdback across offers — which The Broker Shop does for you.
How do I apply for a merchant cash advance?
Complete the short online form — business name, monthly revenue, and how much you need — in about 2 minutes. There's no formal credit approval to start. The Broker Shop sends your profile to our funder network and comes back with the offers you qualify for, usually the same day.
Can I get a merchant cash advance with bad credit?
Often, yes. MCA funders weigh your monthly revenue and consistent daily sales more heavily than your personal credit score, and many approve businesses with scores in the 500s. Strong, steady revenue can outweigh a lower credit score.

Explore Other Funding Options

Not sure an MCA is right for you? We offer every funding type.