Blog | Resolve

7 Best Alternatives to Traditional Net Terms — 2025

Written by Resolve Team | Sep 11, 2025 4:03:04 PM

Traditional net terms are crushing B2B cash flow, with 50% of invoices paid late and businesses spending 14 hours weekly chasing payments. Modern alternatives deliver instant payments, automated processes, and eliminated risk while strengthening customer relationships—transforming net terms from a necessary evil into a competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways

  • Resolve dominates with instant credit decisions, next-day payments, and non-recourse advances at 2.61% for 30-day terms
  • Invoice factoring costs 12-60% annually, suitable only for emergency cash flow situations
  • B2B BNPL platforms like TreviPay and Balance enable buyer flexibility while sellers get paid immediately
  • Digital payment platforms reduce manual work by 70-83% but don't solve cash flow gaps

1. Resolve — The Complete Net Terms Management Platform

Resolve stands apart as the most comprehensive solution for B2B companies seeking to offer competitive payment terms without sacrificing cash flow or taking on credit risk. 

Founded specifically to address the $17 trillion B2B payments market, Resolve combines instant credit decisions, next-day payments, and complete AR automation into a single platform that transforms net terms from an operational burden into a growth accelerator.

Revolutionary B2B Payment Technology

  • Businesses submit invoices through Resolve's platform, where AI-powered credit assessments are completed within hours using only basic company information.
  • The proprietary engine makes instant approval decisions with "quiet" credit checks that do not impact the buyer's credit score.
  • Sellers can access non-recourse invoice advances, with rates based on the buyer’s risk profile, often reaching up to 90%.
  • Buyers enjoy flexible net terms ranging from 30 to 90 days, with the option for custom arrangements.
  • This risk-based approach allows businesses to extend credit more broadly while maintaining financial security.

Comprehensive Automation Features

  • Resolve's B2B payments platform eliminates manual work with automated payment reminders, white-labeled customer portals, and multiple payment options, including ACH, credit card, wire, and check.
  • The net terms management system integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks for automatic reconciliation.
  • Advanced LLM-powered invoicing automation processes invoices automatically, while AI-driven reconciliation matches payments with 99% accuracy.
  • Real-time dashboards provide instant visibility into cash flow, outstanding invoices, and credit utilization, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Rapid Implementation and Integration

  • Resolve's integrations span BigCommerce, Shopify Plus, Magento 2, WooCommerce, QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, and Oracle.
  • Implementation options range from JavaScript SDKs that deploy in hours to full API integrations.
  • Most clients achieve full implementation within 3-7 days for standard integrations, with custom deployments completed in 2-3 weeks.

Transparent Pricing with Immediate ROI

  • At 2.61% for 30-day terms, Resolve's pricing often pays for itself within 30 days.
  • For a $5 million B2B company, traditional net terms tie up $410,000 in working capital.
  • Resolve's immediate payment releases this capital, while the $130,500 annual fee is offset by eliminating 8% bad debt ($400,000) and reducing AR management costs ($100,000–$150,000).
  • This results in a $300,000+ net positive ROI in year one.

Proven Success Stories

  • RentAll Construction transformed week-long credit processes to sub-24-hour approvals.
  • Marshall Wolf Automation eliminated 20 hours of weekly data entry through two-way integration automation.
  • Trenchless Supply reduced AR management work by 90%, transforming three-person departments into single part-time roles.

A B2B tire distributor tripled revenue in three years, increased average order values 128%, and processed $500,000 single orders—25 times their typical transaction size. Resolve's solutions enable businesses to win enterprise customers previously inaccessible due to credit risk concerns.

Why Resolve Outperforms Every Alternative

  • Resolve's superiority stems from its comprehensive approach to the entire net terms lifecycle. Unlike factoring companies that charge 1-5% monthly and damage customer relationships through aggressive collection practices, Resolve maintains seller branding throughout the payment experience.
  • Compared to B2B BNPL platforms that focus solely on checkout conversion, Resolve provides complete AR management and credit risk protection.
  • Digital payment platforms automate processes but don't address the fundamental cash flow gap, while Resolve delivers immediate payment without sacrificing automation benefits.
  • The platform’s flexible advance rates and transparent fee structure reflect confidence in delivering measurable results. Many businesses report achieving positive ROI within 30 days through a combination of accelerated cash flow, reduced operational costs, and increased sales from improved payment flexibility.
  • For B2B companies serious about growth without cash flow constraints, Resolve represents a modern, evolved approach to net terms management.

2. Invoice Factoring Companies — Emergency Cash at Premium Prices

Invoice factoring provides immediate cash by selling outstanding invoices to specialized financial companies at significant discounts. Major providers like BlueVine (through FundThrough partnership) and altLINE (The Southern Bank Company) advance 80-90% of invoice value within 24-48 hours, but the true cost often makes this option suitable only for emergency situations.

The Factoring Process and Hidden Complexities

Factoring companies evaluate your customers' creditworthiness rather than yours, making it accessible for businesses with limited credit history. However, the process involves selling your receivables outright, with factors taking over collection responsibilities. 

This fundamental transfer of the customer relationship often creates friction, as factors employ aggressive collection tactics that can damage carefully cultivated business relationships. The distinction between recourse and non-recourse factoring affects both cost and risk, with non-recourse options costing 0.5-1% more while protecting against customer non-payment.

True Cost Analysis Beyond Stated Rates

  • Current market rates of 1-5% monthly translate to effective APRs of 12-60%, making factoring one of the most expensive financing options available.
  • A $10,000 invoice factored at 3% monthly costs $300 for immediate access to $8,000-9,000.
  • Hidden fees compound the expense, including ACH charges ($0-25), wire transfers ($15-50), due diligence fees ($100-500), and termination penalties for breaking long-term contracts.
  • Some factors cherry-pick profitable invoices while refusing higher-risk accounts, leaving businesses with difficult-to-collect receivables.
  • The accounting complexity of tracking advances, reserves, and fee allocations requires sophisticated bookkeeping that many SMBs lack.

When Factoring Makes Sense (Rarely)

  • Factoring suits only specific scenarios: immediate cash flow crises threatening business survival, seasonal businesses needing emergency liquidity, or startups without established credit accessing growth capital.
  • Transportation companies achieve better rates (95-100% advances) through industry-specific programs.
  • However, for businesses with margins under 20%, factoring fees eliminate profitability.
  • Market data shows 82% of small business failures result from cash flow issues, making factoring a viable last resort.
  • Companies should transition to more sustainable solutions like Resolve's advance program once stabilized.

3. B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) — Flexible Terms with Limited Scope


B2B BNPL platforms like TreviPay, Balance, and Fairbanc enable buyers to defer payments while sellers receive immediate funds. TreviPay leads the market, powering over $8 billion in annual B2B trade with instant approvals for 30-90 day terms.

How B2B BNPL Differs from Comprehensive Solutions

While B2B BNPL addresses checkout friction, it lacks the comprehensive AR management, credit risk assessment, and operational automation that Resolve provides

BNPL platforms typically charge 2-3% transaction fees while focusing solely on the purchase moment, ignoring the subsequent invoice management, payment collection, and reconciliation challenges. Risk assessment relies on proprietary business databases, but coverage gaps mean many legitimate customers get declined, limiting market reach compared to Resolve's broader approval capabilities.

Implementation and ROI Considerations

  • TreviPay clients report impressive growth metrics, including increased average order values, though these metrics often reflect pent-up demand rather than sustainable growth.
  • Implementation requires 30-60 days for full deployment, with success heavily dependent on customer demographics and average order values.
  • B2B marketplaces and manufacturers selling to SMBs see the strongest adoption, while service businesses with recurring revenue find limited benefit.
  • The choice between branded BNPL (where the provider's brand dominates) versus white-label solutions affects customer relationship continuity—an issue Resolve avoids through consistent seller branding.

4. Digital Payment Automation Platforms — Process Efficiency Without Cash Flow Relief

Platforms like Bill.com, Tipalti, and MineralTree streamline B2B payment processing through AI-powered automation, reducing manual work by 70-83% while maintaining existing net terms structures.

Comprehensive AP/AR Automation Features

  • These solutions excel at operational efficiency: invoice capture with 99% accuracy, automated approval workflows, three-way PO matching, and multi-currency payment processing.
  • Tipalti serves 5,000+ businesses across 196 countries, while Bill.com's integrated spend management provides comprehensive financial control.
  • However, these platforms don't address the fundamental cash flow gap—you still wait 30-90 days for payment while bearing full credit risk.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

  • Subscription costs range from $99 monthly for Tipalti to custom enterprise pricing, plus transaction fees of 2.9% for cards and $0.49 for ACH.
  • While organizations save $15-20 per invoice through automation and capture 2% early payment discounts, these platforms don't provide the working capital acceleration that Resolve's funding options deliver.
  • Implementation takes 60-90 days for full deployment, with primary challenges involving change management rather than technical complexity.

5. Trade Credit Insurance — Protection Without Acceleration

Major providers including Allianz Trade, Coface, and Atradius offer protection against customer non-payment, with premiums typically 0.15-0.5% of annual sales.

Coverage Limitations and Gaps

While trade credit insurance protects against catastrophic losses, it doesn't accelerate cash flow or reduce operational burden. Claims take 30-90 days to process, coverage excludes pre-existing conditions and disputed invoices, and businesses still manage credit assessment and collections internally. 

The protection proves valuable for international trade and customer insolvency scenarios but doesn't address day-to-day cash flow challenges that Resolve's platform solves comprehensively.

6. Business Credit Cards and Virtual Payments — High Fees, Limited Applicability

Virtual cards from Ramp, Brex, and traditional providers offer payment flexibility but impose significant merchant processing fees of 2.87-4.35%.

The Virtual Card Value Equation

While 80% of buyers prefer virtual cards, only 2% of B2B transactions use them due to high processing costs. Strategic usage for specific vendors or amounts can optimize rewards, but the fees often exceed the benefits for large B2B transactions. Integration with payment automation platforms enables intelligent routing, but cards remain unsuitable for the high-value, net terms transactions where Resolve excels.

7. ACH and Wire Transfers — Traditional Methods with Modern Limitations

Direct bank transfers via ACH ($0.20-1.50 per transaction) and wires ($20-35 domestic, $25-50 international) remain foundational for B2B payments but lack credit terms flexibility.

Optimization Strategies and Security Concerns

While ACH offers low costs for recurring payments and wires provide immediate settlement for urgent transfers, neither addresses buyer demand for payment flexibility. Security concerns mount with 79% of organizations experiencing payment fraud in 2024, requiring extensive controls and verification procedures. 

These traditional methods work well within comprehensive platforms like Resolve's payment system but alone cannot compete with modern net terms alternatives. ACH processed $58.24 trillion in B2B transactions in 2024, while wire transfers totaled $1,133.4 trillion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can Resolve be implemented compared to alternatives?

Resolve achieves the fastest implementation with standard integrations live in 3-7 days and custom deployments within 2-3 weeks. Digital payment platforms require 60-90 days, trade credit insurance takes 30-45 days, and B2B BNPL needs 30-60 days. Invoice factoring begins within 5-7 days but requires ongoing relationship management.

What makes Resolve's pricing more attractive?

At 2.61% for 30-day terms, Resolve costs less than factoring (12-60% annually), provides more value than insurance (0.15-0.5% without cash flow benefits), and matches BNPL pricing while delivering comprehensive AR management. Most businesses achieve positive ROI within 30 days through eliminated bad debt and accelerated cash flow.

Which industries benefit most from Resolve?

Manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and B2B marketplaces see exceptional returns from large transactions and long payment cycles. Construction companies leverage Resolve's solutions for project-based cash flow, while technology companies offer enterprise-friendly payment terms.

How does Resolve preserve customer relationships?

Unlike factoring companies with aggressive collection tactics, Resolve maintains your branding throughout the payment experience. White-labeled portals and automated reminders ensure customers never feel they're dealing with a third party, preserving relationships crucial for repeat business.

Can small businesses use Resolve effectively?

Resolve evaluates customer creditworthiness rather than seller credit history, making it ideal for small businesses. Transparent pricing scales with growth, pre-built integrations enable rapid deployment, and automated AR management eliminates the need for dedicated credit staff.

This post is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult his or her own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this post. Resolve assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.