Blog | Resolve

Business Capital Providers Alternatives

Written by Resolve Team | Dec 22, 2025 1:54:22 PM

While traditional business capital providers often burden companies with high fees, hidden costs, and significant risk, modern alternatives offer transparent pricing, non-recourse financing, and AI-powered automation. Resolve Pay leads this transformation by combining invoice financing, accounts receivable automation, and credit risk elimination into a single platform that serves over 12,000 businesses.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-recourse financing eliminates risk: Resolve provides 100% non-recourse financing with zero merchant risk on approved invoices, unlike traditional recourse-based lenders
  • Transparent flat-fee pricing: Resolve's fees range from 2.61-3.5% for net terms, offering 5-10x cost savings compared to traditional factoring's 12-60% annual costs
  • Full AR automation suite: The platform saves around 14+ hours per week on manual accounts receivable work while accelerating cash flow
  • Deep ERP integrations: Seamless two-way sync with QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Oracle eliminates manual data entry and reduces reconciliation time
  • White-label buyer experience: Customers pay through a merchant-branded portal via ACH, wire, credit card, or check, maintaining relationship control
  • Rapid implementation: Businesses can get started in days rather than the months required by traditional enterprise solutions

The B2B financing landscape has evolved dramatically, with businesses increasingly seeking alternatives that offer immediate capital access without the debt burden, high costs, or operational complexity of traditional lenders. According to industry research, the global real-time payments market is projected to grow at approximately 35% CAGR through 2032, driving innovation in business capital solutions that prioritize transparency, automation, and risk elimination.

1. Resolve Pay — The Complete Business Capital Solution

Resolve Pay stands out as the premier business capital alternative by completely eliminating merchant risk through its 100% non-recourse financing model. Founded in 2019 and spun out from Affirm by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin's venture studio, Resolve brings consumer fintech innovation to B2B payments with $85M+ in funding from Insight Partners and other leading investors.

Key Features:

Pricing Structure:

Resolve offers transparent, straightforward pricing designed to provide predictable costs for B2B companies. Fees range from 2.61-3.5% based on advance percentage, term length, and risk assessment. The platform includes no setup fees, monthly minimums, or hidden charges—just clear, upfront pricing with no recourse obligations that could create unexpected liabilities.

Custom monthly subscription plans typically range from $99-$499 based on transaction volume, making the solution accessible for businesses of various sizes. This pricing transparency contrasts sharply with traditional factoring arrangements that often include complex fee structures and ongoing monthly charges.

Resolve's AI-powered accounts receivable automation reduces manual work by automating the entire net terms workflow from invoice to payment. The platform's LLM-powered invoicing workflow automatically syncs transactions across systems, ensuring real-time financial data accuracy. Recent customer success stories demonstrate significant impact: businesses report around 20% YoY revenue growth and 40% average order increases from offering net terms, while achieving approximately 35% DSO reduction.

Unlike traditional invoice factoring, Resolve maintains merchant control over customer relationships while eliminating the collections burden. The platform's business credit check service delivers instant, data-rich credit decisions for free, combining AI and human expertise from former Amazon and PayPal executives to eliminate friction in the credit lifecycle.

Resolve currently serves over 12,000 businesses across manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and other B2B sectors. Customers consistently report saving 14+ hours weekly on manual AR tasks. The platform's comprehensive approach addresses the full spectrum of business capital needs—from credit assessment and financing to automation and payment processing—making it the most complete alternative to traditional capital providers

The combination of non-recourse protection, transparent pricing, full automation, and deep integrations positions Resolve as a transformative solution for B2B companies seeking to accelerate growth without taking on traditional debt or operational complexity.

2. SBA Loans — Government-Backed Financing for Qualified Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several loan programs designed to help small businesses access capital with government guarantees that reduce lender risk. These programs include the 7(a) loan program, 504 loans for equipment and real estate, and microloans for smaller capital needs.

Key Features:

  • Government-backed loan guarantees (typically 75-85%)
  • Lower interest rates compared to conventional loans
  • Longer repayment terms (up to 25 years for real estate)
  • Multiple loan types for different business needs
  • Available through approved SBA lenders nationwide

Considerations:

SBA loans require extensive documentation and involve lengthy approval processes, typically taking 30-90 days from application to funding. Businesses must meet strict eligibility criteria including size standards based on industry, annual revenue, and employee count. Most SBA loans require personal guarantees from business owners with 20% or greater ownership stakes.

Collateral requirements vary by loan type and amount, with larger loans typically requiring substantial asset backing. The application process demands detailed financial statements, business plans, cash flow projections, and comprehensive documentation of business operations and ownership structure.

While these loans offer favorable interest rates and terms, they're not designed for immediate capital needs or short-term cash flow gaps. According to Federal Reserve research, small businesses often face challenges accessing traditional credit, making alternative financing solutions increasingly important.

SBA loans work best for established businesses with strong financial statements, solid credit histories, and clear business plans for expansion, equipment purchases, or real estate acquisition. While these loans offer favorable terms, they require significant time investment and may not address urgent cash flow needs that platforms like Resolve can solve within days.

3. Revenue-Based Financing — Growth Capital for Recurring Revenue Businesses

Revenue-based financing (RBF) provides capital to businesses with predictable recurring revenue streams, particularly SaaS companies and subscription-based businesses. Instead of fixed payments, repayment is tied to a percentage of monthly revenue until a predetermined amount is repaid.

Key Features:

  • Funding based on annual recurring revenue (ARR) or monthly recurring revenue (MRR)
  • Repayment as a percentage of monthly revenue (typically 3-8%)
  • No fixed payment schedule or maturity date
  • No equity dilution or board seats required
  • Faster approval than traditional debt (typically 1-2 weeks)

Considerations:

Revenue-based financing typically carries higher effective costs compared to traditional debt, with costs often equivalent to 20-50% APR when calculated on an annualized basis. This financing model works best for businesses with predictable, recurring revenue patterns that can support variable monthly payments.

Most RBF providers require minimum revenue thresholds, typically ranging from $10,000 to $50,000+ in monthly recurring revenue. The financing structure inherently favors subscription-based business models with high revenue visibility and low churn rates.

One key advantage of RBF is its alignment with business performance—during slower months, payments decrease proportionally, reducing cash flow strain. However, during high-growth periods, the percentage-based repayment can represent significant cash outflows that might otherwise fund expansion activities.

RBF works well for SaaS companies and subscription businesses that need growth capital without equity dilution, but it doesn't address the operational challenges of accounts receivable management or provide the non-recourse protection that Resolve offers for invoice-based businesses. Companies selling physical products or offering project-based services typically find traditional invoice financing more suitable.

4. Traditional Invoice Factoring — The Legacy Alternative

Traditional invoice factoring involves selling unpaid invoices to a third party (factor) at a discount in exchange for immediate cash. This established industry has served businesses for decades but comes with significant limitations compared to modern alternatives.

Key Features:

  • Immediate cash for unpaid invoices (typically 70-90% advance)
  • Available to businesses with creditworthy customers
  • No requirement for strong business credit
  • Established industry with many providers
  • Can handle large volumes of invoices

Significant Limitations:

Traditional factoring carries high monthly costs of 1-5%, translating to 12-60% annual effective rates that significantly impact profitability. Many factoring arrangements are recourse-based, leaving merchants liable for customer defaults and creating unexpected financial exposure.

In traditional factoring relationships, the factor controls customer relationships, often contacting customers directly for payment collection. This can damage long-standing merchant-customer relationships and create uncomfortable dynamics. Additionally, most traditional factors provide limited AR automation, requiring continued manual processes for invoicing, reconciliation, and reporting.

Traditional factoring may provide immediate cash, but at a significant cost and with operational drawbacks. Modern platforms like Resolve offer approximately 5-10x lower costs while providing non-recourse protection and full AR automation, making them superior alternatives for most B2B businesses seeking to optimize both cash flow and operations.

5. Business Credit Cards — Short-Term Financing for Operational Expenses

Business credit cards offer revolving credit lines for day-to-day operational expenses, with the flexibility to carry balances or pay in full each month. Major banks and financial institutions provide these cards with varying credit limits, rewards programs, and features.

Key Features:

  • Revolving credit lines (typically $5,000-$100,000+)
  • 0% introductory APR periods (often 12-18 months)
  • Rewards programs (cash back, points, miles)
  • Purchase protection and other card benefits
  • Easy application process for established businesses

Considerations:

Business credit cards typically charge high ongoing APR after introductory periods end, with rates ranging from 15-25%+ depending on creditworthiness. Most require personal guarantees from business owners, creating personal liability for business expenses and potentially affecting personal credit scores.

Credit limits on business cards are generally smaller than other financing options, making them unsuitable for large capital needs or significant B2B payment terms. They work best for managing everyday operational expenses, travel costs, and building business credit history through consistent on-time payments.

While business credit cards provide convenient access to working capital, they don't address the fundamental challenge of offering extended payment terms to B2B customers or managing accounts receivable efficiently. They're best used as a complement to comprehensive solutions like Resolve rather than as primary business capital providers.

For businesses that maintain disciplined payment practices and pay balances in full monthly, rewards programs can provide valuable cash back or travel benefits that effectively reduce the cost of business expenses.

6. Equipment Financing — Asset-Backed Loans for Capital Purchases

Equipment financing provides loans or leases specifically for purchasing business equipment, with the equipment itself serving as collateral. This specialized financing is available from banks, credit unions, equipment manufacturers, and dedicated equipment financing companies.

Key Features:

  • 100% financing for equipment purchases possible
  • Equipment serves as collateral, reducing lender risk
  • Fixed monthly payments with predictable terms
  • Potential tax benefits through depreciation or Section 179 deductions
  • Available for new and used equipment across industries

Considerations:

Equipment financing is strictly limited to equipment purchases and cannot be used for working capital, inventory, or operational expenses. The financed equipment becomes collateral, creating default risk if the business cannot maintain payments—the lender can repossess the equipment, potentially disrupting operations.

Lenders may require down payments for higher-risk equipment types or borrowers with weaker credit profiles, typically ranging from 10-20% of equipment value. Equipment must have a useful life extending beyond the loan term, which can limit financing options for technology or equipment with rapid obsolescence.

Interest rates and terms vary based on equipment type, borrower creditworthiness, and whether equipment is new or used. New equipment typically qualifies for more favorable rates and terms than used equipment.

Equipment financing serves a specific purpose but doesn't address the broader business capital needs that platforms like Resolve solve through comprehensive AR automation, non-recourse invoice financing, and B2B payment terms management. Businesses often use equipment financing alongside other capital solutions to create a complete financing strategy.

Evaluating Your Business Capital Needs

Before selecting a business capital provider or alternative, it's essential to assess your specific operational needs, growth objectives, and risk tolerance. Different financing solutions serve different purposes, and the optimal choice depends on your business model, customer base, and strategic priorities.

B2B companies with invoice-based revenue models benefit most from solutions that address both immediate cash flow needs and long-term operational efficiency. Traditional debt products provide capital but don't solve the underlying challenges of manual AR processes, credit risk assessment, or customer payment management.

Consider these key factors when evaluating alternatives:

Cash Flow Timing: How quickly do you need access to capital? Solutions like Resolve provide funding within one business day, while SBA loans may take 30-90 days.

Risk Tolerance: Are you comfortable with recourse obligations that create contingent liabilities? Non-recourse solutions eliminate this risk entirely.

Operational Efficiency: Does the solution reduce manual work or add administrative burden? Comprehensive platforms automate processes that traditional financing leaves unchanged.

Customer Relationships: Will the financing solution enhance or potentially damage your customer relationships? White-label solutions maintain your brand presence throughout the payment experience.

Cost Transparency: Can you clearly understand the total cost of capital? Transparent flat-fee structures provide predictability that complex traditional arrangements often lack.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

For B2B companies evaluating business capital alternatives, the choice depends on your specific needs, business model, and risk tolerance:

By Business Type:

  • B2B Manufacturers/Wholesalers: Resolve Pay (non-recourse financing + AR automation + net terms)
  • SaaS Companies: Revenue-based financing (ARR-based funding)
  • General Working Capital Needs: SBA loans or business lines of credit
  • Equipment Purchases: Equipment financing
  • Operational Expenses: Business credit cards

Cost Comparison for $100,000 Monthly Invoice Volume:

  • Resolve Pay: Around $2,610-$3,500 monthly (2.61-3.5% flat fee)
  • Traditional Factoring: Approximately $3,000-$5,000 monthly (3-5% monthly = 36-60% annually)
  • Revenue-Based Financing: Around $5,000-$10,000 (5-10% of funding amount)
  • SBA Loans: Variable (6-10% interest + fees)

Implementation Timeline Reality Check:

  • 1-3 days: Resolve Pay (with existing integrations)
  • 1-2 weeks: Revenue-based financing
  • 2-4 weeks: Traditional factoring (contract negotiation)
  • 30-90 days: SBA loans
  • Ongoing: Business credit cards and equipment financing

For companies seeking expert guidance on business capital solutions, Resolve's platform provides the most comprehensive alternative by combining non-recourse financing, AR automation, and B2B payment terms in a single, transparent solution that eliminates risk while accelerating growth.

The platform's ability to deliver immediate cash flow improvement while simultaneously reducing operational burden makes it particularly valuable for B2B companies looking to scale efficiently. By handling credit assessment, financing, collections, and payment processing within one integrated system, Resolve eliminates the need to coordinate multiple vendors or manage complex financing relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main alternatives to traditional business loans?

The main alternatives include non-recourse invoice financing, SBA loans, revenue-based financing, traditional factoring, business credit cards, and equipment financing. Modern platforms like Resolve Pay combine multiple solutions—offering non-recourse financing with full AR automation and B2B net terms—providing a comprehensive alternative that addresses both capital access and operational efficiency.

How does invoice financing differ from traditional factoring?

Unlike traditional factoring, modern invoice financing platforms like Resolve offer 100% non-recourse terms, meaning merchants face zero risk if customers default. Traditional factoring often requires recourse agreements that leave merchants liable for unpaid invoices. Additionally, Resolve provides transparent pricing (2.61-3.5%) compared to traditional factoring's monthly fees of 1-5% that translate to 12-60% annual costs. Modern platforms also maintain merchant control through white-label portals, unlike traditional factors that often contact customers directly.

Can B2B net terms effectively replace the need for some business capital?

Yes, offering B2B net terms can effectively replace traditional business capital needs by accelerating cash flow while maintaining customer relationships. With Resolve's platform, businesses can receive fast payment while customers receive 30-90 days to pay, eliminating the cash flow gap that typically requires external financing. This approach has helped Resolve customers achieve around 20% YoY growth and 40% order value increases, effectively generating more capital through increased sales rather than debt.

What options are available for startups with no revenue or credit history?

Startups with limited revenue or credit history face challenges accessing traditional capital but can consider SBA microloans (up to $50,000), business credit cards with personal guarantees, or specialized startup lenders. However, these options often require personal guarantees and come with higher costs. For B2B startups with creditworthy customers, platforms like Resolve can provide non-recourse financing based on customer creditworthiness rather than business history, offering a path to capital without personal risk.

How does Resolve ensure I get paid faster while my customers get flexible terms?

Resolve ensures faster payment through its advance payment system, which typically provides 50-90% of invoice value within one business day while customers receive 30-90 days to pay. The platform handles credit assessment, underwriting, and collections management, taking on the risk of late payments or defaults. This eliminates the traditional cash flow gap while maintaining customer relationships through white-label portals that preserve merchant branding.

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.