Fluid Alternatives: Best B2B Payment Solutions for Modern Commerce

Payment flexibility drives modern B2B commerce success. While businesses process roughly $125 trillion in B2B payments globally each year, invoice payment periods commonly range 30-50 days depending on industry—creating persistent cash flow pressure. 

Today's net terms payment solutions eliminate this mismatch through non-recourse financing, AI-powered automation, and embedded credit that lets businesses offer flexible terms without tying up working capital or accepting default risk.

Key Takeaways

• Non-recourse financing eliminates merchant risk: Resolve's B2B payment platform significantly reduces credit risk for approved invoices with advance payments, maintaining customer relationships while freeing working capital
• AI automation accelerates cash conversion: Modern platforms reduce Days Sales Outstanding and eliminate manual collections work through automated AR workflows that sync with existing accounting systems
• Flexible terms drive revenue growth: Businesses offering net terms see 20-40% higher average order values and 22% higher conversion rates compared to immediate payment requirements, per Atradius research
• Seamless integration delivers rapid ROI: Solutions connecting with QuickBooks, NetSuite, and commerce platforms deliver operational improvements within 1-3 months
• Embedded finance reshapes B2B: Projected to enable $7 trillion by 2026, integrated payment solutions are becoming essential for competitive advantage

Modern B2B payment alternatives address the fundamental challenge facing 82% of small businesses who cite late payments as a critical cash flow concern. Through innovative technology and sophisticated risk management, these platforms transform the traditional payment experience.

1. Resolve — The Complete B2B Payments Platform

Resolve emerges as the premier alternative by combining embedded credit expertise, invoice financing, and payment processing into a single unified platform. Spun out of Affirm in 2019 to focus on B2B net terms, Resolve transforms the traditional payment experience while significantly reducing merchant risk.

Key Features:

• Non-recourse financing structure that significantly reduces credit risk for approved invoices
• Up to 100% advance payment on approved invoices
• Streamlined AI-powered credit decisions starting with business name
• Net 30, 60, or 90-day terms with transparent fee structures that vary by risk profile
• AI-assisted accounts receivable automation reducing manual AR workload
• White-label payment portal accepting ACH, credit card, wire, and check payments
• Seamless integration with QuickBooks, Shopify, and Magento, BigCommerce, Oracle NetSuite, and other platforms

Comprehensive Solution:

Resolve's platform addresses the entire B2B payment lifecycle from credit assessment through collections. The proprietary AI models evaluate thousands of data points to generate dynamic credit decisions, while the AI-assisted invoicing workflow automatically syncs transactions across systems. This integrated approach delivers measurable improvements in Days Sales Outstanding compared to manual processes.

Unlike traditional factoring that requires businesses to sell invoices at steep discounts and lose customer control, Resolve maintains merchant relationships while eliminating collections burden. The platform's non-recourse structure means approved advances remain yours regardless of customer payment outcomes, providing growth capital with significantly reduced risk.

Recent implementations demonstrate substantial impact across key metrics. With transparent flat-rate pricing and deep platform integrations, Resolve has established itself as the modern alternative to factoring and traditional payment solutions.

2. Traditional Bank Lines of Credit

Traditional bank lines of credit represent the conventional approach to managing B2B cash flow gaps, though they come with significant limitations in today's fast-paced commercial environment.

Key Characteristics:

• Requires extensive documentation and personal guarantees
• Approval processes taking weeks to months, per SBA data
• Inflexible credit limits based on historical financials
• Monthly interest payments regardless of usage
• Strict covenants that can restrict business operations
• Limited integration with modern commerce platforms

Operational Challenges:

While bank lines provide predictable financing costs, they fail to address the dynamic nature of B2B commerce. The static credit limits don't scale with business growth, and the lengthy approval processes can't accommodate sudden opportunities. Additionally, banks typically don't provide credit assessment or collections services, leaving merchants fully responsible for customer risk management.

For businesses with established banking relationships and stable financial histories, traditional lines may provide adequate working capital. However, businesses citing late payments as their top cash flow challenge often find that bank financing doesn't solve their fundamental payment timing issues.

3. Manual Accounts Receivable Management

Many businesses continue to rely on manual AR processes, handling invoicing, payment tracking, and collections through spreadsheets and manual follow-ups.

Process Limitations:

• Average Days Sales Outstanding of 47 days, per Atradius benchmarks
• High error rates in manual data entry and reconciliation
• Time-intensive collections requiring dedicated staff
• Limited visibility into cash flow forecasting
• Inability to offer competitive payment terms
• Frequent payment disputes from invoice mismatches

Hidden Costs:

Manual AR management creates significant hidden costs beyond staff time. The inability to offer flexible net terms results in 20-40% lower average order values compared to competitors offering payment flexibility. Additionally, businesses with manual systems experience substantially more late payments than those with automated processes.

While this approach requires no upfront technology investment, the opportunity cost in lost sales and operational inefficiency often exceeds the cost of modern automation solutions. For businesses processing more than a handful of invoices monthly, manual AR becomes increasingly unsustainable.

4. In-House Credit Programs

Some larger businesses attempt to manage B2B credit internally by establishing their own credit departments and underwriting processes.

Implementation Requirements:

• Dedicated credit analysts and underwriting staff
• Custom credit scoring models and risk assessment frameworks
• Collections teams for late payment management
• Legal resources for credit agreements and dispute resolution
• Technology infrastructure for credit monitoring and reporting
• Significant working capital to fund extended payment terms

Risk Exposure:

In-house credit programs expose businesses to substantial financial risk without the sophisticated risk management tools available to specialized providers. Extended payment periods tie up significant working capital, while default risk remains entirely with the merchant.

This approach works best for very large enterprises with sufficient scale to justify dedicated credit resources. However, even major corporations increasingly partner with specialized providers like Resolve to access advanced AI-powered underwriting and non-recourse financing that would be prohibitively expensive to develop internally.

5. Basic Payment Processors

Standard payment processors handle transaction processing but lack the sophisticated credit and financing capabilities needed for modern B2B commerce.

Core Limitations:

• No credit assessment or underwriting capabilities
• Limited to immediate payment transactions
• No financing or net terms options
• Basic reconciliation without AR automation
• Minimal integration with accounting systems
• No collections or payment reminder functionality

Missed Opportunities:

While payment processors efficiently handle credit card and ACH transactions, they fail to address the fundamental B2B need for extended payment terms. Businesses relying solely on basic processors cannot offer the net 30, 60, or 90-day terms that 60% of B2B buyers expect, resulting in lost sales opportunities and competitive disadvantage.

The embedded finance market's projected growth to $7 trillion by 2026 demonstrates that basic payment processing is increasingly insufficient for modern commercial relationships that require integrated financing and credit management.

The Resolve Advantage: Integration Without Compromise

Resolve's comprehensive platform stands apart by delivering enterprise-grade capabilities without enterprise complexity. The platform's architecture enables businesses to maintain complete control over customer relationships while offloading credit risk and operational burden.

Technology Integration:

Resolve's flexible API and pre-built connectors enable rapid implementation with existing commerce and accounting systems. Unlike traditional enterprise solutions requiring 6-month deployments, businesses typically go live within days while gaining immediate access to advanced features like AI-powered reconciliation and automated payment reminders.

Risk Management Innovation:

The platform's non-recourse structure significantly reduces merchant risk for approved invoices while providing substantial advance payments. This model allows businesses to offer competitive net terms without jeopardizing cash flow or balance sheet health. The AI-powered underwriting goes beyond traditional credit bureau data to incorporate real-time business performance metrics, delivering more accurate credit decisions rapidly.

Operational Transformation:

Companies implementing Resolve typically see operational improvements within 1-3 months. The platform's white-label payment portal maintains brand consistency while providing customers with flexible payment options that improve customer relationships and repeat business.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

For B2B companies evaluating payment solutions, the choice depends on business size, technical capabilities, and growth objectives:

By Business Profile:

• Growth-focused SMBs: Resolve provides immediate access to enterprise-grade capabilities without complexity or significant merchant risk
• Established mid-market: Resolve's scalable platform accommodates rapid growth while maintaining operational efficiency
• High-volume operations: Resolve's AI automation handles complex invoice volumes with substantial reduction in manual work
• E-commerce businesses: Resolve's ecommerce integrations enable seamless net terms at checkout

Implementation Considerations:

Successful payment solution implementation requires careful evaluation of integration requirements and total cost of ownership. Resolve's transparent pricing structure eliminates hidden fees, while the rapid implementation timeline minimizes business disruption. The platform's compatibility with existing systems ensures immediate operational benefits without requiring wholesale technology replacement.

For businesses ready to transform their B2B payment experience, Resolve's platform for sellers provides the complete solution for offering net terms, accelerating cash flow, and reducing risk—all while maintaining customer relationships and brand control.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does non-recourse financing protect businesses?

Resolve’s non-recourse structure reduces credit risk on approved invoices, so you face minimal liability if customers default. Unlike traditional factoring or in-house credit, Resolve manages credit assessment and takes most default risk. Cash advances remain yours regardless of customer payments, helping you offer competitive net terms while keeping cash flow strong.

What integrations does Resolve support?

Resolve provides seamless integration with leading ERP, accounting, and commerce platforms including QuickBooks, Oracle NetSuite, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento. The platform's flexible API enables custom integrations with any implementation, while pre-built connectors allow rapid deployment without extensive development. All transactions automatically sync to accounting systems with real-time automation, eliminating manual data entry and reconciliation errors.

How quickly can businesses start?

Resolve's AI-powered platform enables rapid implementation, with businesses typically going live within days rather than months. Streamlined credit applications start with a customer's business name, with credit decisions delivered promptly. Some purchases may qualify for instant approvals, allowing immediate net terms offers at checkout for qualified buyers. Learn more about implementation timelines on Resolve's platform.

What are Resolve's pricing models?

Resolve offers transparent, risk-based fee structures that vary by advance percentage and customer risk profile, according to current Resolve pricing. Unlike traditional factoring with hidden fees and complex structures, Resolve provides clear flat-rate pricing with no monthly minimums or setup fees. Higher advance rates may carry adjusted fees, while lower-risk customers may qualify for more favorable terms.

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.