While Fora Financial provides accessible capital for established businesses, modern alternatives offer more transparent pricing, faster funding, and flexible repayment structures better aligned with business cash flow. From Resolve's non-recourse invoice financing to SBA-backed loans, these seven solutions deliver the working capital businesses need without the high costs and rigid repayment schedules of traditional merchant cash advances.
Resolve stands out as the premier Fora Financial alternative by completely eliminating merchant risk through its 100% non-recourse financing model. Developed by former Amazon and PayPal experts, Resolve brings consumer fintech innovation to B2B payments with a focus on embedded credit, automated accounts receivable, and streamlined net terms.
Key Features:
How It Works:
Resolve's platform integrates directly into your existing B2B ecommerce and accounting systems, allowing buyers to apply for net terms at checkout with just their business name and address. The AI-powered underwriting system evaluates thousands of data points to deliver credit decisions within 24 hours, often instantly for purchases up to $25,000.
Once approved, Resolve advances up to 100% of the invoice value within 24 hours while your customer receives 30, 60, or 90 days to pay. Resolve handles all billing, collections, and credit risk, freeing you to focus on growing your business rather than managing receivables.
Pricing Structure:
The platform's AI-powered reconciliation reduces manual work by automating the entire net terms workflow from invoice to payment. Recent case studies demonstrate significant impact: SSI achieved 5x revenue growth, ConEquip grew their net terms business, and SDI Fire unlocked working capital while increasing profit margins.
Unlike traditional invoice factoring, Resolve maintains merchant control over customer relationships while eliminating collections burden. The platform currently serves thousands of businesses with a focus on providing the "credit team on tap" that growing B2B companies need.
The alternative lending landscape has transformed dramatically in 2025, with a growing share of small businesses seeking non-bank lenders for credit, according to the Federal Reserve’s Small Business Credit Survey. This shift creates opportunities for sophisticated solutions that balance speed, cost, and risk management better than traditional merchant cash advances.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers government-backed loan programs that provide significantly lower interest rates than alternative lenders like Fora Financial. While approval takes longer, the cost savings can be substantial for businesses that qualify.
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Current Challenges:
Recent federal government disruptions have periodically affected SBA lending programs, creating demand for private alternative lending solutions among businesses that would typically pursue SBA loans.
While SBA loans offer the lowest cost of capital in the market, the lengthy approval process (typically 30-90 days) and strict qualification requirements exclude many viable businesses. For companies needing immediate working capital, alternatives like Resolve provide a bridge solution with transparent pricing and fast funding.
Traditional banks still offer competitive term loans and lines of credit for businesses with strong financials and established banking relationships. While banks have tightened credit standards in recent quarters, relationship banking remains viable for qualified borrowers.
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Approval Reality:
Major banks approve around 14% of applications, while smaller banks average higher rates. The approval process typically takes 2-8 weeks, making bank financing unsuitable for urgent working capital needs.
For businesses with strong financials seeking the lowest possible cost of capital, traditional bank financing remains the gold standard. However, the strict requirements and lengthy approval process have pushed an estimated majority of small businesses to non-bank lenders for their credit needs.
Working capital loans provide short-term funding to cover operational expenses, inventory purchases, and other immediate business needs. These loans are calculated based on your current assets minus current liabilities and are designed to bridge temporary cash flow gaps.
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Use Cases:
A significant majority of businesses cite meeting operating expenses as their primary reason for seeking financing, making working capital loans essential for maintaining business operations during cash flow crunches.
While traditional working capital loans require strong credit and financials, platforms like Resolve offer an innovative approach by advancing payment on approved invoices, effectively creating instant working capital without taking on additional debt. This invoice-based working capital solution aligns perfectly with B2B businesses that extend net terms to their customers.
Invoice financing allows businesses to monetize their accounts receivable by selling outstanding invoices to a third party for immediate cash. This solution is particularly valuable for B2B companies with extended payment terms that create cash flow gaps.
Key Options:
Resolve's Superior Approach:
Unlike traditional factoring companies that charge high fees and require businesses to relinquish control of customer relationships, Resolve offers non-recourse invoice financing at a transparent flat fee averaging 3.5% for 30-day net terms with 100% advance. The platform's AI-powered accounts receivable automation reduces manual work while maintaining merchant control over customer interactions.
Cost Comparison:
Traditional factoring companies typically charge fees that can range from 1-5% per month depending on volume, creditworthiness, and industry, plus additional fees for credit checks, collections, and account maintenance. Resolve's flat fee structure for 30-day terms eliminates hidden charges and provides predictable costs.
For businesses with strong accounts receivable but cash flow constraints, invoice financing through Resolve provides immediate liquidity without the high costs and relationship disruption of traditional factoring.
New businesses without established revenue streams face significant challenges accessing traditional financing. However, several alternatives exist for startups seeking initial capital without revenue requirements.
Key Options:
Resolve's Startup Solution:
Resolve provides free business credit checks requiring only your customer's business name and address with results delivered within 24 business hours. This service helps new businesses establish credit relationships and qualify for net terms financing as they grow.
For startups, building business credit through vendors offering net 30 accounts is often the first step toward accessing more substantial financing. Resolve's platform supports this process by providing instant credit decisions and flexible net terms options that help new businesses establish purchasing power.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms connect borrowers directly with individual and institutional investors, bypassing traditional financial institutions. These marketplace lenders offer an alternative funding source with potentially competitive rates.
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Market Position:
P2P lending represents a middle ground between traditional banks and high-cost alternative lenders. While approval rates are typically higher than traditional banks for qualified borrowers, costs vary significantly based on creditworthiness.
Limitations:
Most P2P platforms still require minimum credit scores of 600-650 and annual revenue of $50,000+, excluding many early-stage businesses. Approval times range from 1-7 days, faster than banks but slower than instant approval platforms like Resolve.
For businesses that don't qualify for traditional bank financing but seek lower costs than merchant cash advances, P2P lending can be a viable option. However, the rise of AI-powered platforms like Resolve offering instant approval with transparent pricing has made P2P lending less competitive for B2B businesses.
The revenue-based financing market is experiencing significant growth, driven by businesses seeking non-dilutive funding with cash-flow-aligned repayment. This model allows companies to repay based on actual revenue performance rather than fixed schedules, reducing cash flow strain during slow periods.
A growing number of small businesses now use AI for operations, and lenders using AI in underwriting are achieving faster approvals while expanding access to previously underserved borrowers. AI-powered platforms can approve applications in minutes while improving risk assessment.
Despite economic pressures, creditworthiness among alternative lending applicants has improved, with higher-quality businesses now seeking alternative lenders as traditional banks tighten standards, creating opportunities for better rates while maintaining portfolio quality.
For small businesses evaluating Fora Financial alternatives, the choice depends on your specific needs, business stage, and risk tolerance:
By Business Stage:
Cost Comparison Framework:
Implementation Timeline:
For businesses seeking expert guidance on financing options and implementation, Resolve's support team provides hands-on assistance through the entire onboarding process.
Fora Financial primarily offers merchant cash advances and term loans with factor rates typically ranging from 1.13-1.40 (equivalent to approximately 30% APR for 12-month terms), while invoice factoring involves selling outstanding invoices at a discount. Traditional factoring typically charges fees that can range significantly per month plus additional fees, and often requires businesses to relinquish control of customer relationships. Resolve's non-recourse invoice financing offers a superior alternative with transparent flat fees averaging 3.5% for 30-day net terms, up to 100% advance payment, and maintained customer relationships.
SBA loan approval typically takes 30-90 days, while alternative lenders can fund within 24-48 hours. Periodic government disruptions can affect SBA lending programs, pushing traditionally SBA-eligible businesses into the alternative lending market. Resolve offers among the fastest approvals, with instant decisions for purchases up to $25,000 and 24-hour turnaround for credit checks requiring only company name and address.
Most traditional lenders and even alternative lenders like Fora Financial require minimum annual revenue, excluding many viable startups. However, platforms like Resolve provide free business credit checks requiring only company name and address, helping new businesses establish credit relationships. Additionally, building business credit through vendors offering net 30 accounts can provide initial purchasing power without revenue requirements. For true no-revenue startups, personal guarantee loans or equipment financing secured by specific assets may be viable options.
A factor rate is a decimal figure (typically 1.1-1.5) multiplied by the loan amount to determine total repayment. For example, a $10,000 loan with a 1.3 factor rate requires $13,000 in total repayment. To convert to APR, you must consider the repayment term: a 1.3 factor rate over 12 months is roughly 63–65% APR, while the same factor rate over 6 months can exceed 125% APR depending on payment frequency. Fora Financial's factor rates typically range from 1.13-1.40, which can translate to estimated 30%+ APR equivalents, while Resolve's transparent flat fee averaging 3.5% for 30-day terms provides clear, predictable costs without complex calculations.
Yes, several options exist that don't require personal guarantees. Resolve's non-recourse invoice financing assumes all credit risk, eliminating the need for personal guarantees. Traditional invoice factoring also typically doesn't require personal guarantees since the invoice itself serves as collateral. Additionally, some equipment financing and commercial real estate loans are secured by the specific asset being purchased, removing the need for personal guarantees. However, most unsecured business loans, including those from Fora Financial, typically require personal guarantees, especially for businesses with limited credit history or lower credit scores.
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.