What Uplyft publishes
Uplyft's merchant cash advance page lists advances from $5,000 to $5,000,000, typically 10% to 250% of average monthly revenue, with factor rates of 1.10 to 1.50 and repayment over 3 to 18 months.
From Uplyft's merchant cash advance page (checked October 2026):
- Amounts: $5,000 to $5,000,000, usually sized at 10% to 250% of average monthly revenue.
- Minimums: 3 months in business, $10,000 in monthly revenue, active merchant processing, and a 500+ credit score in its comparison table. The page also says bad credit is accepted.
- Documents: 3 months of bank statements, merchant processing statements, a valid business ID and a voided check.
- Pricing: factor rates typically from 1.10 to 1.50.
- Repayment: a holdback of 8% to 20% of daily card sales, or a fixed daily ACH debit, over a typical 3 to 18 months.
- Speed: approvals often within hours, with funds typically wired within 24 hours of signed agreements.
Uplyft's homepage also lists lines of credit, SBA loans, equipment financing and term loans, but those pages were not part of our check, so we do not state their terms here.
Reading a factor rate in plain dollars
A factor rate multiplies the advance to give the total you repay, so 1.10 to 1.50 means paying back $1.10 to $1.50 for every dollar received, regardless of how fast you repay.
Illustrative example: a $60,000 advance at a 1.35 factor rate means $81,000 to repay, a $21,000 cost. If sales are strong and the advance is repaid in 6 months, that $21,000 cost covers a short period, which makes the annualized rate very high. If it takes 12 months, the same $21,000 is spread over twice as long.
Three numbers to write down for any advance: total payback, expected daily or weekly payment, and expected payoff date. Divide the cost by the months to get a monthly-equivalent cost and set it against what the money earns. Our guide on comparing factor rate offers works through two side by side. Figures are illustrative.
Minimums compared
Uplyft's advance accepts younger and smaller businesses than ROI Funder; ROI Funder offers more product types for businesses that clear its bar.
| Item | Uplyft merchant cash advance | ROI Funder |
|---|---|---|
| Time in business | 3 months minimum | 6+ months |
| Monthly revenue | $10,000 | $20,000+ |
| Credit | 500+ in table; bad credit accepted | 500+ FICO considered |
| Card processing | Active merchant processing required | Not required |
| Amount | $5,000 to $5,000,000 | $5,000 to $5,000,000 |
| Bank statements | 3 months | 3 months |
The processing row matters for service businesses. A plumbing company paid mostly by check and ACH may not fit a card-based advance, but it can still show strong deposits on a bank statement.
When an advance makes sense, and when a loan is cheaper
Advances suit short, high-return needs and sales that swing; fixed-payment loans and lines usually cost less for steady businesses that qualify for them.
A merchant cash advance earns its cost when the money produces a fast, clear return and sales are uneven, because a holdback of daily card sales slows down on weak days. Examples: buying seasonal stock 60 days before the busy season, or covering a repair that would otherwise close the doors.
A term loan with fixed payments usually costs less when the business has steady deposits, a year or more of history and a credit score that can support it. A line of credit is better for repeating needs, since you pay only on what you draw.
Decision rule: if you qualify for a fixed-payment product and the purchase pays back over more than 12 months, start there. If the need is urgent, short and tied to sales, an advance can be the right tool.
Watch for stacking
Taking a second advance while the first is still being repaid stacks two holdbacks on the same sales and is the most common way an advance turns from useful to dangerous.
Illustrative example: a boutique with $40,000 in monthly card sales carries one advance at a 12% holdback, about $4,800 a month. A second advance at 15% adds about $6,000. Now more than a quarter of sales goes to repayment before rent, payroll or new stock.
Before signing any new advance, add up every existing payment as a share of revenue. If you already hold more than one, ask about refinancing a merchant cash advance into one longer, lower payment rather than adding another. Figures are illustrative.
When Uplyft is the better fit, and when ROI Funder is
Uplyft fits card-processing businesses that are 3 to 6 months old or under $20,000 a month in revenue. ROI Funder fits businesses past 6 months with $20,000+ a month that want to compare advances with lower-cost structures.
Uplyft may be better if: your business is between 3 and 6 months old, your monthly revenue is between $10,000 and $20,000, you process cards actively and you need money for a short, high-return purpose. Its published factor-rate range and holdback range also give you a clear starting point for negotiation.
ROI Funder may be better if: you have 6+ months and $20,000+ a month, you are paid mainly by check or ACH, or you want to see a term loan, a line of credit and revenue-based financing next to an advance through our 100+ funder network. We show true cost, payback period and a monthly-equivalent payment before you sign, and approved, complete files can fund the same business day.
Our application takes a few minutes, uses a soft credit pull and has no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How long must I be in business for an Uplyft cash advance?
Its merchant cash advance page lists a minimum of 3 months in business, along with $10,000 in monthly revenue and active merchant processing.
What factor rates does Uplyft list?
Its merchant cash advance page says factor rates typically run from 1.10 to 1.50, applied to the advance amount to set the total repayment.
Does ROI Funder require credit card processing?
No. Funders in our network review 3 months of business bank statements, so check, ACH and card deposits all count.
Is a merchant cash advance a loan?
Generally no. An advance is usually structured as a purchase of future receivables and priced with a factor rate, while a loan carries interest and a fixed repayment schedule.