Working capital loans pay for day-to-day costs like inventory, ads and payroll. For eCommerce sellers, the best options are fast, repay in a way that fits uneven sales, and decide on real store data. This guide compares seven types of provider and explains how to choose one before peak season.
The options at a glance
| Provider or type | How it decides | How it is repaid |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Onramp Funds | Connected store sales across nine platforms | Share of sales, fixed schedule, or rolling cash line |
| 2. Platform financing (Shopify Capital, Amazon Lending, TikTok Shop Capital) | Sales on that platform, by invitation | Usually from that platform's sales |
| 3. Payment processor financing (for example, Stripe Capital) | Processing history with that provider | A share of processed sales |
| 4. Online lines of credit (for example, Bluevine) | Credit and business financials | Payments on what you draw |
| 5. Online term loans (for example, OnDeck) | Credit and business financials | Fixed payments on a schedule |
| 6. Marketplace payout advances (for example, Payability) | Marketplace sales history and performance | Deducted from future payouts |
| 7. SBA and bank financing | Credit, collateral and financial statements | Fixed payments over a longer term |
1. Onramp Funds: best for eCommerce-first working capital
Onramp Funds connects to Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop and other platforms to underwrite on real sales, with no personal credit check to see an offer.
- Eligibility: a legal US business entity, at least $10,000 in average monthly sales, and at least six months of selling history, with no personal credit check to see an offer.
- Platforms: Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, TikTok Shop, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Shopline and Stripe, underwritten on combined sales.
- Cost: The fee is flat, disclosed upfront, and non-compounding, as low as 9% of the funded amount ($4,500 on $50,000). Subject to credit eligibility; rates and terms may vary. Longer terms cost more, and your offer states the exact fee.
- Repayment: a share of daily sales, a fixed schedule over one to twelve months, or a rolling cash line.
- Speed: funds typically arrive in one to two business days.
Best for: sellers funding inventory or ads who want repayment tied to sales. Not for: stores under $10,000 a month or under six months old.
2. Platform financing
Shopify Capital, Amazon Lending and TikTok Shop Capital make offers inside your seller dashboard. They are convenient when you have an offer, but most are invitation-based and count only that platform's sales. See Shopify Capital requirements and TikTok Shop Capital.
3. Payment processor financing
If you process payments through a provider such as Stripe, you may see a financing offer in its dashboard, typically repaid as a share of the sales it processes. Access depends on your history with that processor.
4. Online lines of credit
A line of credit lets you draw and repay repeatedly, paying only for what you use. Online lenders such as Bluevine decide faster than banks but still weigh credit and business financials. Check each lender's current requirements.
5. Online term loans
Term loans from online lenders such as OnDeck provide a lump sum repaid on a fixed schedule. Fixed payments are predictable but do not ease in a slow month, and a personal guarantee may be required.
6. Marketplace payout advances
Providers such as Payability advance marketplace earnings you have already made, instead of waiting for the marketplace schedule. This fixes a timing gap. It does not fund stock you have not sold yet.
7. SBA and bank financing
SBA and bank loans can offer longer terms at lower cost for businesses that qualify, but they take longer and usually require strong credit and documentation, and sometimes collateral.
Key terms to understand
- Flat fee: a fixed charge on the funded amount. On $50,000 at 9%, you repay $54,500.
- Factor rate: a multiplier on the advance, such as 1.15, which sets the total payback.
- APR: an annualized cost, common on term loans and lines of credit.
- Personal guarantee: a promise that you are personally responsible if the business cannot repay. Check each agreement.
Convert every offer to the total repayable on the same amount before you decide. The MCA vs Revenue-Based Financing Cost Calculator does this side by side.
Funding peak season inventory
Holiday stock has to be ordered and paid for weeks before it sells, and marketplace payouts add more delay. Before you accept any offer:
- Set your order date. The Safety Stock and Reorder Point Calculator gives your latest safe Q4 order date and units to order.
- Check your cash position. The eCommerce Working Capital Calculator scores your working capital out of 100 and shows the one thing to fix first.
- Size the capital. The eCommerce Funding Calculator shows how much the plan needs and your cash with and without an advance.
- Plan for January. Repayment continues after the peak, when sales usually drop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest working capital for eCommerce?
Sales-based providers and online lenders are usually fastest. With Onramp Funds, funds typically arrive in one to two business days.
Can I get working capital without a personal credit check?
Yes. Onramp Funds does not run a personal credit check to show you an offer. It decides on connected store sales.
What if my sales drop during repayment?
With a share-of-sales structure, payments fall when sales fall. With fixed payments, they do not, so plan your cash for slower months.
Onramp Funds
Funding built around your sales
Connect your store and see what you qualify for. Repay as a percentage of sales, with no personal credit check.
Funding in as little as 24 hours.
