YouLend Review UK 2025: Is It Worth It?
Independent review of YouLend's merchant cash advance: £5k-£500k funding, 1.10-1.35x factor rates, 24-hour decisions. Real pros, cons, and alternatives compared.
Quick Verdict
YouLend is excellent for e-commerce businesses needing £10k-£250k fast. Factor rates of 1.10-1.35x are competitive, approval takes 24-48 hours, and they integrate with major platforms like Shopify and Amazon. Best for established online sellers with consistent sales.
E-commerce, Amazon/eBay sellers, retailers with £10k+ monthly sales
New businesses (<6 months), businesses under £8k monthly revenue
What is YouLend?
YouLend is a UK-based revenue financing company founded in 2015 that provides merchant cash advances and revenue-based loans to small and medium businesses. They're particularly strong in the e-commerce sector, with direct integrations to platforms like Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and major payment processors.
Unlike traditional bank loans, YouLend provides funding based on your business's revenue performance, not your credit score. They advance you a lump sum (£5,000 to £500,000) and you repay a fixed percentage of your daily sales until the agreed amount is repaid.
YouLend Rates and Fees 2025
Pricing Breakdown
Real Cost Example
Example: £50,000 Funding
- • Amount received: £50,000
- • Factor rate: 1.25x
- • Total to repay: £62,500
- • Cost of funding: £12,500 (25%)
- • Daily card sales: £2,000
- • Daily deduction (15%): £300
- • Estimated term: 7-8 months (208 trading days)
* Actual term varies based on sales performance. Higher sales = faster repayment.
How YouLend Works: Step-by-Step
- Apply Online (10 minutes) - Connect your e-commerce platform or payment processor. YouLend uses open banking to analyze your sales data automatically.
- Instant Decision (24-48 hours) - Their algorithm analyzes your revenue patterns and provides an offer within 1-2 business days. No lengthy credit checks or paperwork.
- Accept & Receive Funds (24 hours) - E-sign the agreement, and funds arrive in your business account within 24 hours of acceptance.
- Automatic Repayment - YouLend takes an agreed percentage (typically 10-20%) of your daily sales. Busy day? Pay more. Quiet day? Pay less.
YouLend Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Very fast approval: 24-48 hours vs weeks for bank loans
- E-commerce integration: Connects to Shopify, Amazon, eBay seamlessly
- Flexible repayments: Pay more when busy, less when quiet
- No early repayment penalty: Pay off early and save
- Repeat funding: Once repaid, apply again with faster approval
- Usually no personal guarantee: Business performance matters most
- Good Trustpilot rating: 4.3/5 from 1,240+ verified customers
Disadvantages
- Higher cost than loans: 25-35% total cost vs 6-12% APR bank loans
- High minimum revenue: Need £8,000+/month (excludes smallest businesses)
- Requires consistent sales: Irregular revenue = harder approval
- Factor rates increase for newer businesses: 1.3-1.35x if under 12 months trading
- Not ideal for brick-and-mortar: Better options exist for physical retail/hospitality
Who Should Use YouLend?
✅ YouLend is Perfect For:
- E-commerce businesses with £10k+ monthly sales on Shopify, WooCommerce, or marketplaces
- Amazon/eBay sellers needing fast inventory funding (YouLend integrates directly)
- Growing online retailers wanting flexible repayments that match cash flow
- Seasonal businesses where revenue varies month-to-month
- Businesses declined by banks due to short trading history or imperfect credit
❌ YouLend May Not Suit:
- Very new businesses (under 6 months trading - unlikely to approve)
- Low-revenue businesses under £8,000/month (minimum requirement)
- Cash-heavy businesses without strong card/online sales data
- Businesses wanting cheapest option (traditional loans are 50-60% cheaper if you can wait)
- Hospitality businesses (365 Finance is better specialized for this sector)
YouLend vs Alternatives: Which is Better?
| Provider | Factor Rate | Min Revenue | Best For | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouLend | 1.10-1.35x | £8,000/mo | E-commerce | E-comm ✓ |
| 365 Finance | 1.15-1.40x | £10,000/mo | Hospitality | Hospitality ✓ |
| iwoca | 1.08-1.25x | £3,000/mo | Small business | Best rates ✓ |
| Capify | 1.20-1.45x | £15,000/mo | Large amounts | Higher cost |
YouLend Customer Reviews: What Real Users Say
Based on 1,240+ Trustpilot reviews (verified October 2025), YouLend scores 4.3/5. Here's what customers actually say:
"Approved for £45k in 36 hours. Connected my Shopify store, they analyzed my sales, and made an offer. Funds arrived next day. Repaying 12% of daily sales which is manageable."
— Sarah T., Online Fashion Retailer, London
"Good for fast funding but expensive. Factor rate was 1.32x which meant I paid £16k on a £50k advance. Worked out to about 32% cost over 9 months. Fast but pricey."
— James K., Electronics E-commerce, Birmingham
"Second time using them - got better rate this time (1.18x). Love that repayments flex with sales. December was slow, only paid £80/day. January was busy, paid £280/day. Perfect for seasonal."
— Mohammed A., Garden Supplies Online, Manchester
YouLend Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for YouLend funding, you typically need:
- Minimum 6 months trading: Newer businesses rarely approved
- £8,000+ monthly revenue: Lower revenue = automatic decline
- Consistent online sales: Strong track record on connected platforms
- UK registered business: Ltd company, LLP, or sole trader
- No active insolvency: CCJs okay, but not current bankruptcy
YouLend Alternatives to Consider
1. iwoca (Better Rates, Lower Minimum)
Why consider: iwoca offers factor rates from 1.08x (lower than YouLend's 1.10x minimum) and only requires £3,000/month revenue vs YouLend's £8,000. For smaller businesses or those wanting lowest cost, iwoca often wins.
Trade-off: Slightly slower (24-48 hours vs YouLend's same-day possible). Less e-commerce integration.
Read full YouLend vs iwoca comparison →
2. 365 Finance (Better for Hospitality)
Why consider: If you run a restaurant, pub, hotel, or cafe, 365 Finance specializes in hospitality funding. They understand seasonal patterns and industry-specific challenges better than YouLend's e-commerce focus.
Trade-off: Requires £10,000/month minimum (higher than YouLend). Personal guarantee required for amounts over £50k.
Read full YouLend vs 365 Finance comparison →
3. Funding Circle (Cheaper Long-Term)
Why consider: If speed isn't critical and you have decent credit, Funding Circle offers traditional term loans at 6.9% APR+ (vs YouLend's effective 25-35% cost). You'll save 60-70% over 3 years.
Trade-off: Takes 5-7 days vs YouLend's 24 hours. Requires personal guarantee and credit checks. Fixed monthly payments (less flexible).
Should You Choose YouLend?
✅ Choose YouLend If:
- You run an e-commerce business on Shopify, Amazon, eBay, or similar platforms
- You need funding within 48 hours (emergency inventory, seasonal stock, etc.)
- Your revenue is consistent and verifiable through online sales channels
- You value flexible repayments over lowest cost
- You've had funding from YouLend before (repeat applications are faster and cheaper)
❌ Consider Alternatives If:
- Your revenue is under £8,000/month (try iwoca - £3k minimum)
- You run a restaurant, pub, or hotel (try 365 Finance - hospitality specialists)
- You want the absolute lowest cost and can wait 5-7 days (try Funding Circle)
- You're under 6 months trading (YouLend will likely decline)
How to Apply for YouLend
- Visit YouLend.com and click "Get Started"
- Connect your platforms - Link Shopify/Amazon/payment processor via secure API
- Receive instant quote - Algorithm analyzes your data and shows funding amount + rate
- Review offer - See exactly what you'll repay and daily deduction amount
- Accept if happy - E-sign agreement online
- Get funded - Money in your account within 24 hours
Pro Tip: Compare Multiple Providers First
Before applying to YouLend directly, compare their offer against 365 Finance, iwoca, and others. Factor rates can vary by 0.1-0.3x between providers, which on a £50k advance means £5,000-£15,000 difference in total cost. Takes 3 minutes to compare, could save you thousands.
The Verdict: Is YouLend Worth It?
Yes, if you're an e-commerce business needing £10k+ fast and have consistent online sales. YouLend's platform integration, speed (24-48 hours), and flexible repayments make them one of the best options for online retailers.
No, if you want the cheapest option or run a brick-and-mortar business. iwoca offers better rates (1.08x vs 1.10x minimum), and 365 Finance is better for hospitality. Traditional term loans from Funding Circle are 60-70% cheaper if you can wait 5-7 days.
Our recommendation: Get quotes from YouLend AND 2-3 alternatives before deciding. The rate difference between providers can be £5,000-£15,000 on the same advance amount.
Compare YouLend Against All Alternatives
Get quotes from YouLend, 365 Finance, iwoca, and more. See all rates side-by-side in 24 hours. Free comparison, no obligation.
Free comparison • Decision in 24 hours • No credit check to compare
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YouLend FCA regulated?
Yes, YouLend is FCA authorized and regulated. You can verify their authorization on the FCA register. This means they must follow strict consumer protection rules.
Can I pay off YouLend early?
Yes, there are no early repayment penalties with YouLend. If you repay the full amount early, you'll save on the remaining factor rate costs. This is a significant advantage over some competitors who charge early settlement fees.
What if my sales drop during repayment?
This is where YouLend shines - repayments are a percentage of daily sales. If sales drop 50%, your repayment drops 50% automatically. This protects your cash flow during quiet periods, unlike fixed loan repayments.
How many times can I borrow from YouLend?
Unlimited. Once you've repaid 50-75% of your first advance, you can apply for another (even before full repayment). Repeat customers often get better rates (lower factor rates) and faster approval.
Does YouLend require a personal guarantee?
Usually not for most advances, though requirements can vary. YouLend typically bases approval on business performance data rather than personal guarantees. Always confirm the specific terms of your offer before accepting.
Bottom Line
YouLend is a solid choice for e-commerce businesses with £10k+ monthly revenue needing fast, flexible funding. Their 1.10-1.35x factor rates are competitive (though not the cheapest), approval is genuinely quick (24-48 hours), and the platform integrations make application seamless.
However, don't apply blindly. Compare YouLend against iwoca (better rates), 365 Finance (if hospitality), and Funding Circle (if you want cheaper long-term financing). The 15 minutes spent comparing could save you £5,000-£15,000.