365 Finance vs Cubefunder Merchant Cash Advance Comparison

Comparing 365 Finance and the Cubefunder Merchant Cash Advance alternative is essentially a choice between a specialist card takings based advance and a flexible short term business loan model that aims to mimic MCA style repayments. Both providers focus on UK SMEs and use business revenue rather than property security as the primary basis for lending, although Cubefunder is also an FCA authorised lender for its wider activities according to its responsible lending policy. 365 Finance trades as 365 Business Finance Limited and concentrates on unsecured, card terminal linked funding for merchants based on card turnover as explained on its merchant cash advance page. Cubefunder, the trading name of Tallaght Financial Ltd, offers a merchant cash advance alternative within a broader menu of short term business finance solutions for limited companies as outlined on its small business loans page. This guide sets out the key differences in structure, costs, eligibility and service so that you can decide which route aligns more closely with your cash flow profile and risk tolerance.

1. Products and terms at a glance

Both lenders sit in the revenue based finance space, but they structure products differently and target slightly different customer profiles.

365 Finance

365 Finance is a UK based provider specialising in unsecured funding that is repaid directly from a business's card terminal or online card takings. On its merchant cash advance page, 365 Finance describes advancing up to the equivalent of one month of card takings for eligible businesses, for example a business processing £10,000 per month in card sales may be able to access £10,000 in funding, with repayments taken as a fixed percentage of future card transactions. The same page describes this as an unsecured facility that can be used for purposes such as refurbishment, stock or working capital, with no requirement to provide property as collateral.

There is no separate eligibility microsite, but the merchant cash advance overview indicates that 365 Finance focuses on UK based SMEs that take card payments through a terminal or online gateway and have a track record of card turnover, rather than start ups without trading history, based on its merchant cash advance description. A more detailed Q&A article on cash advance questions and answers explains that funding is repaid as a share of card takings and that there are no traditional interest rates or APRs, with the cost instead fixed at the outset.

For complaints and regulatory position, 365 Finance explains on its complaints notice that its products are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and confirms that 365 Finance is a trading name of 365 Business Finance Limited, registered in England and Wales. It also states that because the products are unregulated, customers do not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for dispute resolution, though the firm outlines its internal complaints process on the same page.

Cubefunder Merchant Cash Advance alternative

Cubefunder positions itself as a flexible short term business lender whose repayments can be tailored to mimic the behaviour of a merchant cash advance while remaining structured as a loan. On its merchant cash advance alternative page, Cubefunder states that it offers a loan product rather than an MCA contract, but with repayments that can flex with cash flow, for example by adjusting payment amounts or pausing repayments in quieter periods by agreement, rather than taking a fixed percentage of each card transaction. The same page emphasises that Cubefunder does not require card terminal switching and can work with a broader range of payment methods.

On its how it works page, Cubefunder states that it lends between £5,000 and £100,000 to UK registered limited companies, with repayments tailored to cash flow and collected on UK working days. The FAQ page explains that the total fixed cost of the loan is divided by the number of working days in the term, for example a six month term is treated as 126 working days, and a fixed amount is then collected on each of those days, as set out on Cubefunder's FAQ page. Cubefunder also notes that it is the trading name of Tallaght Financial Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 786297, according to its responsible lending policy.

Cubefunder's homepage and product pages confirm that it focuses on small businesses that have been trading for at least three months and are UK registered companies, and that it does not generally lend to sole traders or partnerships, based on the overview on its main site together with the eligibility outline in how it works. It presents its offering as an alternative to conventional merchant cash advances in which repayments are calculated off card takings alone, as opposed to daily fixed instalments.

2. Costs and repayments in practice

Both lenders use fixed cost, revenue linked structures rather than variable interest with a quoted APR. However, their disclosure practices differ and both stress that pricing is tailored, so the figures in this section are illustrative only and actual costs vary.

Cost structure

365 Finance explains in its Q&A that there are no interest rates or APRs on its business cash advance, and that instead a fixed cost of finance is agreed at the outset and repaid as a share of card takings, as described on its cash advance questions and answers page. The same resource notes that repayments automatically adjust with trading volumes because the percentage of card takings remains constant, so in quieter periods the amount repaid is lower and in busier periods it is higher.

Cubefunder also uses a fixed total cost that is agreed upfront for its loans, rather than charging variable interest, and spreads that fixed cost across working days during the term. Its FAQ states that the total fixed cost is divided by the number of working days so that the same amount is collected on each business day, generally via direct debit or continuous payment authority, as shown in Cubefunder's Frequently Asked Questions. The responsible lending page reiterates that Cubefunder designs repayment schedules to fit cash flow and can consider changes where a business experiences difficulty, although specific concessions are handled on a case by case basis according to its responsible lending policy.

Repayment mechanisms

For 365 Finance, repayments are taken directly from card takings via the card terminal or acquiring partner. The merchant cash advance page explains that a fixed percentage of each card transaction, agreed in advance, is diverted towards repaying the advance until the agreed total amount has been collected, rather than fixed calendar based instalments, as set out on its product overview. This means the effective repayment period can be shorter if card sales are stronger than expected, or longer if they are weaker, within any maximum backstop term agreed in the contract, which is not disclosed publicly and therefore varies.

Cubefunder, by contrast, uses fixed working day repayments that do not automatically change with card takings, so cash flow management is more predictable but less directly tied to revenue. On its FAQ, Cubefunder sets out that, for example, a six month term is treated as 126 working days and the daily repayment amount is calculated by dividing the total repayable sum by that number. While Cubefunder can reschedule repayments or agree temporary pauses, this is discretionary and must be discussed with its credit control team according to the same FAQ, so it is not automatic in the way a card percentage based deduction is.

Illustrative comparison table

The following table uses hypothetical examples to illustrate the relative behaviour of each product under different sales patterns. These are not real quotes and the actual factor costs and terms from either lender vary and must be obtained directly from them.

Again, these numbers are for illustration only and the actual cost of finance with either lender varies depending on credit assessment, sector, trading history and other risk factors.

Worked example 1: Card heavy retailer

Assumptions, which are illustrative and not specific to either lender:

• Retail business takes £40,000 per month in card payments.
• It needs £30,000 for refurbishment.
• Both lenders agree an illustrative fixed total repayable of £39,000 (i.e. £9,000 cost of finance) which in reality varies.
• 365 Finance style structure uses a 12.5% card takings deduction.
• Cubefunder style structure uses a six month term, 126 working days.

365 Finance style behaviour

• Average daily card takings: assume £40,000 / 30 ≈ £1,333.
• Daily repayment at 12.5%: £1,333 × 12.5% ≈ £167.
• Days required to clear £39,000: £39,000 / £167 ≈ 234 days (around 7.8 months).
• If card sales increase to £50,000 per month, the repayment period shortens; if they fall to £30,000 per month, the period lengthens.

Cubefunder style behaviour

• Total repayable: £39,000.
• Working days in six months: 126, as per the example on Cubefunder's FAQ.
• Daily working day repayment: £39,000 / 126 ≈ £309.52.
• Repayment period is a fixed six months unless the business prepays or negotiates a change.

In this scenario, the MCA structure automatically flexes with revenue but takes longer to repay than the fixed six month schedule if sales remain flat at the assumed level. However, if the retailer has highly seasonal peaks, the MCA may complete much sooner without any need to renegotiate terms.

Worked example 2: Service business with mixed payments

Assumptions, again illustrative and not specific to either lender:

• Service business bills £60,000 per month, but only £20,000 passes through a card terminal, with the rest received via bank transfer.
• It needs £20,000 of working capital.
• Illustrative total repayable: £25,000 (varies in practice).
• 365 Finance style offer is limited by card turnover; Cubefunder bases affordability on total revenue and cash flow.

365 Finance implications

• If the lender advances up to one month of card takings, the maximum illustrative advance might be around £20,000 subject to underwriting, in line with the example used on its merchant cash advance page.
• However, because only a third of revenue flows through cards, diverting a significant percentage of those takings could constrain liquidity.
• This makes the MCA model less efficient for businesses where card payments are not the dominant channel.

Cubefunder implications

• Cubefunder assesses overall cash flow and can structure repayments across working days drawing from the business bank account rather than only from card transactions, as explained on how it works.
• If the total repayable of £25,000 is spread over a nine month term with 189 working days, the daily working day repayment would be about £132.28.
• This may be easier to manage for a business whose income arrives irregularly but can cover a small predictable payment most days.

These examples highlight that, while both products are designed for flexibility, a true card linked advance suits card heavy merchants whereas a flexible short term loan may be more appropriate for businesses with diversified payment methods.

3. Speed and service

Both lenders emphasise quick decision making and funding, but neither currently publishes guaranteed approval or payout times as of 2026, so this aspect varies.

365 Finance

365 Finance positions its merchant cash advance as a fast funding option for existing card taking businesses. Its main product page refers to quick application processes and direct UK based support, though it does not publish standard service levels or timelines, as seen on its merchant cash advance page. The FAQ and customer testimonials highlight customer satisfaction but do not provide firm timing guarantees, so any indication of speed should be treated as indicative and subject to underwriting.

Independent reviews on sites such as Trustpilot report positive experiences with speed and service, but these are anecdotal and individual results vary. For example, Trustpilot reviews of 365 Finance show a high average rating based on customer feedback, although Funding Agent recommends relying on the lender's written terms rather than third party commentary when making decisions.

Cubefunder

Cubefunder describes its lending as fast and flexible but, like 365 Finance, it does not publish guaranteed approval or payout timelines. Its homepage and how it works page mention that funds can be provided quickly subject to application checks, but without specifying hours or days, as shown on the Cubefunder site and how it works. The lender also notes that it carries out credit and affordability checks, including reviewing recent bank statements and business performance, which can affect timing.

External reviews, for instance on Finder's Cubefunder business loans review and Trustpilot, often reference responsive customer service and relatively quick processes, but specific timeframes still vary by case and over time.

4. Who each lender suits

When 365 Finance may be a better fit

• Your business takes a significant proportion of revenue through card terminals or online card payments, and you want repayments to scale automatically with sales, as described on the merchant cash advance product page.
• You prefer not to provide property security, but are comfortable with an unsecured advance that is effectively secured against future card receivables, in line with the description on 365 Finance's merchant cash advance overview.
• Your sales are seasonal or volatile, so the ability for repayments to fall in quieter periods and rise in busier periods is attractive, according to the explanation on 365 Finance's Q&A page.
• You are a UK SME with an established trading history and card turnover, rather than a new start up or primarily invoice based business, reflecting the focus seen on 365 Finance's main site.

When Cubefunder may be a better fit

• Your company is a UK registered limited company that can evidence at least three months of active trading and is seeking short term business finance between £5,000 and £100,000, as outlined on Cubefunder's how it works page.
• Your income arrives through a mix of card payments, bank transfers and invoices, so a product drawing only on card takings may not align well, whereas Cubefunder's loans can be repaid from general business cash flow according to its MCA alternative description.
• You value predictable daily working day repayments and the ability to discuss adjustments or pauses if trading conditions change, as referenced on Cubefunder's FAQ and responsible lending policy.
• You want to work with an FCA authorised lender for business borrowing, bearing in mind that small business loans to companies are exempt products but the firm itself is authorised, as noted in Cubefunder's responsible lending policy.

5. How to apply

365 Finance application process

365 Finance's application journey begins online or via a broker, followed by assessment and documentation.

• Initial enquiry: On the merchant cash advance page, 365 Finance provides an online enquiry form where you share basic business details, estimated monthly card takings and funding needs.
• Assessment: The lender reviews your card processing history, sector and trading performance, often in conjunction with the payment processor, as indicated by references to working with card acquirers on its product page.
• Offer: If eligible, you receive a funding proposal that sets out the amount available, the fixed cost of finance, the percentage of card takings to be collected and any maximum term; these details are not standardised publicly and vary by case.
• Agreement and set up: After signing the agreement electronically, 365 Finance arranges with your card processor for the agreed percentage of card takings to be diverted until the total repayable has been collected, as described generally on its overview.
• Ongoing support: For any concerns, customers can follow the steps in 365 Finance's complaints notice, which sets out how the firm handles complaints and what to do if you are dissatisfied with its response.

Cubefunder application process

Cubefunder's process is framed as a short online form followed by document checks and a tailored offer.

• Eligibility check: The homepage and how it works page invite you to confirm that your business is a UK registered limited company, has been trading for at least three months and meets the minimum turnover threshold, as noted on how it works. Specific turnover requirements are not fully detailed publicly and therefore vary.
• Online application: You complete an online form with details about the company, directors, funding purpose and requested amount, according to the overview on Cubefunder's site.
• Document submission: Cubefunder typically requests recent business bank statements, management accounts and information about existing borrowing. Its FAQ notes that affordability checks and a credit search are carried out before approving a loan, as set out on the FAQ page.
• Offer and agreement: If approved, Cubefunder presents a loan offer with the total fixed cost, the number of working days in the term and the fixed daily repayment, as described in the repayment example on its FAQ.
• Funding and servicing: After signing electronically, funds are released and daily collections begin on the agreed schedule. Customers who encounter problems are directed to Cubefunder's complaint handling information in its terms and conditions and support pages, though specific escalation routes may vary.

6. Final verdict

Both 365 Finance and Cubefunder occupy the flexible revenue based funding space but serve different usage cases. 365 Finance provides a classic merchant cash advance product that is deeply integrated with card takings, while Cubefunder offers a hybrid model in which loans are repaid through fixed working day instalments that can be adjusted where needed, subject to agreement. The better option depends on how your customers pay you, how variable your turnover is and whether you prefer repayments that rise and fall with card sales or remain fixed in cash terms.

In addition, while Cubefunder is FCA authorised according to its responsible lending disclosures, and 365 Finance clearly states that its products are unregulated, this difference should be weighed alongside practical considerations such as affordability, transparency of pricing and how each structure would perform under stress scenarios for your business. Since neither lender publishes rate cards or representative examples on the pages reviewed as of 2026, you should treat any cost assumptions as illustrative only and base decisions on written offers provided in response to your own application.

Choose 365 Finance if:

• Your business is card heavy and you want repayments to remain a constant percentage of card takings, so they automatically flex with sales.
• You prefer an unsecured advance that avoids property security and is effectively serviced directly by your card processor.
• Your turnover is seasonal or volatile and you value the potential for faster repayment in strong trading periods without renegotiation.
• You are comfortable using an unregulated business cash advance product and have read the complaints information and limitations outlined in 365 Finance's own documentation.

Choose Cubefunder if:

• Your company is a UK registered limited company with at least several months of trading and a mix of payment methods, not just card terminals.
• You prefer fixed working day repayments that can be budgeted into cash flow, with potential for adjustments if you communicate early with the lender.
• You value dealing with a lender whose wider activities are authorised and regulated by the FCA, even though the specific business loan products are exempt.
• You are looking for short term funding of between roughly £5,000 and £100,000 and are prepared to undergo affordability checks and provide bank statements as part of underwriting.

7. Sources

• 365 Finance merchant cash advance product page
• 365 Finance cash advance questions and answers
• 365 Finance complaints notice and regulatory statement
• 365 Finance customer reviews on Trustpilot
• 365 Finance general FAQs
• Cubefunder merchant cash advance alternative overview
• Cubefunder how it works page
• Cubefunder Frequently Asked Questions
• Cubefunder responsible lending policy and FCA authorisation statement
• Cubefunder terms and conditions
• Cubefunder main site and product overview
• Finder UK Cubefunder business loans review
• Cubefunder customer reviews on Trustpilot
• Funding Agent guide: What is a merchant cash advance