October 9, 2025
Lists

Top Equipment Finance Lenders for Small Businesses in the UK

Discover the best equipment finance lenders for small businesses in the UK in 2025. Compare rates, terms, and options to find the perfect finance solution for your company.
Jesse Spence
Finance content writer / Market researcher

For UK franchise buyers and operators, this guide compares loan periods and amounts, APRs, and terms across leading providers, with a focus on eligibility and fit. Amounts that could not be verified are left blank prices accurate as of 2025-10-09.

1. Funding Agent

Funding Agent provides business loans and alternative funding options that serve small businesses seeking straightforward, flexible financial solutions. Their offerings include quick access to capital and transparent terms, suitable for franchise buyers and SMEs in need of predictable financing. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 5%
  • Max APR: 20%
  • Loan Duration: 6-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Alternative Financing
  • Industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Tech

Pros

  • Quick access to capital
  • Tailored solutions for SMEs

Cons

  • Strict eligibility criteria

Sources: https://www.fundingagent.co.uk

2. iwoca

iwoca offers flexible small business financing options, including loans and lines of credit designed for quick approval and adaptable repayment terms. Their solutions cater to SMEs needing fast, accessible funding, often secured against business or personal assets. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £200,000
  • Min APR: 6%
  • Max APR: 15%
  • Loan Duration: 1-12 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Line of Credit
  • Industries: Retail, Trade, Wholesale

Pros

  • Fast decision process
  • Flexible loan terms

Cons

  • High APR for certain profiles

Sources: https://www.iwoca.co.uk/finance-explained/business-loan-interest-rates

3. Fleximize

Fleximize offers flexible business loans and funding solutions that adapt to the needs of SMEs, with quick approval and custom repayment options. Tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, it suits those seeking flexible terms and fast access to capital. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 8.9%
  • Max APR: 25%
  • Loan Duration: 3-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Unsecured Loans
  • Industries: Healthcare, Construction, Professional Services

Pros

  • Flexible repayment terms
  • Award-winning service

Cons

  • Higher interest rates for unsecured loans

Sources: https://www.fleximize.co.uk

4. Clifton Private Finance

Clifton Private Finance focuses on high-quality lending solutions that support property purchases, refinancing, and development projects. They offer quick access and tailored advice for borrowers with secured and unsecured options, often suited to property investors and businesses needing specialised finance. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 4.8%
  • Max APR: 15%
  • Loan Duration: 12-72 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Property Finance, Business Loans
  • Industries: Property Management, Retail, Services

Pros

  • Expert advice
  • Competitive rates

Cons

  • Complex application process

Sources: https://www.cliftonpf.co.uk/about-us/

5. Kennet Equipment Leasing

Kennet Equipment Leasing provides equipment leasing solutions that enable businesses to acquire assets without large upfront costs. They offer flexible lease terms and options that can be tailored to different asset types and industries. Their services suit SMEs seeking to upgrade equipment with manageable payments. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £750,000
  • Min APR: 4%
  • Max APR: 18%
  • Loan Duration: 12-72 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Equipment Leases, Asset Finance
  • Industries: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Logistics

Pros

  • Flexible lease terms
  • Tailored solutions

Cons

  • Large finance charges over term

Sources: https://www.kennet-leasing.co.uk

6. Funding Circle

Funding Circle offers a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects small businesses with investors for fast and accessible business loans. They facilitate financing for growth, working capital, or investment projects, often with quick approval processes. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £750,000
  • Min APR: 6%
  • Max APR: 22%
  • Loan Duration: 6-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Working Capital Loans
  • Industries: Construction, Retail, Food & Beverage

Pros

  • Quick application process
  • No early repayment fees

Cons

  • Stringent credit checks

Sources: https://www.fundingcircle.co.uk

7. White Oak UK

White Oak UK offers comprehensive business loans and financial solutions designed for growth and development needs. They provide flexible repayment options, often secured against assets or cash flow. Suitable for SMEs and larger firms, they support property finance, working capital, and expansion projects. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 3.5%
  • Max APR: 14%
  • Loan Duration: 12-48 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Development Loans
  • Industries: Manufacturing, IT Services, Consultancy

Pros

  • Comprehensive offerings
  • Tailored financial solutions

Cons

  • Higher APR for larger amounts

Sources: https://www.ldf.co.uk/flipside-business-finance

8. Swoop Funding

Swoop Funding provides an online platform that connects businesses with a range of funding options, including equity, grants, and loans. The platform simplifies the process of finding suitable finance and offers quick decision-making tools. It targets SMEs seeking flexible, transparent, and accessible financing solutions. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 5%
  • Max APR: 20%
  • Loan Duration: 6-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Equity Financing
  • Industries: Tech, Retail, Healthcare

Pros

  • Diverse funding options
  • User-friendly platform

Cons

  • Complexity in choosing the right product

Sources: https://swoopfunding.com/uk/sectors/

9. SME Loans

SME Loans offers quick, flexible finance solutions for small businesses looking for accessible funding options. Their solutions include unsecured loans with fast approval processes. They support a wide range of sectors and business sizes, helping companies meet their growth needs efficiently. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 6.5%
  • Max APR: 18%
  • Loan Duration: 12-36 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Unsecured Business Loans, Short Term Loans
  • Industries: Food & Beverage, Retail, Services

Pros

  • No setup fees
  • Flexible repayment options

Cons

  • Limited loan terms

Sources: https://www.smeloans.co.uk

10. Union Business Finance

Union Business Finance offers a variety of finance options including business loans, merchant cash advances, and asset finance to support SME growth. They provide flexible terms and competitive rates, often secured against assets or cash flow. Their services are suitable for businesses seeking reliable, scalable funding solutions to facilitate expansion or manage cash flow. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 4.5%
  • Max APR: 12%
  • Loan Duration: 6-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Merchant Cash Advance
  • Industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Construction

Pros

  • Low-interest rates
  • Versatile funding options

Cons

  • Eligibility documentation required

Sources: https://unionbusinessfinance.co.uk/inventory-finance

How to choose

Match loan size and APR to your budget, check eligibility, and balance speed against flexibility. Consider how repayments fit your franchise cash flow and seasonality. Review lender criteria, fees, and early repayment terms before applying. Understanding your own needs will help you select the right provider. Think about whether you need quick access or long-term financing. Comparing different services ensures you find the best fit for your business situation.

Conclusion

Matching the right provider depends on your business needs. Bank lenders often offer secured loans with lower rates for established businesses. Brokers and online platforms provide quick access and broader options for unsecured finance. Specialist lenders focus on specific sectors or asset types. Always verify current costs and terms with the lender; pricing may change. Funding Agent is a strong choice for SMEs that want quick comparisons across multiple options. Other providers suit larger amounts, asset-backed needs, or sector specialisms. Always confirm current costs and terms with the lender; pricing may change.

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