Alvara Capital vs. Funding Circle
An honest side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right business funding partner.
At a Glance
Direct lender focused on term loans and SBA 7(a) loans for established small businesses. Originally a UK-based P2P platform; now operates U.S. lending directly.
Alvara Capital
Direct lender- Amount range$10,000 – $1,000,000
- Time in business6 months minimum
- Monthly revenue$10,000+
- Min credit scoreNone required
- Funding speedSame day to 24 hours
Funding Circle
Direct lender- Amount range$25,000 – $500,000 (term); up to $5M for SBA
- Time in business2 years minimum
- Monthly revenueVaries — typically $20K+/month
- Min credit score660+
- Funding speed1–3 days for term loans; longer for SBA
Products Offered
Alvara Capital
- Business line of credit
- Business term loan
- Revenue advance
- Equipment financing
- Debt consolidation
- Short-term loan
Funding Circle
- Term loans
- SBA 7(a) loans
- Business lines of credit
Funding Circle: Pros and Cons
Based on publicly available information and industry reputation.
Strengths
- Competitive interest rates for qualified borrowers (often starting around 7%–8% APR)
- Fixed-rate term loans with predictable monthly payments
- Offers SBA 7(a) loans alongside conventional term loans
- No prepayment penalties on most products
Tradeoffs
- Requires 2+ years in business — excludes newer companies
- 660+ FICO floor
- Personal guarantee required on most loans
- Best rates reserved for stronger credit profiles
Where Alvara Capital has an edge
Specific areas where Alvara Capital's terms or process compare favorably to Funding Circle.
Funding Circle is a good fit if:
Established businesses (2+ years) with good credit (660+) seeking competitive-rate term loans or SBA financing without the slowest bank timeline.
Alvara Capital is a better fit if:
You have a credit-challenged profile, need same-day funding, have been in business at least 6 months, generate $10K+ in monthly revenue, and want a single direct relationship rather than a broker or multi-lender marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Alvara Capital and Funding Circle?
Alvara Capital is a direct lender offering business funding from $10,000 to $1,000,000 with no minimum credit score required, 6 months minimum time in business, and same-day approval. Funding Circle is a direct lender: Direct lender focused on term loans and SBA 7(a) loans for established small businesses. Originally a UK-based P2P platform; now operates U.S. lending directly.
What credit score do you need for Funding Circle?
Funding Circle typically requires a credit score of 660+. By comparison, Alvara Capital has no minimum credit score requirement and evaluates applications based on business revenue and time in operation.
How fast does Funding Circle fund?
Funding Circle typically funds within 1–3 days for term loans; longer for SBA. Alvara Capital offers same-day approval with funding typically completed within 24 hours of acceptance.
How much can you borrow from Funding Circle?
Funding Circle offers funding amounts of $25,000 – $500,000 (term); up to $5M for SBA. Alvara Capital offers funding from $10,000 to $1,000,000 depending on revenue and business profile.
Ready to see what Alvara Capital can offer?
Apply in minutes. No minimum credit score required. Same-day approval. No impact on your personal credit to check your offer.