Lula
Typically fits: Established small businesses that need quick access to working capital. Particularly good for businesses that use cloud accounting software like Xero or Sage, as this speeds up the assessment.
Read the full Lula reviewLula vs Merchant Capital
Two lenders on Frank’s panel, set against each other on the rules each one publishes. Which fits depends on your business, so this is what each asks for.
Figures last updated 19 September 2026
Where they differ
- Lula looks at businesses turning over R40k a month; Merchant Capital asks for R50k.
- Merchant Capital looks at businesses trading for 8 months; Lula asks for 12.
Who each one fits
Merchant Capital
Typically fits: Businesses that process card payments regularly. Restaurants, retail shops, salons, medical practices. Works well if your revenue fluctuates because repayments flex with your sales.
Read the full Merchant Capital reviewSide by side
| Lender and product | Min. turnover | Min. trading | Amount | Security | Card sales | Credit record | Documents | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lula Cash Flow Facility Line of credit | R40k a month | 12 months | R10k to R5m | None | Not needed | Clean record | 3 months’ bank statements | 2–6% a month |
| Merchant Capital Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Revenue-based | R50k a month | 8 months | R30k to R5m | None | Needed | Clean record | 6 months’ bank statements | Factor rate 1.08–1.15 |
| Merchant Capital WELL by Merchant Capital Revenue-based | R50k a month | 8 months | R30k to R5m | None | Not needed | Clean record | 6 months’ bank statements | Factor rate 1.08–1.15 |
- Lula
Cash Flow Facility · Line of credit
- Min. turnover
- R40k a month
- Min. trading
- 12 months
- Amount
- R10k to R5m
- Term
- Not published
- Security
- None
- Card sales
- Not needed
- Credit record
- Clean record
- Documents
- 3 months’ bank statements
- Rate
- 2–6% a month
- Speed
- 24 hours
- Merchant Capital
Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) · Revenue-based
- Min. turnover
- R50k a month
- Min. trading
- 8 months
- Amount
- R30k to R5m
- Term
- 1 to 12 months
- Security
- None
- Card sales
- Needed
- Credit record
- Clean record
- Documents
- 6 months’ bank statements
- Rate
- Factor rate 1.08–1.15
- Speed
- Same day
- Merchant Capital
WELL by Merchant Capital · Revenue-based
- Min. turnover
- R50k a month
- Min. trading
- 8 months
- Amount
- R30k to R5m
- Term
- 1 to 36 months
- Security
- None
- Card sales
- Not needed
- Credit record
- Clean record
- Documents
- 6 months’ bank statements
- Rate
- Factor rate 1.08–1.15
- Speed
- Same day
Questions
Neither is better for every business. On their published rules: Lula looks at businesses turning over R40k a month; Merchant Capital asks for R50k. Merchant Capital looks at businesses trading for 8 months; Lula asks for 12. Frank checks your business against both, and the rest of the panel, in about a minute.
No. You are never charged for using Frank. If you are funded, the lender pays Frank a referral fee, and the fee is the same whichever lender you choose, so it never changes the rate you are offered.
Other comparisons
Check your business
Check your business against Lula, Merchant Capital and the rest of the panel at once.
It takes about a minute and there is no credit check. Frank checks your answers against every lender’s rules and shows you what fits and what does not. When you choose a lender, Frank sends them your application on the answers you have already given.
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