MCA Broker vs Marketplace vs Direct Funder: Who Works for You?
Who reads your file, who calls you, who pays whom.
Three ways to get merchant cash advance offers, compared on the lines that matter to a business owner.
All three can lead to a merchant cash advance, which is a purchase of future receivables, not a loan. The difference is how many offers you see, who contacts you and how much of the comparing you do yourself.
How do brokers, marketplaces and direct funders compare?
Same goal, different routes. Here's who does what in each one.
| What matters | Direct funder | Marketplace | Broker (Afterfirst) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who puts up the money | That funder | The funders it connects you to | The funder you choose |
| Offers you see | One, from that funder | Varies by marketplace | Offers from funders whose programs fit, side by side |
| Who contacts you | That funder | Often several funders or reps | One contact at Afterfirst |
| Who reads your file first | The funder's underwriters | Varies by marketplace | A person at Afterfirst, before any funder |
| What you fill out | One application per funder | One form | One application |
| Who you pay | The funder, through the payback | The funder; ask whether any fee applies | The funder; you never pay Afterfirst a fee |
| Who signs the contract | That funder | The funder you choose | The funder you choose |
When does going direct to one funder make sense?
If you already know a funder's terms, have worked with it before and only want its offer, going direct is simple. You'll see one price, and comparing it means applying again somewhere else.
What should you watch for with a marketplace?
Read who receives your details and how they'll contact you. Some marketplaces share one form with several companies at once, so expect calls. Ask whether anyone charges you a fee.
What does a broker do for you?
A broker reviews your file, shops it with funders whose programs fit and lines up the offers on the same terms so you can compare them. With Afterfirst, a person reads every file and calls you, before any funder sees it.
Ask any broker how they're paid. Here's how we're paid, and here's how to get multiple MCA offers at once.
Which questions should you ask any of them?
Who will see my file?
How will you contact me, and who else will?
Do I pay you anything, now or at funding?
What's the total payback, the payment and the term?
Can I see every offer in writing before I sign?
Want offers lined up for you?
Afterfirst MCA is a national brand serving business owners in every major U.S. city, across every major funding type. Apply now to see the offers that fit, side by side.
Call 877-FUND-654FAQ
Is a broker the same as a lender?
No. A broker doesn't fund or approve anything. Funders make every decision, set their own terms and sign their own contracts.
Is a merchant cash advance a loan?
No. A merchant cash advance is a purchase of part of your future receivables, so it's priced with a factor rate and a total payback instead of interest.
Do brokers charge business owners?
Some do. Afterfirst never charges merchants a fee. Ask any broker, in writing, whether you'll owe them anything now or at funding.
Can a broker get me better terms than going direct?
Nobody can promise better terms. Seeing several offers on the same lines lets you compare real prices instead of taking the first one.
How do I compare offers that come from different places?
Use the same lines for each one: cash you receive, total payback, the payment and how often it runs, the term, every fee and the early payoff terms.
Send one file.
See what fits.
Call 877-FUND-654 with questions.