FF
FairlyFunded
2025-12-22

LOC APR vs MCA APR: how to compare the real cost

A plain language way to compare lines of credit and merchant cash advances so you can avoid surprises.

If you are comparing a line of credit and a merchant cash advance, you will notice they are quoted differently. A line of credit usually shows APR. An MCA usually shows a factor rate and a payback amount.

The trap is comparing APR to factor rate directly. They are not the same thing. To compare fairly, focus on total payback, time to repay, and the effective annualized cost based on your expected repayment speed.

A practical rule: if you repay faster, the effective annualized cost of an MCA rises. If you repay slower, the annualized cost falls. That is why you must pair the quote with a realistic timeline.

If you want, tell me your monthly revenue and how quickly you want funding, and we can walk through which option is likely to be cheaper and which is likely to be faster.

Back to guidesStart application