Reliant Funding Review 2026
Reliant Funding gets cash into your account fast, but the factor rates and daily repayments will cost you dearly if you're not careful.

Our Verdict
2.6
Based on our independent review
Tested February 2026 · 60+ hours of research
Ease of Use
4.0/5
Pricing & Value
1.8/5
Features & Add-ons
1.5/5
Customer Support
3.5/5
Funding Speed
5.0/5
Pricing Transparency
1.5/5
Privacy & Data
2.5/5
Best For: Credit-challenged businesses needing emergency capital with strong daily sales.
True Year 1 Cost: $14995
Top Advantages
- Funding deposited in as little as 24 hours, which is among the fastest in the MCA category.
- Accepts credit scores as low as 500 and businesses with as little as 3 months of operating history.
- No collateral required and no compounding interest: the total repayment amount is fixed at signing.
Factor rate from 1.08/mo · Cancel anytime
In This Article
How We Tested Reliant Funding
We researched Reliant Funding's application process, fee disclosures, factor rate structure, and repayment terms. We analyzed 91 BBB complaints, 1,433 Trustpilot reviews, LendingTree and Bankrate editorial findings, and Reddit community sentiment. We also cross-referenced eligibility requirements across Reliant's own website, third-party review sites, and direct representative statements to flag inconsistencies.
Reliant Funding Overview
What Is Reliant Funding?
Reliant Funding is a San Diego-based alternative lender founded in 2008 that specializes in merchant cash advances (MCAs). Despite advertising SBA loans, bridge loans, and lines of credit on its website, the company has confirmed to multiple third-party reviewers that it currently only offers MCAs. Since launch, Reliant claims to have funded over $1.5 billion to more than 10,000 small businesses.
How the MCA Works
Reliant purchases a portion of your future credit and debit card sales in exchange for an upfront lump sum. You repay via automated daily or weekly withdrawals from your business bank account until the full factor-rate amount is satisfied. Factor rates start at 1.20, meaning a $50,000 advance at the minimum rate would cost you $60,000 total, plus the $495 origination fee.
Who Should Use It
Reliant is built for business owners who are locked out of traditional bank loans due to low credit scores (minimum 500) or limited time in business (3+ months). If you operate a high-volume retail or restaurant business with consistent daily card sales and need emergency capital within 24 hours, Reliant can fill that gap. If you have a credit score above 680 or can wait a few weeks for funding, you should look at SBA 7(a) loans or bank term loans first.
What Reliant Funding Actually Costs
True Cost Analysis
Starting Monthly Price
Factor rate from 1.08
Billed monthly; annual plans available
The true first-year cost estimates borrowing $50,000 at a median factor rate of 1.29, resulting in $14,500 in borrowing fees plus a $495 origination fee. There is no renewal cost as this is a one-time advance.
Reliant Funding Pricing Plans
Merchant Cash Advance
Most PopularFactor rate from 1.08APR
+ $495 origination fee
- Funding amounts from $5,000 to $400,000
- Funds deposited in as little as 24 hours
- Minimum credit score of 500-525 required
- Minimum $60,000 annual revenue and 6 months in business
- Daily or weekly automated repayments
Reliant Funding Pros and Cons
Pros
- Funding deposited in as little as 24 hours, which is among the fastest in the MCA category.
- Accepts credit scores as low as 500 and businesses with as little as 3 months of operating history.
- No collateral required and no compounding interest: the total repayment amount is fixed at signing.
- Offers up to a 10% early payoff discount, which can reduce total borrowing costs if you pay from your own funds within the discount window.
- Available in all 50 states with MCA amounts up to $2,000,000.
Cons
- Factor rates start at 1.20, translating to effective APRs in the 60% to 90% range or higher. A $50,000 advance at a 1.29 factor rate costs roughly $14,995 in fees.
- Website advertises SBA loans, bridge loans, and other products, but representatives confirm only MCAs are actually offered. This is misleading.
- Aggressive marketing tactics including excessive phone calls, text messages, and fake credit card mailers have generated numerous BBB complaints. The BBB notes a $250,000 government fine for deceptive conduct.
- No pricing information is available until you complete the full application and submit bank statements. Factor rates, equivalent APRs, and total repayment amounts are not disclosed upfront.
- Daily or weekly automated repayment withdrawals place significant strain on cash flow, with a $50 fee for every bounced payment.
Upsell Pressure & Hidden Fees
Transparency Check — We Documented Every Upsell
Reliant Funding's website lists seven products including SBA loans, bridge loans, and equipment financing. In practice, representatives confirmed they only offer merchant cash advances. This is misleading, and multiple reviewers at Bankrate and LendingTree flagged the same issue. On fees, Reliant deducts a flat $495 origination fee from your funded amount before you see a dollar. They also charge a $50 insufficient funds fee for any bounced daily or weekly payment. The company does not display factor rates, equivalent APRs, or total repayment amounts on its website. You must complete the full application and submit bank statements before receiving any pricing. Reliant's direct mail campaigns have drawn particular criticism: multiple BBB complaints describe receiving fake "credit cards" in the mail as part of aggressive marketing, and the BBB has noted government actions involving "false, misleading, or deceptive" conduct with a $250,000 fine paid by the company.
Pricing Transparency Score
1.5/5
5 = Fully transparent pricing · 1 = Heavy upsell pressure
What Real Customers Say
Trustpilot
4.7 ★
1,433 reviews
BBB Rating
A+
91 complaints
Reddit / Community Sentiment
The community views Reliant Funding as a fast, accessible option for businesses struggling to get traditional bank loans, but warns heavily against the steep costs. While customer service is often praised, users caution that the opaque factor rates, daily repayment structure, and aggressive sales tactics make it a risky choice best reserved for true emergencies.
Is Reliant Funding Right for You?
Best For These Founders
Emergency Funders
Business owners who need immediate capital within 24 hours to cover unexpected expenses.
Credit-Challenged Founders
Entrepreneurs with personal credit scores in the low 500s who are locked out of traditional bank loans.
High-Volume Merchants
Retailers or restaurants with consistent, high-volume credit card sales that can comfortably absorb daily repayment draws.
Consider Alternatives If…
You have good credit and can qualify for a traditional term loan or SBA loan with a much lower APR.
Your business operates on tight profit margins or has unpredictable, seasonal daily cash flow.
You prefer complete upfront transparency regarding interest rates and repayment terms before applying.
Loan Terms & Rates
Reliant Funding's MCA advances range from $5,000 to $2,000,000, though Bankrate found that representatives quoted a maximum of $250,000 in practice. Factor rates start at 1.20 according to third-party sources, though the pricing page shows rates from 1.08 (a figure we could not verify with any independent source).
To understand the real cost: borrowing $50,000 at a median factor rate of 1.29 means you repay $64,500 total. Add the $495 origination fee, and your all-in borrowing cost is roughly $14,995 on a $50,000 advance. If that advance is repaid over 6 months, the effective APR lands in the 60% to 90% range. For comparison, an SBA 7(a) loan currently runs around 9% to 11% APR.
Reliant does offer an early payoff discount of up to 10%, which can reduce the factor amount owed if you pay from your own operating funds. But typical MCA early payoff discounts are time-boxed (often 30 to 60 days) and may not apply if a third-party lender refinances the balance. Get the exact discount terms in writing before you sign.
There are no compounding fees or accruing interest, which is standard for MCAs. The total payback amount is fixed at signing. That also means paying off faster does not automatically save you money unless you have a negotiated prepayment discount.
Eligibility Requirements
Reliant's stated minimums are among the most lenient in the MCA space:
- Minimum credit score: 500 (some sources cite 525, Bankrate was told 550 by a representative)
- Minimum annual revenue: $60,000
- Time in business: 3+ months
- Collateral required: No
- Personal guarantee: Not required for most products according to ConsumerAffairs, though some reviewers report being pursued personally after default
The inconsistency in stated minimums is a red flag. Bankrate reported receiving different qualification numbers from different representatives. We recommend asking your assigned account manager to confirm all requirements in writing before submitting documents.
Application Process
The application begins online at reliantfunding.com, but multiple sources (Bankrate, ConsumerAffairs) have reported that the online application tool does not always work. In practice, you'll likely need to call Reliant directly at their 877 number to connect with an account manager.
Once connected, you'll need to provide recent business bank statements (typically 3 to 4 months). Reliant does not publish the full list of required documents on its website. Decisioning happens within hours for most applicants, and funds can be deposited in as little as 24 hours after approval.
After funding, repayment is automated. Reliant withdraws a fixed daily or weekly amount directly from your business bank account. You can qualify for a renewal (new advance) once you've repaid at least 50% of your original balance, though stacking multiple MCAs increases your debt risk significantly.
Complaint Record
Reliant Funding has 91 complaints on file with the BBB. The most common complaint type involves aggressive telemarketing: business owners report excessive calls, texts, and direct mailers that continue after requests to stop. Several BBB complaints describe receiving what appears to be a pre-approved credit card in the mail, which is actually a marketing piece designed to prompt a phone call.
The BBB profile also notes a government action involving "false, misleading, or deceptive" business conduct, with Reliant paying a $250,000 fine. Reliant is not BBB-accredited despite operating for 18 years.
We could not locate CFPB complaints specific to Reliant Funding (the San Diego MCA provider). Note: a separate Pennsylvania company called "Reliant Holdings" (doing business as Horizon Card Services) faced a CFPB lawsuit in 2024 over credit card fee practices. That is a different entity.
On Trustpilot, Reliant holds a 4.7 rating from 1,433 reviews, though Bankrate noted that the most recent Trustpilot reviews date back to late 2022, raising questions about whether newer reviews are being solicited. On Yelp, the company holds a 1.5 out of 5 rating, with complaints focused on liens, aggressive collections, and contract terms that limit borrower legal rights.
Alternatives to Consider
If your credit score is above 640 and you've been in business for 2+ years, an SBA 7(a) loan through a bank or CDFI will cost you a fraction of what Reliant charges. Current SBA 7(a) rates run around 9% to 11% APR versus the effective 60% to 90%+ APR on a typical Reliant MCA.
Among MCA competitors, Credibly and National Funding both advertise lower starting factor rates of 1.11. National Funding also offers early payoff discounts and is better rated on third-party sites. Fora Financial starts at 1.13 and matches Reliant's 24-hour funding speed.
If you specifically need a line of credit (revolving access to capital rather than a lump sum), Reliant cannot help you despite advertising the product. Look at Bluevine or Fundbox for true lines of credit with lower effective rates.
For credit-challenged borrowers who can wait 1 to 2 weeks, Accion Opportunity Fund and other CDFIs offer microloans at significantly lower APRs with more transparent terms.
Reliant Funding vs. Top Competitors
| Service | Learn More | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reliant Funding Fastest Funding Factor rate from 1.08 2.6 | Factor rate from 1.08 | $14995 | 2.6 | Credit-challenged businesses needing emergency capital with strong daily sales. | CurrentCurrent Review |
Credibly Factor rates from 1.11 4.5 | Factor rates from 1.11 | $11750 | 4.5 | Low starting factor rates | |
National Funding Factor rates from 1.11 4.8 | Factor rates from 1.11 | $12250 | 4.8 | Early payoff discounts |
Final Verdict
Reliant Funding is a San Diego-based MCA provider that can get you $5,000 to $2,000,000 in as little as 24 hours with a minimum credit score of just 500. That speed and accessibility come at a steep price: factor rates start at 1.20, which translates to effective APRs that can reach 60% to 90% or higher depending on your term length. We'd only recommend Reliant if you have a genuine cash-flow emergency, strong daily card sales to absorb the automated withdrawals, and no path to a cheaper SBA or bank loan.
Updated February 2026 by StartupOwl Team, Business Tools Expert
Frequently Asked Questions
This review reflects independent, first-hand testing by the StartupOwl team. Affiliate relationships never influence our ratings or recommendations. Read our editorial policy →
About the Author

Legal & Compliance Analyst
Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.
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