Comparison Table
| Bridgement | Lula (Lulalend) | Merchant Capital | Retail Capital | Standard Bank Business Loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min amount | R20,000 | R10,000 | R10,000 | R10,000 | R30,000 |
| Max amount | R10,000,000 | R5,000,000 | R5,000,000 | R5,000,000 | R5,000,000 |
| Min term | 1 month | 1 month | Varies | Varies | 12 months |
| Max term | 24 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 60 months |
| Rate type | Flat fee from 1.7%/month | From 2%/month | Revenue-based | Revenue-based | Prime-linked (lower) |
| Collateral | None | None | None | None | Often required |
| Accounting integration | Xero, Sage, QuickBooks | Xero | No | No | No |
| Application time | ~2 minutes | ~5 minutes | ~10 minutes | ~10 minutes | Days to weeks |
| Decision time | ~24 hours | ~24 hours | 1–3 days | 1–3 days | 1–4 weeks |
| Early settlement | Discount given | No penalty | Varies | Varies | May have penalty |
| Minimum turnover | R500,000/year | R500,000/year | Card revenue focus | Card revenue focus | Varies |
| Standby facility | Yes (zero cost) | Limited | No | No | No |
Data sourced from publicly available information as of May 2026. Rates and terms are indicative and subject to each lender's credit assessment.
Bridgement vs Lula (formerly Lulalend)
Bridgement and Lula are the two most comparable fintech lenders in South Africa. Both offer fast, unsecured business finance with no collateral and online applications. Key differences:
- Maximum amount: Bridgement goes up to R10,000,000 vs Lula's R5,000,000 — giving Bridgement an edge for larger facilities
- Repayment term: Bridgement offers up to 24 months; Lula caps at 12 months — Bridgement is better for businesses needing longer repayment windows
- Accounting integration: Bridgement integrates with three platforms (Xero, Sage, QuickBooks); Lula integrates primarily with Xero
- Standby facility: Bridgement's zero-cost standby model is a genuine differentiator not replicated by Lula
- Verdict: For accounting-software users, larger facilities, or longer terms, Bridgement has the edge. For very small loans and simplicity, Lula is a comparable option.
Bridgement vs Merchant Capital
Merchant Capital uses a revenue-based repayment model — repayments are deducted as a percentage of daily card transactions rather than fixed instalments. This makes it ideal for businesses with fluctuating card revenues (retail, food service).
- Bridgement advantage: Fixed repayment schedules and flat-fee pricing offer more predictability; better for service businesses invoiced monthly
- Merchant Capital advantage: Revenue-based repayments automatically flex with your income — better for seasonal businesses and card-heavy retailers
- Verdict: Choose Merchant Capital for card-based businesses with variable revenue. Choose Bridgement for predictable cash flow, larger amounts, and accounting integration.
Bridgement vs Standard Bank Business Loan
Standard Bank and other traditional banks typically offer lower interest rates but impose significantly higher eligibility barriers, longer approval timelines, and may require collateral.
- Bridgement advantage: Speed (hours vs weeks), no collateral, simpler eligibility, standby facility model
- Standard Bank advantage: Lower cost of finance for very well-qualified businesses; longer terms for capital equipment or property
- Verdict: For businesses that need funding quickly and cannot meet stringent bank criteria, Bridgement wins on speed and accessibility. For long-term capital at minimum cost, a bank facility remains the benchmark if you can qualify.
Our Verdict: When to Choose Bridgement
Choose Bridgement if:
- You are a formally registered SA company with 6+ months trading history
- You need R20,000 – R10,000,000 in flexible working capital
- You want a standby facility at zero cost until you draw
- You use Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks and value automatic reconciliation
- Speed and fee transparency are priorities
Consider alternatives if:
- You are a startup with less than 6 months of trading history
- Your revenue is primarily card-based and variable (Merchant Capital may suit better)
- You can qualify for bank finance and cost minimisation is your priority
Frequently Asked Questions — Comparison
Q: Is Bridgement cheaper than a bank loan?
Bridgement's flat fee from 1.7% per month is typically higher than a bank's prime-linked interest rate. However, bank loans require collateral, have longer approval timelines, and may be inaccessible to many SMEs. Bridgement's speed and accessibility often justify the higher fee.
Q: How does Bridgement compare to Lulalend?
Both are strong fintech lenders. Bridgement offers higher maximum amounts (R10M vs R5M), longer terms (24 vs 12 months), broader accounting integrations, and the standby facility model. Lulalend (now Lula) remains a solid alternative for smaller, shorter-term needs.
<!-- SECTION 10: MOBILE APP -->