Shopify Capital vs Clearco (2026): Fees, APR and Terms Compared
Short answer: Compare cost and size first. Shopify Capital: Fixed fee (e.g. 13%) or monthly fee (e.g. $1,400 on $100,000); Up to $2M. Clearco: Flat fee from 3.5%; about 28% to 30% APR on Clearco's examples; Up to $10 million per brand. The table and profiles below show who each one suits. Figures come from our full reviews of Shopify Capital and Clearco.
Shopify Capital vs Clearco at a glance
| Shopify Capital | Clearco | |
|---|---|---|
| Lender type | Platform-embedded business loans (U.S.) | Direct funder (own balance sheet and credit facilities) |
| Products | Fixed-fee or monthly-fee loan; Capital Flex (U.S. early access) | Invoice Funding, Cash Advance, Fixed and Rolling Funding Capacity |
| Amounts | Up to $2M | Up to $10 million per brand |
| Cost | Fixed fee (e.g. 13%) or monthly fee (e.g. $1,400 on $100,000) | Flat fee from 3.5%; about 28% to 30% APR on Clearco's examples |
| Term | Up to 18 months | 4 to 12 months |
| Funding speed | Review in 1 to 3 business days; funds in as little as 2 business days | Review in as little as 24 hours |
| Founded | 2016 (program); Shopify Inc. 2006 | 2015, as Clearbanc |
| HQ | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Toronto, Ontario |
| Status | Active | Active; $100 million Macquarie facility, August 2026 |
Choose Shopify Capital if
Best for: Shopify stores with 90+ days of steady sales that already see a Capital offer in their admin and want inventory or ad money in days, with no credit check and payments that shrink on slow days.
Choose Clearco if
Best for: U.S.-incorporated DTC brands with six months of $100K+ monthly sales funding inventory, ads or supplier invoices without a personal guarantee, blanket lien or equity.
Who should skip each
- Shopify Capital is not for: Stores without an offer (there is no open application), sellers whose revenue mostly runs off Shopify (offers are sized only on Shopify sales), or anyone who will repay fast: a fixed fee cleared in six months costs far more per year than a bank line.
- Clearco is not for: Smaller or newer stores, non-U.S. entities (including Canadian companies), or anyone wanting a published rate card. Seasonal brands get more flex from percentage-of-sales repayment.
Lender List verdict
Shopify Capital: Shopify Capital is the easiest money a Shopify merchant can get, and repayment flexes with daily sales, within 6- and 12-month minimums and an 18-month cap. Our 13% fixed-fee example repaid in about six months is roughly 48% APR, so use it for a specific purchase you can model. Clearco: Clearco is leaner and steadier than in 2022, with a flat fee, prorated early payoff and no lien, and a 6-month advance at its own example fee runs about 30% APR. Slow-month flexibility is medium: the fixed weekly payment only drops when a week's sales fall low enough to hit the 30% cap.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Shopify Capital or Clearco? Shopify Capital: Fixed fee (e.g. 13%) or monthly fee (e.g. $1,400 on $100,000). Clearco: Flat fee from 3.5%; about 28% to 30% APR on Clearco's examples. Your actual cost depends on the offer and how fast you repay, so convert any quote with our factor rate to APR calculator. Which funds faster, Shopify Capital or Clearco? Shopify Capital: Review in 1 to 3 business days; funds in as little as 2 business days. Clearco: Review in as little as 24 hours. How much can I get from Shopify Capital or Clearco? Shopify Capital: Up to $2M. Clearco: Up to $10 million per brand. Read the full reviews: Shopify Capital review · Clearco review. Figures come from those reviews, which cite the lenders' own pages and third-party sources; see our methodology. Updated 2026-10-27. Pricing varies by offer; confirm with the lender before applying.