Novuna Business Finance vs Time Finance: UK Invoice Finance Comparison 2026
Novuna Business Finance edges this one in our 2026 UK review at 4.2 of 5 against 4.1 for Time Finance. Both are UK independent invoice finance providers, freer than banks on covenants and faster on decisioning. The difference is sector specialism, headline rate and minimum turnover floor. Novuna Business Finance advances up to 90% with setup in 7 working days; Time Finance advances up to 90% with setup in 7 working days. Time Finance still wins where sme service businesses matters more than the headline score. Read the side-by-side, then check the "when X wins" sections for the buyer-fit logic.
Side-by-side
| Novuna Business Finance | Time Finance | |
|---|---|---|
| Cluster | independent | independent |
| Product type | Invoice finance, asset finance, vehicle finance | Invoice finance, asset finance, vehicle finance |
| Min turnover | £500k | £250k |
| Advance rate | Up to 90% | Up to 90% |
| Typical fee | 1% to 2.5% service charge | 1.5% to 3% service charge |
| Contract / commitment | Whole-ledger or selective | Whole-ledger or selective |
| Confidential available? | Yes | Yes |
| Factoring available? | Yes | Yes |
| Setup speed | 7 working days | 7 working days |
| Best for | £500k-£10m turnover Ltd companies; Cross-product (IF + asset) facility seekers; Stable mid-market funders | SME service businesses; Multi-product facility seekers; £250k-£5m turnover |
| Overall rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-05-12 | 2026-05-12 |
When Novuna Business Finance wins
- Mitsubishi-backed balance sheet stability.
- Multi-product cross-sell (IF + asset + vehicle).
- Mid-market panel relationships strong.
- Established 1981, deep UK presence.
Best for
£500k-£10m turnover Ltd companies, Cross-product (IF + asset) facility seekers, Stable mid-market funders.
Watch outs
- Pricing not aggressively published.
- Slower decisioning than fintech.
- Less competitive on £100k-£500k turnover SME.
When Time Finance wins
- AIM-listed independent, financial transparency.
- Multi-product cross-sell capability.
- SME-friendly underwriting culture.
- £150m annual funding scale.
Best for
SME service businesses, Multi-product facility seekers, £250k-£5m turnover.
Watch outs
- Not the lowest-cost mainstream choice.
- Less brand presence than Bibby or Close Brothers.
- Smaller team than mid-market banks.
FAQ
Novuna Business Finance or Time Finance: which is the better UK invoice finance provider in 2026?
Novuna Business Finance scores higher overall in our 2026 review at 4.2 of 5 versus 4.1 for Time Finance. That headline does not settle the answer though. Novuna Business Finance is the stronger pick for £500k-£10m turnover ltd companies; Time Finance is the stronger pick for sme service businesses. If your business fits one of those use cases, ignore the rating and pick the right fit.
What are the headline commercials, Novuna Business Finance vs Time Finance?
Novuna Business Finance advances up to 90% at 1% to 2.5% service charge. Time Finance advances up to 90% at 1.5% to 3% service charge. Minimum turnover is £500k for Novuna Business Finance and £250k for Time Finance. Setup runs 7 working days for Novuna Business Finance and 7 working days for Time Finance. Bespoke pricing is common above £1m ledger so verify before signing.
Can I get a confidential facility with either Novuna Business Finance or Time Finance?
Novuna Business Finance offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified). Time Finance offers confidential invoice discounting. If your customer relationships make disclosure a non-starter, that determines the answer regardless of headline rate.
Where does each one struggle?
Novuna Business Finance is the wrong fit for lowest-cost seekers. Time Finance is the wrong fit for sub-£250k turnover. If either describes your business, browse the side-by-side or get matched against the wider UK panel via our quote form.
Can Market Invoice help me choose between Novuna Business Finance and Time Finance?
Yes. We are an independent UK invoice finance comparison operated by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937). We are not tied to either provider. Tell us monthly turnover, sector, debtor profile and whether you need the facility confidential. We match you against the UK invoice finance providers most likely to approve at a competitive rate, then stay your editorial reference for life.
Related
Get matched in two minutes
Tell us monthly turnover, sector, debtor profile and whether the facility needs to be confidential. We match you against the UK invoice finance providers most likely to approve at a competitive rate, then stay your editorial reference for life.
Get quotes →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-05-12. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).