In this article
How to read this comparison
We've grouped providers by model rather than ranking them, because "best" depends on your trade, ticket size and whether your problem is the customer's cash or yours. Where we name competitors, we've described what they do well. We'd rather you choose the right program than choose us for the wrong reason.
Model 1: Consumer-lending marketplaces
The marketplace connects your customer with several consumer lenders at once, routing by credit profile. Acorn Finance is the best-known example and has built a large presence in general home improvement and personal loans; its strength is breadth. AL Elite is a marketplace focused on the trades (roofing, HVAC, plumbing, solar, remodeling) and storm markets, with second-look lenders built in and a contractor profile and badge program, and it also matches contractors with business lenders. If your work is mostly roofs and HVAC in a hail or hurricane state, trade focus matters; if you do a broad mix, breadth may.
Model 2: Single-lender dealer programs
A consumer lender (often a bank or a specialist home improvement lender) enrolls you directly. Pros: one relationship, sometimes strong promotional offers, often polished sales tools. Cons: one credit box, so more declines, and dealer fees on promotional plans. These suit contractors with mostly prime customers and high tickets. Many contractors run one of these alongside a marketplace for the declines.
Model 3: Manufacturer and distributor programs
Shingle, HVAC equipment and window manufacturers offer financing through certified contractors, usually via a partner lender. Good when you install one brand consistently and want co-branded marketing. Limited when the customer wants a different product or the program's credit box is narrow.
Model 4: Business-capital platforms
These fund the contractor, not the customer: working capital, equipment, lines of credit. Lendio is a large general small-business marketplace with broad lender coverage; its construction-specific coverage is thinner than its overall breadth. Equipment-finance specialists and construction-specialist factors fill the gaps. AL Elite's contractor business loans matching focuses on construction cash flow (working capital, equipment, dump trucks, factoring with pay-when-paid and retainage understood).
A simple way to choose
| Your situation | Look at |
|---|---|
| Losing jobs because customers can't pay up front | A multi-lender marketplace with second-look (AL Elite, Acorn Finance) |
| Mostly prime customers, high tickets, want promo offers | A single-lender dealer program, possibly alongside a marketplace |
| You install one brand and want co-branding | That manufacturer's program |
| You need capital for crews, trucks or equipment | Construction-focused business lending (AL Elite) or a general platform (Lendio) |
| Both of the above | A platform that does both sides, or two programs you manage separately |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best financing company for contractors?
It depends on whether you need customer financing or business capital, your trade and your customers' credit mix. Marketplaces approve more customers; single-lender programs are simpler; business platforms handle capital. This guide compares the models.
Is AL Elite better than Acorn Finance?
Different focus. Acorn Finance has breadth across home improvement and personal loans. AL Elite focuses on the trades and storm markets and also matches contractors with business lenders. Choose on fit.
Can I use more than one financing program?
Yes, and many contractors do: a dealer program for prime customers and promotional offers, a marketplace for everyone else.