Liquid Link Review - Recruitment Finance From 1%
Liquid Link is a recruitment-only invoice finance provider offering fees from just 1% with advance rates up to 90%. Part of the Liquid Friday Group (Portsmouth), they combine invoice finance with full payroll outsourcing - making them a one-stop shop for recruitment agencies. More detail + scope
Summary
Liquid Link serves recruitment agencies exclusively. Fees from 1% (among the cheapest recruitment specialists). Up to 90% advance on timesheets. Full payroll outsourcing included (PAYE, pensions, holiday pay). Part of Liquid Friday Group. Based in Portsmouth. Accepts startups. Competes with Sonovate, Giant Finance+, and Zodeq.
This page covers
Full review of Liquid Link's recruitment finance offering, pricing, payroll services, how it compares to competitors
Not covered here
Other industries (see /industries/), non-recruitment providers (see /providers/)
Liquid Link is a recruitment-only invoice finance provider and part of the Liquid Friday Group, based in Portsmouth. They offer one of the lowest fee structures in the recruitment finance market - from just 1% - with advance rates up to 90% and full payroll outsourcing included as standard. For recruitment agencies that want finance and back-office in one package at a competitive price, Liquid Link is a serious contender.
Key Facts
Why Recruitment Agencies Choose Liquid Link
The recruitment finance market has several specialists - Sonovate, Giant Finance+, Zodeq, and Liquid Link. What sets Liquid Link apart is the combination of low pricing (from 1%) with comprehensive back-office support.
For a startup recruitment agency placing contractors, the Liquid Link model means you focus entirely on winning placements and managing client relationships. They handle: invoice generation, credit control, PAYE payroll, pension auto-enrolment, holiday pay calculations, and contractor payments. You submit timesheets on Friday, they do everything else.
Liquid Link vs Other Recruitment Specialists
| Feature | Liquid Link | Sonovate | Giant Finance+ | Zodeq |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee from | 1% | Variable | Variable | Variable |
| Advance rate | Up to 90% | Up to 100% | Up to 100% | Up to 90% |
| Payroll | Full outsourcing | Available | Full platform | Back-office |
| International | UK focused | 44 countries | UK focused | UK focused |
| Startups | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Clients | Growing | 3,300+ | Established | 500+ |
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Among the cheapest recruitment specialists (from 1%)
- Full payroll outsourcing included
- Accepts startup recruitment agencies
- Liquid Friday Group backing
- Genuine recruitment sector expertise
Limitations
- Recruitment only - no other industries
- UK focused (no international placements)
- Smaller than Sonovate (fewer clients)
- Lower advance rate than some competitors (90% vs 100%)
Our Verdict
Liquid Link is the value pick in recruitment finance. If your priority is low fees and you want payroll handled for you, they're hard to beat at 1%. They're not the biggest (Sonovate) or the most established (Giant), but the pricing is transparent and the back-office package is comprehensive.
Choose Liquid Link if: you're a UK-only recruitment agency wanting the lowest fees with full back-office. Choose Sonovate if: you place contractors internationally or need maximum advance rate (100%). Choose Giant Finance+ if: you want a comprehensive platform with proven track record.
Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd
Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind Market Invoice. He spent over three years as managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, and his career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library.
Last reviewed: 12 June 2026