Satago Invoice Finance Review
Satago is a London-based fintech invoice finance provider and official Sage partner. They offer both selective and full invoice finance on a single platform, with the ability to switch between the two as your needs change. Satago integrates directly with Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks, pulling invoice data automatically and making the funding process significantly faster than traditional providers.
What this page covers
This page covers
Satago selective and full invoice finance, accounting integrations, Sage partnership and pricing
Not covered here
Traditional whole-ledger factoring (see /providers/), general invoice finance education (see /guides/), sector pages (see /industries/)
Key Facts
When Satago Fits
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Professional services firms already on Xero or Sage who want faster access to cash without rekeying invoices
Satago's direct accounting software integration means invoices flow through automatically. You select which ones to fund via dashboard, approval takes a few clicks, and you avoid the manual ledger reconciliation typical of traditional factoring.
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Growing agencies or consultancies needing flexibility to fund invoices ad-hoc during busy months and switch off during quieter periods
Satago's selective invoice finance lets you choose individual invoices to fund without commitment to a full ledger facility. As volumes grow, you can migrate to their full facility on the same platform without changing provider.
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B2B businesses with creditworthy clients who want tech-first service but fall below the turnover minimums some traditional banks publish
Satago's fintech model focuses on invoice quality and debtor strength rather than rigid turnover thresholds. Their Sage partnership gives them direct access to financial data, speeding up credit decisions for businesses with strong customer bases but modest scale.
When to Look Elsewhere
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Construction subcontractors invoicing tier-1 contractors with retention clauses or application-for-payment structures
Better fit: Bibby Financial Services. Bibby has specialist construction teams experienced with retention finance and JCT contracts, whereas Satago's platform is optimised for straightforward trade invoices.
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Recruitment agencies placing 100+ temps weekly needing same-day payroll funding and back-office ledger management
Better fit: Sonovate. Sonovate is purpose-built for recruitment with same-day funding, automated timesheet processing, and full payroll integration, which Satago's general platform doesn't replicate.
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Start-ups under £150k turnover or businesses with county court judgements seeking flexible invoice finance
Better fit: Hydr. Hydr offers selective invoice finance with no minimum turnover requirement, more accessible to younger businesses than Satago's typical acceptance criteria.
How Satago Compares
| Provider | Type | Min facility | Fee from | Advance to | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydr | selective | No minimum | Fixed fee | 100% | Same day to 24 hours |
| Pulse Finance | both | £200k (£1m+ turnover) | Not published | 90% | 24 hours once live |
| Triver | both | £100k | 2.0% | 85% | 1-2 days |
vs Hydr: Hydr accepts younger businesses with no minimum turnover and integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, Sage 200 and FreeAgent, but finances per invoice rather than Satago's ongoing facility with built-in credit control.
vs Pulse Finance: Pulse publishes no fees, and treats credit control as an optional add-on to its invoice finance facility, whereas Satago bundles ledger management into their full facility pricing.
vs Triver: Triver funds individual invoices for limited companies and LLPs, while Satago offers selective and full invoice finance on one platform, alongside credit checks and automated credit control.
Illustrative worked example
Hypothetical: A Manchester digital marketing agency with £750k turnover using Xero for invoicing
Not a real client. The charges are illustrative assumptions, not Satago's published rates; Satago quotes each facility individually. Monthly cost = £1,364 service charge (2.2% of £62,000) plus about £318 discount charge (7.25% a year on £52,700 drawn for a month, at the 3.75% Bank of England base rate).
Setting Up With Satago
- 1
Connect accounting software
Link your Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks account to Satago's platform. The integration pulls your sales ledger automatically, so there's no manual CSV upload. Satago reviews your invoice history and debtor payment patterns to set initial credit limits; it describes the process as 99% paperless, typically needing only sample invoice verification.
- 2
Choose selective or full facility
Decide whether to fund individual invoices as needed (selective) or commit your entire ledger (full facility for lower fees). You can start selective and migrate to full later without reapplying. Ask Satago to show both fee structures on your own invoicing before you choose.
- 3
Request funding via dashboard
Select which invoices to fund from your connected ledger. Satago runs real-time credit checks on your customers. Ask for the expected time from request to funds, as Satago does not publish one. For full facilities, advances happen automatically as you raise invoices in your accounting software.
FAQs
Can I switch between selective and full invoice finance without reapplying?
Yes. Satago's platform supports both models on a single agreement. Satago says it is the only UK provider offering selective and full invoice finance as an interchangeable solution. Ask how long a switch takes and whether moving from full back to selective involves a notice period under your contract.
How does Satago's Sage partnership affect approval speed compared to non-integrated providers?
Connecting Sage or Xero by API lets Satago see invoice ageing and debtor payment history directly, so it typically needs only sample invoice verification rather than the manual aged debtor reports and statements many traditional providers ask for. That usually shortens the paperwork stage, though Satago does not publish a decision time.
What happens if a customer disputes an invoice I've already drawn funds against?
Satago's full facility includes credit control, so they contact your customer to resolve disputes. If the invoice is genuinely disputed and you've received an advance, you must either provide a replacement approved invoice of equal value or repay the advance plus accrued discount charges. On selective finance, you remain responsible for collections, so disputed invoices can trigger immediate repayment demands.
Does Satago charge for credit checks on new customers, and are there limits on how many I can add?
Satago sells credit checks (Risk Insights) as part of its platform, but it does not publish a per-check price or allowance for invoice finance clients. Ask whether checks on new customers are included in your facility pricing, especially if you have a large number of small customers.
Our Verdict
Satago is one of the more interesting fintech players in invoice finance. The ability to switch between selective and full invoice finance on the same platform is a genuine differentiator, and the accounting software integrations make it very easy to get started. Ideal for businesses already using Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks that want a modern, low-friction invoice finance experience.
Source: satago.com (up to 90% advance, selective and full invoice finance, Sage and Xero integrations, 99% paperless, London office)
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.
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