Keep

Smarter Loans Expert Review for Keep

Reviewed by: Vlad Sherbatov, Business Finance Analyst at Smarter Loans

Our Take

Keep is a modern Canadian fintech built specifically for small and mid-sized businesses that need flexible working capital without being locked into long, expensive repayment schedules. Its defining feature is simple but powerful: no early repayment penalties. If you borrow for twelve months and repay in one, you only pay for the time you actually use the capital.

Keep offers two core products: short-term working capital loans and a corporate business credit card. Loan amounts range from as little as $1,000 up to $1.5 million, with terms between one and twelve months. Rates start at roughly 2% per month, which places Keep firmly in the alternative business financing category, but the lack of prepayment penalties changes the real cost equation significantly.

This is financing designed for speed, flexibility, and real-world business cash flow, not long amortizations or traditional bank underwriting.

Who Keep Works Best For

Keep works best for established Canadian businesses that generate consistent revenue and want flexible access to capital without long-term commitments. It is particularly well suited for businesses that expect to repay quickly, such as those funding inventory, marketing campaigns, short-term projects, or seasonal opportunities.

It is also a good fit for owners who dislike being penalized for early repayment. Many alternative lenders advertise short terms but still charge the full interest regardless of when the loan is repaid. Keep’s model removes that friction.

Keep is less suitable for startups with no operating history, businesses seeking multi-year repayment terms, or owners looking for the lowest possible rates available through banks or government-backed programs.

What We Like

The no-penalty early repayment policy is the standout feature. It gives business owners genuine flexibility and aligns the cost of borrowing with actual usage. If your capital needs are short-lived, this can materially reduce your effective borrowing cost.

We also like the fast, modern application process. There is no hard credit check to apply, approvals are quick, and funding is typically issued within 24 hours once approved. Credit limits are based primarily on real business performance rather than rigid credit box models.

The product range is another plus. Offering both working capital loans and a corporate business credit card gives businesses multiple tools within the same platform.

Where Keep Could Improve

Cost is the main trade-off. Rates starting at around 2% per month are higher than traditional bank loans, and businesses that carry balances for the full term will feel that cost. Keep works best when capital is repaid quickly.

Eligibility requirements can also be restrictive for certain industries. Construction businesses face higher revenue and operating history thresholds, and businesses in Quebec are currently excluded.

Finally, repayment is monthly and automatically debited, which requires disciplined cash flow planning, especially for businesses with uneven revenue cycles.

Is Keep Right For You?

Keep is an excellent option if your business needs fast, flexible capital and you value the freedom to repay early without penalty. It shines when used tactically to fund short-term opportunities with a clear return.

If your business qualifies for lower-cost bank financing or needs multi-year repayment terms, those options will usually be more affordable. But if speed, flexibility, and fairness matter more than headline rates, Keep delivers a refreshingly practical approach to business financing.

Used strategically, it can be a powerful cash flow tool. Used casually, it can be expensive. As always, the value lies in how you use it.

Alternatives to Keep

• BizFund
• Journey Capital
• Driven
• CanaCap