# Best Asset Finance

> The best asset finance company depends on what you're buying and whether you want to own it. Bank-owned lenders such as Lombard, and specialists such as Close Brothers Asset Finance, Aldermore and Novuna Business Finance, cover most equipment and vehicles. Manufacturer finance can suit new kit. Choose hire purchase or leasing first, then compare total cost. Tally, which runs this site, can match you with providers for free.

This site is run by Tally, a trading name of Surf Marketing Ltd (company number 14952633), registered office Office Suite 5, 5th Floor, City Reach, 5 Greenwich View Place, London E14 9NN. Tally is an introducer. It is not a lender or a credit broker, is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and does not give financial advice. Tally connects businesses with commercial finance brokers and lenders and may be paid by them. Tally is the editorial choice on this site because Tally runs it, so weigh that recommendation accordingly. Everything here is general information, not advice. Always check rates, fees and terms with the provider before you sign.

Tally (https://tallyfinance.co.uk/) provides free matching with asset finance providers.

## Main guide
- [Best asset finance companies in the UK](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/): How to choose the best asset finance company in the UK: hire purchase vs leasing, the types of provider, named lenders, costs and what to check.

## Guides
- [Hire purchase vs leasing: which is better for your business?](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/hire-purchase-vs-leasing/): Ownership, VAT, tax and end-of-term options compared so you can pick the right structure.
- [How does asset finance work?](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/how-asset-finance-works/): Deposits, terms, balloon payments and approval, explained step by step.
- [What assets can you finance?](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/what-assets-can-you-finance/): Hard and soft assets, new and used, and what lenders are least keen on.
- [Asset refinance and sale and leaseback explained](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/asset-refinance-sale-and-leaseback/): How to release cash from equipment and vehicles you already own.
- [Asset finance for start-ups and new businesses](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/asset-finance-for-startups/): Can a new business get asset finance? What lenders look for and how to improve your chances.
- [Asset finance with bad credit](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/asset-finance-with-bad-credit/): How specialist lenders approach poor credit, and what it does to the cost.

## Glossary
- [Hire purchase](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/hire-purchase/): A way to buy an asset with a deposit and fixed monthly payments, taking ownership after the final payment.
- [Finance lease](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/finance-lease/): A lease where you rent an asset for most of its working life without ever owning it.
- [Operating lease](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/operating-lease/): A shorter lease where you hand the asset back and the lender keeps the risk on its value.
- [Contract hire](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/contract-hire/): A type of operating lease for vehicles, often with maintenance included.
- [Balloon payment](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/balloon-payment/): A larger final payment that lowers your monthly payments.
- [Residual value](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/residual-value/): What an asset is expected to be worth at the end of the agreement.
- [Option to purchase fee](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/option-to-purchase-fee/): A small fee paid at the end of hire purchase to take legal ownership of the asset.
- [Hard asset](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/hard-asset/): A durable, resellable asset such as a vehicle or machine.
- [Soft asset](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/soft-asset/): An asset that loses value fast or is hard to resell, such as software, IT or furniture.
- [Sale and leaseback](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/sale-and-leaseback/): Selling an asset you own to a finance provider and leasing it back to keep using it.
- [Capital allowances](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/glossary/capital-allowances/): Tax relief that lets a business deduct the cost of qualifying assets from its taxable profits.

## Reference
- [FAQ](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/faq/)
- [Directory of official sources and providers](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/directory/)
- [Tally profile](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/tally/)
- [Methodology](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/methodology/)
- [About and disclosure](https://bestassetfinance.co.uk/about/)