2026 Head-to-Head · Mid-Size Fleet Verdict
Apex Capital vs RTS Financial Factoring 2026: Mid-Size Fleet Verdict
Two established percentage-based factoring companies with fuel card programs — compared side by side. Pricing, contracts, fuel cards, and why owner-operators with 1–3 trucks should check Outgo first.
Recommended for 1–3 trucks: Outgo — flat fee, no contract, DAT-integrated.
Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you sign up through our Outgo link. Costs you nothing.
Apex Capital (1.5%–3.5% percentage) and RTS Financial (1.0%–4.0% percentage) are both established mid-size factoring companies with strong fuel-card programs. Apex has an all-invoice commitment with 60-day cancellation; RTS uses long-term contracts with early termination fees. For owner-operators with 1–3 trucks, both are typically more expensive than flat-fee Outgo by DAT.
TL;DR — Apex vs RTS at a glance
- •Both are percentage-based. Apex: 1.5%–3.5%. RTS: 1.0%–4.0%. Your actual rate depends on volume, fleet size, and negotiated terms. Both have fuel card programs that can partially offset the rate.
- •Contract flexibility: Apex edges RTS. Apex has no fixed-term contract — only a 60-day cancellation notice and all-invoice commitment. RTS uses long-term contracts with early termination fees (ETF). Apex is easier to exit.
- •New authority: Apex wins. Apex accepts new authority carriers. RTS typically requires some operating history.
- ⭐For 1–3 trucks: consider Outgo instead. Both Apex and RTS are percentage-based with contract strings attached. Outgo by DAT charges a flat fee per invoice with no contract, no minimums, and NOA on signup — almost always cheaper for small operators without heavy fuel card spend.
Apex Capital vs RTS Financial: full comparison table
| Feature | Apex Capital | RTS Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Percentage of invoice | Percentage of invoice |
| Rate range | 1.5% – 3.5% | 1.0% – 4.0% |
| Contract term | No fixed term; 60-day cancellation notice + all-invoice commitment | Long-term contract with early termination fees (ETF) |
| Early termination | No ETF; 60-day notice required | ETF applies — contract length varies by negotiation |
| Funding speed | Same-day | Same-day |
| Advance % | 95–98% | 90–97% |
| Min volume | Varies by contract | Volume minimums in long-term contracts |
| Fuel card | Apex fuel card network — major truck stop discounts | RTS Pro fuel card — nationwide discount network |
| Credit checks | Yes — broker credit included | Yes — broker credit checks available |
| New authority | Yes — accepts new authority | Typically requires some operating history |
| Non-recourse option | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Mid-size fleets 2–25 trucks comfortable with all-invoice commitment | Established fleets seeking long-term relationship and fuel card benefits |
Rates and contract terms vary by carrier credit, volume, and negotiation. Confirm directly with each provider.
Pricing — both percentage-based, different floors
Both Apex and RTS charge a percentage of each invoice face value. Neither uses a flat-fee model. This means your factoring cost grows directly with your revenue — bigger loads, bigger factoring bills.
Apex Capital
- Rate range: 1.5% – 3.5% per invoice
- Rate depends on volume, credit quality, and fleet size
- Fuel card discounts can offset part of the rate
- Higher-volume fleets can negotiate toward the lower end
- No fixed-term ETF but all-invoice commitment applies
RTS Financial
- Rate range: 1.0% – 4.0% per invoice
- Broader range — lowest rates require volume commitment
- RTS Pro fuel card discounts can reduce effective rate
- Long-term contracts can lock in lower rates
- ETF applies if you exit before contract term ends
Rate floor math: RTS advertises a lower floor (1.0% vs Apex 1.5%). On $50,000/month, that is $500 vs $750. But to access 1.0% at RTS you typically need volume commitments in a long-term contract — and if you exit early, the ETF can wipe out months of savings. Factor contract risk into the rate comparison, not just the headline percentage.
Contract terms — Apex 60-day notice vs RTS long-term
Apex Capital — no fixed term
- No fixed-term contract, no early termination fee
- Requires 60-day cancellation notice to exit
- All-invoice commitment: every invoice must go through Apex
- Cannot spot-factor (pick and choose invoices)
- More flexible exit than RTS — no dollar ETF
RTS Financial — long-term contract
- Fixed-term contract with early termination fees (ETF)
- Contract length varies — typically multi-year for better rates
- Exiting before term ends triggers ETF
- Volume minimums common in long-term agreements
- Harder to exit mid-contract without financial penalty
Apex is the cleaner exit. There is no fixed-term ETF — you are only bound by the 60-day notice and all-invoice commitment during that window. RTS's long-term contract with ETF creates real switching costs. If your business model might change (adding owner-operators, scaling down, changing load boards), Apex's structure is less risky. Neither option is as flexible as Outgo's true month-to-month with no notice period.
Fuel cards — Apex Capital vs RTS Pro
Both companies offer proprietary fuel card programs. For high-mileage fleets, these programs can meaningfully reduce the effective factoring cost by generating per-gallon savings at truck stops. This is the main reason established mid-size fleets sometimes prefer Apex or RTS over flat-fee alternatives.
Apex Capital fuel card
- Apex-branded fuel card with national discount network
- Discounts at major truck stops (Pilot, Flying J, TA, etc.)
- Best value for fleets with consistent, high monthly fuel spend
- Fuel savings tracked and can partially offset factoring rate
- Works best at 5+ trucks with significant fuel volume
RTS Pro fuel card
- RTS Pro fuel card with nationwide discount network
- Competitive per-gallon discounts at major truck stops
- Bundled with factoring contract for combined value
- Savings depend on route coverage and fuel stop habits
- Requires evaluation against your specific fuel routes
How to evaluate fuel cards:Ask each company for a sample savings projection based on your monthly fuel spend, typical fuel stops, and routes. A real fuel card analysis matters more than general claims. For a 1-truck owner-operator spending $3,000–$4,000/month on fuel, even $0.10/gallon savings on ~1,000 gallons = $100/month — rarely enough to offset the factoring rate difference vs. Outgo's flat fee.
Funding speed — Apex vs RTS
Both Apex and RTS offer same-day funding for clean invoice submissions. Funding speed is table stakes at this tier — neither company has a meaningful advantage here. The decision should come down to pricing, contract structure, and fuel programs.
Apex Capital
- Same-day funding standard
- Mobile app for invoice submission
- 20+ years processing track record
- Wire transfers on approved submissions
RTS Financial
- Same-day funding standard
- Online portal and mobile access for submissions
- Established processing infrastructure
- Wire transfers on approved submissions
Funding speed is effectively a tie. Do not let it drive your decision between Apex and RTS — focus on rate, contract, and fuel card value for your specific operation.
Who Apex Capital is better for
Apex is the stronger choice when:
- You are running 2–25 trucks with consistent monthly invoice volume and established broker relationships
- You want no fixed-term ETF — you prefer the flexibility of a 60-day exit over a locked long-term contract
- You are a new authority carrier — Apex accepts new operators where RTS typically requires history
- Your fuel spend is high enough for the Apex fuel card network to deliver meaningful per-gallon savings
- You want an established brand with 20+ years of industry reputation recognized by brokers
- You are comparing Apex and RTS and want the cleaner exit path if the relationship does not work out
Who RTS Financial is better for
RTS is the stronger choice when:
- You are an established fleet with proven monthly volume and multi-year stability — the long-term contract risk is manageable
- You can negotiate a low rate (close to 1.0%) that, combined with RTS Pro fuel savings, beats the Apex effective rate
- Your operation runs on predictable, high-volume routes where the RTS Pro fuel card network delivers the best coverage
- You want a long-term factoring partner and are confident you will not need to switch during the contract window
- Your fleet is large enough that dedicated RTS account management and bundled services justify the contract lock-in
Math comparison: 10-truck fleet, $100K/month in invoices
Here is what factoring costs look like at real mid-size fleet scale — $100,000/month in invoices across 10 trucks.
| Scenario | Apex (2.5%) | Apex (1.75%) | RTS (2.0%) | RTS (1.25%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly invoices | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Factoring cost | $2,500/mo | $1,750/mo | $2,000/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Contract risk | 60-day notice, all-invoice | 60-day notice, all-invoice | Long-term + ETF | Long-term + ETF |
| Fuel card offset needed to beat Outgo flat | Depends on Outgo flat for 100+ invoices | Depends on Outgo flat for 100+ invoices | Depends on Outgo flat for 100+ invoices | May already beat Outgo at 1.25% |
At 10 trucks and $100K/month, RTS at 1.25% ($1,250/month) is competitive even without fuel card savings. But you need to compare that against your Outgo flat fee at volume (100+ invoices/month × flat fee). Get a quote from Outgo before signing either RTS or Apex at this scale — the flat-fee model may still win on total cost without contract strings.
Why owner-operators (1–3 trucks) should consider Outgo instead
Apex and RTS are both built for established, mid-size fleets with high fuel spend. For 1–3 truck owner-operators, both companies' percentage models and contract requirements are overkill — and usually more expensive. Here is why Outgo fits the smaller operator better:
- Flat fee, not percentage. Outgo charges a fixed amount per invoice — your factoring cost does not grow when you have a big load month. At typical owner-op load values ($1,500–$2,500), Outgo's flat fee beats a 2%+ rate on almost every invoice.
- No contract, no notice period. Cancel anytime. No ETF, no 60-day window, no all-invoice commitment. Outgo lets you factor only the invoices you want.
- NOA issued on signup. Your Notice of Assignment is ready the day you enroll — critical for new authority carriers building broker relationships.
- No minimum volume. Slow month? Factor nothing and pay nothing. Neither Apex nor RTS gives you that flexibility under their standard programs.
- DAT One native integration. If you find loads on DAT (most owner-operators do), Outgo connects directly — rate confirmation flows into invoice creation without manual re-entry.
Outgo flat-fee math: same 10-truck fleet
Running the same $100K/month, 10-truck scenario through Outgo's flat-fee model. Assume ~100 invoices/month at $1,000 average, or ~60 invoices at $1,667 average.
| Scenario | Outgo (flat fee) | Apex (2.5%) | RTS (2.0%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly volume | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Invoice count (est.) | ~80 invoices | ~80 invoices | ~80 invoices |
| Factoring cost | ~$2,000–$2,800 (flat) | $2,500 (percentage) | $2,000 (percentage) |
| Contract risk | None — cancel anytime | 60-day notice + all-invoice | Long-term + ETF |
| Cost scales with revenue? | No — flat per invoice | Yes — bigger loads = higher fees | Yes — bigger loads = higher fees |
At 80 invoices and $100K/month, Outgo's flat fee can land in the same range as RTS at 2.0% — without any contract commitment. The break-even shifts as invoice count grows (more invoices = more flat fees) vs. revenue grows (higher % costs scale faster). Get an Outgo quote for your actual invoice count before assuming percentage factoring wins at volume.
Our pick for 1–3 trucks: Outgo
Flat fee per invoice. No contract. No minimums. NOA issued on signup. DAT-integrated. Built for owner-operators — not mid-size fleet programs.
Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you sign up through our link. Costs you nothing.
Apex vs RTS — FAQ
Is Apex Capital or RTS Financial cheaper?
Both are percentage-based, so the answer depends on your negotiated rate and fuel card usage. RTS advertises a lower floor rate (1.0% vs Apex's 1.5%), but RTS long-term contracts carry ETFs and volume minimums that can offset the rate advantage. Apex's all-invoice commitment without a fixed term gives more flexibility. For most 1–3 truck operations, both are more expensive than flat-fee Outgo by DAT.
Which has a better fuel card — Apex or RTS?
Both have strong fuel card programs. Apex's fuel card network covers major truck stops nationwide and is well-regarded among larger fleets. RTS Pro fuel card similarly offers discount programs at major fueling locations. The real question is which network covers your most-used routes and truck stops. Request a sample savings estimate from each company based on your typical fuel routes before deciding on that factor alone.
Can I cancel Apex Capital more easily than RTS?
Apex Capital does not use a fixed-term contract — there is no early termination fee. However, Apex requires a 60-day cancellation notice and an all-invoice commitment during that period. RTS Financial uses long-term contracts with early termination fees, which means leaving RTS before the contract ends can cost you money. Apex is more flexible on exit, but you still cannot walk away overnight.
How long is an RTS Financial contract?
RTS Financial uses long-term factoring contracts, typically multi-year arrangements with early termination fees. Contract length varies based on your volume, fleet size, and negotiated terms. This is one of the key differences versus Apex (which has no fixed term, only 60-day notice) and a major reason smaller carriers evaluate contract-free alternatives like Outgo before committing to RTS.
Which is better for new authority carriers — Apex or RTS?
Apex Capital is generally more accessible for new authority carriers. RTS Financial typically prefers carriers with some operating history and established broker relationships. If you are brand new, Apex is the more likely approval, though you should still read the all-invoice commitment carefully. For Day 1 new authority, Outgo by DAT is the most accessible option — no operating history requirement, NOA issued on signup, and no contract at all.
How do Apex and RTS compare to Outgo for owner-operators with 1–3 trucks?
Both Apex and RTS use percentage-based pricing that scales with your invoice size. For a single owner-operator running $20,000–$40,000/month in loads, even a "low" rate of 2% costs $400–$800/month in factoring fees — and that cost grows as your revenue grows. Outgo's flat-fee model means you pay a fixed amount per invoice regardless of invoice size. For 1–3 truck operations without heavy fuel card spend, Outgo is typically the lower-cost, no-commitment option.
Do both Apex and RTS offer non-recourse factoring?
Yes, both Apex and RTS offer non-recourse factoring options. Non-recourse means the factor absorbs the loss if the broker goes bankrupt — but exclusions apply. Disputes, short pays, paperwork errors, and slow-pay situations are generally NOT covered under non-recourse agreements. Vet brokers via credit checks regardless of which factor you use. Non-recourse typically comes at a higher rate than standard recourse factoring.
Should I choose Apex, RTS, or Outgo for a 10-truck fleet?
At 10 trucks doing $100K+/month, you are in the range where percentage-based factoring and fuel card programs start to pencil out. Apex and RTS both offer dedicated account management and fuel networks at that volume. The key differentiator: Apex has no fixed-term ETF (60-day notice only), while RTS locks you into a longer contract. Run the math on your specific fuel spend and factoring volume, then compare against Outgo's flat fee. At $100K/month, 2% = $2,000/month — Outgo's flat fee for 100+ invoices may still be competitive.
Ready to choose? Here are your three options
Outgo link is an affiliate link — we earn a commission if you sign up. Apex and RTS links are nofollow informational links only.
Reviewed by Don Grazio · UC Bureau Compliance Lead
Don has 12+ years working with motor carriers on FMCSA compliance, including new entrant audits, MCS-150 filings, BMC-91 insurance setups, and ELD compliance. UC Bureau researches FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Parts 380–399) directly with carriers across the U.S. and Canada. Content is fact-checked against current federal regulations. UC Bureau is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation or FMCSA — we provide tools and guides to help carriers stay compliant. Learn more about UC Bureau →