Sunbit vs Cherry
Verdict. Sunbit leads on the overall Data Index (5.4 vs 4.4). On the 3 axes where both have evidence, Sunbit wins 2, Cherry wins 0 and 1 is tied. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (Sunbit 5.0 vs 2.0) and vendor stability (Sunbit 8.0 vs 6.5).
Table view
| Axis | Sunbit | Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Features | no data | 5.0 |
| Integrations | 2.3 | no data |
| Pricing clarity | 5.0 | 2.0 |
| Support | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Vendor stability | 8.0 | 6.5 |
| User rating | 9.8 | no data |
Axis by axis
- Features – vs 5.0 no data
- Integrations 2.3 vs – no data
- Pricing clarity 5.0 vs 2.0 Sunbit
- Support 2.0 vs 2.0 tie
- Vendor stability 8.0 vs 6.5 Sunbit
- User rating 9.8 vs – no data
Sunbit or Cherry: which should you choose?
Cherry and Sunbit are direct competitors: both are soft-check installment lenders that pay the practice up front and handle collection themselves.
Cherry finances larger amounts (up to $50,000 for dental, over up to 60 months) and takes a down payment at checkout, which makes it a fit for implant, full-arch and cosmetic cases. Sunbit finances up to $20,000 over 3 to 72 months, states that it charges no late fees or deferred interest, and publishes a practice fee “as low as 1.9%”.
Approval claims are similar (about 90% for Cherry, 87% for Sunbit) and neither is audited. Choose on three things: your largest typical case, the merchant fee each quotes at the promotions you will offer, and which one your front desk finds easier to present. More detail in CareCredit vs Cherry vs Sunbit.
Reviewed under the standards of our Editorial Board
What our reviews say
Sunbit
Point-of-sale installment financing with a vendor-claimed 87% approval rate, no deferred interest or late fees, and practice fees now starting at 1.9% under its 2026 dental program. Ceiling of $20,000.
Strengths- Advertised 87% approval rate with no hard credit check, approvals claimed from a 500 credit score
- States no late fees, no deferred interest and no penalty APR for patients
- 2026 dental program lowers the practice fee floor to 1.9%, with no setup fee, no monthly fee and no contract minimum
- $20,000 ceiling is below Cherry's advertised limit and well below LendingClub Patient Solutions
- 1.9% is a floor, not a typical rate — Sunbit itself says pricing depends on usage and volume, and the full fee schedule isn't public
- Interest-bearing plans run up to 35.99% APR for weaker-credit patients
Cherry
Soft-check installment financing up to $50,000 for dental, paid to the practice in 2–3 days. Strong patient reviews; merchant fees are not published.
Strengths- Soft credit check only; Cherry states it never runs a hard check
- Finances up to $50,000 for dental over as long as 60 months
- Advertised approval rate of about 90%, with a default 4-payment, 0% APR plan over 6 weeks
- Merchant fee schedule is not published; Cherry only claims savings of "up to 50%" versus unnamed competitors
- Down payment is collected at checkout, typically equal to one monthly payment
- A 2.99% fee applies when the patient pays the down payment by credit card
Side by side
| Sunbit | Cherry | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Index | 5.4 | 4.4 |
| Category rank | #2 of 13 · Patient financing | #8 of 13 · Patient financing |
| User rating | 4.9 / 5 | — |
| Review count | 140 | — |
| Pricing transparency | Partially public | Quote only |
| License | Quote only | Quote only |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| HIPAA claim | — | Yes |
| In market since | — | 2017 |
| Company size | 501-1,000 | 51-200 |
| Markets | US | UK, AU, CA, US |
| Data completeness | 88% | 82% |
Features
1 of 1 tracked capabilities differ. Only Cherry: membership plan admin.
| Capability | Sunbit | Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Membership plan admin | ? | ✓ |
Choose Sunbit if…
- Everyday treatment plans where approving more patients matters most
- Practices that want a financing pitch staff can explain in one sentence
- A second lender alongside CareCredit, to catch patients it declines
Choose Cherry if…
- Implant, full-arch and cosmetic cases that need a high financing ceiling
- Practices that want a second option for patients declined for a credit card
- Offices that want patients to apply on their own phone in about a minute, with no hard credit check
- you need membership plan admin
FAQ
Is Sunbit better than Cherry?
Sunbit leads on the overall Data Index (5.4 vs 4.4). On the 3 axes where both have evidence, Sunbit wins 2, Cherry wins 0 and 1 is tied. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (Sunbit 5.0 vs 2.0) and vendor stability (Sunbit 8.0 vs 6.5).