Storage Array Finance

Q: Can I finance drives separately from the storage array chassis?

Yes, some businesses finance the chassis and controllers upfront and add drives as capacity needs grow, financing each expansion separately or on a top-up agreement. Others prefer to finance the fully populated array in one go to lock in a single monthly payment. Either approach works; the right one depends on how predictable your data growth is over the term of the agreement.

Q: Does storage array finance cover backup or storage management software?

No, not usually. Storage arrays are typically sold with the option of bundled software for snapshots, replication or management, but these are licensed on an annual or multi-year basis rather than bought outright, which makes them a running cost rather than a financeable asset. Ask your supplier to separate hardware and software costs on the quote so you know what portion the finance agreement will actually cover.

Q: How much storage capacity should I finance in one go?

Most IT teams size a new array for three to five years of expected growth, since buying only for today's needs often means a costly, disruptive upgrade within a year or two, while overbuying ties up capital in unused capacity. If your data growth is hard to predict, an array that supports adding expansion shelves later, financed on a lease with the option to add a top-up agreement, is often a more flexible route.

Q: Is leasing or hire purchase better for a storage array?

Hire purchase suits a stable, predictable workload where you expect to run the same array for five years or more. A lease suits a business with growing or changing data needs, since it keeps the option open to move to newer, cheaper-per-terabyte hardware at the end of the term rather than being stuck running an array that has become expensive to expand.

Q: How quickly can storage array finance be approved?

Most applications are approved within 24 hours, and storage array purchases under £30,000 are often approved the same day, provided the business has a clean credit history and the supplier's quote is straightforward to review. Larger orders, multi-site rollouts, or purchases bundled with other equipment on the same agreement can take a little longer, since the lender needs to review the full specification and how the purchase fits with what the business already has in place.

Spread the cost of a storage array from £3,000 to £150,000+ with flexible finance options: HP, lease or refinance. Compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a storage array?

Yes, storage arrays are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £3,000 to £150,000, and most deals are written over 24–60 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£3k – £150k

Approval Speed

24 hours

Same-day for < £30k

Rates From

5.1% APR

What would a storage array cost per month?

Storage Array price (ex VAT) £25,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical storage array price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 5.4% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Businesses building a storage platform they intend to run for its full service life

Finance Lease

Rate: From 5.1% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Bundling controllers, drives and expansion shelves into one deductible payment

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.7% APR
Term: 24–36 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Scaling capacity as data volumes grow without owning drives that are cheaper to replace in a few years. Off balance sheet.

Representative example

On a purchase price of £25,000: a 10% deposit of £2,500, then 48 monthly payments of £527 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £27,796, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Synology RackStation RS Series (12–24 bay)	£3,500 – £15,000	NAS Storage Array
Dell PowerVault/PowerStore Array	£8,000 – £45,000	SAN Storage Array
NetApp AFF/FAS Series Array	£15,000 – £80,000	Enterprise SAN Array
Expansion Shelf & Enterprise Drive Kit	£4,000 – £25,000	Storage Expansion

Tax benefits

A storage array qualifies for the Annual Investment Allowance, so an outright purchase or HP agreement can be deducted against taxable profit in the year of purchase. Lease payments are deductible in full as they fall due. Storage management software and support contracts are usually licensed separately from the hardware and are not normally eligible for the same capital treatment.

Bad credit?

Several of our 200+ lenders specialise in businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options exist. Checking your options here does not affect your credit score, because we do not run a credit search to match you. A lender will run their own checks only if you decide to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance drives separately from the storage array chassis?

Yes, some businesses finance the chassis and controllers upfront and add drives as capacity needs grow, financing each expansion separately or on a top-up agreement. Others prefer to finance the fully populated array in one go to lock in a single monthly payment. Either approach works; the right one depends on how predictable your data growth is over the term of the agreement.

Does storage array finance cover backup or storage management software?

No, not usually. Storage arrays are typically sold with the option of bundled software for snapshots, replication or management, but these are licensed on an annual or multi-year basis rather than bought outright, which makes them a running cost rather than a financeable asset. Ask your supplier to separate hardware and software costs on the quote so you know what portion the finance agreement will actually cover.

How much storage capacity should I finance in one go?

Most IT teams size a new array for three to five years of expected growth, since buying only for today's needs often means a costly, disruptive upgrade within a year or two, while overbuying ties up capital in unused capacity. If your data growth is hard to predict, an array that supports adding expansion shelves later, financed on a lease with the option to add a top-up agreement, is often a more flexible route.

Is leasing or hire purchase better for a storage array?

Hire purchase suits a stable, predictable workload where you expect to run the same array for five years or more. A lease suits a business with growing or changing data needs, since it keeps the option open to move to newer, cheaper-per-terabyte hardware at the end of the term rather than being stuck running an array that has become expensive to expand.

How quickly can storage array finance be approved?

Most applications are approved within 24 hours, and storage array purchases under £30,000 are often approved the same day, provided the business has a clean credit history and the supplier's quote is straightforward to review. Larger orders, multi-site rollouts, or purchases bundled with other equipment on the same agreement can take a little longer, since the lender needs to review the full specification and how the purchase fits with what the business already has in place.

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