Best Personal Loans Debt Consolidation Home Improvement Bad Credit Loans More More Personal Loan Categories Best Loans Pre-qualify Best Bad Credit Loans Fair Credit Loans Good Credit Loans Excellent Credit Loans No Credit Check Loans Hardship Loans Emergency Loans Unsecured Loans Secured Personal Loans Debt Consolidation Loans Home Improvement Loans Credit Card Consolidation Co-sign and Joint Personal Loans Veterans Loans Auto Loans Vacation Loans Wedding Loans Medical Loans Quick Loans Online Personal Loans Banks Offering Personal Loans Credit Union Personal Loans Personal Loan Calculator Debt Consolidation Calculator Personal Loan Categories Best Loans Pre-qualify Best Bad Credit Loans Fair Credit Loans Good Credit Loans Excellent Credit Loans No Credit Check Loans Best Bad Credit Loans Fair Credit Loans Good Credit Loans Excellent Credit Loans No Credit Check Loans Hardship Loans Emergency Loans Unsecured Loans Secured Personal Loans Emergency Loans Unsecured Loans Secured Personal Loans Debt Consolidation Loans Home Improvement Loans Credit Card Consolidation Co-sign and Joint Personal Loans Veterans Loans Auto Loans Vacation Loans Wedding Loans Medical Loans Quick Loans Debt Consolidation Loans Home Improvement Loans Credit Card Consolidation Co-sign and Joint Personal Loans Online Personal Loans Banks Offering Personal Loans Credit Union Personal Loans Online Personal Loans Banks Offering Personal Loans Credit Union Personal Loans Personal Loan Calculator Debt Consolidation Calculator Personal Loan Calculator Debt Consolidation Calculator The best personal loan is one that gives you the amount of money you need at an affordable rate. As you review the lenders below, check their annual percentage rates. APRs are the most straightforward way to compare costs among lenders. APRs on personal loans generally range from about 6% to 36%, although they vary among lenders. Borrowers with good credit who pre-qualified with NerdWallet over the last 30 days received an average rate of 19.51% . ✅ No impact to your credit score Multiple rate discounts. Flexible repayment options. Reports to only two main credit bureaus. No direct payment to creditors. Limited customer service options. Lets you pre-qualify with a soft credit check. Offers direct payments to creditors. Lets you choose and change payment date. Requires a 660 credit score. No co-signed or joint loans. No secured loans. Minimum loan amount is $2,500. ✅ No impact to your credit score Multiple rate discounts. Secured and co-signed loans. Wide range of loan amounts and repayment terms. Origination fee No option to choose repayment date ✅ No impact to your credit score Multiple rate discounts. Hardship assistance. High minimum loan amount. No secured loans. ✅ No impact to your credit score Multiple rate discounts. Next-day funding. Wide range of loan amounts and repayment terms. May have an origination fee. Debt-to-income ratio cannot exceed 40%. ✅ No impact to your credit score No origination fees. Potential rate discount for on-time payments. Wide range of loan sizes and terms. You may not qualify if you have bad credit. You must become a member of the credit union. Funding can take 2-3 days. ✅ No impact to your credit score Competitive APRs Large loans and long repayment terms Same-day funding Limited ability to pre-qualify High minimum loan amount No direct payment to creditors ✅ No impact to your credit score No credit score requirement. Wide range of loan amounts. Range of loan amounts Origination fee. Only two repayment term options. No direct payment to creditors. Details about our picks for the best personal loans The NerdWallet editorial team recently completed our annual assessment of more than 35 online lenders, credit unions and banks that offer personal loans. We collected hundreds of data points, tripled-checked every point for accuracy and applied our unique methodology that factors cost as most important. We also scored lenders on customer experience, loan flexibility, underwriting practices and application process. Our analysis ultimately surfaced our picks for the best personal loans. Here's why they’re standouts, as well as their potential downsides. Discover : Best for low rates and no fees Why we like it: Discover is the highest-rated lender on our list, offering exceptionally low interest rates plus zero fees. Even without the rate discounts that other lenders offer, a Discover loan may be the lowest-cost option for qualified borrowers. Discover also offers more flexibility than many other lenders when it comes to managing your payment dates. You can choose when your monthly payment is due and switch that due date twice during the span of the loan, as long as there’s a year between those two changes. The downside: You'll need good credit to qualify. Discover’s minimum credit score is 660, among the highest of the lenders we review. About this lender Discover launched nearly 40 years ago with its credit card business and has since expanded to personal loans. It’s now part of Capital One, one of the largest banks in the U.S. About this lender Discover launched nearly 40 years ago with its credit card business and has since expanded to personal loans. It’s now part of Capital One, one of the largest banks in the U.S. Earnest : Best for borrowers with good or excellent credit Why we like it: Earnest is new among the lenders we assessed this year, and we're particularly impressed with its low APRs. On top of low starting rates, Earnest offers multiple rate discounts that can further lower the cost of your loan. If your credit is strong enough to qualify for an Earnest loan, you could get funded fast. The lender told us it typically makes instant approval decisions and often sends funds the next day. The downside: Earnest’s minimum credit score of 680 is the highest on this list. Earnest also told us its average borrower has a credit score of 720 and an average annual gross income of $100,000 or more. About this lender Founded in 2013, Earnest began with student loan refinancing before offering private student loans, then expanding to personal loans in 2026. Earnest is owned by Navient, a publicly-traded financial services company. About this lender Founded in 2013, Earnest began with student loan refinancing before offering private student loans, then expanding to personal loans in 2026. Earnest is owned by Navient, a publicly-traded financial services company. Upgrade : Best for borrowers with fair credit Why we like it: There’s a lot to like about personal loans from Upgrade, which has a relatively low minimum credit score of 600, making it accessible to more people. The online lender offers multiple rate discounts: for setting up autopay, securing your loan with collateral and — for debt consolidation loans — letting it directly pay your lenders. Upgrade also offers a variety of repayment terms, ranging from two to seven years, and multiple loan types. In addition to single-borrower unsecured loans, you can apply for a co-signed loan or a secured loan, using a vehicle or home fixtures as collateral. The downside: Upgrade charges an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99% of your loan amount. About this lender Upgrade is a financial technology company that partners with banks to originate loans. It was started in 2016 by the founder of LendingClub, now known as Happen Bank. About this lender Upgrade is a financial technology company that partners with banks to originate loans. It was started in 2016 by the founder of LendingClub, now known as Happen Bank. SoFi : Best for large loan amounts Why we like it: SoFi provides loans up to $100,000 for those who qualify, which is a higher max than what most other lenders offer. You can also get a joint loan with another borrower, which may help you manage that large loan. The lender also offers multiple rate discounts, including a reduction of 0.25 percentage points for setting up autopay. The downside: SoFi’s smallest loans start at $5,000, so it’s not the right lender if you need a smaller loan. About this lender Founded in 2011, SoFi started by refinancing student loans before expanding into personal loans in 2015. The publicly-traded financial technology company also offers banking, investment and mortgage products. About this lender Founded in 2011, SoFi started by refinancing student loans before expanding into personal loans in 2015. The publicly-traded financial technology company also offers banking, investment and mortgage products. Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub): Best for debt consolidation loans Why we like it: If you’re aiming to pay off multiple debts, Happen Bank (which rebranded from LendingClub in June 2026) can simplify the process by sending the loan proceeds to up to 12 creditors. It also offers a rate discount if you opt into this feature. The downside: LendingClub may charge an origination fee up to 8% of your loan amount. About this lender Originally founded as LendingClub in 2006, Happen Bank is a publicly-traded digital bank that also offers checking and savings accounts, auto loans and other financial products. About this lender Originally founded as LendingClub in 2006, Happen Bank is a publicly-traded digital bank that also offers checking and savings accounts, auto loans and other financial products. Patelco Credit Union : Best for a wide range of loan amounts and terms Why we like it: For members of Patelco Credit Union, these loans can serve a range of borrowing needs, with loan amounts from $300 to $100,000, and terms from six months to seven years. That’s a wider spread than most other lenders offer. Patelco personal loans also stand out for offering ways to get a lower rate: You could add a more credit-worthy co-signer or secure your loan with a vehicle or savings account. The downside: Funding can take two to three days, which is a slower turnaround time compared to other lenders on this list. About this lender Patelco is a member-owned credit union, founded in 1936. In addition to personal loans, it offers banking, investment and insurance services. Anyone can become a member by joining the Financial Fitness Association. About this lender Patelco is a member-owned credit union, founded in 1936. In addition to personal loans, it offers banking, investment and insurance services. Anyone can become a member by joining the Financial Fitness Association. LightStream : Best for home improvement loans

Why we like it: LightStream offers repayment plans of up to 20 years for loans greater than $25,000 that are used for home improvement projects. It’s also a solid choice for other large expenses — its loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000, which is higher than most other lenders. LightStream also shines for charging no fees and allowing co-borrowers. The downside: LightStream doesn’t allow you to pre-qualify with a soft credit check on its website, which is unusual. However, you may be able to check your rates with LightStream through partner sites like NerdWallet. About this lender LightStream launched in 2013 and is now part of Truist Bank, one of the largest banks in the U.S. About this lender LightStream launched in 2013 and is now part of Truist Bank, one of the largest banks in the U.S. Upstart : Best for borrowers with bad credit or short credit histories Why we like it: Upstart is unique in that it says it doesn’t have a minimum requirement for credit score or credit history. While many lenders base approval decisions primarily on credit and income, Upstart also factors in details like college education and work history. Upstart also offers a secured loan option, allowing qualified applicants to pledge their vehicle as collateral, which can also help approval chances. The downside: Upstart has a maximum origination fee of 12%, which is higher than that of most other lenders. About this lender Upstart is a publicly-traded fintech founded in 2012. It partners with banks and credit unions to offer personal loans. About this lender Upstart is a publicly-traded fintech founded in 2012. It partners with banks and credit unions to offer personal loans. How to choose the best personal loan for you Personal loan amounts, terms and rate ranges can be similar between lenders. So how do you know which is best? Here are the factors to consider when comparing personal loans. Aim for a low annual percentage rate The loan’s APR includes interest and fees, making it the best way to compare total cost among loan options. The lower the APR, the less expensive the loan. Unlike variable-rate products such as credit cards, personal loans have fixed rates, so the APR and monthly payment amount won’t change over the life of the loan. 💡 Tip: The rate you receive depends on multiple factors, so even borrowers with perfect credit may not qualify for a lender's lowest rate. Here are the average APRs by credit band that borrowers who pre-qualified with NerdWallet received over the last 30 days: Borrower credit rating Source: Average rates are based on aggregate, anonymized offer data from users who pre-qualified through NerdWallet in the last 30 days. Rates are estimates only and not specific to any lender. » MORE: How to score a low rate on y o u r personal loan Determine how much you need to borrow Most personal loan lenders offer small to midsize loans of $2,000 to $50,000, although a few offer amounts up to $100,000. Consider how much you need to borrow, then look for lenders that match what you need. 💡 Tip: Avoid the temptation to request more than you need. You have a better chance of qualifying for an amount the lender thinks you can afford. Consider different repayment terms Personal loans tend to come with term lengths of two to seven years, though some lenders may offer longer terms for larger loan amounts. Think about how long you want to be repaying your loan. 💡 Tip: A shorter-term loan means you’ll pay less interest overall, while a longer repayment term gives you lower monthly payments. Ask yourself how quickly you need the funds The time it takes to get a personal loan varies by lender, but some online lenders can approve your application in minutes and provide same-day funding or fund a loan on the next business day. Other lenders, like banks or credit unions, may take a few days. 💡 Tip: You can speed up the process by promptly submitting any required documents and responding to lenders’ questions. Some personal loans have origination fees to cover the cost of processing the loan. This fee is included in the APR and often deducted from the loan funds. Lenders may also charge a fee for late payments or a non-sufficient funds fee if you don’t have enough money in your bank account to cover the total amount of a payment. Setting up autopay and keeping an eye on your checking account can help you avoid these fees. 💡 Tip: It’s typically best to avoid origination fees. But if a loan with an origination fee has a lower APR, it could cost less overall than a loan without the fee. » MORE: How to get a personal loan in 7 steps Personal loan calculator Use our calculator to see how different loan amounts, rates and terms affect your monthly payment. » MORE: Get details on how our loan payment calculator works How to qualify for a personal loan Personal loans are typically unsecured loans, meaning they don’t require collateral to back the loan. Instead, lenders look at the information on your loan application to determine eligibility. Here's what lenders told NerdWallet they like to see. Know your credit Your credit score and credit history are two of the most important factors for getting approved for a personal loan. Though lenders are most likely to approve borrowers with good credit or higher (a score in the mid 600s and up), borrowers with fair or bad credit can still qualify. They just may receive a high interest rate. Lenders also consider the length of your credit history and prefer to see at least two years across one to two accounts. Determine your debt-to-income ratio Debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is another important consideration for loan approval. This measures your monthly debt payments against your gross monthly income. If you have too much debt compared to your income, a lender may not approve you. Most lenders prefer applicants with a DTI below 50% (excluding mortgage). » MORE: Try our debt-to-income calculator Consider the loan details Information about the loan you’re applying for can also influence your loan decision. For example, a larger loan with a long term is often harder to get approved for, since it means more risk for the lender. Choosing the minimum loan amount you need to cover the expense may be a better option. You may also choose to apply for a co-signed, joint or secured loan, which can help boost your application by adding someone with better credit to the loan or guaranteeing the loan with collateral, like your car. Pre-qualify with multiple lenders We always recommend pre-qualifying for a personal loan to check your chances of approval and what interest rate you may get. This helps you compare loan offers between different lenders, too, and has no impact on your credit score. You can pre-qualify through the lenders’ websites or through NerdWallet, where you can see offers from several lenders within minutes. » GET STARTED: Pre-qualify through NerdWallet How we chose the best personal loans Our team of consumer lending experts follows an objective and robust methodology to rate lenders and pick the best. Lenders reviewed We review over 35 lenders, including major banks, top credit unions, leading digital platforms, and high interest installment lenders operating across multiple states. Categories assessed Each lender is evaluated across five weighted categories and 27 subcategories, covering affordability, eligibility, consumer experience, flexibility, and application process. Data points analyzed Our team tracks and reassesses hundreds of data points annually, including APR ranges, fees, credit requirements, and borrower tools, ensuring up to date, accurate comparisons. Star rating categories We evaluate more categories than competitors and carefully weigh how each factor impacts your experience. We review lenders’ annual percentage rate offerings and the competitiveness of each lenders’ APR range. We also assess whether a lender charges an origination fee and any opportunity for borrowers to receive a rate discount. We consider the experience of the consumer trying to manage a personal loan, which means accessibility of customer service representatives, whether borrowers can choose and change their payment due date, and the ability to track their loan on a mobile app. We consider the rigorousness of each lender’s underwriting practices and how widely available their loans are. This category includes whether a lender does a hard credit check before providing a loan, the range of credit profiles they accept and how many states their loans are offered in. We assess how flexible lenders can be with borrowers, including whether they offer multiple loan types, personal loan amounts and repayment term options and whether they offer direct payment to creditors on debt consolidation loans. We consider the lender’s full application process, including a borrower’s ability to preview their loan offer via pre-qualification, whether basic loan information such as APR range and repayment terms are available and easy to find online and how quickly a loan can be funded after approval. NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates personal loan products from more than 30 financial technology companies and financial institutions. We collect over 60 data points and cross-check company websites, earnings reports and other public documents to confirm product details. We may also go through a lender’s pre-qualification flow and follow up with company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary. Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer consumer-friendly features, including: soft credit checks to pre-qualify, competitive interest rates and no fees, transparency of rates and terms, flexible payment options, fast funding times, accessible customer service, reporting of payments to credit bureaus and financial education. Our ratings award fewer points to lenders with practices that may make a loan difficult to repay on time, such as charging high annual percentage rates (above 36%), underwriting that does not adequately assess consumers’ ability to repay and lack of credit-building help. We also consider regulatory actions filed by agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to consumers and how meaningfully they impact consumers’ experiences. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for personal loans and our editorial guidelines . Frequently asked questions What personal loan interest rates can I expect in September? Personal loan rates tend to hold steady, collectively ranging from about 6% to 36% APR. (Learn more about average rates on personal loans .) The actual rate you get depends largely on your credit score, income and how much debt you already have. Borrowers with good to excellent credit scores may receive rates around 15% or lower, while those with bad credit will see rates above 20%. What personal loan interest rates can I expect in September? Personal loan rates tend to hold steady, collectively ranging from about 6% to 36% APR. (Learn more about average rates on personal loans .) The actual rate you get depends largely on your credit score, income and how much debt you already have. Borrowers with good to excellent credit scores may receive rates around 15% or lower, while those with bad credit will see rates above 20%. Will checking my rates affect my credit score? Find lenders that allow you to pre-qualify for a personal loan with a soft inquiry. Pre-qualifying won’t ding your score , so you can check multiple lenders for the best terms. Time your credit applications, including credit cards and loans, roughly six months apart to avoid credit damage. Will checking my rates affect my credit score? Find lenders that allow you to pre-qualify for a personal loan with a soft inquiry. Pre-qualifying won’t ding your score , so you can check multiple lenders for the best terms. Time your credit applications, including credit cards and loans, roughly six months apart to avoid credit damage. What can I use a personal loan for? Common uses of personal loans include debt consolidation, home renovations and life events. Even when you see loans advertised as wedding, adoption or travel loans, that’s just branding — you’re still getting a personal loan. Check out loans for these purposes: Debt consolidation | Home improvement | Emergencies | Weddings What can I use a personal loan for? Common uses of personal loans include debt consolidation, home renovations and life events. Even when you see loans advertised as wedding, adoption or travel loans, that’s just branding — you’re still getting a personal loan. Check out loans for these purposes: Debt consolidation | Home improvement | Emergencies | Weddings What credit score do I need to get a personal loan? There’s no universal credit score requirement for a personal loan , but most lenders look for scores in at least the high-500s to mid-600s (out of 850). Borrowers with higher scores usually get more competitive rates and terms. Lenders also consider your credit history and annual income before making a credit approval decision. The better your credit and finances, the more likely you are to get approved and qualify for a lower interest rate and higher loan amount. Shop loans by credit: Personal loans for good credit | Personal loans for bad credit What credit score do I need to get a personal loan? There’s no universal credit score requirement for a personal loan , but most lenders look for scores in at least the high-500s to mid-600s (out of 850). Borrowers with higher scores usually get more competitive rates and terms. Lenders also consider your credit history and annual income before making a credit approval decision. The better your credit and finances, the more likely you are to get approved and qualify for a lower interest rate and higher loan amount. Shop loans by credit: Personal loans for good credit | Personal loans for bad credit Can I qualify for a personal loan if I have bad credit? A bad credit score doesn’t exclude you from getting a personal loan. Some online lenders have low minimum credit score requirements and consider factors like your employment and education — not just your credit score. Still, check your credit report before you apply, and fix any errors that may be bringing down your score. Opting for a secured loan, joint loan or adding a co-signer can all strengthen your chances of getting a personal loan with bad credit . See options for bad-credit: Cosign and joint loans | Secured loans Can I qualify for a personal loan if I have bad credit? A bad credit score doesn’t exclude you from getting a personal loan. Some online lenders have low minimum credit score requirements and consider factors like your employment and education — not just your credit score. Still, check your credit report before you apply, and fix any errors that may be bringing down your score. Opting for a secured loan, joint loan or adding a co-signer can all strengthen your chances of getting a personal loan with bad credit . See options for bad-credit: Cosign and joint loans | Secured loans How can I be sure a loan is safe? A small loan from a predatory lender can damage your finances and trap you in a cycle of debt. You can avoid that by knowing the red flags of unsafe loans, such as rates above 36%, short repayment terms and no credit checks. How can I be sure a loan is safe? A small loan from a predatory lender can damage your finances and trap you in a cycle of debt. You can avoid that by knowing the red flags of unsafe loans, such as rates above 36%, short repayment terms and no credit checks. How fast can I get a personal loan? The personal loan process — from application to funding — varies by lender, but it can be as fast as one or two days. If you need a quick loan, look for lenders with instant approvals and quick funding, and make sure the information you submit is complete and accurate. Need fast funding? See how to get a quick loan How fast can I get a personal loan? The personal loan process — from application to funding — varies by lender, but it can be as fast as one or two days. If you need a quick loan, look for lenders with instant approvals and quick funding, and make sure the information you submit is complete and accurate. Need fast funding? See how to get a quick loan What is the smallest amount for a personal loan? Most personal loan lenders offer loans starting around $2,000, but some lenders offer smaller amounts you can use for small emergencies or expenses. Small personal loans: How to get a $1,000 loan or less What is the smallest amount for a personal loan? Most personal loan lenders offer loans starting around $2,000, but some lenders offer smaller amounts you can use for small emergencies or expenses. Small personal loans: How to get a $1,000 loan or less Discover additional loan resources and tools Learn more about personal loans 8 Types of Personal Loans and When They’re Best By Nicole Dow Common types of personal loans include unsecured, debt consolidation and joint loans. Read the article Common types of personal loans include unsecured, debt consolidation and joint loans. How to Compare Personal Loans: 7 Features to Check By Annie Millerbernd When choosing between multiple personal loan offers, compare features like fees, rate discounts and fast funding. Read the article When choosing between multiple personal loan offers, compare features like fees, rate discounts and fast funding. 6 Tips to Boost Your Chances of Personal Loan Approval By Nicole Dow Comparing lenders, paying down debt and adding a co-borrower are three ways to help you qualify for a personal loan. Read the article Comparing lenders, paying down debt and adding a co-borrower are three ways to help you qualify for a personal loan. 3 Steps to Personal Loan Pre-Qualification By Nicole Dow, Jackie Veling Pre-qualification gives you a preview of the potential terms of your personal loan. Learn how to pre-qualify. Read the article Pre-qualification gives you a preview of the potential terms of your personal loan. Learn how to pre-qualify. What Credit Score Do You Need for a Personal Loan? By Annie Millerbernd, Nicole Dow Your credit score is one — but not the only — factor that lenders use to decide your rate and loan amount. Read the article Your credit score is one — but not the only — factor that lenders use to decide your rate and loan amount. Should You Get a Personal Loan? Here Are the Pros and Cons By Nicole Dow Personal loans can be used for many reasons, but potentially high rates are among their biggest drawbacks. Read the article Personal loans can be used for many reasons, but potentially high rates are among their biggest drawbacks. How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt: 5 Best Options By Jackie Veling Consolidating your credit card debt is usually a good idea if you can qualify for a lower rate than your current debts. Read the article Consolidating your credit card debt is usually a good idea if you can qualify for a lower rate than your current debts. Personal Loans vs. Personal Lines of Credit: Which Is Best? By Nicole Dow, Robin Hartill, CFP® Personal loans and personal lines of credit have similar approval requirements, but they vary in how you receive and repay the funds. Read the article Personal loans and personal lines of credit have similar approval requirements, but they vary in how you receive and repay the funds. Additional resources for personal loans NerdWallet's top picks We've done the research on the best so you don't have to Personal loan reviews Make your borrowing decision with clarity and confidence Personal loan articles Find everything you need to know about personal loans Personal loan calculators Smart borrowing starts with the right numbers