You're looking for a personal loan, and you want one that has it all: a low interest rate, low fees, and terms that fit your budget, all from a company with great customer service. Before getting a personal loan, it is important to understand the different types to find one that fits your needs.
Loans can be used to consolidate debt, pay for home improvements, or cover unexpected expenses. You can even get loans from a traditional bank, credit union, or an online bank. If you're not sure where to begin, don't worry. We have taken the mystery out of shopping by searching the marketplace to find which lenders offer the best overall personal loans.
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As of Aug. 01, 2022
| Lending Partner | Min. Credit Score | Loan Amounts | APR Range | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Upstart
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: None | Loan Amounts: $1,000 - $50,000 | APR Range: 5.42% - 35.99% | |
Marcus
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 720 FICO | Loan Amounts: $3,500 - $40,000 | APR Range: 6.99% - 24.99% | |
SoFi
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 680 | Loan Amounts: $5,000 - $100,000 | APR Range: 7.99% - 22.73% (with all discounts) | |
LightStream
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 660 | Loan Amounts: $5,000 - $100,000 | APR Range: 3.99% - 19.99% (w/ AutoPay*) | |
Happy Money
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 640 | Loan Amounts: $5,000 - $40,000 | APR Range: 5.99% - 24.99% | |
Avant
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 580 | Loan Amounts: $2,000 - $35,000 | APR Range: 9.95% - 35.99% | |
FreedomPlus
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 640 | Loan Amounts: $7,500 - $50,000 | APR Range: 7.99% - 29.99% | |
Best Egg
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 640 | Loan Amounts: $2,000 - $50,000 | APR Range: 5.99% - 35.99% | |
Discover Personal Loan
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Min. Credit Score: 660 | Loan Amounts: $2,500 - $35,000 | APR Range: 5.99%-24.99% |
Disclaimers
*Marcus by Goldman Sachs Disclaimer
-No Fees. Ever. We don't deduct a sign-up fee from your loan amount.
-Loans from $3,500 to $40,000 and fixed rates from 6.99% to 24.99% APR. Only the most creditworthy applicants qualify for the lowest rates and largest loans amounts. Rates will generally be higher for longer term loans
-Tailored monthly payment options designed to fit your budget.
-Marcus is backed by over 150 years of Goldman Sachs' financial expertise.
-No origination fee, prepayment fee, or late fee - You only pay interest for the additional days.
-Discount when enrolled in Autopay.
Your loan terms are not guaranteed and are subject to our verification of your identity and credit information. To obtain a loan, you must submit additional documentation including an application that may affect your credit score. The availability of a loan offer and the terms of your actual offer will vary due to a number of factors, including your loan purpose, our evaluation of your creditworthiness, your credit history, if we have recently declined your loan application and the number of loans you already have with us. To obtain a loan, you must submit additional documentation including an application that may affect your credit score. Rates will vary based on many factors, such as your creditworthiness (for example, credit score and credit history) and the length of your loan (for example, rates for 36 month loans are generally lower than rates for 72 month loans). Your maximum loan amount may vary depending on your loan purpose, income and creditworthiness. Your verifiable income must support your ability to repay your loan. Marcus by Goldman Sachs is a brand of Goldman Sachs Bank USA and all loans are issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. Applications are subject to additional terms and conditions. You may be required to have some of your funds sent directly to creditors to pay down certain types of unsecured debt. Receive a 0.25% APR reduction when you enroll in AutoPay. This reduction will not be applied if AutoPay is not in effect. When enrolled, a larger portion of your monthly payment will be applied to your principal loan amount and less interest will accrue on your loan, which may result in a smaller final payment. See loan agreement for details.
*SoFi Personal Loan Disclaimer
Fixed rates from 7.99% APR to 22.73% APR APR reflect the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 8/1/22 and are subject to change without notice. Not all rates and amounts available in all states. See Personal Loan eligibility details. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including evaluation of your credit worthiness, income, and other factors. See APR examples and terms. The SoFi 0.25% AutoPay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account
*Upstart Loan Disclaimer
The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.
Best for: Reducing high interest debt
Upstart
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Minimum Credit Score
None
Loan Amounts
$1,000 - $50,000
APR Range
5.42% - 35.99%
Term Length
36 or 60 months
-
We selected Upstart as a best personal loans lender because it can accommodate a wide range of borrowers with different needs. Upstart offers flexible lending guidelines, small loans, and low rates to qualified applicants. Loans can fund in one day.
-
- Accepts borrowers with low credit scores
- Wide range of loan amounts
- No prepayment penalty
- Payment grace period
- High upper-range interest rate
- High origination fees
- No cosigner allowed
Best for: Low overall APR
Marcus
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Minimum Credit Score
720 FICO
Loan Amounts
$3,500 - $40,000
APR Range
6.99% - 24.99%
Term Length
36 - 72 months
-
Marcus is a best personal loans lender because it is very consumer-friendly overall. Marcus charges no fees at all, and you can get an interest rate reduction by signing up for automatic payments.
-
- No fees
- Opportunity to defer a payment
- Long repayment term
- Simplifies debt consolidation
- No joint applications
Best for: High income borrowers wanting low APR
SoFi
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Minimum Credit Score
680
Loan Amounts
$5,000 - $100,000
APR Range
7.99% - 22.73% (with all discounts)
Term Length
24 - 84 months
-
SoFi makes our list of best personal loans lenders because of its well-known consumer-centric approach. It doesn't charge fees, loan limits are high, and rates are low. You can also get a rate discount for setting up automatic payments.
-
- Competitive interest rates
- No fees
- Paused payments for unemployment
- High minimum loan amount
Best for: Low APR with fast funding
LightStream
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Minimum Credit Score
660
Loan Amounts
$5,000 - $100,000
APR Range
3.99% - 19.99% (w/ AutoPay*)
Term Length
36 - 84 months
-
We selected LightStream as a best personal loans lender because it offers high loan limits, no fees, low interest rates, a large autopay discount, and fast funding (sometimes same day). It prioritizes customer service and even pays unhappy customers for their feedback.
-
- One of the lowest APRs in the industry
- Low-rate guarantee
- Super fast funding
- High maximum loan amounts
- Strict qualification requirements
Best for: Paying off high-interest credit card debt
Happy Money
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Minimum Credit Score
640
Loan Amounts
$5,000 - $40,000
APR Range
5.99% - 24.99%
Term Length
24 - 60 months
-
We chose Happy Money as a best personal loans lender because we love its focus on paying off high-interest debt. Well qualified applicants can get a very low rate. Happy Money discloses clearly what it wants in an applicant, so you'll know before you apply if it's a good fit.
-
- Flexible payoff options
- Designed to help boost your FICO score
- Customer service member advocates offer personal support
- No application, early or extra payment fees, late fees, or check processing and returned check fees
- May charge origination fees up to 5%
- No autopay discounts
- Funding slower than competitors
Best for: Low credit scores
Avant
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Minimum Credit Score
580
Loan Amounts
$2,000 - $35,000
APR Range
9.95% - 35.99%
Term Length
24 - 60 months
-
Avant makes the cut as one of the best personal loan lenders because this lender can accommodate borrowers who might not qualify somewhere else. You'll need a credit score of 580, which is lower than what other lenders require. Loans start at $2,000.
-
- Lower credit score requirements
- Relatively low minimum loan amounts
- Fast funding
- No prepayment penalties
- Higher APRs
Best for: Borrowers who want to use a cosigner
FreedomPlus
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Minimum Credit Score
640
Loan Amounts
$7,500 - $50,000
APR Range
7.99% - 29.99%
Term Length
24 - 60 months
-
FreedomPlus is one of the best personal loan lenders because rates are low, especially for borrowers who use the money to pay off other debt. Also, you can borrow as little as $1,000 and use a cosigner if you need to. Loans can fund in a day.
-
- Cosigners accepted
- Special discounts for borrowers who want to pay down existing debt
- No prepayment penalty
- Difficult to qualify for lowest interest rate
- Costly origination fees
Best for: Consolidating high interest debt
Best Egg
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Minimum Credit Score
640
Loan Amounts
$2,000 - $50,000
APR Range
5.99% - 35.99%
Term Length
36 - 60 months
-
We chose Best Egg as a best personal loan lender because well-qualified applicants can get a very low interest rate here on loans up to $50,000. Most loans fund within a day. Also, borrowers get free access to their credit score and tips for improving it.
-
- Low minimum loan amount (in most states)
- Easy application process
- Funds disbursed in as little as one day
- Origination fees
- No joint applications accepted
- The best loans reserved for those with high incomes and credit scores
Best for: No origination or prepayment fees
Discover Personal Loan
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Minimum Credit Score
660
Loan Amounts
$2,500 - $35,000
APR Range
5.99%-24.99%
Term Length
36 - 84 months
-
We chose Discover as a best personal loan lender because of its overall customer-friendly approach. There is no origination fee (other lenders charge up to 8% of your loan amount). You get free access to your FICO score, which is nice if you're working to monitor or improve your credit.
-
- Competitive APRs
- No origination or prepayment fees
- Debt consolidation support
- Long repayment term
No cosigners accepted
What is a personal loan?
A personal loan is when the borrower receives a one-time payment of cash and has to pay back the loan in monthly installments. A personal loan can be used for different purposes. There is a fixed interest rate which is based on the creditworthiness of the individual applying for the loan.
Personal loans are generally unsecured loans. The lender requires nothing more than good credit and your written promise to repay the loan as agreed. Compared to a mortgage or auto loan, lenders take more risk since there is no collateral to back up the loan in case of a default. As a result, personal loans generally have higher interest rates than a secured loan.
The higher your credit score, the lower you can expect the lender's interest rate to be. Even if your credit score is not as high as you would like, you may still qualify for a personal loan with bad credit. However, you'll likely pay a higher interest rate than other borrowers.
When is a personal loan the best option?
Let's say your kitchen was designed sometime during the Truman administration, or you would like to consolidate debt. A personal loan can provide you with the funds to get things done. Most lenders don't care how you spend the money, as long as you pay it back as promised. If you know how you're going to spend the money and have a plan to repay it, a personal loan can be a good tool for accomplishing your goals.
If you need the money quickly, look for a loan with "streamlined approval." This means you won't wait long to receive the loan funds. Because some loans are funded same day, if you run into a financial roadblock, a personal loan can help you overcome it -- even when you need the cash fast.
What should personal loans be used for?
Like any loans, it is important to manage your debt. The key is to use a personal loan to help improve your financial wellbeing once it is paid off. Here are some reasons to take out personal loans.
- Debt consolidation: Credit cards generally have higher interest rates. A personal loan can be used to consolidate your higher interest debt to a lower interest loan.
- Home renovations: Certain home renovations can increase the value of your home. If you have equity in your home, a home equity line of credit may be a better financing option.
- Career advancement: Paying for professional certifications, education, and training can boost your career prospects and opportunities for promotion or a higher-paying job.
- Unexpected expenses: People should have an emergency savings account that has three to six months of expenses. If you don't, a personal loan can help cover a family emergency or help you recover from unexpected and expensive inconveniences.
What should loans not be used for?
Personal loans have higher interest rates than secured loans and if not used properly, can just increase your debt payments. It may be better to cut expenses or find additional ways to increase your income rather than take out a personal loan. These are reasons you should not use a personal loan for.
- Extravagant vacations: A short-term trip can lead to long-term consequences. A personal loan should not be used to fund an elaborate vacation if the loan can't be paid back.
- Celebrations (weddings/birthdays/graduations): If you can't afford to pay the loan back, you shouldn't get a personal loan for events that only last a day. Celebrations generally are planned out in advance, so it is better to save up for it.
- Extra spending money: Taking out a personal loan to raise your standard of living is not a good idea. You should avoid a lifestyle your current finances can't support.
What criteria do the best personal loans have?
You may be surprised to learn how many loan options are out there. Whether you have excellent credit or are working to boost your credit score, the very best loans have these three things in common:
Low interest rate
A great loan is one carrying a low interest rate. The interest on a loan is calculated as a percent of the total you borrow. The lower the interest rate, the more money you save in paying back the loan.
Let's say you need to borrow $20,000 to replace the roof of your house, and you plan to get a loan with a five-year term. You're considering two options: Lender A and Lender B. Below, we've summarized these two imaginary lenders and how their interest rates would impact the cost of your loan. Even a small percentage change can result in significant savings. It's clear that the lender offering the lower interest rate can save you money over the life of the loan. These are funds you can use in some other way, like investing for your future.
Lender A
- Interest rate: 5.5%
- Monthly payment: $382
- Total interest paid over the life of the loan: $2,921
Lender B
- Interest rate: 6.9%
- Monthly payment: $395
- Total interest paid over the life of the loan: $3,705
You may only pay an extra $13 per month for a loan from Lender B, but that small difference costs you $780 more over the life of the loan. For help finding the best loans with low interest, check out our guide to good interest rates for personal loans.
Do you have bad credit? You will likely pay a higher interest rate for a personal loan. If this is your situation, you have two options. You can take steps to raise your score and wait until it's in better shape before applying for a loan. The second option is to get a loan now, then refinance your personal loan later (when your credit score is higher and you can get a better rate).
Loan terms that work for you
The "loan term" is the period of time you have to repay a loan in full. Some people opt for a longer loan term because it keeps their monthly payments low. However, the longer you carry a loan, the more interest you pay in total. Look for your personal loan term sweet spot, the shortest term with the most affordable payment. The best loans fit your budget and timeline.
Low fees
Another key trait of a great personal loan is that it has no fees or very low fees. Fees can be sneaky. Say a lender offers you a low interest rate, but piles on fees. That loan may end up costing more than a loan with a slightly higher interest rate but no fees. The best personal loan lenders don't charge an origination fee and keep other expenses -- like prepayment and late fees -- to a minimum.
For example, many lenders charge origination fees to cover the cost of processing and distributing your loan. Origination fees range from 1% to 8% of the amount you borrow. Using the scenario above, if you borrow $20,000 to replace a roof, you could pay between $200 and $1,600 in origination fees alone.
How to get the best personal loan rate
To get the best personal loan rate, follow these three steps:
- Maintain an excellent credit score. An excellent credit score is one that is 800 and above. The better your credit score, the better your interest rate.
- Get a co-applicant. If your credit score is not high enough to qualify for a good interest rate, a co-applicant with an excellent credit score can help you get a better interest rate.
- Shop around for the best rate. There are many financial institutions to get a loan. Traditional banks, credit unions, or online-only banks all offer loans. Do your research to find a lender that is offering the best rates. Many have an online prequalification tool that will give you a rate without hurting your credit score. In some cases, lenders will offer promotions and limited-time discounts.
How to get a personal loan
No matter where you apply for a personal loan -- a bank, credit union, or personal loan online lender -- the application process is the same.
Here are the steps to take:
Gather documents
No matter where you apply, the lender is likely to ask for the same documents. Getting them together before you apply can streamline the process and save you a great deal of stress. Here's what you need:
- Proof of identification
- Proof of address
- List of monthly expenses
- Evidence of how much your collateral is worth (if you're applying for a secured personal loan)
Whether it's a secured personal loan or an unsecured personal loan, the lender may ask about the purpose for the funds -- some personal loans are designated for specific purposes, like those to help consolidate existing debt, but those loan types are relatively uncommon.
Shop lenders
Take the time to shop for the best lender. Lenders make loan decisions based on a "soft" credit check, which has no impact on your credit score. This soft credit check gives the personal loan lender a sense of your credit history, including credit card debt and other debt (like an outstanding installment loan). If your credit score is not quite perfect, look for lenders that specialize in personal loans for fair credit or personal loans for bad credit.
Don't leave any gaps -- fill out the entire loan application and provide the lender with all documents requested. If you do this, it should not take long to hear whether your loan has been approved. Some of the best lenders let you know within minutes if your application has been approved.
Prequalifying for a personal loan
Personal loan prequalification or pre-approval allows you to get a sense of what loan terms are available. Most prequalification processes use a soft credit check, which doesn't impact your credit score. If you qualify, lenders will let you know how much you can borrow, the interest rate you will be charged, and how long you'll have to repay the loan. You can use this information to compare personal loans. If you do not qualify, you can learn what you need to do to improve your odds of getting a personal loan.
Compare loan offers
Compare loans of the same type side by side. If you have applied for unsecured loans, compare them only to other unsecured loan offers. And if you've applied for secured loans, compare them only to other secured loan offers.
Here's what to look for:
- The lowest annual percentage rate
- A repayment term that fits your budget
- Loan amounts that match your borrowing needs
- Lowest loan fees (ideally, you'll find a loan with no origination fee or prepayment penalty)
- Perks like loan deferment when you're unemployed
Commit to a lender
A lender does not run a "hard" credit check until you let them know you want to proceed with a loan. So if you applied with five banks, only the bank you choose to work with runs a hard credit check.
A hard credit check is a deeper dive into your credit history, and helps the personal loan provider make sure a borrower meets their minimum credit score requirement and has paid bills on time. Although the hard credit check may decrease your credit score, it's typically by less than five points. After a few months of regular payments, your score should rebound to its pre-loan level.
Note: If a low credit score means you don't receive a loan offer that works for you, consider taking time to improve your credit score. Boosting your score can only help you in the long run. Small changes like reducing your credit utilization, paying bills on time, and only applying for credit when needed can help raise your FICO® Score.
Sign loan documents
Whether you're working with an online lender or a brick-and-mortar financial institution, most lenders allow you to sign documents electronically. Read through the documents thoroughly before signing. Once you've signed, you're legally committed to whatever is written inside the four corners of the contract.
Wait for loan funding
Funds usually hit your bank account one to 14 days from the time of loan approval. If you need the money quickly, ask lenders about their fund distribution times as you shop for the loan. If you can't wait, make sure to work only with a lender that promises a quick distribution of funds.
How many personal loans can you have?
Ultimately, you can have multiple personal loans. Some lenders may limit the number of personal loans you can have, but there is no limit on how many loans you can have from different lenders. A lender will consider your debt-to-income ratio, credit score, as well as other factors when determining how many loans you can take out or how much you qualify for. If you have too many loans, then it can impact your credit score. This will make it more difficult to qualify for new credit or a better rate.
What happens if your personal loan is not approved?
If your personal loan is denied, the first step is to find out the reason. Typically, you will be denied if your credit score does not meet the minimum qualifications. You may have negative items on your credit report, not enough credit history, or high credit card balances. Another reason may be that your income doesn't meet the minimum requirements or your debt-to-income ratio is too high. There are other factors that could impact loan approval, such as your employment history, cash flow history, and available assets.
If you are denied, work on improving your credit history and credit score. Making on-time payments makes up the bulk of your credit score. Keep your credit card balances and utilization low. Pay down your credit card debt and ask your credit card company to raise your limits to help with your utilization. Avoiding too many hard inquiries can also improve your credit. After you have increased your credit score, you will be in a better position to qualify for a personal loan.
What are the alternatives to personal loans?
Personal loans are not for everyone. Depending on your circumstances -- for example, if you need money to fund a project or pay an unexpected expense -- you may want to look at other options.
Here are two alternatives to personal loans:
Credit cards
A credit card can provide fast cash in an urgent situation. If you qualify for a 0% APR credit card, you have months (typically 12 to 18) to pay off the debt with no interest. Only use a credit card with a 0% transfer offer if you're confident you can pay it off in full before the promotional rate expires. At the end of the promotional period, the interest rate shoots up to its standard rate, and you could get stuck trying to pay down debt as high interest piles on top.
Secured line of credit
A secured line of credit can help you snag the best rates for personal loans. When you take out a secured line of credit or secured personal loan, you typically pay a lower interest rate because you put up something of value as collateral. This may be anything of value, such as your car, home, boat, or jewelry. A line of credit offers greater flexibility. You can borrow up to your credit limit, depending on what you need, and you only pay interest on the amount you borrow.
Online personal loan companies rarely offer secured lines of credit, so if that's the route you choose, plan on working with a brick-and-mortar bank or credit union.
How to pay off your personal loan
Since personal loans typically have higher interest rates, you want to pay them off as fast as you can. You will pay less interest and have more peace of mind if you don't have potentially tens of thousands of dollars to pay back. Here are some simple tips to help you pay back your personal loan faster without breaking the bank. Make sure you check with your lender to see if there are any penalties for paying off your personal loan early.
- Make bi-weekly payments. Most loans require you to make monthly payments. Instead, make a half-payment every two weeks. By doing this, your payments will be applied to the principal more often, so you end up paying less interest over time. Also, by making payments on your personal loan every two weeks, you will be making 26 total payments. This translates to one whole extra payment a year. This can shorten your loan payoff by months and in some cases years.
- Make an extra payment. If your lender will not allow you to split your loan payments, make an extra payment every year. Use a bonus, tax refund, or extra income for the extra payment. If the amount is too much to pay it at once, divide it by 12 and add it to your monthly payment to spread it out over time. The more money you are able to pay towards the loan the faster you can pay it off. Consider getting a side hustle, selling things you don't need, or cutting your expenses to put extra money towards the loan.
- Round up your monthly payment. Round up your loan to the nearest $50 dollars. For example, if your loan payment is $230, round up to $250. For an even bigger impact, you could round up to the nearest $100. In this case, it would be $300. The extra amount may be small enough to not impact your budget, but it would help you pay down your personal loan sooner.
- Refinance your loan. If you have a high interest rate on your loan, look to refinance to get a better rate. Your credit score may have improved since you got the loan. Shop around to find the best rates.
Other personal loans to compare
If you look through our loan suggestions but don't find a loan that fits your needs, don't worry. No loan fits every borrower or every set of circumstances. Here are a few others to consider:
- LendingPoint: Good for people with low credit scores
- Upgrade: Good for debt consolidation and people with fair credit
- Wells Fargo Personal Loans: Good for low APRs for Wells Fargo customers
Taking out a personal loan is a big deal. You're committing to years of working with a specific financial institution and taking on new debt. Take your time to decide if you can comfortably afford a personal loan. If you decide you can, take time to find the loan that's just right for you.
To recap, here are the best personal loans of August 2022
| Lending Partner | Min. Credit Score | Loan Amounts | APR Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstart | None | $1,000 - $50,000 | 5.42% - 35.99% | Reducing high interest debt |
| Marcus | 720 FICO | $3,500 - $40,000 | 6.99% - 24.99% | Low overall APR |
| SoFi | 680 | $5,000 - $100,000 | 7.99% - 22.73% (with all discounts) | Low APR for borrowers with high income |
| LightStream | 660 | $5,000 - $100,000 | 3.99% - 19.99% (w/ AutoPay*) | Borrowers with good credit |
| Happy Money | 640 | $5,000 - $40,000 | 5.99% - 24.99% | Reducing high-interest credit card debt |
| Avant | 580 | $2,000 - $35,000 | 9.95% - 35.99% | Borrowers with poor credit scores |
| FreedomPlus | 640 | $7,500 - $50,000 | 7.99% - 29.99% | Diverse offerings |
| Best Egg | 640 | $2,000 - $50,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | Debt consolidation |
| Discover Personal Loan | 660 | $2,500 - $35,000 | 5.99%-24.99% | Debt consolidation |
FAQs
-
While the loan term may run anywhere from one to 10 years, a term of three to five years is more common. That said, if you opt for a personal loan with no prepayment penalty, you can pay it off before the term ends. Doing so minimizes the amount you pay in interest.
-
Personal loans normally carry a lower interest rate than credit cards, and in that way, personal loans are a better option. Personal loans and credit cards both represent debt, and the best financial move is to pay either off as quickly as possible.
-
Yes, depending on your situation. If you're struggling to make ends meet because of the pandemic, you might qualify for a coronavirus hardship loan.
About the Author
Dana has spent the last two decades as a business writer and news reporter, specializing in loans, debt management, investments, and business. She considers herself lucky to love her job and appreciates the opportunity to learn something new every day.
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