Upstart vs Avant Personal Loans

Personal Loans Comparison

WiseIQ Editorial Team

Reviewed by certified financial experts · Updated March 2026

OUR VERDICT

WiseIQ Expert Tip

Financial decisions made with complete information consistently outperform those made under pressure or with incomplete data. Take time to compare at least 3 options before committing.

Upstart wins for borrowers with thin credit files or non-traditional backgrounds. Avant wins for borrowers who want predictable rates and a straightforward application. Upstart is rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot.

Last Updated: March 2026 WiseIQ Editorial Team

Advertiser Disclosure: WiseIQ maintains affiliate relationships with financial institutions including Upstart, SoFi, LendingClub, Avant, and others. When you apply for and are approved for a product through our links, WiseIQ typically earns a referral commission. This commission does not influence our editorial rankings, scores, or recommendations. Our editorial team determines all rankings independently using a published scoring rubric — commercial agreements are established separately and cannot modify editorial scores. Products from non-partner lenders appear in our rankings when they offer superior value to our readers. See our full methodology and scoring rubric →

💡 Expert Tip: Check Your Rate Before You Commit

Upstart offers prequalification with a soft credit pull — meaning you can check your rate in minutes without any impact to your credit score. Before applying, review your debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Upstart looks for a DTI below 45–50%. Divide your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income to calculate yours. A lower DTI improves your approval odds and typically results in a lower APR.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Best AI Underwriting

Upstart Personal Loans

APR / Rate

7.80%–35.99%

Min. Score

580

Unique advantage: AI underwriting considers education and employment — good for recent graduates

✓ Pros

Accepts 580+ credit scores
AI considers education/employment history
Good for thin credit files
Fast funding (1 business day)
No prepayment penalty

✗ Cons

Origination fee up to 12%
Only 3 or 5 year terms
High maximum APR (35.99%)
Rates can be high for fair credit

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Best for Fair Credit

Avant Personal Loans

APR / Rate

9.95%–35.99%

Min. Score

580

Unique advantage: Specializes in fair credit borrowers — more predictable approval for 580–669 scores

✓ Pros

Specializes in fair credit
Lower origination fee (max 4.75%)
More flexible terms (2–5 years)
Predictable approval for 580–669
Good customer service

✗ Cons

Higher minimum APR (9.95%)
Lower maximum loan ($35,000)
Not available in all states

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💡 Expert Insight

Based on our analysis of thousands of consumer financial profiles, the most common mistake people make is focusing solely on the interest rate without considering total loan cost, fees, and repayment flexibility. Always compare the APR — not just the rate — and read the fine print on prepayment penalties before signing.

Detailed Comparison

Rates verified May 2026 · Updated weekly

Feature	Upstart Personal Loans	Avant Personal Loans
APR Range	7.80%–35.99%	9.95%–35.99%
Loan Amount	$1,000–$50,000	$2,000–$35,000
Loan Terms	3 or 5 years	2–5 years
Minimum Credit Score	580+	580+
Origination Fee	0%–12%	Up to 4.75%
Funding Speed	1 business day	1 business day
AI Underwriting	Yes	No
Prepayment Penalty	None	None
Available States	Most states	Most states (not CO, IA, WV)

APR range comparison chart for personal loans 2026 — Upstart, SoFi, LendingClub, Prosper, Avant, Upgrade, Marcus

APR Range Comparison: Personal Loans 2026 — Starting and maximum APR for a $10,000 loan. Rates verified May 2026.

Choose Upstart Personal Loans if:

Upstart is best for borrowers with thin credit files, recent graduates, or those with non-traditional income who may be underserved by traditional underwriting.

Choose Avant Personal Loans if:

Avant is best for borrowers with established fair credit (580–669) who want predictable approval odds and a lower origination fee.

🎯

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WiseIQ Editorial Team

Reviewed by Certified Financial Planners & Industry Experts

Our editorial team consists of financial writers, CFPs, and former banking professionals dedicated to providing accurate, unbiased financial guidance. All content is fact-checked and updated regularly. Learn about our editorial standards →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upstart or Avant better for bad credit?

Both accept 580+ credit scores. Upstart's AI underwriting can be advantageous for borrowers with thin files or non-traditional backgrounds (recent graduates, self-employed). Avant specializes in fair credit and has a lower maximum origination fee (4.75% vs 12%). For most fair-credit borrowers, Avant's lower origination fee makes it the better choice.

What is Upstart's minimum credit score?

Upstart accepts applicants with credit scores as low as 580. However, Upstart's AI model also considers education level, employment history, and area of study, so some applicants with no credit score may also qualify.

Does Avant charge origination fees?

Yes. Avant charges an origination fee of up to 4.75%, which is deducted from your loan proceeds. On a $10,000 loan, you'd receive $9,525 but owe $10,000. Factor this into your total cost calculation when comparing lenders.

Upstart vs Avant Personal Loans for Fair Credit (2026)