Reviewed by WiseIQ Editorial Team· Personal Finance Editor · 6 years in lending
Editorially independent
Updated March 2026
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Not Financial Advice: The information on this page is for comparison purposes only. WiseIQ is not a licensed financial advisor or credit counselor. Always review the full loan terms and consult a financial professional before borrowing.
Rates shown are representative APR ranges. Your actual rate depends on creditworthiness, loan amount, and term. Checking your rate does not affect your credit score.
How we rank: Products are ranked by credit score fit, rates, fees, and features — not by commission size. See full methodology →
Editor's Pick
Upstart Personal Loan
Upstart Network
WiseIQ's Top Pick — Best for Fair & Thin Credit
APR Range
6.2%–35.99% fixed
Loan Amount
$1K–$75K
Term
3–5 years
Upstart uses AI to evaluate more than just your credit score — education, job history, and other factors are considered, making it ideal for borrowers with limited credit history or fair credit. Fast funding in as little as 1 business day.
Accepts fair credit (580+)
AI-powered approval — more factors considered
Fast funding (as soon as 1 business day)
No prepayment penalty
Soft credit check to check your rate
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply. Rates subject to change.
SoFi Personal Loan
SoFi Bank, N.A.
Best for Excellent Credit
APR Range
8.99%–29.49% variable
Loan Amount
$5K–$100K
Term
2–7 years
SoFi offers some of the lowest rates available with no fees of any kind. Includes unemployment protection — if you lose your job, SoFi will pause your payments.
No origination fees
No prepayment penalties
Same-day funding available
Unemployment protection
Member benefits & career coaching
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply. Rates subject to change.
LightStream Personal Loan
Truist Bank
Lowest Rates
APR Range
7.49%–25.49% fixed
Loan Amount
$5K–$100K
Term
2–12 years
LightStream claims to offer the lowest rates in the market (per LightStream) for qualified borrowers through its Rate Beat Program for borrowers with excellent credit. Rate Beat Program guarantees to beat any competitor rate by 0.10%.
No fees of any kind
Rate Beat Program
Same-day funding
Longest terms available (up to 12 years)
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs Bank USA
No Fees Ever
APR Range
6.99%–24.99% fixed
Loan Amount
$3.5K–$40K
Term
3–6 years
Marcus is Goldman Sachs' consumer brand — known for transparent pricing and zero fees. On-time payment reward lets you defer one payment per year.
No origination, late, or prepayment fees
On-time payment reward (defer 1 payment/year)
Fixed rates — no surprises
Direct payment to creditors for debt consolidation
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply.
Discover Personal Loan
Discover Bank
No Fees
APR Range
7.99%–24.99% fixed
Loan Amount
$2.5K–$40K
Term
3–7 years
Discover charges zero fees — no origination fee, no prepayment penalty, no late fee on first late payment. Funding as fast as the next business day (per Discover, for qualified applicants) with a 30-day money-back guarantee (subject to Discover's program terms).
No origination, prepayment, or late fees
Next business day funding
30-day money-back guarantee (subject to Discover's program terms)
Fixed rates, no surprises
Direct creditor payoff for debt consolidation
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply.
Best Egg Personal Loan
Best Egg / Blue Ridge Bank
Fast Funding
APR Range
8.99%–35.99% fixed
Loan Amount
$2K–$50K
Term
3–5 years
Best Egg is known for fast approvals and same-day or next-day funding. A secured loan option is available using your car title for lower rates.
Same-day or next-day funding
Secured loan option for lower rates
Direct creditor payoff for debt consolidation
Pre-qualify with soft credit pull
No prepayment penalty
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply.
Prosper Personal Loan
Prosper Marketplace
Peer-to-Peer Lending
APR Range
8.99%–35.99% fixed
Loan Amount
$2K–$50K
Term
2–5 years
One of the original peer-to-peer lenders. Prosper is a solid option for borrowers with fair credit who have been turned down elsewhere, with a joint loan option available.
Available to fair credit borrowers (600+)
Joint loan option with a co-borrower
Pre-qualify without affecting credit score
Flexible loan purposes
No prepayment penalty
WiseIQ may earn a referral fee if you apply.
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Sources & Methodology
WiseIQ's editorial team researches and fact-checks all content using primary sources. Our recommendations are based on independent analysis and are not influenced by advertiser relationships.
Most personal loan lenders require a minimum score of 580–640. The best rates (under 10% APR) typically require a score of 720+. Some lenders like Upstart consider education and employment history alongside credit scores.
Online lenders like Upstart can approve and fund loans in as little as 1–3 business days. Traditional banks may take 1–2 weeks. Pre-qualification takes just minutes and doesn't affect your credit score.
The average personal loan APR is 11–12% for borrowers with good credit. Rates range from 6% for excellent credit to 36% for poor credit. Always compare at least 3 lenders before accepting an offer.
Yes — lenders like Upstart, Avant, and OneMain Financial specialize in loans for borrowers with scores below 640. Expect higher rates (20–36% APR) and consider a co-signer to improve your terms.
A personal loan is not the right tool for every situation. Consider alternatives if any of the following apply to you:
You have home equity: A HELOC typically offers rates 5–10% lower than personal loans. If you own your home, compare HELOC rates before taking a personal loan.
Your debt is primarily credit card debt: A balance transfer card with a 0% intro APR (typically 12–21 months) will cost less than a personal loan if you can pay off the balance within the intro period.
You need less than $1,000: Most personal loan lenders have minimum amounts of $1,000–$2,000. For smaller needs, a credit union payday alternative loan (PAL) or a 0% APR credit card may be more appropriate.
Your credit score is below 500: Most personal loan lenders — including those that accept "bad credit" — have practical minimums around 500–560. Below this, secured loans, credit-builder loans, or co-signer arrangements are more realistic options.
You are in active bankruptcy: Personal loan lenders will decline applicants in active Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 proceedings. Resolve your bankruptcy first.
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