Best Personal Loan Lenders (2026)

Top-rated personal loan lenders compared by APR, loan amounts, funding speed, credit requirements, and fees.

Written by Harvey Brooks, Senior Financial Editor

TL;DR Quick summary

SoFi offers the lowest rates with no fees for good credit borrowers (680+). LightStream has the fastest funding (same day). For fair credit (580-679), Upgrade and LendingPoint are the most accessible. Always prequalify with at least 3 lenders to compare rates without affecting your score.

Key Takeaways

  • Personal loan rates range from 6-36% APR depending on credit score
  • No-fee lenders (SoFi, LightStream) save 1-6% in origination costs
  • Prequalification is a soft pull that doesn't hurt your credit
  • Credit unions often beat online lenders on rates for existing members
  • Loan amounts typically range from $1,000 to $50,000

Personal loans are versatile — use them for debt consolidation, home improvement, medical bills, or major purchases. APRs range from 6% to 36% depending on your credit score, and loan amounts typically run from $1,000 to $100,000. We compared the leading personal loan lenders on APR ranges, origination fees, minimum credit score requirements, funding speed, and repayment terms. Whether you have excellent credit or are working to rebuild, here are the best personal loan companies for 2026.

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1
SoFi logo

SoFi

4.2/5
From Free/mo BBB: A+ Free Consultation

SoFi is a publicly traded fintech platform (NASDAQ: SOFI) offering personal loans, student loan refinancing, banking, investing, and credit cards — all in one app with no hidden fees.

All-in-one financial platform: lending, banking, investing, insurance, and credit card in one app
No late fees and no prepayment penalties on any loan product
Unemployment protection pauses loan payments for up to 12 months if you lose your job
Read Full Review Visit SoFi
2
LendingTree logo

LendingTree

4.5/5
From Free/mo BBB: A+ Free Consultation

LendingTree is a leading online lending marketplace where borrowers compare offers from multiple lenders in one place. Founded 1996, publicly traded (NASDAQ: TREE), BBB A+ rated.

Compare multiple lender offers with one application — saves time and effort
Soft credit pull for initial comparison — no impact on credit score
Covers all major loan types: personal, mortgage, auto, business, student
Read Full Review Visit LendingTree
3
U

Upgrade

4.8/5
From Free/mo BBB: A+ Free Consultation

Upgrade, Inc. is a personal lending provider based in San Francisco, California. Rated 4.8/5 with 10,556 Google reviews, reflecting exceptional customer satisfaction.

Highly rated by customers (4.8/5 on Google)
Well-established with 10,556+ customer reviews
Google-verified business
Read Full Review Visit Upgrade
4
BMO Bank logo

BMO Bank

3.6/5
From Free/mo BBB: A+ Free Consultation

North America's 8th largest bank by assets. Checking accounts, mortgages, HELOCs, and business banking across 994 branches in 8 states. FDIC insured, 12M+ customers.

North America's 8th largest bank by assets — $1T+ across operations, 12M+ customers
994 branch locations across 8 US states for in-person banking
Full-service banking: checking, savings, mortgages, HELOCs, personal loans, business banking
Read Full Review Visit BMO Bank
5
A

Avant

4.5/5
From Free/mo BBB: A Free Consultation

Avant is a credit repair provider based in Chicago, Illinois. Rated 4.5/5 with 3,471 Google reviews, reflecting excellent customer satisfaction.

Highly rated by customers (4.5/5 on Google)
Well-established with 3,471+ customer reviews
Google-verified business
Read Full Review Visit Avant
6
U

Upstart

3.9/5
From Free/mo BBB: NR Free Consultation

Upstart is a credit repair provider based in San Mateo, California. Rated 3.9/5 with 182 Google reviews, reflecting solid customer satisfaction.

Established track record with 182 customer reviews
Google-verified business
Online presence for easy access to information
Read Full Review Visit Upstart
7
VIVA Finance, Inc. logo

VIVA Finance, Inc.

3.0/5
From Free/mo BBB: A+ Free Consultation

VIVA Finance offers affordable fixed-rate personal loans from $300 to $10,000 at 11.99%–35.99% APR. Approvals based on employment history, not just credit score. BBB A+ rated, founded 2019.

Employment-based approval — not just credit score, giving access to borrowers traditional banks reject
Competitive APR range (11.99%–35.99%) — far below payday loan rates
No prepayment penalties — pay off early without extra fees
Read Full Review Visit VIVA Finance, Inc.
8
O

OppFi

3.5/5
From Free/mo BBB: A+

Personal installment loans for consumers with poor credit (580+ FICO). $500-$4,000, repaid over 6-18 months. Reports to credit bureaus to help build credit.

Accepts very low credit scores (350+)
Structured installment loans (not payday)
Reports to credit bureaus — builds credit history
Read Full Review Visit OppFi
9
A

Affirm

3.5/5
From Free/mo BBB:

Buy now, pay later at checkout. Split purchases into 4 biweekly payments (0% APR) or 6-60 monthly payments. No late fees, no hidden charges. Publicly traded (NASDAQ: AFRM).

Absolutely no late fees or hidden charges
0% APR available on many purchases
Founded by PayPal co-founder
Read Full Review Visit Affirm

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for a personal loan?

Most online lenders require 580-660 minimum. The best rates (under 10% APR) typically require 720+. Credit unions may be more flexible for members. Some lenders like Upstart consider factors beyond credit score, including education and employment history.

How fast can I get a personal loan?

Many online lenders fund within 1-3 business days of approval. LightStream and SoFi can fund same-day in some cases. Credit unions typically take 3-7 business days. Traditional banks may take 1-2 weeks.

Are personal loans better than credit cards?

For large expenses, personal loans often offer lower fixed rates (6-20%) vs credit cards (16-25%). They also have fixed monthly payments and a set payoff date. Credit cards are better for smaller, ongoing expenses where you can pay the balance monthly.

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Harvey Brooks

Senior Financial Editor

Harvey Brooks is a consumer finance writer specializing in credit repair, personal lending, and debt management. With over a decade covering the industry, he makes financial literacy accessible to everyday Americans. About our editorial team.

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