Best Online Loans in 2023
Compare online personal loans from multiple lenders to find the one with the best rate and features.
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Online loans are a convenient and fast option for borrowing money. Online personal loans typically have annual percentage rates from 6% to 36%, and amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000.
Some online lenders work with borrowers who have fair or bad credit (scores below 690). And lenders that accept borrowers with good and excellent credit (scores above 689) sometimes offer features like rate-beat guarantees or the option to skip a monthly payment.
Online lenders typically allow borrowers to pre-qualify and see personalized rates before applying.
Here is how online lenders compare, the pros and cons of online personal loans, and how to get one.
SoFi: Best for Online loans for excellent credit.
LightStream: Best for online loans for good credit.
Happy Money: Best for online loans for credit card consolidation.
Upgrade: Best for online loans for fair credit.
Upstart: Best for online loans for thin credit.
Universal Credit: Best for online loans for bad credit.
LendingPoint: Best for online loans for same-day funding.
Online loans are a convenient and fast option for borrowing money. Online personal loans typically have annual percentage rates from 6% to 36%, and amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000.
Some online lenders work with borrowers who have fair or bad credit (scores below 690). And lenders that accept borrowers with good and excellent credit (scores above 689) sometimes offer features like rate-beat guarantees or the option to skip a monthly payment.
Online lenders typically allow borrowers to pre-qualify and see personalized rates before applying.
Here is how online lenders compare, the pros and cons of online personal loans, and how to get one.
SoFi: Best for Online loans for excellent credit.
LightStream: Best for online loans for good credit.
Happy Money: Best for online loans for credit card consolidation.
Upgrade: Best for online loans for fair credit.
Upstart: Best for online loans for thin credit.
Universal Credit: Best for online loans for bad credit.
LendingPoint: Best for online loans for same-day funding.
Best Online Loans in 2023 From Our Partners
Lender | NerdWallet rating | Est. APR | Loan amount | Min. credit score | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Happy Money Get rate on Happy Money's website | Best for Online loans for credit card consolidation | 7.99- | $5,000- | 640 | Get rate on Happy Money's website |
![]() SoFi Get rate on SoFi's website | Best for Online loans for good and excellent credit | 7.99- | $5,000- | None | Get rate on SoFi's website |
LightStream Get rate on LightStream's website | Best for Online loans for good and excellent credit | 6.99- | $5,000- | 660 | Get rate on LightStream's website |
![]() Upgrade Get rate on Upgrade's website | Best for Online loans for fair credit | 7.96- | $1,000- | 560 | Get rate on Upgrade's website |
Upstart Get rate on Upstart's website | Best for Online loans for thin credit | 6.50- | $1,000- | None | Get rate on Upstart's website |
Universal Credit Get rate on Universal Credit's website | Best for Online loans for bad credit | 11.69- | $1,000- | 560 | Get rate on Universal Credit's website |
![]() LendingPoint Get rate on LendingPoint's website | Best for Online loans for same-day funding | 7.99- | $2,000- | 600 | Get rate on LendingPoint's website |
Our pick for
Online loans for credit card consolidation
Our pick for
Online loans for good and excellent credit
Our pick for
Online loans for fair credit
Our pick for
Online loans for thin credit
Our pick for
Online loans for bad credit
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Online loans for same-day funding
Pros and cons of online loans
It’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons when deciding whether to go with an online lender versus an in-person lender like a bank or credit union. Certain features may vary from lender to lender, but here is generally what you can expect with online loans:
Pros
Convenience: You can complete the entire loan process — from pre-qualification to signing — from your computer or, in some cases, your phone. Some banks offer an online loan option, but you may need to visit a branch to complete the application.
No-risk estimates: Most online lenders let you pre-qualify within a few minutes and preview estimated rates without impacting your credit score. (All lenders require a hard credit check before you finalize a loan.)
Quick and simple shopping: Since each online lender uses its own underwriting formula, the rates can differ between lenders. Comparison websites allow borrowers to fill out one application to see loan offers from multiple lenders. This is easier than banks or credit unions that may only service loans in person or require you to visit a branch during the application process.
More than credit score: Some online lenders look beyond your credit score and credit report when making an approval decision. They may consider your education or occupation, or ask to look at your bank account transactions to understand your financial behavior. These alternative ways to assess an application can improve your chances of getting a loan if you’re new to credit or have a low score.
Debt help: With some online lenders, borrowers can opt to have the loan money sent directly to creditors with a debt consolidation loan, removing the burden of paying off individual credit cards.
Cons
More expensive than credit unions and some banks: On average, loans from online lenders are not as cheap as those from credit unions. And if you already have a relationship with a bank, it may offer you lower rates than online lenders. Compare rates from multiple lenders online and offline before you take out an online loan.
No face time: Some online lenders have physical locations, but many only service loans digitally. This can be a challenge if you ever want to speak to a representative face-to-face.
Smallest loans not available: Online loans under $500 may be hard to find at rates below 36%. Many online lenders have loan minimums from $1,000 to $2,000. Some credit unions may be able to provide smaller loans starting at $250.
Predators lurk: Reputable online lenders compete alongside predatory online lenders. Reputable lenders check your credit and ability to repay, and they usually have APRs that top out at 36%. Predatory lenders typically don’t check credit, but you pay for the added risk with APRs well above 100%.
Are online loans safe?
The safety of online loans depends on the type of lender. It’s always recommended to do your research and choose reputable lenders.
If you’re looking for a small loan, online personal loans have lower rates and more manageable repayment terms, even if your credit is bad. Many can fund a loan for as little as $1,000 within one business day of applying for it.
Payday and no-credit-check online loans
You may also come across online lenders that offer no-credit-check loans and payday loans. While they seem like easy options that don’t require credit checks, both of these types of loans can be predatory with rates in the triple digits.
No-credit-check loans do not review your credit history and can be expensive. The loan amounts typically range from $100 to several thousand dollars and are repaid in fixed amounts over several months. But these loans should be considered only as a last resort after you’ve exhausted alternatives to high-cost loans.
Online payday loans are a fast way to get loans for amounts less than $1,000, especially if you don’t have good credit. Once you have received your loan, payday lenders typically draw directly from your bank account for payments. But these loans are not cheap, with APRs close to 400%, which can quickly lead borrowers to owe more in interest than the original loan.
How to get online loans for bad credit
There are ways to qualify for online loans for borrowers with fair or bad credit. For example, you can add a co-signer or co-borrower to the loan application to boost your eligibility or get a lower rate or higher loan amount. This person is responsible for the loan amount and any fees if you fail to repay.
» MORE: Personal loans with a co-signer
You can also apply for a secured loan, which requires putting up collateral, like your car or a savings account, to help guarantee the loan. However, you risk losing the collateral if you default on the loan.
If you don’t need the loan immediately, you can take steps to build your credit before applying.
How to shop for a loan online
Here are a few questions to ask as you search for online loans.
How's my credit? Know your credit score before starting an application. It can give you an idea of how much a loan may cost you and affect your budget. Many online lenders consider additional factors, such as your education history or profession, in conjunction with your credit score and credit history.
Is the APR below 36%? The sum of the interest rate and all fees is known as the annual percentage rate, and the APR you receive largely depends on your credit. Financial experts and consumer advocates agree that 36% APR is the acceptable limit for a loan to be affordable to a borrower. If an online lender has rates above 36%, it could be hard to manage the monthly payments, even if they fit into your budget.
Use a personal loan calculator to get an idea of estimated rates and payments on a personal loan.
Have I compared online loan features? Some online lenders offer features like flexible payment dates, an option to refinance an existing personal loan, or the ability to add a co-borrower or co-signer. Consider and compare loan features like these when shopping for an online loan.
How to get an online personal loan
Pre-qualify. Check rates with multiple online lenders and compare offers to find the lowest interest rate. The pre-qualification process involves a soft credit check, which doesn’t affect your credit score.
Select a lender and loan option. Pick the online loan with the rate, monthly payment, loan amount and term that best fit your budget and financial needs.
Collect loan documents. Upload the required documents, which may include a form of identification and proof of income such as a pay stub or W-2.
Complete the application and submit. Once you’ve read and understand the fine print of your loan, submit the application. Once approved, you may receive your loan within a day or two, depending on the lender.
Last updated on January 4, 2023
Methodology
NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates personal loan products from more than 35 financial institutions. We collect over 45 data points from each lender, interview company representatives and compare the lender with others that seek the same customer or offer a similar personal loan product. 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. 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.
This methodology applies only to lenders that cap interest rates at 36%, the maximum rate most financial experts and consumer advocates agree is the acceptable limit for a loan to be affordable. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for personal loans and our editorial guidelines.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Online Loans in 2023
- Happy Money: Best for Online loans for credit card consolidation
- SoFi: Best for Online loans for good and excellent credit
- LightStream: Best for Online loans for good and excellent credit
- Upgrade: Best for Online loans for fair credit
- Upstart: Best for Online loans for thin credit
- Universal Credit: Best for Online loans for bad credit
- LendingPoint: Best for Online loans for same-day funding
Frequently asked questions
The best online loan helps you reach a money goal, such as consolidating debt or covering a large expense, without creating financial stress. Interest rates and terms are typically based on your income and credit, and different lenders offer features that may be important to you, like payment flexibility or access to credit scores.
Some online lenders specialize in fast funding. Some of these lenders can get the money to you the same business day you're approved, while others can fund it within one or two business days. Compare offers from multiple lenders to get the one with the lowest annual percentage rate.
Yes, some online lenders offer co-sign loans that allow you to add someone who might have a higher credit score or income to your loan application — boosting your chances of approval.