Best Unsecured Personal Loans in 2024

Last updated on July 9, 2024
Annie Millerbernd
Written by 
Annie Millerbernd
Assistant Assigning Editor
Kim Lowe
Edited by 
Kim Lowe
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Jackie Veling
Co-written by 
Jackie Veling
Lead Writer
Annie Millerbernd
Written by 
Annie Millerbernd
Assistant Assigning Editor
Kim Lowe
Edited by 
Kim Lowe
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

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Best Unsecured Personal Loans in 2024

Lightstream
LightStream
Best for Home improvement loans
4.5
Rate discount
Est. APR

6.99-25.29%

Loan amount

$5K-$100K

Min. credit score

660

Visit Lender
on LightStream's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

LightStream is a solid option for good-credit borrowers, with no fees and low rates that vary based on loan purpose.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 660, but can vary depending on the loan purpose and amount.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years.
  • Income sources accepted: Employment, retirement, rental income, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and has a U.S. bank account.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: None.
  • Late fee: None.
SoFi
SoFi Personal Loan
Best for Home improvement loans
5.0
Rate discount
Est. APR

8.99-29.99%

Loan amount

$5K-$100K

Min. credit score

None

Visit Lender
on SoFi's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Qualified borrowers will find few lenders better than SoFi, thanks to thoughtful perks like unemployment protection and free financial advising.

Qualifications:
  • Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent or non-permanent resident, including DACA recipients and asylum seekers.
  • Must be employed, have sufficient income from another source, or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days.
  • Acceptable income sources: Employment, spouse’s income, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
  • Late fee: None.
Achieve
Achieve Personal Loans
Best for Debt consolidation loans
4.0
Rate discount
Est. APR

8.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$5K-$50K

Min. credit score

640

Visit Lender
on Achieve's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Achieve personal loans can be a good debt consolidation option for fair- or good-credit borrowers who qualify for one of the lender’s rate discounts.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 640.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 70% including a mortgage payment or other housing expense.
  • Minimum income: None.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years across 2 accounts.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in a state where Achieve operates.
  • Must provide a Social Security number or ITIN.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 1.99% - 6.99%.
  • Late fee: $8.
Discover
Discover® Personal Loans
Best for Debt consolidation loans
5.0
Fast funding
Est. APR

7.99-24.99%

Loan amount

$2.5K-$40K

Min. credit score

660

Visit Lender
on Discover's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

With competitive rates and no origination fees, Discover personal loans are good options for borrowers with good and excellent credit.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 660.
  • Minimum annual household income: $25,000. Income can come from employment, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
  • Must provide a valid U.S. address and email address.
  • Must be 18 years old with a valid Social Security number.
Available Term Lengths:3 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: None.
  • Late fee: $39.
Happy Money
Happy Money
Best for Debt consolidation loans
4.0
Fast funding
Est. APR

11.72-17.99%

Loan amount

$5K-$40K

Min. credit score

640

Visit Lender
on Happy Money's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

If you qualify for a low rate, Happy Money is a smart way to consolidate high-interest credit card debt into one fixed monthly payment.

Qualifications:
  • Must have a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
  • Minimum credit score: 640.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years and 2 accounts.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 55%, including mortgage.
  • Not a resident of Iowa, Massachusetts and Nevada.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: Up to 7%.
Upstart
Upstart
Best for Medical loans
5.0
Fast funding
Flexible payments
Est. APR

7.80-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$50K

Min. credit score

None

Visit Lender
on Upstart's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Upstart personal loans offer fast funding and may be an option for borrowers with low credit scores or thin credit histories. Upstart is a solid choice for financing large purchases.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S.
  • Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
  • Must have a valid email address and Social Security number.
  • Must have a full- or part-time job, a full-time job offer starting within six months or another source of regular income.
  • Must have a personal bank account at a U.S. financial institution with a routing number.
  • No bankruptcies in the last 12 months.
  • No current delinquent accounts on your credit reports.
  • Fewer than six hard inquiries on your credit report in the last six months, excluding student, auto and mortgage loans.
  • Minimum credit score: None.
  • Minimum annual income: $12,000.
Available Term Lengths:3 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination: 0% to 12%.
  • Late fee: 5% of the unpaid amount or $15, whichever is greater.
  • Insufficient funds fee: $15.
Prosper
Prosper
Best for Medical loans
4.0
Est. APR

8.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$2K-$50K

Min. credit score

560

Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Prosper accepts borrowers across the credit spectrum and offers competitive rates and fees, plus instant approval.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 560; borrower average is 705.
  • Minimum income: No minimum requirement; borrower average is $131,000.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50% (excluding mortgage); borrower average is 41.6% (including mortgage).
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must provide Social Security number and a U.S. bank account.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 1% to 9.99%.
  • Late fee: The greater of $15 or 5% of the unpaid amount.
  • Insufficient funds fee: $15.
  • Mailed-in payment fee: $5.
BestEgg
Best Egg
Best for Wedding loans
4.5
Secured loans
Wide range of loan amounts
Est. APR

7.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$2K-$50K

Min. credit score

600

Visit Lender
on Best Egg's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Best Egg is worth considering for borrowers looking for a secured loan or to consolidate debt, but the loans come with an origination fee.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 600.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 70% including a mortgage.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years and 1 account.
  • Acceptable income sources: Employment, household income, alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years of age.
Available Term Lengths:3 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 0.99% - 9.99%.
Lending Club
LendingClub
Best for Wedding loans
4.5
Flexible payments
Est. APR

9.06-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$40K

Min. credit score

600

Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

LendingClub personal loans are a solid option for good-credit borrowers looking to consolidate debt and build their credit.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 600; average borrower score is above 700.
  • Minimum income: None; lender requires proof of income. Borrower average is $100,000 per year.
  • Maximum DTI: 40%.
  • Minimum credit history: 36 months and two accounts.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 6 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 3% to 8%.
  • Late fee: 5% of payment or $15 after 15-day grace period.
  • Insufficient funds: $15.
Upgrade
Upgrade
Best for Bad credit loans
5.0
Rate discount
Est. APR

9.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$50K

Min. credit score

580

Visit Lender
on Upgrade's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Upgrade personal loans come with multiple rate discounts and offer direct payment to creditors. This lender has a low minimum credit score requirement, making the perks stand out even more.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 580.
  • Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage payments.
  • Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
  • Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, disability benefits and other sources.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
  • Late Fee: $10.
  • Failed payment fee: $10.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit
Best for Bad credit loans
4.0
Fast funding
Rate discount
Est. APR

11.69-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$50K

Min. credit score

580

Visit Lender
on Universal Credit's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

A Universal Credit loan is a sound option for bad-credit borrowers looking to build credit, but rates are high compared to similar lenders.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 580.
  • Minimum number of accounts on credit history: 1 account.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage and the loan you’re applying for.
  • Minimum length of credit history: 2 years.
  • Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security and other sources.
Available Term Lengths:3 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 5.25% to 9.99%.
  • Late fee: Up to $10.
  • Non-sufficient funds fee: $10.
Lightstream
LightStream
4.5
Best for Home improvement loans
Est. APR
6.99-25.29%
Loan amount
$5K-$100K
Min. credit score
660
Best for Home improvement loans
Rate discount
Visit Lender
on LightStream's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

LightStream is a solid option for good-credit borrowers, with no fees and low rates that vary based on loan purpose.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 660, but can vary depending on the loan purpose and amount.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years.
  • Income sources accepted: Employment, retirement, rental income, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and has a U.S. bank account.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: None.
  • Late fee: None.
SoFi
SoFi Personal Loan
5.0
Best for Home improvement loans
Est. APR
8.99-29.99%
Loan amount
$5K-$100K
Min. credit score
None
Best for Home improvement loans
Rate discount
Visit Lender
on SoFi's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Qualified borrowers will find few lenders better than SoFi, thanks to thoughtful perks like unemployment protection and free financial advising.

Qualifications:
  • Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent or non-permanent resident, including DACA recipients and asylum seekers.
  • Must be employed, have sufficient income from another source, or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days.
  • Acceptable income sources: Employment, spouse’s income, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
  • Late fee: None.
Achieve
Achieve Personal Loans
4.0
Best for Debt consolidation loans
Est. APR
8.99-35.99%
Loan amount
$5K-$50K
Min. credit score
640
Best for Debt consolidation loans
Rate discount
Visit Lender
on Achieve's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Achieve personal loans can be a good debt consolidation option for fair- or good-credit borrowers who qualify for one of the lender’s rate discounts.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 640.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 70% including a mortgage payment or other housing expense.
  • Minimum income: None.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years across 2 accounts.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in a state where Achieve operates.
  • Must provide a Social Security number or ITIN.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 1.99% - 6.99%.
  • Late fee: $8.
Discover
Discover® Personal Loans
5.0
Best for Debt consolidation loans
Est. APR
7.99-24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5K-$40K
Min. credit score
660
Best for Debt consolidation loans
Fast funding
Visit Lender
on Discover's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

With competitive rates and no origination fees, Discover personal loans are good options for borrowers with good and excellent credit.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 660.
  • Minimum annual household income: $25,000. Income can come from employment, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
  • Must provide a valid U.S. address and email address.
  • Must be 18 years old with a valid Social Security number.
Available Term Lengths:3 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: None.
  • Late fee: $39.
Happy Money
Happy Money
4.0
Best for Debt consolidation loans
Est. APR
11.72-17.99%
Loan amount
$5K-$40K
Min. credit score
640
Best for Debt consolidation loans
Fast funding
Visit Lender
on Happy Money's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

If you qualify for a low rate, Happy Money is a smart way to consolidate high-interest credit card debt into one fixed monthly payment.

Qualifications:
  • Must have a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
  • Minimum credit score: 640.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years and 2 accounts.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 55%, including mortgage.
  • Not a resident of Iowa, Massachusetts and Nevada.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: Up to 7%.
Upstart
Upstart
5.0
Best for Medical loans
Est. APR
7.80-35.99%
Loan amount
$1K-$50K
Min. credit score
None
Best for Medical loans
Fast funding
Flexible payments
Visit Lender
on Upstart's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Upstart personal loans offer fast funding and may be an option for borrowers with low credit scores or thin credit histories. Upstart is a solid choice for financing large purchases.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S.
  • Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
  • Must have a valid email address and Social Security number.
  • Must have a full- or part-time job, a full-time job offer starting within six months or another source of regular income.
  • Must have a personal bank account at a U.S. financial institution with a routing number.
  • No bankruptcies in the last 12 months.
  • No current delinquent accounts on your credit reports.
  • Fewer than six hard inquiries on your credit report in the last six months, excluding student, auto and mortgage loans.
  • Minimum credit score: None.
  • Minimum annual income: $12,000.
Available Term Lengths:3 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination: 0% to 12%.
  • Late fee: 5% of the unpaid amount or $15, whichever is greater.
  • Insufficient funds fee: $15.
Prosper
Prosper
4.0
Best for Medical loans
Est. APR
8.99-35.99%
Loan amount
$2K-$50K
Min. credit score
560
Best for Medical loans
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Prosper accepts borrowers across the credit spectrum and offers competitive rates and fees, plus instant approval.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 560; borrower average is 705.
  • Minimum income: No minimum requirement; borrower average is $131,000.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50% (excluding mortgage); borrower average is 41.6% (including mortgage).
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must provide Social Security number and a U.S. bank account.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 1% to 9.99%.
  • Late fee: The greater of $15 or 5% of the unpaid amount.
  • Insufficient funds fee: $15.
  • Mailed-in payment fee: $5.
BestEgg
Best Egg
4.5
Best for Wedding loans
Est. APR
7.99-35.99%
Loan amount
$2K-$50K
Min. credit score
600
Best for Wedding loans
Secured loans
Wide range of loan amounts
Visit Lender
on Best Egg's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Best Egg is worth considering for borrowers looking for a secured loan or to consolidate debt, but the loans come with an origination fee.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 600.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 70% including a mortgage.
  • Minimum credit history: 3 years and 1 account.
  • Acceptable income sources: Employment, household income, alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years of age.
Available Term Lengths:3 to 5 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 0.99% - 9.99%.
Lending Club
LendingClub
4.5
Best for Wedding loans
Est. APR
9.06-35.99%
Loan amount
$1K-$40K
Min. credit score
600
Best for Wedding loans
Flexible payments
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

LendingClub personal loans are a solid option for good-credit borrowers looking to consolidate debt and build their credit.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 600; average borrower score is above 700.
  • Minimum income: None; lender requires proof of income. Borrower average is $100,000 per year.
  • Maximum DTI: 40%.
  • Minimum credit history: 36 months and two accounts.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 6 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 3% to 8%.
  • Late fee: 5% of payment or $15 after 15-day grace period.
  • Insufficient funds: $15.
Upgrade
Upgrade
5.0
Best for Bad credit loans
Est. APR
9.99-35.99%
Loan amount
$1K-$50K
Min. credit score
580
Best for Bad credit loans
Rate discount
Visit Lender
on Upgrade's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

Upgrade personal loans come with multiple rate discounts and offer direct payment to creditors. This lender has a low minimum credit score requirement, making the perks stand out even more.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 580.
  • Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage payments.
  • Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
  • Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, disability benefits and other sources.
Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
Fees:
  • Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
  • Late Fee: $10.
  • Failed payment fee: $10.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit
4.0
Best for Bad credit loans
Est. APR
11.69-35.99%
Loan amount
$1K-$50K
Min. credit score
580
Best for Bad credit loans
Fast funding
Rate discount
Visit Lender
on Universal Credit's website
Check Rate
on NerdWallet
Key Facts:

A Universal Credit loan is a sound option for bad-credit borrowers looking to build credit, but rates are high compared to similar lenders.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum credit score: 580.
  • Minimum number of accounts on credit history: 1 account.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage and the loan you’re applying for.
  • Minimum length of credit history: 2 years.
  • Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security and other sources.
Available Term Lengths: