Easy Preapproval: 10 Best Online Mortgage Lenders of 2025
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NerdWallet’s top-rated online mortgage lenders make it easy to shop around for mortgage rates and get preapproved. Our picks include traditional banks and nonbank lenders with user-friendly technology and tools.
Why trust NerdWallet
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Easy Preapproval: 10 Best Online Mortgage Lenders of 2025
Have you or your spouse served in the military?
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
620 | 3% | Learn more at Veterans United | ||
620 | 3% | Learn more at Northpointe | ||
620 | 3% | |||
 SoFi: NMLS#696891 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 U.S. Bank: NMLS#402761 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | N/A | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet |
Explore all of our lender picks by category
Can you get a mortgage completely online?
Yes, getting a mortgage online is easier than ever. Most lenders have websites and let you apply online. The best ones go beyond the basics, with easy-to-use tools to take you from preapproval to closing.
An online mortgage lender can be a bank, credit union or nonbank lender. Simply put: It’s any lender that offers easy, self-service digital tools — whether the lender has in-person branches or not.
Which is the easiest lender to get a mortgage with?
NerdWallet’s best online mortgage lenders stood out in our research of 40+ lenders for their easy-to-use websites, apps and tools. Here’s what the 10 best ones have in common:
Display mortgage rates clearly online — no digging through fine print
Let people customize their own quote using credit score, location and other factors
Offer a fully online, do-it-yourself mortgage application
Provide customer support via online chat and phone
Have a highly rated mobile app
To speed up the process, many online mortgage lenders can pull needed documents from government agencies, banks and employers with your permission.
Do online mortgage lenders have better rates?
Some online lenders have lower costs and pass the savings to you with lower rates and fees. But the best way to get a low mortgage rate is to compare offers from multiple lenders.
However, it’s not always simple to compare mortgage rates. Some lenders don’t show sample rates online. Instead, they ask you to call or fill out a form.
The best online lenders let you see sample rates and adjust them based on your location and credit score. This makes shopping and comparing easier. Learn how to get the best mortgage rate.
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Last updated on March 4, 2025
Frequently asked questions
Most lenders have some online capabilities. Look for a lender that offers the type of mortgage and services you need that does business in your area. Even if you're just looking for online convenience, location matters. Some top online mortgage lenders aren't available to borrowers in every state.
Offerings vary by lender, but with a bit of searching, you can find an online mortgage lender for virtually any type of home loan, including those geared to first-time home buyers, veterans and borrowers with low credit scores.
Compare rates and fees among lenders that offer the type of mortgage you want. Check out customer service options to make sure they meet your needs, and apply for preapproval with at least three lenders. Choose the lender that offers the best rate at the lowest cost.
It's possible to get an online mortgage with a low or "bad" credit score, but you'll want to look at lenders’ minimum credit scores before submitting an application. You should also know that a lower credit score generally means you'll be offered a higher mortgage interest rate, making your home loan more expensive. It might make more sense to hold off on purchasing a home while you work on building your credit.
Methodology
The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's overall star ratings. Read more about how we determine those ratings.
The lenders on this page are chosen using this methodology:
NerdWallet reviewed more than 40 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (measured among lenders with at least a 1% market share), lenders with significant online search volume and those that specialize in serving various audiences across the country.
For inclusion in this roundup, lenders must score highly in most dimensions of the mortgage application process, including an easily accessible online application, numbers for phone support and online chat, and a highly-rated mobile app with at least one mortgage feature. Lenders must also post rates online that are easily accessible without digging through fine print and can be personalized by location and credit score. Displayed rates must have at least two details or assumptions, such as APR, discount points, down payment amount, closing costs and fees or other details, clearly spelled out. The highest scoring lenders are included here.
NerdWallet solicits information from reviewed lenders on a recurring basis throughout the year. All lender-provided information is verified through lender websites and interviews. We also utilized the latest Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data for origination volume, origination fee, rate spread and share-of-product data.
NerdWallet's Easy Preapproval: 10 Best Online Mortgage Lenders of 2025
- Veterans United: Best for military borrowers
- Northpointe: Best for first-time home buyers
- Rate: Best for fast closing
- SoFi: Best for rate transparency
- U.S. Bank: Best for home loans overall
- Andrews Federal Credit Union: Best for borrowers in the mid-Atlantic
- Flagstar: Best for variety of loan types
- PNC Bank: Best for first-time home buyers
- Bank of America: Best for Bank of America customers
- Pennymac: Best for FHA loans
- Navy Federal: Best for military borrowers
- Alliant: Best for credit union borrowing
- State Employees' Credit Union: Best for borrowers in GA, NC, SC, TN or VA
