Best Personal Loans of 2025

Your shortcut to the best personal loans for you

Our Nerds researched more than 30 personal loans, narrowing down to just one winner per category.

Find a top personal loan — fast

Click the categories you’re interested in to see the winners.

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR EXCELLENT CREDIT 2025

SoFi Personal Loan

Get rate

on SoFi's website

Est. APR

8.99-29.99%

Loan amount

$5,000-$100,000

Min. credit score

None

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.
Disclaimer: Fixed rates from 8.99% APR to 29.99% APR. APR reflects the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. SoFi Platform personal loans are made either by SoFi Bank, N.A. or , Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. SoFi may receive compensation if you take out a loan originated by Cross River Bank. These rate ranges are current as of 09/18/24 and are subject to change without notice. Not all rates and amounts available in all states. See SoFi Personal Loan eligibility details at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/#eligibility-personal. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including evaluation of your credit worthiness, income, and other factors. Loan amounts range from $5,000– $100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 9.99% of your loan amount for Cross River Bank originated loans which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive and for SoFi Bank originated loans have an origination fee of 0%-7%, will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. Autopay: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. Direct Deposit Discount: To be eligible to receive an additional (0.25%) interest rate reduction on your Personal Loan (your “Loan”), you must set up Direct deposit with a SoFi Checking and Savings account offered by SoFi Bank, N.A., or enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee, all within 30 days of the funding of your Loan. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have enabled Direct Deposit to an eligible Direct Deposit Account in accordance with SoFi’s reasonable procedures and requirements to be determined at SoFi’s sole discretion, or during periods in which SoFi successfully receives payment of the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. This discount will be lost during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off Direct Deposit to your Checking and Savings account or in which you have not paid for the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. You are not required to enroll in Direct Deposit or to pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee to receive a Loan.
View Rates and Fees

Pros

Multiple rate discounts.
Fast funding.
Large loan amounts.
Joint loan option.
Mobile app to manage loan.

Cons

No option to choose initial payment date.
High minimum loan amount.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

On top of competitive interest rates for borrowers with excellent credit, SoFi offers multiple ways to lower your personal loan rate. Other standout features include fast funding, high loan amounts and borrower benefits like free financial advice.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST PERSONAL LOAN OVERALL 2025

Discover® Personal Loans

Get rate

on Discover's website

Est. APR

7.99-24.99%

Loan amount

$2,500-$40,000

Min. credit score

660

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.
Disclaimer: This is not a commitment to lend from Discover Personal Loans. Your APR will be between 7.99% and 24.99% based on creditworthiness at time of application for amounts between $2,500-$40,000 and loan terms of 36-84 months. For example, if you get approved for a $15,000 loan at 12.99% APR for a term of 72 months, you'll pay just $301 per month. You must have a minimum individual or household annual income of $25,000, be over 18 years of age, and have a valid US SSN to be considered for a Discover personal loan. Loan approval is subject to confirmation that your income, debt-to-income ratio, credit history and application information meet all requirements. Our lowest rates are available to consumers with the best credit. Many factors are used to determine your rate, such as your credit history, application information and the term you select. State restrictions may apply. A Discover personal loan is intended for personal use and cannot be used to pay for post-secondary education, to pay off a secured loan, or to directly pay off a Discover credit card. If your application is approved, we will send funds after you accept the loan. Your bank or creditor may take more days to process the funds. Discover makes loans without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status.
View Rates and Fees

Pros

No origination fee.
Fast funding.
Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
Wide variety of repayment term options.
Available nationwide.

Cons

No rate discount.
Late fee.
No co-sign or joint loan option.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Discover stands out among personal loan lenders for its transparent and fast application process and highly-rated customer experience. Its loans have competitive rates and no origination fees, and borrowers can receive their funds the next day.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR DEBT CONSOLIDATION 2025

LendingClub

Get rate

on LendingClub's website

Est. APR

7.90-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$40,000

Min. credit score

600

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: 0%-8%
• Late fee: 5% of payment or $15 after 15-day grace period.
• Insufficient funds: $15.
Disclaimer: Between October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, Personal Loans issued by LendingClub Bank were funded within 22 hours after loan approval, on average. 57% of Personal Loans issued by LendingClub Bank during the same period were funded within 24 hours after loan approval. Loan approval, and the time it takes to issue a credit decision, are not guaranteed and individual results vary based on creditworthiness and other factors, including but not limited to investor demand. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $19,389 for a term of 36 months, with an interest rate of 11.75% and a 6.00% origination fee of $1,163 for an APR of 16.10%. In this example, the borrower will receive $18,226 and will make 36 monthly payments of $642. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $40,000 and loan term lengths range from 24 months to 72 months. Some amounts, rates, and term lengths may be unavailable in certain states. For Personal Loans, APR ranges from 7.90% to 35.99% and origination fee ranges from 0.00% to 8.00% of the loan amount. APRs and origination fees are determined at the time of application. Lowest APR is available to borrowers with excellent credit. Advertised rates and fees are valid as of Jan 9, 2025 and are subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise specified, loans are made by LendingClub Bank, N.A., Member FDIC (“LendingClub Bank”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of LendingClub Corporation, NMLS ID 167439. LendingClub Bank is not an affiliate of NerdWallet and is not responsible for the products and services provided by NerdWallet. Loans are subject to credit approval and sufficient investor commitment. If a credit union is selected to invest in the loan, credit union membership will be required. Certain information that LendingClub Bank subsequently obtains as part of the application process (including but not limited to information in your consumer report, your income, the loan amount that you request, the purpose of your loan, and qualifying debt) will be considered and could affect your ability to obtain a loan. Loan closing is contingent on accepting all required agreements and disclosures at Lendingclub.com “LendingClub” is a trademark of LendingClub Bank.
View Rates and Fees

Pros

Joint loan option.
Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
Option to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.
Option to change your payment date.

Cons

Origination fee.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

LendingClub stands out for debt consolidation loans, offering direct payment to creditors, a generous rate discount and member benefits that help borrowers manage their money and credit.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT 2025

LightStream

Get rate

on LightStream's website

Est. APR

6.49-25.29%

Loan amount

$5,000-$100,000

Min. credit score

660

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.
Disclaimer: Rates quoted are with AutoPay. Your loan terms are not guaranteed and may vary based on loan purpose, length of loan, loan amount, credit history and payment method (AutoPay or Invoice). AutoPay discount is only available when selected prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. To obtain a loan, you must complete an application on LightStream.com which may affect your credit score. You may be required to verify income, identity and other stated application information. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 7.99% APR with a term of 5 years would result in 60 monthly payments of $202.72. Some additional conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2024 Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, LightStream, and the LightStream logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
View Rates and Fees

Pros

No fees.
Rate discount for autopay.
Long repayment terms and large loan amounts.
Fast funding.
Rate Beat program and Experience Guarantee.

Cons

No option to pre-qualify.
No direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
High minimum loan amount.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

It’s hard to find a better home improvement loan than LightStream’s. The lender offers large loans and long repayment terms, as well as competitively low rates, zero fees and same-day funding.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR GOOD CREDIT 2025

LightStream

Get rate

on LightStream's website

Est. APR

6.49-25.29%

Loan amount

$5,000-$100,000

Min. credit score

660

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.
Disclaimer: Rates quoted are with AutoPay. Your loan terms are not guaranteed and may vary based on loan purpose, length of loan, loan amount, credit history and payment method (AutoPay or Invoice). AutoPay discount is only available when selected prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. To obtain a loan, you must complete an application on LightStream.com which may affect your credit score. You may be required to verify income, identity and other stated application information. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 7.99% APR with a term of 5 years would result in 60 monthly payments of $202.72. Some additional conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2024 Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, LightStream, and the LightStream logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
View Rates and Fees

Pros

No fees.
Rate discount for autopay.
Long repayment terms and large loan amounts.
Fast funding.
Rate Beat program and Experience Guarantee.

Cons

No option to pre-qualify.
No direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
High minimum loan amount.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

LightStream offers good-credit borrowers personal loans with no fees and a unique rate-beat program. Its loans come in a wide range of amounts and repayment terms, and funding can happen the same day.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR FAIR CREDIT 2025

Upgrade

Get rate

on Upgrade's website

Est. APR

7.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$50,000

Min. credit score

580

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.
Disclaimer: Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 7.99%-35.99%. All personal loans have a 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. Loans feature repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.59% APR (which includes a 13.94% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $341.48. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,293.46. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by Upgrade's bank partners. Information on Upgrade's bank partners can be found at https://www.upgrade.com/bank-partners/ .
View Rates and Fees

Pros

Secured and joint loans.
Multiple rate discounts.
Mobile app to manage loan payments.
Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
Long repayment terms on home improvement loans.

Cons

Origination fee.
No option to choose your payment date.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

For borrowers with fair credit, Upgrade is a standout personal loan lender. It offers multiple interest rate discounts and accepts joint and secured loan applications — all options that can lower your rate.

Read our methodology ❯

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR BAD CREDIT 2025

Upgrade

Get rate

on Upgrade's website

Est. APR

7.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$50,000

Min. credit score

580

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.
Disclaimer: Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 7.99%-35.99%. All personal loans have a 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. Loans feature repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.59% APR (which includes a 13.94% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $341.48. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,293.46. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by Upgrade's bank partners. Information on Upgrade's bank partners can be found at https://www.upgrade.com/bank-partners/ .
View Rates and Fees

Pros

Secured and joint loans.
Multiple rate discounts.
Mobile app to manage loan payments.
Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
Long repayment terms on home improvement loans.

Cons

Origination fee.
No option to choose your payment date.

WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT

Upgrade has a low minimum credit score requirement that gives bad-credit borrowers a better chance of qualifying. It also offers joint and secured loan options that can help borrowers qualify and get an affordable rate.

Read our methodology ❯

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This year's Best-Of-Awards list winners were chosen in mid-October 2024.

Frequently asked questions

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