Personal Loans: Compare Top Lenders, Rates for May 2022
See if you pre-qualify for a personal loan – without affecting your credit score
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NerdWallet's guide to choosing the best personal loan
Last updated: April 29, 2022
What is a personal loan?
An unsecured personal loan is a fixed-rate loan that is not backed by collateral and is repaid in monthly installments over a specific term, usually two to seven years. When you need money to cover a large expense or to consolidate your debt, consider a personal loan. You can use the funds for almost any purpose.
To qualify you, lenders look at factors including your credit score, credit report and debt-to-income ratio. You can get a personal loan from some major banks, credit unions and online lenders.
» MORE: Where to get a personal loan
Why trust NerdWallet? NerdWallet has rated and reviewed personal loans from more than 35 financial institutions. We collect over 45 data points from each lender, interview company representatives and compare the lenders with each other. We do not receive compensation for our ratings. Read more about our personal loan star ratings methodology and our editorial guidelines.
What rate should I expect on a personal loan?
Here’s what annual percentage rates on personal loans look like, on average:
How's your credit? | Score range | Estimated APR |
Excellent | 720-850. | 10.5%. |
Good | 690-719. | 15.5%. |
Fair | 630-689. | 20.8%. |
Bad | 300-629. | 26.1%. |
Source: Average rates are based on aggregate, anonymized offer data from users who pre-qualified in NerdWallet’s lender marketplace from Oct. 27, 2021, to April 27, 2022. Rates are estimates only and not specific to any lender. The lowest credit scores — usually below 500 FICO — are unlikely to qualify. Information in this table applies only to lenders with APRs below 36%.
» COMPARE: Best personal loan interest rates
Borrowers with good to excellent credit (690 and higher on the FICO scale) typically get the lowest interest rates and can borrow larger amounts. They also have the most options when it comes to shopping for a loan.
Those with fair to bad credit (FICO scores below 690) may have to look a little harder and pay a higher rate for a personal loan. Some online lenders target low-credit borrowers, offering loans with rates from 18% to 36% APR. Having steady income, low debt, a long credit history and a record of on-time payments will improve your chances of being approved.
Before you take a personal loan
Check your credit score. Learn about your personal loan options based on your credit score. This will give you an idea of what rate and payment to expect as you shop for loans. You might decide to postpone getting a loan and instead take steps to build your credit in order to get a lower rate or a larger loan.
Compare your options. Interest rates on personal loans for excellent credit start around 6% APR, but if you can qualify for a 0% interest credit card — and pay off the balance within the promotional period — then you may be better off with the credit card. Here's how to compare personal loans and credit cards.
Find a co-borrower. If you have bad credit, having a co-signer with good credit allows you to piggyback on his or her creditworthiness and potentially get a better rate.
Consider a secured loan. Using a car, savings account or other asset as collateral may get you a lower rate. The risk is losing your asset if you default on the loan.
Assess your overall financial well-being. Personal loans work best as part of a balanced financial plan. Borrow money to consolidate debt if it means you’ll get out of debt more quickly. But don’t borrow if it only adds financial strain. If your current debt is overwhelming, investigate your debt-relief options.
Reasons to get a personal loan
One benefit of getting a personal loan is you can use the money for nearly any purpose. Ideally, getting one positively impacts your overall financial health, by helping you pay off debt faster, for example, or adding to the value of your home. Here are some top reasons consumers get personal loans:
Debt consolidation: Roll your debts into one monthly payment, potentially reducing the interest you pay toward the debt and helping you pay it off faster.
Home improvement: Need to add on a home office or install a swimming pool? Use a personal loan to cover the costs.
Weddings: Using a personal loan to pay for your wedding can help you stick to a budget.
How to choose the best personal loan
If you decide a personal loan is right for you, always compare rates from multiple lenders. The loan with the lowest APR is the least expensive — and therefore, usually the best choice.
Also consider the loan’s term and monthly payments. A longer term may mean lower monthly payments, but you’ll pay more in interest over the life of the loan. Assess how the payments fit into your monthly budget.
Some loans have consumer-friendly features that may be important to you. If you’re consolidating debt, a lender that sends your loan proceeds directly to your creditors saves you that step in the process. Some lenders offer flexible payment options that allow you to change a payment due date or defer a payment.
How to get a personal loan
The steps to get a personal loan start with checking your credit and comparing rates. Most online lenders allow you to pre-qualify and see estimated rates without affecting your credit score.
If you have good credit and an existing banking relationship, it’s worth checking out loan options from your current bank or credit union. Here are some top banks that offer personal loans.
Once you have multiple loan offers in hand, compare the loan features and fine print, including total costs and any penalties. The final step is to formally apply for the loan that best fits your needs. Applying involves a hard credit check that can temporarily lower your credit score. Depending on the lender, you should receive your funds within a few days.
How to manage a personal loan
Even before you receive your loan, make a plan to pay it off, ensuring you can manage on-time monthly payments for the life of the loan — whether that's two or seven years. Missing even one loan payment can hurt your credit score, and defaulting on the loan can mean late fees and collections calls.
If you face a financial setback while paying off your loan, reach out to your lender and ask about a hardship option. Some lenders may allow you to defer loan payments for a specified time.
Online personal loan companies reviewed by NerdWallet
Best lenders for excellent-credit borrowers (FICO score above 720)
Discover: Best for flexible payment options.
LightStream: Best for low rates.
Marcus: Best for no fees.
SoFi: Best for free financial advising.
Best lenders for good-credit borrowers (FICO score between 690 and 719)
Best Egg: Best for fast loans.
FreedomPlus: Best for joint loans.
LendingClub: Best for credit-building features.
Happy Money: Best for credit card consolidation.
Prosper: Best for flexible payment options.
Rocket Loans: Fast application and funding process.
Best lenders for fair- or bad-credit borrowers (FICO score below 690)
LendingPoint: Best for fast application and approval.
OneMain: Best for joint and secured loan options.
Universal Credit: Best for credit-building tools.
Upgrade: Best for debt consolidation.
Upstart: Best for AI-powered underwriting.
See more personal loan options on NerdWallet
Personal loans rating methodology
NerdWallet writers and editors conduct an annual comprehensive fact check and update of our lender reviews, 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.
Disclaimers
Annual Percentage Rates (APR), loan term and monthly payments are estimated based on analysis of information provided by you, data provided by lenders, and publicly available information. All loan information is presented without warranty, and the estimated APR and other terms are not binding in any way. Lenders provide loans with a range of APRs depending on borrowers' credit and other factors. Keep in mind that only borrowers with excellent credit will qualify for the lowest rate available. Your actual APR will depend on factors like credit score, requested loan amount, loan term, and credit history. All loans are subject to credit review and approval.