Each profile below gives the lender's published APR, amounts, terms, funding speed, credit score guidance and fees, followed by who it suits best, what to watch for, and a short summary in plain English.
Upgrade
- APR
- 7.74%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $1,000–$50,000
- Terms
- 24–84 months
- Funding
- Within 1 business day after verification
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- 1.85%–9.99% origination, taken from proceeds
Upgrade offers fixed-rate personal loans starting at $1,000, which makes it one of the few large online lenders that reaches toward the lower end of our range. Terms run from two to seven years, so payments can be small, but a longer term adds interest. The origination fee comes out of the loan before you receive it, so borrow with that cut in mind.
Best for: Fair-credit borrowers who want a $1,000 starting point and a long term option.
Watch out: The origination fee shrinks the cash you receive, and long terms add interest.
Avant
- APR
- 9.95%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $2,000–$35,000 (state minimums vary)
- Terms
- 24–60 months
- Funding
- Often next business day if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Administration fee up to 9.99%, taken from proceeds
Avant markets its personal loans to people with fair or still-building credit, and the loans are issued by WebBank. The smallest loan is $2,000 in most states, with higher minimums in some. An administration fee of up to 9.99% is taken out of the proceeds, so a $2,000 loan could put noticeably less than $2,000 in your account.
Best for: Borrowers with fair or rebuilding credit who need at least $2,000.
Watch out: Not available in every state, and the fee can be close to 10% of the loan.
Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub)
- APR
- 5.96%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $1,000–$75,000
- Terms
- 24–84 months
- Funding
- Not stated on its rates page
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Mostly 0%–8%; can be higher through some partners
Happen Bank is the new name for LendingClub, which now operates as a national bank. Its personal loans start at $1,000 and can stretch up to seven years. Most origination fees fall between 0% and 8% of the loan, though the bank notes the fee can be higher when you apply through certain partner sites. Funding timing is not stated on its rates page.
Best for: Borrowers who want a bank lender with a $1,000 minimum.
Watch out: Check whether you arrived through a partner site, since the fee can be higher.
Upstart
- APR
- 6.1%–35.99% (varies by state)
- Amounts
- $1,000–$75,000 (higher minimums in GA, HI, MA)
- Terms
- 3 or 5 years
- Funding
- As fast as 24 hours after signing
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Varies; lender example shows 8.31%
Upstart uses a model that looks at education, work history and other data alongside your credit report, which may help people with thin credit files. Personal loans start at $1,000 in most states, but Georgia, Hawaii and Massachusetts carry higher minimums. Only two terms are offered, three or five years, so it is less flexible if you want a fast payoff.
Best for: Borrowers with a short credit history but steady income or education.
Watch out: Only two term lengths, so a quick 12-month payoff plan is not an option.
Best Egg
- APR
- 6.99%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $2,000–$50,000 (higher minimums in MA, OH, GA)
- Terms
- 36–60 months
- Funding
- 1–3 business days after verification
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- 0.99%–9.99% (at least 4.99% on 4+ year terms)
Best Egg is an online lender with personal loans from $2,000 and terms of three to five years. The shortest term is 36 months, which keeps payments low but means more total interest than a one-year loan. Origination fees run from 0.99% to 9.99%, and the lender says fees on terms of four years or longer start at 4.99%.
Best for: Borrowers with good credit who are comfortable with a three-year minimum term.
Watch out: No term shorter than 36 months, which raises total interest on small loans.
Prosper
- APR
- 8.99%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $2,000–$50,000
- Terms
- 24–72 months
- Funding
- As soon as 1 business day after acceptance
- Min. credit
- 640 (stated on lender page)
- Fees
- 1%–9.99% origination
Prosper is a peer-to-peer style platform where loans are made by WebBank and backed by investor money. Personal loans start at $2,000 with terms of two to six years. The lender page says borrowers need a score of 640 or higher, and applicants under 600 may not qualify, so it is a weaker fit for credit that is still being rebuilt.
Best for: Borrowers with scores of 640 or higher who like a range of term lengths.
Watch out: Approval also depends on investor commitments, so funding is not certain.
LendingPoint
- APR
- 7.99%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $1,000–$36,500 (higher minimums in GA, CO, HI)
- Terms
- 24–72 months
- Funding
- Often next business day
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Origination or other fees up to 10%, by state
LendingPoint focuses on borrowers with fair credit and offers personal loans from $1,000 in most states, with higher minimums in Georgia, Colorado and Hawaii. Terms run two to six years. The lender says fees of up to 10% may apply depending on where you live, so ask for the exact fee in writing and compare the APR, not just the monthly payment.
Best for: Fair-credit borrowers who need between $1,000 and $5,000.
Watch out: Fees depend on your state, so ask for the exact amount before signing.
Universal Credit
- APR
- 11.69%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $1,000–$50,000
- Terms
- 36–60 months
- Funding
- As soon as 1 day after verification
- Min. credit
- 580 (cited by Bankrate)
- Fees
- 5.25%–9.99%, taken from proceeds
Universal Credit is an online lender aimed at fair-credit borrowers, with personal loans from $1,000 and terms of three to five years. Its origination fee has one of the higher floors on this list, starting at 5.25% and reaching 9.99%, deducted from your funds. On a $1,000 loan, even the lowest fee would take $52.50 off the amount you receive.
Best for: Fair-credit borrowers who want an online lender with a $1,000 minimum.
Watch out: The fee floor is high, so small loans lose a larger share up front.
Rocket Loans
- APR
- 7.99%–29.99% (low end with autopay)
- Amounts
- $2,000–$75,000
- Terms
- 36 or 60 months
- Funding
- Often same day if finalized by 4 p.m. ET
- Min. credit
- 640+ strongly recommended
- Fees
- Up to 9.99%
Rocket Loans is an online lender with a top APR of 29.99%, lower than the 35.99% ceiling many lenders use. The trade-off is a $2,000 minimum and only two term choices, 36 or 60 months. The lender says funds often arrive the same day when the loan is finalized by 4 p.m. Eastern, and it strongly recommends a score of 640 or higher.
Best for: Good-credit borrowers who want a lower APR ceiling and fast funding.
Watch out: Only two term lengths and a $2,000 minimum.
OneMain Financial
- APR
- 11.99%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $1,500–$35,000 (state limits apply)
- Terms
- 24–60 months
- Funding
- As soon as 1 hour to a debit card; 1–2 banking days by ACH
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Flat $25–$500 or 1%–10%, by state
OneMain Financial works through branches as well as online and offers both unsecured loans and secured loans backed by a vehicle. Personal loans start at $1,500 in most states, with state-by-state minimums and maximums. The fee can be a flat $25 to $500 or 1% to 10% of the loan, which matters a lot on small balances, so read the fee line carefully.
Best for: Borrowers who want a branch to visit or can offer a vehicle as collateral.
Watch out: A secured loan puts your car at risk if you fall behind.
Oportun
- APR
- Up to about 35.95% (lender example)
- Amounts
- $300–$10,000 unsecured
- Terms
- Varies; lender example is 30 months
- Funding
- Not stated; direct deposit is fastest
- Min. credit
- No credit history required
- Fees
- Administrative fee up to 10%
Oportun lends to people with little or no credit history and lists its smallest unsecured loans at $300, with new customers typically borrowing $500 to $4,000. Payments are often due every two weeks rather than monthly. The examples on its site show APRs near 35%, and an administrative fee of up to 10% of the principal may apply.
Best for: Borrowers with little or no credit history who need a small amount.
Watch out: APRs sit near the top of the market, and payments are often every two weeks.
Mariner Finance
- APR
- 15.99%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $1,000–$25,000 ($1,500–$14,000 online)
- Terms
- 12–72 months
- Funding
- Not stated
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Origination fees may apply; no range listed
Mariner Finance combines a branch network with online applications. Online personal loans run from $1,500 to $14,000 and are originated by WebBank, while branch loans can range from $1,000 to $25,000. Terms stretch from 12 to 72 months. The lender does not list a fee range, only noting that origination fees may apply and can reduce the cash you receive.
Best for: Borrowers who want a 12-month term option and branch support.
Watch out: The APR floor is higher than most online lenders on this list.
Regional Finance
- APR
- 24%–35.99% per Finder; varies by state
- Amounts
- $600–$35,000 (varies by state)
- Terms
- 12–60 months
- Funding
- As fast as 24 hours
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Origination, late and NSF fees may apply
Regional Finance is a branch-based installment lender that also takes applications online. Amounts start at $600 and maximums vary by state. A review on Finder lists APRs of 24% to 35.99%, but it also notes that some customers report higher rates depending on the state, so confirm the APR on your own loan documents before you sign anything.
Best for: Borrowers who need as little as $600 and prefer a local branch.
Watch out: Rates vary by state, so the APR on your contract is the one that counts.
Lendmark Financial Services
- APR
- Up to 35.99%
- Amounts
- $2,000–$3,000 minimum by state; $8,000 unsecured max
- Terms
- 12–72 months
- Funding
- Same-day funding may be available
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- Origination or other fees by state law
Lendmark Financial Services is a branch-based lender that caps APRs on new loans at 35.99%. Its FAQ lists minimum personal loans of $2,000 in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi and $3,000 in its other listed states, with unsecured loans topping out at $8,000. Larger loans require collateral. Terms range from 12 to 72 months, and state-based fees may apply.
Best for: Borrowers near a branch who need $2,000 to $8,000.
Watch out: Loans above $8,000 need collateral, and minimums are high for small needs.
Republic Finance
- APR
- Up to 35.99% (Finder)
- Amounts
- Varies by state; up to $25,000
- Terms
- 12–60 months
- Funding
- Same day in branch; 1–2 business days online
- Min. credit
- No minimum published
- Fees
- Origination, late and NSF fees may apply
Republic Finance works mainly through local branches and offers terms of 12 to 60 months. It does not publish a clear loan range online, and its own site gives one example: $7,000 at 30.04% APR over 60 months. Finder lists APRs up to 35.99% and notes that origination, late and NSF fees may apply, so get every fee in writing.
Best for: Borrowers who want to sit down with a loan officer in person.
Watch out: Fee details are not published clearly online.
Reach Financial
- APR
- 5.99%–31.79% (NerdWallet est.)
- Amounts
- $3,500–$40,000
- Terms
- 2–5 years
- Funding
- As soon as next day
- Min. credit
- 660 (NerdWallet)
- Fees
- 5%–7.19% origination
Reach Financial is an online lender whose personal loans start at $3,500, so it only covers the top of the $500–$5,000 range. NerdWallet lists a minimum score of 660 and an origination fee of 5% to 7.19%. The lender also offers a rate discount when you use the loan for debt consolidation, which can help if you are paying off several cards.
Best for: Good-credit borrowers consolidating several card balances.
Watch out: The $3,500 minimum rules it out for small needs.
Discover
- APR
- 6.99%–24.99%
- Amounts
- $2,500–$40,000
- Terms
- 36–84 months
- Funding
- As early as next business day after acceptance
- Min. credit
- Not published ($25,000 income minimum)
- Fees
- None
Discover offers personal loans from $2,500 with terms of three to seven years and says it charges no fees of any kind, including no origination fee. Its listed APR tops out at 24.99%, below many online lenders. You need at least $25,000 in yearly income to apply, and the minimum loan amount means it does not serve very small needs.
Best for: Good-credit borrowers who want no fees and a lower APR ceiling.
Watch out: The $2,500 minimum and 36-month shortest term do not suit small needs.
Navy Federal Credit Union
- APR
- 8.74%–18.00%
- Amounts
- $250–$50,000
- Terms
- Up to 60 months
- Funding
- Most loans fund the same day
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- None
Navy Federal Credit Union serves the military community, and you must be a member and at least 18 to borrow. Personal loans start at just $250, and APRs top out at 18.00%, far below the 35.99% ceiling at many online lenders. There are no origination or prepayment fees, and the credit union says most personal loans fund the same day.
Best for: Eligible members who need a small loan at a low APR ceiling.
Watch out: Membership is required, and not everyone can join.
PenFed Credit Union
- APR
- 6.09%–17.99% with autopay (Bankrate)
- Amounts
- $600–$50,000
- Terms
- Up to 60 months
- Funding
- 1–2 days; direct deposit as soon as next business day
- Min. credit
- Not disclosed
- Fees
- None
PenFed Credit Union lets guests apply and creates a membership as part of the process. Personal loans start at $600, which fits small needs, and Bankrate lists APRs of 6.09% to 17.99% with autopay; PenFed says rates without autopay are a quarter point higher. There is no origination or prepayment fee, though the lowest rates require excellent credit.
Best for: Good-credit borrowers who need $600 or more and want no fees.
Watch out: The lowest rates require excellent credit.
Alliant Credit Union
- APR
- From 9.49% (12-month floor)
- Amounts
- $1,000–$100,000
- Terms
- 12, 24, 48 or 60 months
- Funding
- Usually same day after approval
- Min. credit
- Not published
- Fees
- None
Alliant Credit Union is an online-first credit union. Personal loans start at $1,000 and terms come in 12, 24, 48 or 60 months. Its starting rates rise with the term, from 9.49% at 12 months to 12.49% at 60 months, and approved members usually get funds the same day. You must be a member for at least 90 days before you apply.
Best for: Members who want a 12-month option with no origination fee.
Watch out: You must be a member for 90 days before you can apply.