Top Personal Loan Picks for — No Matter Your Credit Score
Personal loans can be a flexible way to cover a wide range of expenses—from consolidating debt to paying for major purchases. Explore options that match your credit profile and the amount of funding you need.
People turn to personal loans for all kinds of reasons. You may be planning a big purchase, tackling a home improvement project, or rolling high-interest balances into a single payment. Unexpected costs can also come up—I used a personal loan myself to cover an unplanned foundation repair last year.
Most personal loans are short-term, typically with repayment periods of five years or less, and many lenders can deposit funds within one to two business days. That fast access to cash can be crucial when you’re dealing with an emergency.
Because rates, fees, and terms vary by lender, it’s smart to compare your options before applying. Below are some of the best personal loans to consider right now.
To identify the best personal loan lenders, we reviewed well-known providers and scored them based on factors that matter most to borrowers.
- Credit checks: We prioritized lenders that use a soft credit inquiry to show eligibility, allowing you to compare options without impacting your credit score.
- Fees: Our evaluation considered common costs such as origination fees, late payment fees, and prepayment penalties.
- APRs: Lenders with APRs above 36% were excluded. Many on our list offer competitive rates starting around 8% for borrowers with strong credit.
- Consumer complaints: We also excluded companies with more than 700 complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
The result is a list of lenders that balance affordability, transparency, and borrower-friendly practices.
Best personal loans compared
| Lender | Best for you if: | APR |
|---|---|---|
| Sofi® | You want extra financial support | Fixed APR rates ranging from 8.99%-29.49% (as of 05/04/25) with all discounts1 |
| Discover | You have good or excellent credit | 7.99% - 24.99% (as of 11/07/25) |
| Wells Fargo | You want access to in-person branches | 6.74% to 26.49% (as of 10/02/25), lowest APR includes a 0.25% relationship discount |
| Upstart | You need a small loan | 6.40% - 35.99% (as of 07/15/2025) |
| Best Egg | You need a secured loan | 6.99%–35.99% (as of 11/07/25) |
| Upgrade | You have fair or poor credit | 7.74%-35.99% (as of 10/15/25)2 |
| Happy Money | You're working on repaying high-interest credit card debt | Starting from 7.95% (as of 10/02/25) |
| Prosper | You're interested in peer-to-peer lending | From 8.99%-35.99% (as of 05/04/25) |
Best personal loans
Now let's dive in and see what your best personal loan options are for specific circumstances.
Best for financial support: SoFi
Pros
Autopay and direct deposit discounts
Potentially high loan amounts
No origination fees
Cons
Must have large direct deposit into another SoFi account to get all discounts
No secured loan option
SoFi offers a broad suite of financial products, including home loans, student loan refinancing, investing, and banking—and its personal loans are a standout option.
With a SoFi personal loan, borrowers may qualify for higher loan amounts, with limits reaching up to $100,000. The company also provides a robust library of financial education resources, covering topics like budgeting, investing, and managing financial stress.
In addition, SoFi rewards responsible borrowing with rate discounts for enrolling in autopay and direct deposit, and it does not charge origination fees—helping keep borrowing costs lower overall.
APR: Fixed APR rates ranging from 8.99%-29.49% (as of 05/04/25) with all discounts1
Loan amounts: $5,000-$100,000
Loan terms: 2-7 years
Best for good or excellent credit: Discover Personal Loans
Pros
Competitive rates with a maximum of 24.99%
Option to directly pay creditors
No application or origination fees
Cons
No co-signer or joint account options to raise your credit profile
A Discover Personal Loan may be a strong fit for borrowers with good to excellent credit. Applicants in higher credit tiers are more likely to qualify for Discover’s most competitive rates and terms.
Compared with many lenders, Discover offers a relatively low APR range—7.99% to 24.99% as of November 7, 2025—though approved rates depend on factors like credit score, loan amount, and repayment term. Even among top-tier borrowers, actual rates may be slightly higher than the advertised minimum.
If you have excellent credit, it’s worth shopping around and comparing offers from multiple lenders. While credit score isn’t the only factor lenders consider, strong credit significantly improves your chances of securing a lower interest rate and better overall loan terms.
APR: 7.99% - 24.99% (as of 11/07/25)
Loan amounts: $2,500-$40,000
Loan terms: 3-7 years
Best for in-person branches: Wells Fargo
Pros
No origination fees or prepayment penalties
Competitive rates
Relationship discount of 0.25%
Cons
Must have a Wells Fargo account for the previous 12 months
CFPB took action against Wells Fargo for breaking consumer protection laws
If you value the option of in-person service alongside online and mobile banking, a Wells Fargo personal loan may be worth considering. The bank offers both digital tools and access to a large network of physical branches for borrowers who prefer face-to-face support.
With more than 5,600 branches nationwide, Wells Fargo provides broad accessibility throughout the loan process. Customers who have held a Wells Fargo account for at least 12 months may also qualify for a 0.25% relationship discount on their personal loan rate.
Wells Fargo personal loans come with borrower-friendly features, including no origination fees and no prepayment penalties, which can help reduce overall borrowing costs.
That said, it’s important to note that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took enforcement action against Wells Fargo in 2022 related to consumer practices. Prospective borrowers may want to weigh this history alongside the bank’s current offerings when comparing lenders.
APR: 6.74% to 26.49% (as of 10/02/25), lowest APR includes a 0.25% relationship discount
Loan amounts: $3,000-$100,000
Loan terms: 1-7 years
What can a personal loan be used for?
Personal loans can be used for a wide range of expenses, including:
- Debt consolidation: Combine multiple balances into a single loan to simplify payments and potentially reduce interest costs.
- Home renovations: Help cover the cost of renovations, repairs, or upgrades around your home.
- Medical bills: Pay for medical costs such as elective procedures, orthodontics, fertility treatments, or emergency care.
- Emergencies: Manage surprise costs like car repairs or urgent home maintenance.
- Large purchases: Finance large purchases tied to weddings, travel, family gatherings, or moving expenses.
A personal loan can be a smart financial tool when used intentionally. If you’re consolidating debt, for example, it’s important to apply the funds directly to existing balances and avoid taking on new debt, so the loan actually helps move you closer to your financial goals.
Best places to shop for a personal loan
Before reviewing individual lenders, it can be helpful to explore loan comparison services. These platforms work much like travel search sites, allowing you to view multiple loan offers in one place and compare rates, terms, and features side by side.
Using a lender marketplace can save time by giving you a broad snapshot of available options, helping you quickly identify loans that align with your credit profile and borrowing needs.
NerdWallet loan matching
NerdWallet’s loan matching service connects borrowers with a wide network of lenders, making it easy to compare multiple personal loan options with competitive interest rates. The prequalification process uses a soft credit inquiry, allowing you to explore potential offers without affecting your credit score.
Alternatives to personal loans
If you need funding for a major expense or want to consolidate debt, a personal loan isn’t your only option. Depending on your situation, one of the following alternatives may be a better fit:
- Credit cards: A card with a 0% introductory APR can help you avoid interest on purchases or balance transfers for a limited time, giving you space to pay down balances.
- Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOC): These options allow you to borrow against the equity in your home, often at lower interest rates than unsecured loans.
- Personal lines of credit: Similar to a credit card, a personal line of credit lets you borrow as needed up to a set limit and repay what you use.
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) loans: These loans are funded by individual investors through online lending platforms rather than traditional banks.
- Retirement loans: Some retirement plans, such as a 401(k), allow you to borrow against your savings, though this option typically comes with significant trade-offs and risks.
Comparing all available financing options can help you choose the solution that best fits your financial goals and repayment timeline.
Personal loan lenders to avoid
Even in urgent financial situations, it’s important to steer clear of high-risk lenders.
- Payday lenders: These short-term loans often come with extremely high interest rates and are designed to bridge the gap until your next paycheck. Some states limit fees to $10–$30 per $100 borrowed, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but the cost can still be very high.
- Title loan: Title loans use your vehicle as collateral, placing a lien on your car. If the loan isn’t repaid on time, the lender can repossess your vehicle. These loans also typically carry very high interest rates, making them a risky option.
To protect yourself, research any potential lender carefully. Check ratings and complaints on the Better Business Bureau website, and confirm that the lender is registered with your state attorney general’s office, as all lenders must be licensed in the states where they operate.
FAQs
What credit score is needed for a personal loan?
Most personal loan lenders require a minimum credit score of around 580, but higher scores generally improve your chances of approval and help you qualify for better terms. The exact score needed can vary by lender, so it’s important to check individual requirements. In general, a good or excellent FICO score increases the likelihood of securing a loan with lower interest rates and favorable repayment options.
How big of a personal loan can you get?
Most personal loan lenders cap borrowing at around $50,000, though some, like SoFi, offer loans up to $100,000. The amount you can qualify for depends on factors such as your credit score, income, and overall financial profile.
Bottom line
Whether a personal loan makes sense depends on your individual situation. A loan can be a useful tool for covering major expenses or consolidating debt, as long as you can afford the payments and use the funds responsibly. When comparing lenders, look for options that offer autopay discounts, low fees, and favorable terms to minimize borrowing costs.