Best personal loan rates for April 2025
Rates start at 6.49%
Filter results

Why choose Bankrate?
Backed by over 40 years of experience, our team at Bankrate strives to help you make the right decisions for any financial situation.
Your security comes first
Bankrate protects your data from end to end, so you stay safe whether you're browsing articles or prequalifying for a loan.
We partner with the best
No outside influence
A closer look at our top lenders for personal loans
Our Bankrate experts put the top personal loan lender picks under a microscope to give you a better look at each. Before applying, consider each lender's strengths and weaknesses to see if they are the best match for your particular borrowing needs.
We outline what each lender excels at to help you find the best option for your needs.
Avant: Best payday loan alternative
Avant: Best payday loan alternative
Avant: Best payday loan alternative
Avant: Best payday loan alternative
SoFi: Best overall online lender
SoFi: Best overall online lender
SoFi: Best overall online lender
SoFi: Best overall online lender
Happy Money: Best loan for credit card debt consolidation
Happy Money: Best loan for credit card debt consolidation
Happy Money: Best loan for credit card debt consolidation
Happy Money: Best loan for credit card debt consolidation
LendingClub: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best in an emergency
LendingClub: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best in an emergency
LendingClub: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best in an emergency
LendingClub: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best in an emergency
Upstart: Best loan for little credit history
Upstart: Best loan for little credit history
Upstart: Best loan for little credit history
Upstart: Best loan for little credit history
Best Egg: Best for low minimum rates
Best Egg: Best for low minimum rates
Best Egg: Best for low minimum rates
Best Egg: Best for low minimum rates
LightStream: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best home improvement loan
LightStream: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best home improvement loan
LightStream: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best home improvement loan
LightStream: Bankrate 2025 award winner for best home improvement loan
OneMain Financial: Best for variety of secured loan options
OneMain Financial: Best for variety of secured loan options
OneMain Financial: Best for variety of secured loan options
OneMain Financial: Best for variety of secured loan options
Splash Financial: Best for initial comparison research
Splash Financial: Best for initial comparison research
Splash Financial: Best for initial comparison research
Splash Financial: Best for initial comparison research
Citi ® Personal Loan: Best for no fees
Citi ® Personal Loan: Best for no fees
Citi ® Personal Loan: Best for no fees
Citi ® Personal Loan: Best for no fees
Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer lending
Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer lending
Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer lending
Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer lending
LendingPoint: Best for small loans with flexible repayment terms
LendingPoint: Best for small loans with flexible repayment terms
LendingPoint: Best for small loans with flexible repayment terms
LendingPoint: Best for small loans with flexible repayment terms
Achieve: Best for best debt consolidation
Achieve: Best for best debt consolidation
Achieve: Best for best debt consolidation
Achieve: Best for best debt consolidation
Calculate your loan payment
Use Bankrate's calculator to find the perfect loan repayment plan for you. Enter different loan amounts, terms and interest rates to compare estimated monthly payments and see how much total interest you'll pay.
Loan Calculator
How to compare personal loans
Compare personal loan offers to find the best product for your specific goals. The information Bankrate gathered about the lenders above can make this easier. Keep the following factors in mind as you compare your options.
- Learn the approval requirements: Some lenders cater to excellent credit borrowers, while others specialize in bad credit. Check lenders' websites for loan amount minimums and maximums to make sure they meet your needs.
- Review interest rates and fees: Personal loan APRs vary widely based on your credit score and the lender. Watch for origination fees, which can be as high as 12 percent of your loan amount and are deducted from the amount you borrow when your loan funds.
- Run payments on different repayment options: Most loan terms range between one and seven years. A longer term comes with a lower monthly payment and higher total interest charges. A short term makes sense if you can afford the higher monthly payment and want your debt repaid faster.
- Consider how quickly you need the funds: Some lenders offer same-day funding, while others may take several business days. Check funding times if you need money fast for an emergency.
- Look for special perks and read lender reviews: You may be eligible for rate discounts for automatic payments or payment due date flexibility. Read lender reviews for extra information about customer service hours, contact information and what other borrowers' experiences have been.
The author’s expert insight
"As someone who used to broker loans for a living, I know that the lowest rate lenders are not always the best choice for your circumstances. Those low rates may come with extra fees, short terms, and requirements that don’t fit your financial needs or that you can’t qualify for. A lender that offers slightly higher rates but longer terms may give your budget more breathing room than a lender that offers super low rates on loan balances you have to pay off quickly at a high monthly payment."
Personal loan interest rates
The interest rate you're offered will depend on several factors, including your credit score, your income, your current debts, the Federal Reserve's actions and the type of loan you're interested in.
Average rates as of April 23, 2025
Personal loans | 12.43% |
To get an up-to-date picture of industry rates, Bankrate's Market Analysis team conducts the weekly Bankrate Monitor survey. The rate we share is the average offered by America's largest banks and thrifts to customers with a 700 FICO score, $5,000 loan amount and three-year repayment plan.
What this means if you're shopping for the best rates:
- Your rate could be much lower or higher than the average depending on your credit score or loan term.
- You may want to check out online lender rates since they aren't reflected in this average.
Average personal loan interest rates vary depending on your credit score. Lenders offer borrowers with fair or bad credit higher rates because they see them as more likely to default.
Borrowers with good or excellent credit are more eligible for the lender's most competitive rates and terms. Lenders often also charge lower rates for shorter terms, higher loan amounts and may offer discounts for automatic payment set up. Other factors beyond your control also influence lender rates, including the Federal Reserve's actions.
Check your credit score to calculate your potential interest rate.
What is a personal loan?
A personal loan is a type of installment loan that allows you to receive money all at once and repay it in monthly installments. Most personal loans can be funded in one or two business days, and repaid in terms ranging from one to seven years.
Personal loan rates are usually fixed with average APRs much lower than average credit card APRs. They’re typically unsecured, so you don’t risk losing an asset like your home or car if you can’t repay it. Personal loans are popular for debt consolidation but can be used for just about any legal purpose.
Pros and cons of personal loans
While helpful, personal loans aren't the best financing tool or solution for everyone. Consider the pros and cons of personal loans before making a decision. If you feel that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, look into personal loan alternatives, like home equity products or a credit card.
Pros
- Money in one lump sum with lower interest rates than credit cards.
- Faster funding times than secured loan options like home equity loans.
- May help improve your credit score if used to pay off revolving credit.
- Few restrictions on how funds are used.
Cons
- Interest rates can be higher than credit cards for bad credit borrowers.
- Shorter terms could result in unaffordable monthly payments.
- Potentially high fees and penalties.
- Income must be stable to qualify — not good for gig or self-employed income.
45 percent of Americans who applied for personal loans in the last 12 months were rejected, according to Bankrate's 2025 Credit Denials Survey.
How to get a personal loan with Bankrate
Knowing the steps to getting a personal loan will make the application and approval process easier.
-
Check your credit score.
Your credit score has the most impact on the personal loan rate you’re offered. You may want to wait to apply if it’s not in tip-top shape.
-
Pick an affordable repayment term.
Use a personal loan calculator to see how different terms, rates and fees could impact your budget. Be realistic about what you can afford.
-
Compare requirements, APRs and fees with at least three lenders.
Research minimum credit scores, range of repayment terms and loan amounts offered at each lender. You can begin your search using the information Bankrate has gathered on this page, or visit different lenders' websites if you don't find the terms you are looking for. Watch for fees — some lenders charge origination fees of more than 10 percent of the amount you borrow.
-
Get prequalified.
Choose lenders that allow you to prequalify so you can compare rates without damaging your credit scores. You can start your prequalification application with lenders on this page that partner with Bankrate clicking “See offers” and filling out a short form. You can also apply for prequalification from a lender's website.
-
Finalize your loan.
Lenders may require pay stubs, tax documents or other additional documents to prepare your final loan documents. Review the final terms of your loan to make sure the fees and APR match your expectations.
-
Get your funds and start making payments.
Once you sign the loan agreement, the funds will likely be directly deposited within one business day. Consider signing up for automatic payments to make repayment easier.
Personal loan rate trends
Despite three federal fund rate cuts in 2024, average personal loan rates actually increased in early 2025. In the March 2025 Fed meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held rates steady, leaving the target rate at 4.25-4.5 percent.
Although fewer rate cuts are expected in 2025, Bankrate’s personal loan interest rate forecast for 2025 offers one bright spot: deflating rates for qualified excellent credit borrowers. Chief financial analyst Greg McBride adds that, if rates decrease, it'll be at a very slow pace and that any movement will depend on inflation.
Interest rates will come down very slowly, if at all, in 2025 and that will be particularly true for unsecured loans. For interest rates to come down more, inflation needs to come down more. As long as inflation remains stubbornly high, interest rates will also need to remain high.Greg McBride, Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst
Personal loan uses
Borrowers take out different types of personal loans for different loan purposes. While there are many options out there, here are a few of the most common.
Does it make more sense to borrow with a personal loan or a HELOC right now?

Mark Kantrowitz
Nationally recognized finance expert
Recent spikes in mortgage rates may make personal loans a better choice than home equity loans. People with high credit scores may find personal loan rates as competitive as home equity loan interest rates. In addition, a personal loan isn’t secured by your home, which means you don’t have to pay it off when you sell your home, and don’t risk losing your home to foreclosure if you can’t pay it off.
Next steps for getting a personal loan
Now that you're getting a personal loan, find out what you can do to make sure your personal loan journey is a success.

What Happens If You Default On A Personal Loan? | Bankrate
Learn what steps you can take if you have trouble making payments to avoid default.

5 Ways To Pay Off A Personal Loan Early | Bankrate
Paying off your personal loan quickly could save big dollars on interest, as long as it doesn't strain your budget.

How To Boost Your Personal Loan Approval Odds | Bankrate
A few extra steps could improve your odds of a thumbs up on your personal loan application

The Best Way To Pay Off A Personal Loan: Top Tips | Bankrate
Once you have a personal loan, what's the best plan for paying it off?
Frequently asked questions about personal loans
How we choose our best personal loan lenders
Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise
48
years in business
45
lenders reviewed
20
loan features weighed
900
data points collected
To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 40 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories: