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Best bad credit loans for May 2025

Updated on May 20, 2025

What to know first: The best bad credit personal loans give borrowers with scores below 580 a chance to get fixed-rate financing with a set payoff date. Unfortunately, a low credit score will keep you from getting the lowest APR and potentially limit your loan amount and

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Best for bad credit debt consolidation
PERSONAL LOAN
Upgrade
4.6
7.99- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
580
$314
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
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Best for lower credit scores
PERSONAL LOAN
Avant
4.5
9.95- 35.99%
Min credit score
550
$323
Loan amount
$2k-$35k
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See details
Best for limited credit history
PERSONAL LOAN
Upstart
4.7
6.60- 35.99%
Min credit score
300
$307
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
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Best for secured loan options
PERSONAL LOAN
Best Egg
4.6
6.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$309
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
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See details
Best for fast funding
PERSONAL LOAN
OneMain
4.3
18.00- 35.99%
Min credit score
Not disclosed
$362
Loan amount
$1.5k-$20k
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Best for rate reductions
PERSONAL LOAN
Lending Point
4.4
7.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$314
Loan amount
$1k-$37k
Read our reviewArrow Right
on Bankrate
See details
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A closer look at our top bad credit loan lenders

In this section, Bankrate’s personal finance experts take a deep dive into lender details to help you decide which option is best for your credit situation. We explain why each pick stands out against other bad credit lenders and how it compares to industry averages.

Upgrade: Best for bad credit debt consolidation

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
580
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
1.85%-9.99%
Pros
  • Option to add a co-borrower
  • Perks like credit monitoring and seven-day-a-week customer service
  • Low credit score minimum and flexible repayment terms
Cons
  • Fees up to almost 10 percent
  • Qualifying requirements not disclosed on website
  • High APR maximum
WHO'S IT FOR:

If you have bad credit because you're overextended with credit card debt, an Upgrade debt consolidation loan might help. You'll need a credit score of 580 to qualify (or a creditworthy co-applicant), but if you do, this lender will use your loan funds to repay your creditors on your behalf. Plus, if you're using at least part of your loan funds to consolidate debt, Upgrade may offer you a rate discount.

Avant: Best for lower credit scores

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
9.95%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$35k
Min credit score
550
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 9.99%
Pros
  • Low credit score minimum
  • Seven-day-a-week customer service
  • Next-day funding possible
Cons
  • High fees and minimum APR
  • No cosigners allowed
  • Lower maximum amounts than other lenders
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with busy schedules can take advantage of Avant's weekend hours to apply for a bad credit loan. The lender also offers competitive debt consolidation and home improvement loans.

Upstart: Best for limited credit history

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.60%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 12%
Pros
  • May approve borrowers with no or low credit
  • Option to change payment dates
  • Low start rates for qualified borrowers
Cons
  • High origination fees
  • No joint applications
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Upstart loan. Upstart is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Best Egg: Best for secured loan options

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
0.99%-9.99%
Pros
  • Lower rates for loans secured by home fixtures or your vehicle
  • Low minimum rates for qualified borrowers
  • Low minimum credit score
Cons
  • High origination fees
  • Fewer repayment options
  • Higher minimum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Individuals with a bad credit score and a home or car may find lower secured loan rates and terms than with many other bad credit lenders. Once your score increases above 700, you may be able to get even lower rates if you earn $100,000 or more per year. Best Egg users on Bankrate also got their funds quicker than several other lenders we track.

OneMain Financial: Best for fast funding

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Est. APR
18.00%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1.5k–$20k
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1%-10%
Pros
  • Good secured loan options if you don't qualify for dealership financing
  • Low minimum loan amount
  • In-person service is available at 1,400 branches nationwide.
Cons
  • Expensive origination fees
  • High minimum APR
  • Limited loan amount range
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with spotty credit who need funds for an emergency may have cash the same day they apply for a OneMain Financial loan. For same-day funding, you’ll have to opt to receive the money on a “bank-issued debit card.” Other methods may take longer — the typical Bankrate borrower waited several days for their funds. If you don’t qualify for an unsecured loan, OneMain also offers a secured personal loan option. 

LendingPoint: Best for rate reductions

Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$37k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-6 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 10%
Pros
  • Low minimum loan amount
  • Multiple repayment terms offered
  • Low minimum score
Cons
  • High maximum origination fee
  • Low maximum loan amount
  • No cosigners or joint applications allowed
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers who want to take advantage of LendingPoint's rate incentive may consider this lender. After making six months of on-time payments, you may qualify for a lower rate, especially if your credit score has improved.

Calculate your bad credit loan payment

Calculating your estimated monthly payment will help you compare bad credit loans and determine which best fits your budget. Borrowers with bad credit often receive rates above 30 percent, up to a lender's maximum rate. If you haven't prequalified with a lender yet, use these rates as a starting point to get an idea of what your monthly payment might be when you get a personal loan with bad credit. Your credit will not be impacted by using this calculator or getting prequalified with bad credit lenders.

Loan Calculator

Estimated monthly payment
$92.22
Total loan amount paid
$5,000.00
Total interest paid
$592.91
Total cost of loan
$5,592.91
Principal amount
Total interest paid

How to get a bad credit loan with Bankrate

When you're trying to get a personal loan with bad credit, it's important to compare each lender's interest rates, origination fee, repayment terms and loan amounts to find the best fit for your financial goals. Bankrate's marketplace provides all of that information in one convenient place. And because we keep your data safe and partner with legitimate companies, you can avoid common bad credit loan scams and predatory lenders.

  1. Get prequalified.

    Click "See offers" or "See personalized rates" on this page. Then, fill out our prequalification form in two minutes or less to see if you match with our partner lenders, helping you save time and preventing unnecessary impact on your credit.

  2. Compare offers.

    Bankrate will check for prequalified offers with all our partner lenders at once, so you can easily compare your likely rates, terms and monthly payments. Because bad credit loans tend to be more pricey, it's important to ensure you're getting the best deal available.

  3. Finalize your loan.

    See an offer you like? Click "Continue" to complete a full application with your chosen lender.

Not sure what to look for in your personal loan search? Bankrate's personal loan calculator can help you determine what loan amount, repayment term and personal loan interest rate give you the most affordable monthly payment.

FAQs about bad credit loans

How we chose our best bad credit 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: