Skip to Main Content

Best low-interest personal loans for April 2024

Updated Apr 15, 2024

What to know first: Low-interest personal loans allow you to save money on monthly payments by cutting down on interest costs. These loans are a type of installment loan — meaning that you’ll get the funds in a lump sum and repay it over a specified period — and commonly come with a fixed interest rate of under 13 percent.

Check your personalized rates

Checkmark Compare rates in less than 2 minutes
Checkmark Checking will not impact your credit score
In 2023 we secured personal loans or alternative offers for 99% of our users

Filter results

Close X

PERSONAL LOANS

LIGHTSTREAM: BEST FOR LOW APRS AND LARGE LOAN AMOUNTS

4.7

Est. APR
7.49- 25.49%
* with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs*
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
695
See offersArrow Right

Apply on partner site

PERSONAL LOANS

Upstart: BEST FOR LITTLE OR NO CREDIT HISTORY

4.8

Est. APR
7.80- 35.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right

Check rate with Bankrate

PERSONAL LOANS

Achieve: BEST FOR QUICK APPROVAL

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $50K
Min credit score
620
See offersArrow Right

Check rate with Bankrate

PERSONAL LOANS

UPGRADE: BEST FOR LOW LOAN AMOUNTS AND LONGER TERMS

4.7

Est. APR
8.49- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
600
See offersArrow Right

Check rate with Bankrate

PERSONAL LOANS

PROSPER: BEST FOR PEER-TO-PEER LENDING OPTIONS

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $50K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
Read our reviewArrow Right

Check rate with Bankrate

PERSONAL LOANS

SOFI: BEST ONLINE LENDER FOR LARGE LOAN AMOUNTS

4.8

Est. APR
8.99- 29.49%
with all discounts
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
680

PERSONAL LOANS

DISCOVER: BEST FOR GOOD CREDIT AND NO FEES

4.8

Est. APR
7.99- 24.99%
Loan term
3-7 yrs
Loan amount
$2.5k- $35K
Min credit score
660

Compare low-interest personal loans from Bankrate’s top picks

We’ve compiled this table to give you a quick side-by-side look at the basic features of Bankrate’s top picks for low-interest personal loans. Our team keeps track of the rates, terms and loan amounts offered by each lender to help you decide which is the best fit for you. 

Check the minimum credit score column to make sure you qualify, and click the lender links to read the full reviews written by our expert team.

LENDER BEST FOR APR RANGE LOAN TERM LOAN AMOUNTS MIN CREDIT SCORE
LightStream Low APRs and large loan amounts 7.49%-25.49%* with AutoPay 2-7 years $5,000-$100,000 695
Upstart Little or no credit history 7.80%-35.99% 3 or 5 years $1,000-$50,000 No requirement
Achieve Quick approval 8.99%-35.99% 2-5 years $5,000-$50,000 620
Upgrade Low loan amounts and longer terms 8.49%-35.99% with Autopay 2-7 years $1,000-$50,000 600
Prosper Peer-to-peer options 8.99%-35.99% 2-5 years $2,000-$50,000 Not specified
SoFi Online lender for large loan amounts 8.99%-29.49% with Autopay 2-7 years $5,000-$100,000 680
Discover Good credit and low fees 7.99%-24.99% 3-7 years $2,500-$40,000 660

A closer look at our top low interest loan lenders

Here's a deep-dive into each lender, why they're the best in each category and specifically who would benefit most from borrowing from the lender.

LightStream: Best for low APRs and large loan amounts

LightStream
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: LightStream is one of the most competitive online lenders in the personal loan space, offering a quick application process, fast funding and among the lowest minimum APRs of the lenders reviewed by Bankrate. They also offer a maximum loan amount of $100,000 — much higher than what many other lenders offer. 

Est. APR
7.49%–25.49%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
695

Upstart: Best for little or no credit history

Upstart
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: Founded in 2012 by ex-Googlers, Upstart is headquartered in San Mateo, California and has originated more than $34 billion in personal loans. If you’re looking to consolidate debt, make a large purchase or cover some personal expenses, an Upstart personal loan may be able to help you do it.

Est. APR
7.80%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
Not specified

Achieve: Best for quick approvals with co-signers or co-borrowers

Achieve
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Whether you need money to consolidate credit card debt, make some home improvements or make a large purchase, an Achieve (formerly known as FreedomPlus) personal loan can help you do it.

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$5k– $50k
Min credit score
620

Upgrade: Best for low loan amounts and longer terms

Upgrade
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Personal loans from Upgrade come with the benefit of lower minimum loan amounts and terms as long as seven years. These loans can be used to refinance credit cards, consolidate debt, take on home improvement projects or finance major purchases.

Est. APR
8.49%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
600

Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer lender options

Prosper
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Prosper is a personal loan pioneer — the company became the first firm to enter the peer-to-peer lending arena when it launched in 2005. Prosper offers unsecured personal loans through WebBank to customers with a variety of credit profiles. It also offers home equity lines of credit (HELOCs).

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $50k
Min credit score
Not specified

SoFi: Best online lender

SoFi
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: A SoFi personal loan is a good choice for borrowers who have a stable income and good-to-excellent credit. Along with a fully digital experience, SoFi has large loans and accepts joint applications. 

Est. APR
8.99%–29.49%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
680

Discover: Best for good credit and fast funding

Discover
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: Discover is a financial institution with a wide reach that provides a variety of services. The Discover global network extends across more than 200 countries with over 400,000 ATM locations. Known for its credit cards, Discover also offers personal loans among other financial services.

Est. APR
7.99%–24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5k– $35k
Min credit score
660

How to compare low interest personal loans

It is important to compare a variety of lenders before deciding on one, especially if getting the lowest possible interest rate is a priority. When comparing lenders, pay attention to the following.

  1. Approval requirements: Each lender has its own approval requirements. Generally, lenders evaluate your creditworthiness by looking at your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, credit history and income.
  2. Interest rates: The lowest rate a company advertises is generally reserved for borrowers with the highest credit scores who choose the shortest available terms. 
  3. Loan amounts: You should always ensure that the lenders you’re considering offer loans in the amount you need. You may find lower APRs offered on higher loan amounts at some lenders. 
  4. Repayment options: Some lenders offer a wide range of repayment options while others only let borrowers choose between two to three terms. Shorter repayment terms will usually come with lower APRs. 
  5. Unique features: Lenders often offer perks like rate discounts, introductory offers and access to free financial tools. Keep an eye out for any unique features a lender offers.
  6. Customer service: Always look into a company’s customer service options before applying. Many lenders offer over the phone customer service and some even have live chat features on their websites.

How we made our picks for best low interest loans

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

57

years in business

30

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

665

data points collected

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 30 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories:

What is a low interest loan?

A low interest personal loan has a rate under the national average.

As of April 3, 2024, the average personal loan rate is 12.18 percent. While this may seem high, it's because rates have been incrementally increasing over the past few years due to inflation. 

To qualify for a low interest loan, borrowers must have a steady income, an excellent credit score and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. 

Should you consolidate credit card debt with a low interest personal loan?


Nationally recognized student financial aid expert

Credit card debt bases the monthly payment on a percentage of the outstanding debt. This means the payments start off high and get smaller over time. Consolidating credit card debt into a personal loan yields level monthly payments that do not change, which may be initially lower than the payment on the credit card debt and easier to manage. Personal loans often involve lower interest rates than credit card debt and a shorter repayment term, and can save you money. But, beware of consolidating your credit card debt if you will just get new credit cards and run up the balance all over again. But, before consolidating your credit card debt, call the credit card issuer to ask about hardship programs. They may be able to reduce the interest rate or provide you with a more manageable monthly payment. It is also a good idea to undergo credit counseling with a nonprofit credit counselor first.

Senior Loans Writer

The low-interest personal loan is an under-used tool for debt consolidation. First, it converts multiple debts into one debt with one manageable monthly payment. Second, you don’t need an asset to borrow against. You leave the equity in your home or the value of your car alone with a personal loan. Finally, you get the cash faster with less documentation than you’d need with a home equity loan or cash-out refinance. That puts you on the path to a better financial foundation faster. A personal loan also creates payment discipline because you receive the funds in a lump sum with a fixed monthly payment. You can’t max out a personal loan, because you can’t re-use any of the funds as you repay it. And clearing out revolving debt with installment debt is a very quick way to boost your credit score.

Pros and cons of low-interest personal loans

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Fixed fees and interest rates give you a predictable payment.
  • Typically have lower rates than credit cards.
  • No collateral is required, making them a good alternative to home equity or car loans.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • You won’t qualify for the lowest rates with low credit scores or thin credit history.
  • The lowest APRs are typically offered for shorter repayment terms with higher monthly payments.
  • Some lenders charge origination fees as high as 10 percent.

Where to get a personal loan with a low interest rate

You can get a low interest rate loan from banks, online lenders and credit unions. However, online lenders are the most likely to offer the lowest rates, especially for borrowers with strong credit. Alternatively, your local bank may offer you a rate discount if you already have deposit accounts and agree to set your payments up on autopay. 

Calculate your monthly loan payment

Using our personal loan calculator allows you to see how much you’ll pay each month based on your loan amount, estimated interest rate and length of the repayment term. Playing around with these numbers can also shed some light as to how much you can reasonably borrow without straining your monthly budget.

Average personal loan interest rates

The average personal loan interest currently sits at 12.18 percent. That said, your rate will be based on several factors, including the lender you choose, your credit score and borrowing history.

Average personal loan rates by credit score

CREDIT RATING / SCORE RANGE AVERAGE PERSONAL LOAN INTEREST RATE
Excellent (720-850) 10.73%-12.50%
Good (690-719) 13.50%-15.50%
Average (630-689) 17.80%-19.90%
Bad (300-629) 28.50%-32.00%
Source: Bankrate
Bankrate's image file
See related

How to qualify for competitive rates on low-interest personal loans

Learn what steps you need to take to qualify for a low-interest personal loan.

Arrow Right

Alternatives to low-interest personal loans

In addition to personal loans, you can explore a few other options to get the funds you need at reasonable interest rates.

Caret Down

A cash-out refinance replaces your mortgage with a bigger one, with different terms and interest rates. With this loan, you keep the difference between your old mortgage and your new one.

On the downside, your mortgage payment will be higher, the refinance process can take up to 60 days to complete and it requires a decent amount of paperwork. That said, a cash-out refi could be a good option if you have a lot of equity and can get a rate comparable to your current mortgage rate. 

Some credit cards offer 0 percent introductory offers that allow you to use the credit without accruing interest for a set number of months. To qualify for these, you’ll typically need excellent credit and a stable source of income. This option is better suited for those who only need to borrow a small amount and can pay off the balance before the promotional period ends.

BPNLs are installment loans that allow you to split your purchase into a series of four to six interest-free payments. Online retailers often offer these services, and some physical stores are beginning to accept them as payment.

Frequently asked questions about low-interest personal loans

// inline Read me // build form url prequal/finley