Personal loans
LENDINGCLUB: Best for joint applications

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What to know first: An installment loan lets you borrow a fixed sum of money and pay it back over a set period of time. You can use personal loans to finance a large-ticket item, pay for an emergency expense or if you just need flexibility in the loan’s use.
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Personal loans
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Personal loans
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Our table offers a quick comparison view of the best installment loan lenders. You can view rates and loan offerings to find the best option for your financial situation. Skim and compare the lenders to find the top ones that interest you to learn more about them.
LENDER | BEST FOR | EST. APR | LOAN AMOUNT | LOAN TERM | MIN CREDIT SCORE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LendingClub | Joint applications | 7.90%-35.99% | $1,000-$40,000 | 2-5 years | 600 |
Citi | Multiple discounts | 11.49%-20.49% | $2,000-$30,000 | 1-5 years | 720 |
Upstart | Bad or no credit | 6.70%-35.99% | $1,000-$50,000 | 3 or 5 years | No requirement |
LightStream | Large loan amounts | 6.99%-25.29%* with AutoPay | $5,000-$100,000 | 2-7 years | 695 |
Happy Money | Credit card debt consolidation | 8.95%-17.48% | $5,000-$40,000 | 2-5 years | 640 |
Avant | Flexible terms and bad credit | 9.95%-35.99% | $2,000-$35,000 | 1-5 years | 550 |
SoFi | Online lender | 8.99%-29.49% | $5,000-$100,000 | 2-7 years | 680 |
Each installment loan lender listed below is best for borrowers in specific situations. While each of the lenders below offer competitive products, every loan offers something different. The following lender breakdowns will help you parse your options by taking a deeper dive into the lender details, Bankrate user data (when available) and who will best benefit from the loan.
Overview: Headquartered in San Francisco, California, LendingClub has served over 4.8 million customers nationwide. The lender offers a co-borrowing option — something less common in the personal loan industry. This and its lower-than-average credit score requirement make its loans more inclusive than most.
Overview: Citi is a global bank that offers a complete hub of financial products and services. Its personal loans feature a quick application process, same-day approval, fast funding and competitive interest rates. Borrowers who sign up for autopay, get access to a 0.5 percent rate reduction — one of the most generous in the industry. Citigold and Citi Priority customers also qualify for an additional .25 percent rate discount.
Overview: Upstart loans have revolutionized the personal loan market by approving loans based on more than just the borrower’s credit score and income. Its proprietary AI model looks at factors like job history and educational background to make a decision, making its loan products accessible — even for those with thin or no credit history.
Overview: LightStream is Truist Bank’s online lending platform. Its loans are capped at $100,000 — much higher than the industry average of $50,000. The lender also offers a rate beat program and a $100 satisfaction guarantee, two incentives that aren't common in the loans industry.
Overview: Happy Money is unique in that it only offers loans for credit card debt consolidation. Its loans come with a competitive maximum APR, and it doesn’t charge any prepayment penalties or late fees, so borrowers can focus on getting out of debt and boosting their credit scores.
Overview: Avant was founded in 2012 and is based in Chicago. It offers personal loans to fund small to midsize expenses, with amounts capped lower than the industry average. The lender has the one of the lowest FICO score requirements among the lenders profiled on this page, and it offers more flexible terms than other bad credit options.
Overview: SoFi is best known for its student loan refinancing products but it also has some of the best personal loans in the market. SoFi’s loans feature a fully online application, competitive APRs, no mandatory fees, flexible repayment terms and higher-than-average loan amounts.
Installment loans are a form of credit that allows you to borrow a fixed sum of money and pay it back over a set period. These loans, which include personal loans, typically come with the benefit of fixed interest rates and fixed monthly payments, so you always know how much you owe each month and can track when your final payment will be due.
Installment loans often have lower interest rates than credit cards, so they’re more affordable. They are a far better choice than payday loans, which come with triple-digit interest rates and high fees and must be repaid once you receive your paycheck.
Some installment loans are restricted to a specific use, while others are more versatile. There are five common types of installment loans.
Mark Kantrowitz
Nationally recognized student financial aid expert
Installment loans are best for major purchases, such as buying a home or car. Examples include mortgages and auto loans. Installment loans let you spread out the cost over several years, so you don’t have to pay for a big expense all at once. Most people do not have enough money saved to buy big ticket items with cash. You should devote no more than a third of your income to repaying debt, so you have enough money to cover your living expenses and pay your taxes. Installment loans can also help you build good credit if you make the monthly payments on time every time.
There are a handful of steps to follow to apply for and get an installment loan.
The more you borrow, the higher your monthly payment will be. Using a personal loan calculator gives you an idea of the monthly payments. Experiment with longer terms for lower payments, but keep an eye on how much interest you’ll save with a shorter term.
A credit score above 670 will get you the best rates, while a fair credit score between 580 and 669 could result in double-digit interest rate offers. Check your score with all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Transunion and Experian so you can see where your scores stand.
There are a number of different types of personal loans ranging from debt consolidation loans you can use to pay off high interest rate credit cards to holiday loans to help you cover seasonal holiday expenses.
Personal loans are available at banks, credit unions and online lenders, and you should compare at least three offers before making a final decision. Look for lenders that will prequalify you without a hard credit pull to avoid damaging your credit.
Once you’ve chosen the lender with the right personal loan for your situation, complete the application process and provide any paperwork they ask for like picture ID or proof of income. The faster you provide information, the quicker you’ll receive your funds.
While it’s possible to get a bad credit installment loan, you may need to shop around a bit more to find the best terms. You may want to check for secured personal loans to get lower rates. You may want to add a co-signer if you’re having trouble qualifying on your own.
If, after evaluating your options, you’re still wary about applying for an installment loan, here are some alternatives you can explore to get the funds you need:
“If you choose a 401(k) loan, make sure you budget for a smaller paycheck, since the payments will be withdrawn from your regular pay. Use bonuses or commissions to pay off your 401(k) balance early if you can so you have the full investing power of your retirement funds working for you.”
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: