Skip to Main Content

Best low-interest personal loans for May 2025

Updated May 07, 2025

What to know first: Borrowers with excellent credit may qualify for rates below 7 percent. The lowest rates are typically offered for shorter terms if you can afford the higher monthly payment.

Check your personalized rates

  • Checkmark Compare rates in less than 2 minutes
  • Checkmark Checking will not impact your credit score
In 2024 we secured personal loans or alternative offers for 99% of our users
Why choose Bankrate?

Filter results

Close X
|
Best for large loan amounts
PERSONAL LOAN
LightStream
4.5
6.49- 25.29%
* with AutoPay
Min credit score
695
$460
Loan amount
$5k-$100k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for borrowers with bad credit
PERSONAL LOAN
Upstart
4.7
6.70- 35.99%
Min credit score
300
$462
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
|
Best for debt consolidation
PERSONAL LOAN
Upgrade
4.6
7.99- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
580
$470
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for peer-to-peer loans
PERSONAL LOAN
Prosper
4.5
8.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$477
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
on Bankrate
See details
|
Best online lender
PERSONAL LOAN
SoFi
4.7
8.99- 29.49%
with all discounts
Min credit score
650
$477
Loan amount
$5k-$100k
See offersArrow Right
See details
|
Best for low maximum rates
PERSONAL LOAN
Discover
4.8
7.99- 24.99%
Min credit score
660
$470
Loan amount
$2.5k-$40k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for secured personal loans
PERSONAL LOAN
Best Egg
4.6
6.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$464
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for co-borrowers
PERSONAL LOAN
Achieve
4.5
8.99- 29.99%
Min credit score
620
$477
Loan amount
$5k-$50k
Read our reviewArrow Right
on Bankrate
See details
Bankrate logo

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.

Lock

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.

Loan

We partner with the best

Get connected with personalized lender options tailored to your needs, no matter where you are in your financial journey, whether you're browsing articles or prequalifying.
Book

No outside influence

We uphold editorial integrity by providing the information that is best for our readers and their wallets, not ours. Our staff writers have a wide range of experience, education and certifications to give you unbiased information you need to make important borrowing decisions.

A closer look at our top low-interest loans

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 large loan amounts

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
6.49%–25.29%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
695
Est. APR
6.49%–25.29%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
695
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • No fees
  • Same-day funding
  • Range of repayment options
Cons
  • Excellent credit required
  • Long credit history required
  • No prequalifying online
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an LightStream loan. LightStream is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Upstart: Best for borrowers with bad credit

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.70%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
300
Est. APR
6.70%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Low minimum loan amount
  • 15-day grace period
  • No credit score minimum
Cons
  • No co-borrowers allowed
  • Limited loan terms
  • High fees
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.

Upgrade: Best for 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
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
580
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Option to add a co-borrower
  • Range of loan amounts
  • Direct debt consolidation disbursement
Cons
  • Minimum income not specified
  • High maximum origination fee
  • Low maximum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Upgrade loan. Upgrade is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer loans

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Money management tools on website
  • Option to change payment date
  • Co-borrowers allowed
Cons
  • Origination fee
  • No same-day funding
  • High maximum interest rate
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Prosper loan. Prosper is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

SoFi: Best online lender

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
8.99%–29.49%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
650
Est. APR
8.99%–29.49%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
650
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Optional fees
  • Cosigners allowed
  • Mobile app
Cons
  • Chat support only available for account holders
  • High minimum APR
  • High minimum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an SoFi loan. SoFi is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Discover: Best for low maximum rates

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Est. APR
7.99%–24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5k–$40k
Min credit score
660
Est. APR
7.99%–24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5k–$40k
Min credit score
660
Loan term
3-7 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Option to pay creditors directly
  • Low fees
  • Prequalification offered
Cons
  • Can't be used to pay off a Discover card
  • No discounts
  • No joint applications
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Discover loan. Discover is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Best Egg: Best for secured personal loans

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Low starting rates
  • Low loan amount minimum
  • Lower minimum credit score than some debt consolidation lenders
Cons
  • Origination fee
  • No autopay discount
  • High maximum APR
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Best Egg loan. Best Egg is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Achieve: Best for fast funds with a co-borrower

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k–$50k
Min credit score
620
Est. APR
8.99%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k–$50k
Min credit score
620
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Allows co-signers
  • Fast funding
  • Personal loan consultant
Cons
  • Not available in every state
  • High minimum loan amount
  • Origination fee
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Achieve loan. Achieve is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

TD Bank: Best bank loan

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Est. APR
8.99%–23.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
700
Est. APR
8.99%–23.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
700
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Quick funding
  • Low starting APR
  • Low maximum APR
Cons
  • Late fee
  • Not available in all states
  • Stronger credit required
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an TD Bank loan. TD Bank is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Calculate your low-interest personal loan payment

Use Bankrate's loan calculator to compare interest rates and repayment terms to find the best repayment plan for your budget. Check what factors provide the most affordable estimated monthly payment and see how much total interest you may need to pay.

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 compare low-interest personal loans

Every lender and product is different. When it comes to comparing personal loans, there are several factors to consider, not just which product has the lowest annual percentage rate (APR). When shopping for a low-interest personal loan, keep the following factors in mind to determine the best options for your situation.

  • Lender requirements: Review each lender's income, credit score and debt-to-income (DTI) requirements to make sure you qualify for the loan. You'll also want to make sure the lender's minimum or maximum loan amounts meet your needs.
  • Interest rates and fees: The APR you are offered will vary widely by lender and your financial situation. Some lenders also charge certain fees — like origination fees, prepayment penalties and late fees — that other lenders do not.
  • Repayment terms: Each lender may offer different repayment terms, typically ranging from one to seven years. Consider the monthly payment you can afford and how long you want to pay for a loan.
  • Approval and funding timeline: Think about how quickly you need a personal loan and match that timeline with lenders that are able to process and fund loans as quickly as you need them to.
  • Discounts and perks: Some lenders offer perks and discounts to certain borrowers, including those who may already have accounts with the lender or those who sign up for autopay.
  • Lender reviews: Read through lender reviews to learn more about customer service and what to expect when working with the lender.

Low-interest personal loan rates

There are many factors that go into each person's interest rate, including your credit profile, the amount you need to borrow, type of loan you want and the current federal funds rate. The Federal Reserve impacts personal loan rates by raising or lowering this rate, which impacts the cost of borrowing money. 

Average rates as of May 07, 2025

Personal loans 12.43%

Lenders offer a range of rates, including a minimum and maximum rate. Depending on your credit, your rate will fall somewhere in between. The higher your credit score, the lower your rate may be, though other factors are considered as well. For example, shorter terms may receive a lower rate, and you may be able to lower your rate by signing up for autopay.

What are low-interest personal loans?

Generally, a low-interest personal loan has a rate far below the national average. As of May 7, 2025, the average personal loan rate was 12.43 percent. That’s much higher than the lowest single-digit rates advertised on many lenders’ websites.

Personal loans have a wide range of rates, and the APR you qualify for depends on your credit score. A low interest rate for an excellent credit borrower may be as low as 6.49 percent, while a low rate for a bad credit loan might start at 28.5 percent.

Although the lowest rates go to excellent borrowers, you should still shop for the lowest rate even if you have bad, fair or good credit. Bad credit lenders may offer special discounts if you make payments on time or set up automatic payments.

Pros and cons of low-interest personal loans

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • A lower monthly payment gives you more room in your budget.
  • You'll save more money on interest than you'd pay with other types of debt, such as credit cards.
  • No risk of losing an asset like a home or car, since most low-interest personal loans are unsecured.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Harder to qualify for if you have an unstable income or credit issues.
  • The lowest APRs are typically offered for shorter repayment terms with higher monthly payments.
  • May require more paperwork to prove creditworthiness.
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 Icon

How to get a low-interest personal loan

Even though personal loan rates and eligibility criteria vary widely from lender to lender, certain steps can increase your chances of qualifying for the lowest rate offered. 

  • Spruce up your credit score: Lenders use your credit score to predict how likely you are to repay your debt. Consider paying off your credit card balances and avoid applying for new credit to keep your score in the best shape. If you've been late on any payments, you may need to wait several months for your score to recover.
  • Pay off revolving debt: Besides payment history, your credit utilization ratio has the biggest impact on your score. The less available credit you use, the higher your score will be. If you can’t pay off your balances, get them as low as possible.
  • Learn lender requirements: Check to see what the lender requires for the lowest rates. You might need a certain income or choose a secured loan option to get the best rates.
  • Ask about discounts: Rate discounts for automatic payments could knock 0.25 to 0.50 percent off your APR. They are uncommon, so if you don’t see any advertised rate discounts on a lender’s website, ask about discounts when you apply.
  • Pay off other debt: Lenders compare how much monthly debt you pay to how much you earn. This is called your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. If it's too high, the lender is more likely to offer you a higher APR. Typically, the sweet spot for the best rates is below 36 percent.
  • Consider credit unions: If you qualify for membership with a credit union, you may find lower rates than you would with a traditional bank. Federal credit unions are required to cap loan rates at 18 percent, which is much lower than banks and online lenders.

How much a low-interest personal loan can save you

You could be saving thousands of dollars in interest accrual with a low-interest personal loan. Let's look at how much you could save on a $15,000 loan with a low interest rate compared to the same loan with a rate that is close to average and one with a higher rate.

Interest rate Loan term Monthly payment Interest paid Total amount paid
5% 24 months $658.07 $793.70 $15,793.70
10% 24 months $692.17 $1,612.17 $16,612.17
13% 24 months $713.13 $2,115.06 $17,115.06
25% 24 months $800.57 $4,213.75 $19,213.75

FAQs

How we choose our best low-interest 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 low-interest 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: