Personal
Personal Loans
Unsecured personal loans for debt consolidation, home improvements, medical bills, and major purchases — ranked by APR, term, and approval credit-box.
Compare Personal Loans
- Apply at Truist BankTruist Bank
LightStream
No-fee home improvement loan — lowest APR for good-to-excellent credit.
Full review - Apply at SoFi Bank, N.A.SoFi Bank, N.A.
SoFi
No-fee personal loan with unemployment protection for existing SoFi members.
Full review - Apply at Upgrade, Inc. and partner banksUpgrade, Inc. and partner banks
Upgrade
Fair-credit home improvement loan with direct-to-contractor payment option.
Full review - See HELOC lendersVarious — see Best HELOC Lenders 2026
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit)
Cheapest home improvement financing for homeowners with 20%+ equity.
Full review - See HUD 203(k) program detailsFHA-approved lenders (HUD-backed program)
FHA 203(k) Renovation Loan
Buy and renovate in one loan — or refinance equity-poor homes for improvement.
Full review - See mortgage refinance lendersVarious mortgage lenders — see Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders 2026
Cash-Out Refinance
Replace your mortgage and extract equity for renovation — at mortgage rates.
Full review - Apply at Truist BankTruist Bank
LightStream
Same-day emergency cash at the lowest APR for prime-credit borrowers.
Full review - Apply at SoFi Bank, N.A.SoFi Bank, N.A.
SoFi Personal Loan
Fast emergency funding with unemployment protection for good-to-excellent credit.
Full review - Apply at Cross River Bank / FinWise Bank (partner banks); Upstart Network, Inc.Cross River Bank / FinWise Bank (partner banks); Upstart Network, Inc.
Upstart
AI-powered underwriting that funds emergency loans for thin and limited credit profiles.
Full review - Apply at Upgrade, Inc. (partner banks)Upgrade, Inc. (partner banks)
Upgrade
Fair-credit emergency loans with next-day funding for 580+ FICO borrowers.
Full review - Apply at Cross River Bank (issuing partner); Marlette Funding, LLCCross River Bank (issuing partner); Marlette Funding, LLC
Best Egg
Emergency and consolidation loans with same-day or next-day funding.
Full review - Apply at OneMain FinancialOneMain Financial
OneMain Financial
Same-day branch funding for emergency cash — the regulated option for any credit level.
Full review - Apply at OneMain FinancialOneMain Financial
OneMain Financial
Secured or unsecured personal loans from a direct lender with 1,500+ branch locations.
Full review - Apply at Upstart Network (lending partners)Upstart Network (lending partners)
Upstart
AI-powered underwriting that goes beyond FICO — considers education and employment history.
Full review - Apply at Avant, LLCAvant, LLC
Avant
Fair-credit personal loans with a clean digital experience and fast funding.
Full review - Apply at LendingPoint, LLCLendingPoint, LLC
LendingPoint
Near-prime lender with fast approvals; no published minimum FICO, weighs income alongside credit.
Full review
Guides
What to know before you compare
Personal loans are unsecured installment loans — fixed term, fixed monthly payment, no collateral. Used for debt consolidation, home improvement, medical bills, weddings, and large one-time purchases. The 2026 market splits between bank lenders (cheaper, slower, tighter credit-box) and online/fintech lenders (faster, broader credit-box, higher APR).
The buying guides below rank by APR + term flexibility + realistic approval at typical FICO bands.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do you need for a personal loan?+
Requirements vary by lender. Many online lenders extend personal loans starting around 580-640 FICO, though the lowest advertised APRs are generally reserved for borrowers above 720. Below roughly 600, options narrow and rates rise sharply. Lenders also evaluate income, existing debt, and debt-to-income ratio — a strong income profile can sometimes offset a middling score, and vice versa.
How does a personal loan work?+
A personal loan is an unsecured installment loan: you borrow a fixed amount, then repay it in equal monthly payments over a set term, typically two to seven years. The interest rate is usually fixed, so the payment stays the same for the life of the loan. Because most personal loans are unsecured, approval and pricing rest on creditworthiness rather than collateral.
What can a personal loan be used for?+
Most personal loans are general-purpose and can fund debt consolidation, home improvements, medical bills, weddings, moving costs, or large one-time purchases. Some lenders restrict use — commonly prohibiting post-secondary tuition, gambling, or business expenses — so check the loan agreement. Debt consolidation and credit-card refinancing are among the most common and financially sound uses, since they can lower a blended interest rate.
What is the difference between a secured and unsecured personal loan?+
An unsecured personal loan requires no collateral; approval depends on credit and income, and the lender's only recourse on default is collection or legal action. A secured loan is backed by an asset — a savings account, vehicle, or CD — which the lender can claim if you default. Secured loans often carry lower rates or open access for thinner credit profiles, but they put the pledged asset at risk.
Does prequalifying for a personal loan affect your credit?+
Most lenders let you prequalify or check estimated rates using a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your score and lets you compare offers. A hard inquiry — which can lower your score by a few points — generally happens only when you formally submit an application and accept terms. Prequalifying with several lenders within a short window is a common way to shop without meaningful credit impact.
How fast can you get a personal loan?+
Many online and fintech lenders fund approved personal loans within one to three business days, and some offer same- or next-day funding. Traditional banks and credit unions can take several business days to a couple of weeks. Speed depends on verification — having income documents, identity, and bank details ready typically shortens the timeline. Faster funding does not necessarily mean a higher rate.