#1
SoFi
Member-first digital lender with no fees
4.8/5
Editor verified · 12,483 reviews
- APR
- 8.99%–25.81%
- Loan amount
- $5,000 – $100,000
- Min. credit
- 680
Best for: Excellent credit, high loan amounts
Personal loans
Best Personal Loans of 2026
From debt consolidation to home improvement, we ranked 42 personal loan lenders on rates, fees, funding speed and eligibility. Rates start at 6.99% APR for excellent-credit borrowers.
🇺🇸Showing lenders for United States
6.99%
Lowest APR
$100k
Max loan amount
Same day
Fastest funding
42
Lenders compared
Live · US
30-yr fixed mortgage6.42%-0.03%
15-yr fixed5.71%-0.02%
Variable mortgage6.18%+0.01%
HELOC8.52%+0.04%
Personal loan (prime)9.12%-0.05%
New auto7.14%+0.02%
Used auto7.98%-0.01%
Credit card avg (APR)22.70%
Fed funds4.75%
Top savings4.60%
30-yr fixed mortgage6.42%-0.03%
15-yr fixed5.71%-0.02%
Variable mortgage6.18%+0.01%
HELOC8.52%+0.04%
Personal loan (prime)9.12%-0.05%
New auto7.14%+0.02%
Used auto7.98%-0.01%
Credit card avg (APR)22.70%
Fed funds4.75%
Top savings4.60%
Ranked · updated daily
Best best personal loans of 2026 of 2026
Ranked by our editorial team on rates, fees, transparency, flexibility and customer experience.
#2
LightStream
A division of Truist for prime borrowers
4.7/5
Editor verified · 9,421 reviews
- APR
- 7.49%–25.29%
- Loan amount
- $5,000 – $100,000
- Min. credit
- 695
Best for: Home improvement and large purchases
#3
Upstart
AI-driven underwriting for thin-file borrowers
4.5/5
Editor verified · 18,902 reviews
- APR
- 7.8%–35.99%
- Loan amount
- $1,000 – $50,000
- Min. credit
- 300
Best for: Fair credit and short credit histories
#4
LendingClub
Peer-to-peer pioneer for debt consolidation
4.2/5
Editor verified · 15,320 reviews
- APR
- 8.98%–35.99%
- Loan amount
- $1,000 – $40,000
- Min. credit
- 600
Best for: Debt consolidation with co-borrowers
#5
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
No-fee loans from a global investment bank
4.4/5
Editor verified · 6,212 reviews
- APR
- 6.99%–24.99%
- Loan amount
- $3,500 – $40,000
- Min. credit
- 660
Best for: On-time payment rewards
#6
Discover Personal Loans
Established bank with 30-day money back
4.5/5
Editor verified · 11,003 reviews
- APR
- 7.99%–24.99%
- Loan amount
- $2,500 – $40,000
- Min. credit
- 660
Best for: Debt consolidation with direct pay
#7
Avant
Fair-credit personal loans up to $35,000
4/5
Editor verified · 7,420 reviews
- APR
- 9.95%–35.99%
- Loan amount
- $2,000 – $35,000
- Min. credit
- 580
Best for: Fair credit borrowers
Side-by-side
Compare lender terms
| Lender | APR | Amount | Term | Min. credit | Funding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SoFi Member-first digital lender with no fees | 8.99%–25.81% | $5,000–$100,000 | 24–84 months | 680 | As fast as same day | Review → |
LightStream A division of Truist for prime borrowers | 7.49%–25.29% | $5,000–$100,000 | 24–144 months | 695 | Same day to 3 days | Review → |
Upstart AI-driven underwriting for thin-file borrowers | 7.8%–35.99% | $1,000–$50,000 | 36–60 months | 300 | Next business day | Review → |
LendingClub Peer-to-peer pioneer for debt consolidation | 8.98%–35.99% | $1,000–$40,000 | 24–60 months | 600 | 2-4 business days | Review → |
Marcus by Goldman Sachs No-fee loans from a global investment bank | 6.99%–24.99% | $3,500–$40,000 | 36–72 months | 660 | 1-4 business days | Review → |
Discover Personal Loans Established bank with 30-day money back | 7.99%–24.99% | $2,500–$40,000 | 36–84 months | 660 | Next business day possible | Review → |
Avant Fair-credit personal loans up to $35,000 | 9.95%–35.99% | $2,000–$35,000 | 24–60 months | 580 | Next business day | Review → |
Editorial guide
Everything to know before you apply
What is a personal loan?
A personal loan is an installment loan with a fixed rate, fixed monthly payment and a term of 12 to 84 months. Most personal loans are unsecured — meaning no collateral is required — and can be used for almost anything: consolidating credit card debt, funding a wedding, covering medical bills or making a large purchase.
Because they're unsecured, APRs are higher than mortgages or auto loans but typically much lower than credit cards. In late 2026, the average personal loan APR is 12.28%, versus 22.7% for credit cards.
How to compare personal loans
Look beyond the advertised rate. The four numbers that actually change what you pay are: APR (which includes fees), origination fee (0%–12% of the loan), term length and any prepayment penalty.
Prequalify with 3–5 lenders in a two-week window — credit bureaus treat this as a single inquiry — and compare the personalized offers, not the marketing rates.
What credit score do you need?
Prime lenders like SoFi and LightStream want 680+ for their best rates. Upstart and Avant approve borrowers as low as 300 by considering education and employment, but the APR trade-off is steep.
Every 20 FICO points is roughly worth 1.5%–2% off your APR at most lenders — worth a 60-day credit-improvement push before applying.
FAQ
Common questions
Still stuck? Our editorial team answers reader questions weekly.
Does getting matched on BankMatch hurt my credit score?
No. BankMatch never runs a credit check — we match you based on the credit score range you self-report, so there's zero impact on your FICO. A hard inquiry only happens later, if and when you formally apply directly with a lender.
How fast can I get my money?
SoFi, LightStream and Marcus can deposit funds the same business day if approved before their cutoff. Most lenders fund in 1–4 business days.
Are there fees to watch for?
Origination fees (0%–12%) are the biggest cost after APR. LightStream, SoFi, Marcus and Discover charge no origination fees. Also check for late fees, prepayment penalties and returned-payment fees.
Can I use a personal loan for anything?
Almost — most lenders prohibit gambling, illegal activity, post-secondary tuition and business investments. Debt consolidation, home improvement and medical are the top approved uses.