Best Personal Loans with the Lowest Rates in April 2026
See how much your personal loan could cost in dollars, then compare real loan offers from multiple lenders
- Personal loan APRs range from about 6% to 36%. We’ll show you what those rates mean in real dollars and monthly payments.
- You could qualify even with fair or bad credit. The better your credit, the less you’ll likely pay in interest.
- ranks as the best overall personal loan lender right now based on LendingTree’s objective methodology.
- Comparing offers from several lenders can help you save thousands on your loan.
See how much your loan could cost in real dollars
Use the table below to find the average annual percentage rate (APR) for your credit score based on real LendingTree marketplace data.
Then see how much your loan could cost by plugging the average APR for your credit score into the calculator below.
| Credit tier | Average APR |
|---|---|
| Excellent (800 and above) | 15.75% |
| Very good (740-799) | 17.89% |
| Good (670-739) | 23.27% |
| Fair (580-669) | 27.79% |
| Poor (under 580) | 30.25% |
Why borrowers apply for personal loans — and how needs vary by loan size and credit score
Debt consolidation is the leading reason borrowers apply for personal loans, accounting for nearly 1 in 3 requests (31.3%), according to a LendingTree analysis of consumer loan inquiries — far ahead of “other” at 19.5%.
Demand drops off from there: 10.6% of requests are for credit card refinancing, with smaller shares citing everyday bills (8.2%) and home improvements (6.6%).
Overall, the data shows personal loans serve a wide range of needs, from debt management to short-term expenses to larger planned purchases.
Key findings
- Debt consolidation leads by a wide margin. It accounts for 31.3% of requests — well ahead of the next category — with these borrowers requesting $11,829 on average and holding midrange credit scores (602).
- Smaller loans skew toward urgent needs. Requests for everyday bills, medical expenses and car repairs are typically under $6,000 and tied to lower average credit scores (571 to 574), suggesting short-term financial gaps.
- Larger loans align with planned spending. Homebuying ($18,838) and business ($14,704) have the highest average requested amounts and somewhat higher credit scores, indicating more deliberate use.
Why borrowers apply for personal loans
| Rank | Reason for personal loan | % of personal loan requests | Avg. requested loan size | Avg. credit score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Debt consolidation | 31.3% | $11,829 | 602 |
| 2 | Other | 19.5% | $5,889 | 573 |
| 3 | Credit card refinancing | 10.6% | $8,995 | 602 |
| 4 | Everyday bills | 8.2% | $4,317 | 574 |
| 5 | Home improvement | 6.6% | $10,769 | 600 |
| 6 | Major purchase | 5.3% | $10,630 | 614 |
| 7 | Medical expenses | 4.6% | $5,526 | 571 |
| 8 | Moving/relocation | 3.7% | $6,292 | 575 |
| 9 | Car financing | 3.5% | $9,997 | 585 |
| 10 | Car repair | 3.1% | $3,967 | 573 |
| 11 | Business | 1.6% | $14,704 | 580 |
| 12 | Vacation | 1.2% | $5,539 | 588 |
| 13 | Wedding expenses | 0.6% | $9,336 | 593 |
| 14 | Homebuying | 0.3% | $18,838 | 606 |
| 15 | Green loan | 0.0% | $7,187 | 597 |
Study methodology
This analysis is based on anonymized personal loan inquiries on the LendingTree platform from April 2025 through March 2026. Reasons for loan requests, requested loan amounts and self-reported credit scores were provided by consumers at the time of inquiry. Percentages reflect the share of total requests during the study period.
Estimate your monthly loan payment in seconds
You don’t need to know your exact loan term (how long you’ll pay off your loan) right away. Play around with the calculator to see how your term affects your monthly payments.
Rule of thumb: Choose the shortest loan term with a monthly payment you can afford. Short loan terms mean a cheaper loan overall, but higher monthly payments. Long terms mean more expensive loans overall, but lower monthly payments.
Save money and time by comparing real offers
You’d shop around for flights. Why not your loan? LendingTree makes it easy. Instead of applying to just one lender and hoping for a good rate, see multiple lenders compete for your business — so you can choose the best offer.
Tell us what you need
Take two minutes to share a few details about yourself and how much you want to borrow. It’s free, simple and secure.
Shop your offers
LendingTree users receive 11 personal loan offers on average. Compare yours side by side to find the one that works best for you.
Get your money
Users save an average of $1,659 by choosing the offer with the lowest rate. Once you pick a lender and sign your paperwork, you could see money in your account in as little as 24 hours.
Getting multiple offers makes lenders compete for your business, which can help you get a cheaper loan.
- You could save thousands. LendingTree users save an average of $1,659 by comparing personal loan offers and choosing the best one. People with fair or good credit could save up to $3,138 by getting six or more offers.
- The best time to save is when you apply. Once you take out a loan, you’d need to refinance (get a new loan) to get lower rates and payments down the line.
Best personal loan companies right now
Best personal loan company overall
As of May 2026, is the best personal loan company according to our methodology (how we evaluate and score lenders). offers quick funding, optional fees and competitive rates.
LendingTree personal loan experts evaluate and rate lenders using an impartial, proprietary rating system that considers the factors that matter most to you: how easy loans are to qualify for, how much they cost and how easy they are to pay back. We apply the same methodology to every lender to ensure fair comparisons.
Learn more about how we rate personal loan companies.
Best alternatives:
- Upgrade (low rates and accessible to people with fair credit)
- PenFed (low rates and no fees)
Best lenders by situation
| Lender recommendations | |
|---|---|
| Best personal loan lenders | , Upgrade , PenFed |
| No required fees | Discover , , PenFed, |
| Same-day funding | , , |
| Loans for bad credit | Upstart , |
| Loans for fair credit | Best Egg , Happy Money |
Top 10 best personal loan companies
| Lender | User rating | Best for | APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Runner-up, overall personal loans | 7.99% to 35.99% | ||
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Lowest rates with collateral | 7.99% to 35.99% | ||
|
Excellent customer service and no fees | 7.99% to 24.99% | ||
|
Joint loans, fair credit OK | 7.95% to 29.99% | ||
|
Bad or no credit | 7.23% to 24.00% (Test) |
| Lender |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User rating | |||||
| Best for | Runner-up, overall personal loans | Lowest rates with collateral | Excellent customer service and no fees | Joint loans, fair credit OK | Bad or no credit |
| APR | 7.99% to 35.99% | 7.99% to 35.99% | 7.99% to 24.99% | 7.95% to 29.99% | 7.23% to 24.00% (Test) |
Best for: Runner-up, overall personal loans – Upgrade
- APR
- 7.99% to 35.99%
Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 7.99%-35.99%. All personal loans have a 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. Loans feature repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.59% APR (which includes a 13.94% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $341.48. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,293.46. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by Upgrade’s bank partners. Information on Upgrade’s bank partners can be found at https://www.upgrade.com/bank-partners/.
- Recommended by 97% of LendingTree users who borrow from Upgrade
- Get money in as soon as one business day
- Can send money directly to your creditors if you’re consolidating
- Customer service available every day of the week, including weekends
- Fair credit OK
- Charges an upfront origination fee
- Some other lenders offer a lower starting APR
Lending platform Upgrade stands out for its borrower-friendly features, low qualification requirements and highly rated customer service. Upgrade lets you save with four APR discount opportunities or by applying for a joint personal loan (a loan you share with a co-borrower) for better odds at a lower rate.
Keep in mind that if you take out an Upgrade personal loan, you’ll pay an upfront origination fee of 1.85%-9.99% of your loan amount. Want to skip the fees? Check out no-fee lenders like PenFed, Discover and .
To qualify for a loan through Upgrade , you must meet the requirements below:
- Age: Be at least 18 years old (19 in some states)
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or live in the U.S. with a valid visa
- Administrative: Have a valid bank account and email address
- Credit score: 580+
Best for: Lowest rates with collateral – Best Egg
- APR
- 7.99% to 35.99%
- Secured loans are generally easier to qualify for and can come with lower rates
- Get money in as soon as 24 hours
- Fair credit OK
- Not available in all states
- Charges an upfront fee on every loan
- Can’t apply for a loan with another person
I shopped for personal loans with Best Egg using my real information. Here’s what I found:
- Application experience: Best Egg asks more questions than the average lender, but its application is clear and easy to complete. Once you have offers, you can quickly click through to a loan agreement that outlines the next steps and how much you’ll pay.
- Unusual questions to prepare for: Annual income for other people in your household, other types of accounts held (e.g., savings, retirement and investments), car payment, number of cash advances taken in past six months
If you have fair to good credit, own your home and want to boost your approval odds, Best Egg ’s secured loan for homeowners is worth considering. You’ll back your Best Egg secured loan with fixtures in your house like cabinets and lighting. Offering collateral can make it easier to get a loan (or even lower rates) because it reduces the lender’s risk.
Think twice about Best Egg ’s secured loan if you’re planning to move or refinance. Because Best Egg puts a lien on your fixtures, the loan needs to be paid in full before you can sell or refinance your mortgage. Also note that you can’t apply for a Best Egg loan with another person (like the co-owner of your house, for instance).
Best Egg uses built‑in home fixtures as collateral but doesn’t require an appraisal of them. It reviews your credit history and home equity instead.
You must also meet the requirements below to qualify for a Best Egg loan:
- Age: Be of legal age to accept a loan in your state (usually 18)
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S.
- Administrative: Have a personal checking account, email address and physical address
- Residency: Not live in the District of Columbia, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or U.S. territories
- Credit score: +
Best for: Excellent customer service and no fees – Discover
- APR
- 7.99% to 24.99%
The APR ranges from 7.99% to 24.99% APR based on creditworthiness at time of application. Loans up to $35,000. Fast & Easy Process. Terms are 36 to 84 months. No prepayment penalty. This is not a firm offer of credit. Any results displayed are estimates and we do not guarantee the applicability or accuracy to your specific circumstance. For example, for a $15,000 loan with an APR of 10.99% and 60 month term, the estimated monthly payment would be $326. The estimated total cost of the loan in this example would be $19,560.
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- U.S.-based loan specialists available seven days a week
- Get money as soon as the next business day
- Repayment assistance options if you can’t make payments
- No fees
- Can’t apply for a loan with another person
- Need good or excellent credit to qualify
- Can only borrow up to $40,000
I shopped for personal loans with Discover using my real information. Here’s what I found:
- Application experience: Discover ’s application process was quick and easy — there were only a few questions and the interface was intuitive. I got instant offers, and Discover gave me a reference number to log back in and review them again later.
- Unusual questions to prepare for: None! Just remember to have your Social Security number on hand.
With a 97% approval rating from LendingTree users, Discover earns high marks for customer satisfaction. Its U.S.-based loan specialists are available seven days a week, take phone calls and offer extended customer service hours as late as 11 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays.
Discover personal loans only go up to $40,000, so if you’re looking for a large personal loan, consider other lenders on this list like LightStream or .
You’ll need to meet these eligibility criteria to get a Discover loan:
- Age: Be at least 18
- Citizenship: Have a Social Security number
- Administrative: Have a physical address, email address and internet access
- Income: Minimum income of $40,000 (individually or as a household)
- Credit score: +
Best for: Joint loans, fair credit OK – LendingClub
- APR
- 7.95% to 29.99%
All loans are subject to credit review and approval. Your actual rate depends upon credit score, loan amount, loan term, credit usage and history. Currently loans are not offered in: MA, MS, NE, NV, OH, and WV.
- Get money as soon as 24 hours
- Available to people with fair credit
- Can apply with another person for better odds of approval
- May charge upfront origination fee (0.00%-5.00%)
- Borrowers with bad credit won’t qualify
If you have fair credit and want to boost your odds of getting a loan with lower rates, check out Happy Money . While many lenders don’t offer joint loans, Happy Money allows co-borrowers — adding another person with good credit can help you qualify, get lower rates and even qualify for more money.
Happy Money sometimes charges an upfront origination fee that it takes out of your loan before sending you the money. You won’t qualify for a Happy Money loan with bad credit, so check out and Upstart if your credit score is below 580.
To be eligible for a Happy Money personal loan, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Be at least 18 years old
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Administrative: Have a verifiable bank account
- Credit score: 640+
Best for: Bad or no credit – Upstart
- APR (Test)
- 7.23% to 24.00%
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 21.58% and a 9.84% origination fee of $984, for an APR of 26.82%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9016 and will make 60 monthly payments of $275. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in December 2023. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.
QA Test
- Low or no credit won’t disqualify you
- Get money in as soon as one business day
- Consistently rated top 3 in customer satisfaction by LendingTree users
- Can’t take out a loan with another person
- Only two repayment terms to choose from (12 or 84 months)
- May charge an origination fee
“I had never taken out a personal loan before, but it only took me a few minutes to fill out Upstart ’s application and hear back about whether I prequalified. On top of that, I got to skip paying an origination fee — which saved me money — and the monthly payments ended up fitting my budget.” – Amanda Push, LendingTree deputy editor
Upstart loans are worth considering for applicants with limited or bad credit history. Unlike most other lenders, Upstart offers loans to borrowers who are credit invisible or don’t have long enough credit histories to generate a credit score.
You’ll likely pay a high price to get an Upstart loan if you have bad or no credit — Upstart charges rates as high as 24.00%.
Upstart has transparent eligibility requirements, including:
- Age: Be 18 or older
- Administrative: Have a U.S. address, personal banking account, email address and Social Security number
- Income: Have a valid source of income, including a job, job offer or another regular income source
- Credit-related factors: No bankruptcies within the last three years, reasonable number of recent inquiries on your credit report and no current delinquencies
- Credit score: None
What is a personal loan?
A personal loan gives you a lump sum of money — typically sent straight to your bank account — that you’ll pay back in equal monthly payments. Here’s what to know:
- Fixed interest: Interest stays the same during the loan, and so do your payments. Credit card interest goes up and down with the market.
- How to qualify: There’s no universal minimum credit score for personal loans — but the better your credit, the cheaper your loan will likely be. Learn more about personal loan requirements.
- How to apply: You can apply for a personal loan on the lender’s website or use a service like LendingTree to get quotes from up to five lenders at once.
Personal loans are a popular solution for dealing with debt. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Americans have a personal loan, have had one in the past or have considered getting one, according to a LendingTree survey.
Track personal loan rates with LendingTree
Personal loan rates have held steady over the past year, but they remain relatively high — making it more important than ever to compare lenders and find the best offer for your credit profile.
How your credit score affects what you’ll pay
It’s hard to know how much your loan will actually cost in dollars when you’re looking at APR ranges. The example below shows how your credit score can affect the amount you pay when you borrow $5,000 over 48 months.
| Credit score range | Average APR | Monthly payment | Interest | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent (800 and above) | 15.75% | $141.06 | $1,770.98 | $6,770.98 |
| Very good (740-799) | 17.89% | $146.59 | $2,036.21 | $7,036.21 |
| Good (670-739) | 23.27% | $161.00 | $2,727.90 | $7,727.90 |
| Fair (580-669) | 27.79% | $173.66 | $3,335.70 | $8,335.70 |
| Poor (under 580) | 30.25% | $180.76 | $3,676.37 | $8,676.37 |
Improving your credit before getting a loan will help you get lower rates and save money. You could save more than $1,804 on your loan by raising your score from “fair” to “very good,” according to a LendingTree study.
How to choose the best loan for your credit score
When comparing personal loan offers, use the LendingTree loan calculator to compare APRs, monthly payment and total interest payments. Here’s what to expect and watch out for based on your credit score:
| Your credit band | Typical loan options | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent (800 and above) | Low rates, options with no fees | Prioritize offers with low rates and no origination fee. |
| Good to very good (670 – 799) | Slightly higher rates, may need to pay fees | Lenders deduct origination fees before sending your loan, so make sure you’ll get the full amount of money you need. |
| Fair (580 – 669) | Fewer options with higher rates, fees likely | Find the offer with the lowest APR that has a monthly payment you can afford. |
| Poor (under 580) | Few options, highest rates | Add a co-borrower or collateral for lower rates and better odds of approval. |
Expert insights on finding the lowest personal loan rate
If you don’t shop around for the best rate on your next personal loan, you’re probably going to pay too much. Rates, terms and amounts can vary significantly by lender, so it is absolutely worth the effort to compare offers from multiple personal loan companies.
Life’s too expensive today to settle for paying more than you need.
More personal loan guides
How we chose the best personal loans
We reviewed more than 40 lenders and loan marketplaces that offer personal loans to determine the overall best 10 lenders. LendingTree reviews and fact-checks our top lender picks on a monthly basis.
According to our systematic rating and review process, the best personal loans come from , Upgrade , Best Egg , Discover , Happy Money , , , , and Upstart .
We assessed each lender across four categories: eligibility and access; cost to borrow; loan terms and options; repayment support and tools.
Our categories
We assess how easy it is for people to qualify and apply. This includes state availability, soft-credit prequalification, membership requirements, funding speed and whether borrowers with less-than-excellent credit can get a loan.
We evaluate how affordable the loans are based on minimum and maximum APRs, loan fees and rate discounts. Lenders with unclear or potentially predatory costs receive lower scores.
We consider repayment term flexibility, loan amount ranges and whether options like secured loans, joint loans or direct-to-creditor payments are offered — plus whether the lender clearly communicates these options.
We evaluate borrower experience after funding: customer service access, hardship or forbearance programs, payment flexibility and digital tools like mobile apps or credit monitoring.
Our process
We gather data directly from lenders through their websites, disclosures and direct communication with company representatives. Our editorial team verifies and updates information regularly. We value transparency and award less favorable scores when lenders obscure or omit details.
Our editorial team applies the same scoring model and standards to every lender. Lenders cannot pay to influence our ratings. Read more about our editorial guidelines.
Why trust LendingTree’s methodology?
Our writers and editors dig through the facts, contact lenders directly and even go through the application process ourselves if it helps better explain what you can expect. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠, I’m committed to breaking down complex financial details so people can make confident, informed decisions with their money.
Jessica’s experience in editing and financial education helps shape LendingTree articles that are clear, accurate and truly useful to readers. Her certification means our recommendations are built on a foundation of consumer-first financial knowledge — not just numbers.
Frequently asked questions
LendingTree’s top 10 lenders offer legitimate personal loans that you can apply for online. Read about personal loan disadvantages to protect yourself from the risks that come with any personal loan.
Choosing the right personal loan lender is all about shopping around. Prequalify (check your rates) with several lenders, compare your offers and choose the one that fits your budget. You can get offers from up to five lenders at once with LendingTree.
Online-only lenders typically offer fast funding and can be easier to qualify for than traditional personal loans from brick-and-mortar banks, but they sometimes come with one-time origination fees that can make your loan more expensive.
Yes, some personal loan comparison sites are trustworthy. LendingTree writers and editors evaluate lenders impartially and don’t receive compensation for reviews. Learn more about how we review lenders.