Best Personal Loans for Fair Credit in December 2025
Get the money you need with a credit score below 670
| Lender | APR | Term | Amount | Min. credit score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7.23% – 24.00% (Test) | 12 to 84 months | Up to $125M | Not specified | |
|
7.99% – 35.99% | 36 to 84 months | Starting at $2k | Not specified | |
|
7.99% – 35.99% | 24 to 84 months |
$1k – $50k |
580 | |
|
7.95% – 29.99% | 24 to 60 months |
$5k – $40k |
640 | |
|
7.99% – 35.99% | 24 to 72 months |
$1k – $36.5k |
660 |
Fair credit personal loan lenders at a glance
Best for: Low credit scores – Upstart
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
- Can qualify with a poor credit score
- Can borrow as little as Not specified
- May get funds as quickly as one business day after you’re approved
- May charge you an origination fee
- Can’t add a second person to your loan to boost your odds of approval
- Only two repayment options available (12 or 84 months)
Upstart ’s AI modeling helps it look past low credit scores and instead predict whether an applicant will default based on additional criteria. This makes it a top contender for bad-credit loans.
But the lower your score, the more likely you’ll get slammed with an expensive origination fee. This is a one-time fee Upstart will deduct from your loan funds before sending them to you. Some lenders (including Upstart ) charge origination fees to lower-credit borrowers as a way to offset the extra risk.
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: + (unless you’re an eligible college student or graduate, in which case Upstart could approve you with no credit)
Best for: Boosting approval odds with collateral – Best Egg
- Offering collateral on a secured loan can make it more likely Best Egg will approve you
- Does not require an appraisal of your collateral
- No extra paperwork required, compared to an unsecured personal loan
- Can’t apply for a loan with another person
- Must be a homeowner with enough equity to qualify for Best Egg ’s secured loan option
- Not available in Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or Washington, D.C.
Secured loans require collateral (or a valuable piece of property) that the lender can legally seize if you don’t make your payments. These loans reduce the lender’s risk and as a result, are usually easier to qualify for.
If you’re confident that you can repay, Best Egg ’s secured personal loan (called the Secured Loan + Homeowner Discount) is worth considering. Instead of using your home as collateral (like home equity does), Best Egg uses your home’s permanent fixtures, such as cabinets and vanities.
If you don’t want to put up collateral, Best Egg also offers traditional unsecured personal loans.
Best Egg uses your home’s permanent fixtures as collateral, but no appraisal is needed. Instead, Best Egg will review your credit history and home equity to see if you qualify.
You must also meet the requirements below to qualify for a Best Egg loan:
Best for: Combining banking with borrowing – Upgrade
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/.
- Rate discounts on both loans and cards if you open an eligible Upgrade checking account
- Earn up to 2.00% cash back for using your debit card on everyday purchases
- Allows you to add a second person to your loan
- Must get at least $1,000 in direct deposit to get all perks
- Likely to pay a high origination fee if you have fair credit
- No live chat if you need help applying (must call instead)
If you’re thinking about switching banks and you need a loan, consider Upgrade . Upgrade -branded checking accounts (through CrossRiver Bank) come with some sweet perks. Not only can you get a lower rate on Upgrade personal loans, but it also has a generous cash back program.
Keep in mind that you don’t just have to open a checking account to get these perks. You have to get at least $1,000 directly deposited into your account to unlock the best rewards.
To qualify for a loan through Upgrade , you must meet the requirements below:
- Age: Be 18 or older
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or 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: Smaller loans – LendingClub
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.
- Can borrow as little as $5,000
- Can apply with another person for better chance at approval
- Available in all states
- Potential for high origination fee
- Charges a late payment fee, but doesn’t share how much it is
- Customer service is not available on Sundays
Happy Money ’s low minimum borrowing amount — $5,000 — is perfect if you’re looking for a personal loan for everyday bills. Plus, borrowers with fair credit might qualify for lower rates by adding a creditworthy co-borrower to their loan.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a 0.00%-5.00% origination fee with every loan and you’ll have to pay a late fee if you get behind on payments.
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: Mobile app loan management – LendingPoint
- Can monitor your credit score for free with the mobile app
- Mobile app has high ratings from both Apple and Android users
- May receive a lower interest rate after six months of on-time payments
- Can’t apply for a loan with another person
- Could come with a high origination fee
- Not available in Nevada or West Virginia
LendingPoint ’s mobile app appeals to tech-savvy borrowers who use it to prequalify and apply for a loan, check credit scores and track finances. The LendingPoint app has high ratings on Apple and Android.
Keep in mind, though, that you could be facing a steep origination fee with LendingPoint , and their maximum annual percentage rate (APR) is a bit high.
To get a loan from LendingPoint , you must meet its minimum criteria:
- Age: Be 18 years old or older
- Administrative: Provide identification issued by the U.S. government, have a Social Security number and have a bank account
- Income: Have a minimum income of $35,000
- Residency: Not live in Nevada or West Virginia
- Credit score: 660+
How to compare the best personal loans for fair credit
Comparing lenders is key to finding the loan with the best terms for your situation (and credit profile). If you’re on the hunt for a personal loan for fair credit, keep an eye on:
APR: Because lenders reserve the lowest APRs for excellent-credit borrowers, look for lenders with the lowest maximum APRs. Since you have fair credit, lenders are more likely to offer you an APR on the upper end of their range.
Fees: Some lenders charge origination fees, late fees and prepayment penalties. Avoid these fees — but if you can’t, prioritize lenders with the lowest fees.
Loan terms: A longer loan term may mean lower monthly payments, but you’ll likely pay more interest over the life of your loan. Choose the shortest loan term that provides a monthly loan payment you can comfortably afford.
Loan amounts: Choose a lender that offers loans in the amount you need. Be sure to factor in any origination fees when assessing loan amounts, since the origination fee will be subtracted from the funds deposited in your account.
Funding timeline: After loan approval, you could be waiting for your funds for anywhere between a few hours to a week, depending on the lender. If you need money quickly, pay special attention to each lender’s funding timeline.
Why use LendingTree?
$2.8B in funding
In 2024 alone, LendingTree helped find funding for over $2.8 billion in personal loans.
$1,659 in savings
LendingTree users save $1,659 on average just by shopping and comparing rates.
309,000 loans
In 2024, LendingTree helped find funding for over 309,000 personal loans.
When banks compete, you win
You’d shop around for flights. Why not your loan? LendingTree makes it easy. Fill out one form and get lenders from the country’s largest network to compete for your business.
Tell us what you need
Take two minutes to tell us who you are and how much money you need. It’s free, simple and secure.
Shop your offers
Our users get 18 personal loan offers on average. Compare your offers side by side to get the best deal.
Get your money
Pick a lender and sign your loan paperwork. You could see money in your account in as soon as 24 hours.
What is a fair credit score?
A fair credit score ranges from 580 to 669 on the FICO model. If you have a fair credit score, you may not qualify for a lender’s lowest APR, and some lenders may not approve you for a personal loan at all.
If you get your credit score up to 670 (which is considered a good credit score), you’ll be more likely to qualify for loans and receive better offers.
You can confirm your current credit score using LendingTree Spring.
| Credit band | Credit type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 300 to 579 | Poor | Considered a risky borrower — may not qualify with many lenders |
| 580 to 669 | Fair | May have a thin credit history, have missed a couple of payments or have a high debt-to-income ratio |
| 670 to 739 | Good | Considered an above-average borrower in the eyes of lenders and may qualify for most loans |
| 740 to 799 | Very good | Considered a dependable borrower and may be eligible for low APRs |
| 800 to 850 | Excellent | Considered a low-risk borrower and may receive the lowest APRs |
Personal loan rates for fair credit
You might still be eligible for fair credit loans — but it’ll probably be more expensive, thanks to a high APR. Below you’ll find the average APRs provided to LendingTree users from our lending partners, organized by credit score.
| Credit score range | Average APR | Monthly payment | Interest | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800-850 (excellent) | 12.50% | $132.90 | $1,379.20 | $6,379.20 |
| 740-799 (very good) | 15.74% | $141.04 | $1,769.75 | $6,769.75 |
| 670-739 (good) | 28.72% | $176.33 | $3,463.69 | $8,463.69 |
| 580-669 (fair) | 92.45% | $396.46 | $14,029.85 | $19,029.85 |
| 300-579 (poor) | 260.34% | $1,084.84 | $47,072.20 | $52,072.20 |
A LendingTree study analyzed random LendingTree borrowers across many forms of credit, including mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and auto loans. The data found that increasing your credit score from fair to very good could save you more than $1,800 in personal loan interest payments and fees.
How to improve your credit score
Improving your credit score isn’t an overnight process. Still, the time and effort it takes can open the door to a larger lender selection, lower APRs and higher loan amounts. Here’s what you can do to boost your credit score:
Paying your bills in full and on time is the most important step to getting your credit in order. Just a single missed payment can cause your credit score to plummet by 50 to 100 points, as payment history accounts for 35% of your score.
Credit monitoring can help you keep tabs on your financial health. Since many services send you an alert when they detect suspicious activity, credit monitoring can make it easier for you to dispute anomalies or put a stop to credit-ruining identity theft.
No credit is better than bad credit, but a thin credit history can prevent you from moving from fair credit into the good range. If you’re struggling to build credit, you might want to apply for a secured credit card. You’ll need to put down a small deposit, but using a secured credit card responsibly might help you improve your score and gain access to better loan options in the future.
The amount of debt you have is one of the factors that affects your credit score. If you owe money on several credit cards, try to pay them down. After they’re paid off, it’s best to keep them open and use them sparingly. Closing your account completely can be detrimental to your credit score as it lowers the average age of your credit history.
Unfortunately, it can be common to find a mistake on your credit report. You can dispute a credit report error with the relevant credit bureau. Start by checking your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
How to get a loan with fair credit
Qualifying for a loan with fair credit isn’t always easy, but there are some steps you can take to make the process go a bit more smoothly.
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Avoid applying for new credit
When you apply for new credit, lenders will typically perform a hard credit inquiry to examine your credit score and history. These hard pulls can temporarily damage your credit score. If you know you’ll need to apply for a personal loan, avoid applying for other credit to keep your score as high as possible. -
Prequalify
Prequalification doesn’t hurt your credit score and can help you see the loans you’re eligible for before jumping into the formal application process. -
Add a cosigner
Using a cosigner to get a personal loan can improve your chances of approval, especially if they have a strong credit profile. However, this isn’t a risk-free route: If you’re unable to repay the loan, it’ll negatively impact your cosigner’s credit and they may be held liable for repayment.
Alternatives to fair credit loans
While personal loans for fair credit may be a good option for some people, other alternatives worth exploring include:
Buy now, pay later
Buy now, pay later apps allow you to make everyday purchases with a low down payment (or none at all). However, these apps are easy to use and don’t require much for approval, so it can take discipline to avoid overspending.
Secured loans
Secured loans can be a good alternative to fair credit loans, especially if you have a lower credit score and have trouble getting approved. A secured loan requires that you put down collateral (like a vehicle) to lower your risk in the eyes of lenders. Keep in mind that if you default on the loan, you risk losing your collateral.
Credit cards
If you need access to funds on a rolling basis rather than a lump sum, a credit card may be a better choice than a personal loan. Credit cards are especially helpful for small, recurring expenses like bills. Keep in mind that credit card interest rates can be high for borrowers who don’t have good to excellent credit.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Although it may be more difficult to secure a personal loan with a fair credit score, many lenders are willing to work with borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. Keep in mind you may receive a higher APR, as lower rates are typically reserved for borrowers with good or excellent credit.
Loans for fair credit often require that you provide documents proving your income and identification. When applying for a personal loan, you’ll most likely need to provide documents such as W-2s, a government-issued form of ID and bank statements.
Loans that don’t require credit checks, like payday loans, can be easy for borrowers to qualify for and offer quick access to cash. However, these types of loans are often predatory and charge interest rates as high as 400%. Instead, consider a payday alternative loan or a secured loan.
The minimum credit score required for a personal loan varies from lender to lender. Some lenders don’t specify their minimum required scores, so be sure to ask the lender directly before applying. Some lenders offer loan products specifically for borrowers with fair or bad credit.
Our methodology
We reviewed more than 30 lenders to determine the overall best nine personal loans for borrowers with fair credit. To make our list, lenders must offer personal loans to borrowers with credit scores below 670. We further prioritized lenders with competitive APRs and considered the following factors:
Accessibility. Lenders are ranked higher if their personal loans are available to more people and require fewer conditions. This may include lower credit requirements, wider geographic availability, faster funding and easier and more transparent prequalification and application processes.
Rates and terms. We prioritize lenders with more competitive fixed rates, fewer fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
Repayment experience. For starters, we consider each lender’s reputation and business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like free wealth coaching.