Best Short-Term Loans in April 2026
A short-term loan could be best if you don’t qualify for a 0% APR credit card or need cash, not credit
- OneMain Financial’s Short-Term Relief Loan is our pick for the best short-term loan on the market, based on LendingTree research.
- While “short-term loan” usually means a personal loan that’s due in 6 to 36 months, some have even shorter terms.
- If you need an emergency short-term loan, you should still shop around and stick with vetted lenders, like those on this page.
When it can make sense to get a short-term loan
- A short-term loan can make sense if you have less-than-perfect credit or need more time than 18 to 21 months (the typical introductory period) to repay. Otherwise, a 0% intro APR credit card may be a better fit.
- A short-term loan can help you pay a bill on time and avoid late fees, but this should be an option only if the cost of borrowing is worth it. Compare the loan’s total interest to the total amount of late fees you’d potentially pay.
- A short-term loan can be a bridge between paydays, but it’s better to save it for one-time emergencies. Borrowing regularly to cover everyday expenses can quickly lead to a cycle of debt.
How rates and fees work on short-term loans
Annual percentage rates (APRs) represent the total cost of a loan over a year’s time, including interest and/or fees. The higher a loan’s APR, the more expensive it is. Many financial professionals agree that 36% is the cutoff between an affordable and a high-interest loan.
Some short-term loans only last for a few weeks or months at a time. In those cases, a super-high APR might actually only be a modest fee. APRs assume the loan will be active for at least a year, so terms that are less than one year can skew this number.
For example, a $75 fee on a $500 loan with a three-month term translates to an APR of about 60%, but that fee still adds only $75 in total.
Still, exercise extreme caution when considering any loan with 36%+ rates. For loans with terms of 12 months or more, use a personal loan calculator to estimate costs.
Also note that while most of the lenders on this list use traditional APR pricing, some charge finance or origination fees instead of interest. Even then, costs are still typically expressed as an APR.
When comparing personal loans, consider total interest, how long you’ll have to repay, and whether the loan’s benefits outweigh its costs.
| Lender | User rating | APR | Term | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18.00% to 35.99% | Not specified |
$1.5k – $20k |
||
|
8.01% to 29.99% | 36 to 60 months |
$2k – $45k |
Read more about how we made our picks for the best short-term loans.
Best short-term loan lenders at a glance
Best for: Short-term loans overall – Upstart
- APR
- 18.00% to 35.99%
- Reasonable rates, especially when compared to other small, short-term loans
- Has a finance charge, but no interest
- May not always need good credit or a long credit history to qualify
- Consistently ranked #1 in customer satisfaction by LendingTree users
- May be available with bad or thin credit, but finance charge can be high
- Offers next-day (not same-day) loans
- No joint loans
OneMain Financial’s relief loan is our top overall pick for short-term personal loans. These small loans were designed for emergencies, and. borrowers with bad or no credit may still qualify —potentially helping them avoid the payday loan cycle.
Online lending platform OneMain Financial uses an AI-powered algorithm to review loan applications. It says this allows it to approve borrowers that other lenders may deny, and offer lower rates to those who qualify.
Upstart’s relief loan could be a great option if you have an unexpected need for cash. Eligible borrowers may qualify for $1,500 to $20,000, with terms from Not specified to Not specified months.
Instead of charging interest, OneMain Financial charges an origination fee (up to 35.99%) on its short-term relief loan. This finance charge is included in your monthly payment. Although this finance charge may not be the lowest, it’s significantly cheaper than the triple-digit APRs that can come with payday loans.
OneMain Financial 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, such as a job, job offer or another regular income source
- Credit-related factors: No bankruptcies within the last three years, a reasonable number of recent inquiries on your credit report and no current delinquencies
- Credit score: None
OneMain Financial’s relief loan is not available in these states: the District of Columbia, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.
Best for: Short-term loans with strong customer support – First Tech Credit Union
- APR
- 8.01% to 29.99%
- Virtual appointments for one-on-one help from a professional
- Very few complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at the time of writing
- Same-day loan possible
- Must become a member to borrow (but it’s easy to join)
Rocket Loans
offers online short-term loans ranging from $2,000 to $45,000 with terms of 36 to 60 months.
If you need help becoming a member or applying for a loan, you can make a virtual appointment with a First Tech representative. Appointments are conducted over the phone and can be made the same day, if there’s availability.
At the time of this writing, Rocket Loans had very few complaints with the CFPB — fewer than 50 over the last year (from hundreds of thousands of members). Short-term loans are only available to credit union members, but First Tech’s membership requirements aren’t as strict as some other credit unions.
You must meet at least one of the following criteria to join First Tech:
- Work for a partnering employer
- Be related to a current First Tech member
- Live in Lane County, Ore.
- Become a member of the Computer History Museum or Financial Fitness Association (First Tech may pay for your first year of membership, and you don’t have to maintain membership to keep your First Tech account)
Common scenarios: is a short-term loan the right move?
A short-term emergency loan can be a lifesaver, but in some cases, the immediate financial relief might not be worth the loan payments over the next few months or years. Here are some common reasons why people get short-term loans, with insights to help you decide if one is right for you.
| Situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| Auto repair | Short-term loans are best for speed, not cost. If you need your car to get to work, paying more to fix it quickly with an auto repair loan may make sense if you can afford it. |
| Gap between paychecks | A short-term loan can get you by until payday. Problems start when a one-time gap turns into repeated borrowing. |
| Limited credit options | Emergency loans for bad credit may be easier to qualify for, but the main risk is agreeing to a loan you can’t afford. |
| Struggling with everyday expenses | Short-term loans aren’t a sustainable financial solution. Repeated borrowing can lead to a cycle of debt. |
Avoiding predatory short-term loans
Some types of short-term loans target borrowers with bad credit. These loans can be enticing because they don’t require a credit check, but they are structured in a way that could put you at a disadvantage.
A pawn shop loan requires you to temporarily give a valuable item, like jewelry, to a pawn shop in exchange for cash. It doesn’t require a credit check, but you risk losing your item if you can’t make payments.
A car title loan requires you to temporarily give a lender your car title in exchange for money, but rates and fees are high. Plus, a car title loan puts your car at risk.
A payday loan is a high-fee loan that is due on your next payday. Some short-term loans work similarly, but payday loans typically carry higher APRs.
Some short-term loans let you take out a second loan to pay off the first if you can’t repay it on time. This is called a loan rollover or renewal, and they’re especially common with payday loans.
Loan rollovers cost a fee, and when borrowers roll over a loan, they’re adding to their debt instead of making progress paying it down, like financial quicksand.
If you have to take a payday loan, have a solid plan to pay it in full on your due date.
Compare short-term loans from trusted lenders with LendingTree
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 tell us who you are and how much money you need. It’s free, simple and secure.
Shop your offers
LendingTree users typically qualify for at least four personal loan offers, even with bad credit. Compare your offers side by side to get the best deal.
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.
Want to learn more about finding your best offer? Check out our full guide to comparing personal loans online with LendingTree.
Alternatives to short-term loans for good and bad credit
A short-term loan isn’t always the best way to bridge the gap. Depending on your credit score and what you need the money for, you might be able to borrow for much cheaper — even for free.
Your credit score is more than just a number — it will make or break your ability to get a loan. Check your score for free with LendingTree Spring. You can even test scenarios, like how taking out a short-term loan will affect your score.
How we chose the best short-term loans
We reviewed more than 40 lenders to determine the overall best short-term personal loans. To make our list, lenders must offer personal loans with a minimum term of six to 36 months. The lender must also offer competitive APRs.
From there, we assessed each lender or marketplace across four categories: eligibility and access; cost to borrow; loan terms and options; repayment support and tools.
According to our systematic rating and review process, the best short-term loans come from OneMain Financial, , Rocket Loans , , and .
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?
LendingTree’s writers and editors diligently vet dozens of lenders to narrow down which ones offer the most affordable rates and a customer-centered experience. We have ongoing conversations with loan companies to ensure accuracy and collect first-person feedback to understand the holistic process of getting and repaying a loan.
Using my financial health counseling certification, I’m here to walk you through the important — and sometimes stressful — process of understanding your personal finances and credit.”
Amanda’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
Yes, it’s possible to get a short-term loan with bad credit. Some lenders don’t have formal minimum credit score requirements and instead use other factors, like your education or employment, to determine your eligibility.
That said, rates and fees can be high on short-term loans for bad credit. Always consider how much you will pay in total before you borrow, not just the monthly payment.
A short-term loan can be a good idea for a one-time expense, as long as you can pay the loan off within your loan term (or sooner, if the loan doesn’t have a prepayment penalty). Short-term loans are typically less expensive than payday loans, but can still carry higher rates than other options.
A short-term loan can build credit as long as the lender reports payments to the credit bureaus. Payment history makes up 35% of your FICO Score. That also means missed payments can hurt your credit score, so always have a payoff plan before borrowing.