Best Quick Loans for Fast Cash in April 2026
Get a loan as quickly as today
| Lender | User rating | APR | Amount | Min. credit score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7.23% to 24.00% (Test) | Up to $125M | Not specified | ||
|
7.99% to 35.99% |
$1k – $50k |
580 | ||
|
7.99% to 24.99% |
$2.5k – $40k |
none |
Read more about how we made our picks for the best quick loans.
Quick loan lenders at a glance
Best for: Bad or no credit – Upstart
- APR
- 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
- Can still qualify with bad credit
- May not need a credit score to qualify
- Usually doesn’t require you to file paperwork
- Sometimes charges an origination fee
- Only two repayment terms (12 or 84 months)
- Can’t apply for a loan with another person
Upstart is a lending platform that connects borrowers who are looking for personal loans with partner banks and credit unions that are ready to finance. When you apply, Upstart looks not just at your credit score but also at your education and job status. You might even qualify if you have bad or no credit.
Personal loans through Upstart come with limited loan term options: 12 to 84. And if Upstart approves you with bad credit, you might be responsible for an origination fee. Upstart will deduct it from your loan so you won’t have to pay it out of pocket.
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:
Best for: Combining a loan with banking – 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/.
- Welcome bonus for signing up to get direct deposit into a checking account when applying for a loan
- Accepts fair credit for loans
- Can include a second person on your loan
- Charges an origination fee (a one-time fee taken from your loan amount, ranging from (1.85%-9.99%) on every loan, no matter your score
- Can probably find lower rates elsewhere if you have excellent credit
If you aren’t happy with your current checking account (or don’t have one), Upgrade could be a great choice to get a quick loan. Upgrade is a financial services company that works with banks to provide personal loans — and you can open a checking account with Cross River Bank during the loan application process.
Borrowers who open a checking account could earn a $200 welcome bonus after setting up a qualifying direct deposit, and are eligible for interest rate discounts on new loans through Upgrade .
One thing to keep in mind with Upgrade loans is the origination fee. Some lenders only charge this to low-credit borrowers, but Upgrade ’s partners tack one on to every loan.
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 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: Excellent customer service – 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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- May offer repayment assistance programs if you’re struggling to make payments
- No fees
- Recommended by 97% of LendingTree users who have used Discover
- Discover ’s mobile app has a 4.9 rating from Apple users and 4.8 from Android users (in total, the app has more than 5 million ratings)
- Can’t apply for a loan with another person
- Can be hard to qualify for since it requires a credit score of at least and a moderate income
Discover offers repayment assistance options if you’re having trouble keeping up with your payments. Plus, its customer service department is based in the U.S. and is open seven days a week.
Not everyone will qualify for Discover , though. Its minimum credit score requirement is steep, and you can’t add a co-borrower to make it easier to get approved.
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: +
What is a quick loan?
A quick loan is simply a personal loan with a fast funding timeline. The definition of a fast funding timeline can vary, but we consider this to be same-day or next-day funding.
If you have a surprise bill or emergency, you can probably use a quick loan to pay for it. Personal loans are versatile, and lenders generally place very few restrictions on how you can use your funds.
For more information, take a look at the pros and cons of emergency loans.
Some popular reasons to take out a quick loan include:
How to improve your chances of getting a quick loan
In some ways, how fast you get your loan is out of your hands. Still, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process.
What could speed up the loan process…
- Choosing an online lender. Many online loans come with same- or next-day funding. Online lenders can also have higher rates and fees than banks and credit unions.
- Applying before noon on a business day. Even if a lender advertises same-day loans, it depends when you apply.
- Getting direct deposit. If the lender gives you the option between direct deposit and paper check, direct deposit is quicker.
- Taking time on your application. Mistakes can cause unnecessary back and forth with the lender.
What could slow down the loan process…
- Choosing a bank or credit union. Banks and credit union loans can have lower rates, but the process is often slower (especially if you aren’t already a member).
- Adding a second person to your loan. Including a co-borrower on your application means your lender will have two credit histories to review.
- Being self-employed. Some lenders might ask for extra documents, such as profit and loss statements and business tax returns.
- Having rocky credit. A checkered financial history means the lender will have more to scrutinize.
Expert insights on quick loans
A quick loan shouldn’t mean a rushed loan. Take the time to understand the rates, fees and other fine print before you apply. What you don’t know can cost you. Comparison shopping is a must, too, because offers can vary widely from lender to lender. Other imperfect options such as credit card cash advances may be worth considering as well.
Quick loans for bad credit
Getting a personal loan if you have bad credit can be a challenge. Some lenders might deny your application. Others may charge you triple-digit interest rates. But there are ways to access legitimate, quick bad credit loans with reasonable rates.
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Consider bad-credit lenders
Some lenders specialize in emergency loans for bad credit. , Upgrade and Upstart have low minimum credit score requirements and can provide next-day funds. And if you get your money sent to your bank debit card, you could have same-day funds with OneMain. -
Apply with another person
Getting a joint loan (a loan with a co-borrower) can help boost your odds of loan approval, but keep in mind that adding a second person to your loan might slow things down. -
Back up your loan with collateral
Getting a loan with bad credit can be easier if you opt for a secured loan. But a secured loan can take extra time to process. The lender will need to review your collateral to make sure it fits its guidelines.
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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 get 11 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.
Avoiding predatory quick loans
Needing a quick cash loan can make you desperate. Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of predatory lenders willing to take advantage of a bad situation.
If you need money fast, payday loans can seem enticing. They promise quick cash without a credit check. Avoid payday loans at all costs.
Payday loans can come with fees that equate to APRs as high as 400%. You also usually only have a week or two to pay back what you borrowed. These short terms could force you to take yet another payday loan to pay for the first one, trapping you into a cycle of debt.
For more details, compare personal loans versus payday loans.
Like payday loans, pawn shop loans don’t require credit checks. They are also risky and come at a high cost.
A pawn shop loan requires an expensive personal item (like jewelry) in exchange for the loan. The amount you can borrow is typically much less than what your collateral is worth. So, you’re already getting a bad deal from the start. If you don’t repay your loan, the pawn shop will keep your collateral to offset its loss.
Car title loans and pawn shop loans are similar in that they both require collateral. In the case of a car title loan, it’s your car.
Car title loans generally come with sky-high interest rates and fees. You generally only have 15 days to 30 days to pay your loan, and your loan might only be equal to 25% to 50% of your vehicle’s value. Worst of all, the lender can repossess your vehicle if you don’t repay.
Quick loan alternatives
Credit card cash advance
Could be best if you already have a credit card that allows cash advances, and you have the credit limit to spare.
You may be able to get cash from an ATM using your credit card. Because you’re already approved for the card, you won’t have to fill out another application. This is called a cash advance.
Cash advances usually come with a 5% fee of the amount withdrawn. They also tend to have higher interest rates than normal charges. Unlike a normal charge, cash advances start accruing interest as soon as you take the advance. Simply put, you’ll pay interest even if you pay your bill in full by your due date.
Paycheck advance apps
Could be best if you need just a little bit of money to carry you to your next pay day.
Paycheck advance apps let you borrow money from your upcoming paycheck. In most cases, these apps don’t require a credit check and don’t charge interest. Instead, some may charge a membership fee or ask for a voluntary tip.
These apps offer small-dollar loans, which could be helpful if you’re struggling to make it through the week. But beware — borrowing from your paycheck too often can get you into a hole that’s hard to dig out of.
Buy now, pay later apps
Could be best if you’d rather split up a retail purchase instead of paying for it in full up front.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps let you break retail purchases into smaller payments (usually four, spread across six weeks). BNPL apps are typically interest free, unless you choose a long-term financing option (like a six-month payment plan).
BNPL can help get you out of a bind, but you shouldn’t rely on them. You might end up overspending. Plus, having more than one BNPL in play means juggling multiple automatic withdrawals.
Hardship programs
Could be best if you’re behind on a loan or bill (but know that not all creditors may be willing to work with you).
If you need help paying a loan or utility bill, see if you’re eligible for a financial hardship program. You might be able to pause your payments (also called forbearance), have fees waived or get a temporary rate reduction.
If you enter a loan forbearance program, you’ll still have to repay the loan in full eventually. Interest may also continue to accrue.
The quickest way to borrow money is to use a credit card, loan, cash advance or paycheck app.
, , and all offer same-day loans.
You’ll have better odds of getting money today if you apply early in the day and submit any required documentation (e.g., proof of identity, W-2, etc.) immediately. Call your lender to ask if there’s anything you can do to speed up the process.
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Ways to make fast cash
To cut down on how much you have to borrow (and how much interest you’ll pay), you could earn some extra cash by:
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Doing odd jobs
Keep an eye on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups to see if anyone in your area needs help with yard work or house cleaning. For safety purposes, vet the person making the request and tell a friend where you’ll be. -
Donating plasma
You could consider donating plasma if you’re in good health. Donations generally take 90 minutes to two hours. At $30 to $100+ per donation, you could make some serious dough and help others in the process. -
Selling stuff online
Turn gently used clothes, electronics and furniture into cash by selling them on Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Craigslist. -
Starting a side hustle
Although this one will take a bit more time, side hustles can be a great way to make some cash. According to a LendingTree survey, 55% of Gen Zers and millennials are side hustlers, earning an average of $1,253 a month.
How we chose the best quick loans
We reviewed more than 40 lenders and loan marketplaces to determine the overall best five quick loans. To make this list, the company must have the ability to send funds the same or the next day that it approves an applicant.
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 standardized rating system, the best quick loans come from LightStream, Upstart, PenFed, Upgrade, Discover, Rocket Loans, SoFi, Avant and OneMain.
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.
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
, , and offer same-day loans as long as you submit everything by the lender’s cutoff time.
Technically, there is no such thing as an instant loan. No matter the company, you have to fill out an application and submit any required documentation. Understanding how emergency loans work is key to getting a good deal.
You could opt for a paycheck advance app — these generally have a fast funding timeline.
The easiest loans to get (payday loans, pawn shop loans and car title loans) are the most expensive. Before resorting to these options, check out Upstart , or Upgrade . These lenders work with borrowers with fair to poor credit.
Most reputable online lenders have minimum loan amounts between $1,000 and $2,000. However, some paycheck advance apps (such as Dave) will let you borrow up to $500. Dave is easier to qualify for than most personal loans, but it will access your bank account to make sure you can afford to borrow.
You could also consider a cash advance if you have a credit card that allows it.