Best Online Mortgage Lenders for 2025: Our Expert Picks
Working with an online mortgage lender can help streamline the homebuying process from application to closing — often with faster approvals and lower fees. Compare top online lenders below to find the best option for your desired loan type.
At a glance: Best online mortgage lenders
Read more about how we chose our best online mortgage lenders.
Best online lender for jumbo loans: Better Mortgage
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- Minimum credit score (jumbo loans): 700
- Minimum down payment (jumbo loans): 10%
- Maximum jumbo loan amount: $3 million
- Additional loan products: Conventional, FHA, VA, home equity loans and HELOCs
Why we chose Better Mortgage
Better Mortgage is an online-only lender offering jumbo purchase and refinance loans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Better’s website provides a wealth of rate information with a quick online preapproval process. The loan process is entirely digital, and jumbo rate information is available on the bank’s website. Fixed-rate and ARM loan options can be customized based on your location.
Best online lender for FHA loans: Flagstar Bank
LendingTree rating: Read our expert review
- Minimum credit score (FHA loans): 580
- Minimum down payment (FHA loans): 3.5%
- Available FHA loan programs: Purchase
- Additional loan products: Conventional, VA, USDA, jumbo, home equity loans and HELOCs
Why we chose Flagstar Bank
Flagstar offers mortgages in all 50 states and is one of the largest regional mortgage originators in the U.S. The lender provides a stellar online experience for FHA loan borrowers and features FHA interest rates on its website. Flagstar also shares helpful product information and resources about mortgage lending, as well as a convenient online application.
Best online lender for VA loans: Veterans United
LendingTree rating: 
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- Minimum credit score (VA loans): 620
- Minimum down payment: 0%
- Available VA loan programs: Purchase, streamline refinance, cash-out refinance
- Additional loan products: Conventional, FHA and jumbo loans
Why we chose Veterans United
Military borrowers will find mortgage products tailored to meet their needs at Veterans United, where the vast majority of customers apply specifically for a VA loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The website provides daily updates for a wide variety of VA interest rates, and even includes information about VA funding fees.
Best traditional bank online lending experience: Chase Mortgage
LendingTree rating: Read our expert review
- Minimum credit score: Not disclosed
- Available loan programs: Conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo loans
Why we chose Chase Mortgage
J.P. Morgan Chase may be one of the oldest financial institutions in the U.S., but their online mortgage loan information is anything but old-fashioned. Chase offers a combination of online product information, home loan financing articles and daily rate updates. In addition to its online services, it also offers the option to meet with a home loan advisor in person.
Best online lender for rate information: Zillow Home Loans
LendingTree rating: Read our expert review
- Minimum credit score: 500
- Available loan programs: Conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo loans
Why we chose Zillow Home Loans
Zillow’s brand is a familiar name for house hunting, but the launch of Zillow Home Loans in 2018 put the company on the map as a competitive mortgage lender. Zillow outperforms the competition when it comes to rate transparency, publishing daily rate updates for 16 different mortgage and refinance programs. Consumers can check FHA and VA rates, and even adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) programs with fixed teaser rates lasting three, five or seven years.
How to get an online mortgage
- Download a tracking app, if the lender offers one. Mortgage apps are popular, and if the lender offers one, you can track your loan’s status through the app.
- Upload the requested documents. You’ll need to upload documents to prove your ability to repay the mortgage, such as W-2s, tax returns and employment information.
- Electronically sign your initial documents. Once you’ve locked your mortgage rate, you’ll receive a package with documents including a loan estimate detailing all your fees. Once you’ve e-signed it, the lender can submit your loan for final approval.
- Upload the final documents and sign your closing disclosure. Once your loan is approved, you may need to upload a few more docs, including proof of homeowners insurance and picture IDs. You must e-sign your closing disclosure before you can start your official countdown to closing.
- Pay upfront fees online. If you need a home appraisal or the lender charges an origination fee or application fee, you’ll need to send the payment online.
- Complete your e-closing. Many lenders offer a “hybrid” closing, which means you can digitally sign some documents. However, the promissory note and deed of trust usually require an old-fashioned autograph using a pen.
How to compare and choose online mortgage lenders
1. Shop
Even if you’re seeing very low rates quoted on a lender’s website, you should shop with at least three different mortgage companies before you choose one. The rates on a lender’s website aren’t tailored to you, and may not be up to date.
See the lowest mortgage rates from top lenders on LendingTree today.
2. Apply
When you submit an online mortgage application, the rate offers you get back will be tailored to your finances. Be upfront and honest about any income or credit issues — your rate quote is only as good as the information you provide. Online lenders vet your finances to ensure you can repay the loan, and any discrepancies could cause delays or even a loan denial.
Determine the mortgage you can afford using our online mortgage calculator.
3. Compare
Once a lender has fully evaluated your application, they’ll give you the loan estimate. Take a careful look at each estimate and how the rate and fees stack up against competitors.
Learn more about how to negotiate mortgage rates.
Pros and cons of getting an online mortgage
Pros
Faster approval: Due to their technology-focused approach, online lenders can typically offer faster approval turnaround times than traditional lenders.
Potentially lower costs: Online lenders tend to have fewer overhead expenses, helping them pass some savings to customers in the form of lower closing costs and interest rates.
Mobile apps: Some online lenders provide mobile apps to easily track your application status and upload missing documents.
Cons
Lack of in-person customer service: Without physical locations, you won’t have the option to speak with a customer service representative face-to-face. Instead, you’ll need to seek support with your application over the phone or online.
Advertised rate and actual rate may differ: Some lenders advertise low rates to attract potential customers. However, this rate may not be the rate you get after the lender reviews your entire financial situation.
Less established lenders: Many online lenders are newer and therefore don’t have an established history. If you’re looking for a mortgage lender with a long track record, you may want to consider traditional lenders instead.
How we chose our picks for the best online mortgage lenders
We reviewed data collected from more than 30 lender reviews completed by the LendingTree editorial staff to determine the best online mortgage lenders in each category chosen in this roundup. It includes winners in best overall categories awarded to lenders in our FHA, VA, refinance and jumbo “best of” articles.
Each lender is given a score between zero and five stars based on several features, including digital application processes, available loan products and the accessibility of product and lending information.
To be included in the “best of” roundup, lenders must offer mortgages in at least 35 states and have at least a four-star lender review rating from LendingTree.
See more top picks for our overall best mortgage lenders.
Frequently asked questions
An online mortgage is a home loan that can be completed electronically from the loan application to closing. Technology takes care of most of the mortgage process. With your permission, some lenders can access your bank and tax records directly, saving you the hassle of digging up pay stubs, W-2s and bank statements. Others offer options to sign closing documents, including the promissory note, digitally.
Not necessarily. Although digital lenders may avoid the overhead costs of your neighborhood bank, they may not pass those savings on to you. Automated underwriting systems are often a better fit for borrowers with high credit scores and stable income; computer algorithms can’t make judgment calls for rough patches in your employment or credit history.
Ask the lender how you’ll communicate during the mortgage process. The automated systems may cost you a bit of your sanity if you can’t talk to a human being or are subjected to rigid electronic turn times for every question.
Many online and traditional mortgage lenders allow you to apply for preapproval online. Having a preapproval letter in hand shows sellers you’re a serious buyer, which can give you a competitive edge, especially in a hot real estate market.