Upstart is our top expert pick for the best loan for bad credit. Its credit score minimum is one of the lowest on the market, and it caps its rates at 35.99%, which is reasonable for a bad credit loan.
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Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
5.99% - 29.91%
$5,000 - $50,000
36 to 84 months
580
0.99% - 9.99%
I shopped for personal loans with Best Egg using my real information. Here’s what I found:
You can boost your odds of approval using Best Egg’s unique secured personal loans. Instead of putting up your entire home as collateral, you’ll use your home’s permanent fixtures like cabinets. You can also get an unsecured loan from Best Egg with APRs from 6.99% to 35.99%.
But you have to own your home in order to qualify, and you can’t sell your home without paying off the loan in full. This can make moving or even refinancing your home more complicated.
Quick stats:
Best Egg lets you boost your approval odds with:
Collateral
Smaller 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:
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
6.70% - 35.99%
36 or 60 months
$1,000 to $75,000
300
0.00% - 12.00%
I shopped for personal loans with Upstart using my real personal information to better understand the application process. Here’s what I found:
Upstart uses an AI algorithm that evaluates factors outside of credit history (such as education and employment) to approve more people, including people with bad or no credit. Plus, Upstart’s credit score requirement is one of the lowest on the market — you could qualify with a score as low as 300.
Loans through Upstart’s network come with only two repayment terms — 36 or 60 months — and can have higher origination fees than many other lenders.
Quick stats:
Upstart lets you boost your approval odds with:
Collateral
Smaller loans
Factors like your education and employment history
Upstart has transparent eligibility requirements, including:
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
7.99% - 35.99% (with discounts)
24 to 84 months
$1,000 to $50,000
580
1.85% - 9.99%
I shopped for personal loans with Upgrade using my real information. Here’s what I found:
Upgrade lets you spread out payments across an extra-long loan term, which can help you get affordable monthly payments. Plus, you can get discounts for letting Upgrade pay your creditors directly and for signing up for autopay. Keep in mind that longer loan terms mean that you’ll pay more in interest overall.
But you’ll have to watch out for fees. Not only does Upgrade charge an origination fee (ranging from 1.85% - 9.99%), but expect fees for late or failed payments if you miss your due date.
Quick stats:
Upgrade lets you boost your approval odds with:
Collateral
Smaller loans
Cosigners/co-borrowers
To qualify for a loan through Upgrade’s network, you must meet the requirements below:
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
9.95% - 35.99%
24 to 60 months
$2,000 - $35,000
550
Up to 9.99%
I shopped for personal loans with Avant using my real personal information to better understand the application process. Here’s what I found:
If you need someone to walk you through your loan application, you can contact Avant application support by phone 13 hours a day, seven days a week. Other lenders offer more limited hours, and some are closed on weekends altogether.
Unlike other lenders on this list, Avant doesn’t allow you to put up collateral or apply with a co-borrower to improve your odds of getting a loan.
Quick stats:
Avant lets you boost your approval odds with:
Smaller loans
To get a loan with Avant, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
18.00% - 35.99%
$1,500 - $20,000
24 to 60 months
500
$25 to $500, or 1.00% - 10.00%
I shopped for personal loans with OneMain using my real information. Here’s what I found:
OneMain has some of the quickest loans on the market — you could get your money in just an hour. All you have to do is use your debit card number to get your money directly deposited into your bank account.
But OneMain loans aren’t cheap — they come with high rates and fees. OneMain also calculates interest in a way that stops you from saving much (or any) interest if you pay your loan off early.
Quick stats:
OneMain lets you boost your approval odds with:
Collateral
Smaller loans
Cosigners/co-borrowers
OneMain Financial isn’t very transparent about its personal loan eligibility requirements, but it’s possible to qualify even with a credit score as low as 500. Before closing on a loan, you must provide:
OneMain loans are not available in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont or in U.S. territories.
Robert B
Fast and easy, no hassle! Able to get multiple approved quotes in less then a minute, even with bad credit.
Donna L
Amazing. Very fast. I’m very pleased and appreciate this. I recommend this to anyone. Good or bad credit!! I got it within 48 business hours.
Latasha Puckett
I recommend them to anyone who struggles with bad credit. The process was fast and easy.
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Upstart is our top expert pick for the best loan for bad credit. Its credit score minimum is one of the lowest on the market, and it caps its rates at 35.99%, which is reasonable for a bad credit loan.
Yes, it’s possible to get a personal loan with a 500 credit score — two lenders on our list (Upstart and OneMain Financial) offer loans to borrowers with that score.
Check out our expert tips on how to improve your chances of approval. The short version? Apply with a co-borrower, take out less money, use collateral or take the time to improve your credit.
Yes, your credit score will drop when the lender pulls your credit. As long as you make payments on time, any drop will likely be temporary and small.