Best Personal Loan Providers Of 2019

Our Recommendation

We have picked up our top personal loan lender, each specializing in their own category. Making it easier for you to choose the right one for you.

• BestEgg
• LendingClub
• OnDeck
• FreedomPlus
• Upstart

But First Things First - What is a Personal Loan?

A personal loan is a type of loan which has a higher loan amount typically ranging from $500 - $100,000 which can be borrowed from a lender. This type of loan comes with a fixed interest rate that varies depending on the lender and your credit score. The higher your credit score will be, the lower its interest rate will go. Most of the time a personal loan will be an unsecured loan meaning that you won’t require any collateral to secure the funds and will be able to pay in monthly installments. There are seemingly endless things that can happen in life that will require some extra money to cover the costs; in time even personal loan has evolved, providing a much better aid and option to support.

How to apply for a personal loan?

When applying for a personal loan, most of the process gets completed in just three step.

Step 1 (Submit the Form): To request for the fund, you will be required to complete a questionnaire form which consists of various information like your personal information, loan amount, and SSN number.

Step 2 (Get Estimation):  After your information is sent, a quick estimation of your rates, term and loan amount will be provided to you.   

Step 3 (Keep your Paperwork ready):  Once you get pre-approved, your online lender will connect you with a lender. So, it is advisable to keep your paperwork ready which may include your driver’s license, address proof.

Interest Rate Vs APR

When a lender lends you the funds, it comes with a fixed interest rate which gets added to your funds when you return the same amount. For a simpler way, let’s have a look at the below example.

Suppose you have taken out a loan of amount $5000 with an interest rate of 8% for a year. So at the end of the year, you will be repaying, $5400.

This is how an interest rate works. A lower interest rate with stellar credit is what every borrower wants to have.

While an annual percentage rate or APR is the overall rate that gets added to your loan amount during repayment. An APR consists of fees, interest rate, points.

Generally, a variable APR ranges from 8% - 35.99%, which gets decided by the lender based on your credit score and history and sometimes borrower’s other aspect such as education, salary are also taken into consideration.

How to Make Personal Loan Work Best For You?

Every borrower has a different meaning when taking a personal loan. In the same way, every loan option is different from each other in some or the other way. Before you hop on the step as to how to get a personal loan, compare you rate, loan and amount to see which work the best for you.

Compare your Option

1. BestEgg

When we say overall, BestEgg doesn’t just excel in one criterion - Having a no prepayment fees, quick turnaround time, access to take two loans at the same time, checking your pre-qualification without hurting your credit score, all make BestEgg the complete package.

Most of the borrower uses a personal loan to either consolidate your debt or clear your credit card debt. BestEgg knows this and hence offer loans, which can be used for a wide variety of other expenses. Home improvement, moving expenses, vacation and many more.

Often time you will find that taking two loans from the same place is not possible. BestEgg excels in that. It lets you take two loans at a time. Just make sure that your total amount of loan doesn’t exceed $50,000 and that your primary loan is at least 6 months old for which you haven't skipped a payment. 

• Loans are available between $2,000 and $35,000.
• Loan term of 3-5 years.
• Starting with a basic APR rate of 5.99%
• No prepayment fees.
• Minimum Credit score – 660

Having a minimum loan amount of $2,000, it is suited for a borrowers looking for small amount loan. With its quick application process and affordable rates, BestEgg stands for an all-rounder personal loan, no matter what life brings in your way. The only downside is its no co-borrower policy and its unavailability for bad credit scorer.

2. LendingClub:

LendingClub is a peer to peer personal loan lender, meaning whenever you apply for a loan, borrowers get connected to the individual investor which can be from a corporation, business or other consumers as well.

Being an online marketplace LendingClub has a lot to offer, even though the turnaround time can take 5 days, LendingClub allows the policy of co-borrower.

Few things to keep in mind while applying for a business loan is that you are only applicable if your business is at least a year old with no recent bankruptcies or tax liens and having a minimum credit score of 620.

• Loans are available between $5,000 and $300,000.
• Loan term of 1-3 years.
• APR rate – 5.99% - 29.99.69%
• No prepayment fees.
• Minimum Credit needed – 620

Lending club loans can be used for various purposes – remodeling, emergency repair, business purposes. But, it may not be the best option if you are looking for a quick funding, as the deposition can take in as few as 5 days.

You are allowed to check your rate for free without hurting your credits score as it will be a soft pull and only visible to you. A hard pull may take place but only when after you have received the loan. 

LendingClub is a good fit with its highly competitive rate along with the stellar credit. With a fair credit score requirement, a wide range of borrower can avail this loan option.

3. OnDeck:

Ondeck is another online lender for a small business loan. What gives it an edge over other small business loan is its requirement of credit score with the minimum threshold of 500 points.

Ondeck business loan helps with managing your cash flow, upgrade your space and all the other business requirement. You accounts get debited on a daily or weekly basis depending upon your term, unlike any other lender.

Ondeck is much more suited for those who want to get access to quick funds, as their decision can get your funds as soon as the next business day. Having trouble applying online? You can give them a call; their advisors are always available for your queries.

• Loans are available between $5,000 and $500,000.
• Loan term: 1-3 years.
• APR : 9.99% - 19.99%
• Low origination fees.
• Minimum Credit needed – 550

 To get qualified for an Ondeck loan, your business should be at least, a year old with minimum $100,000 as gross annual income. Although ondeck serves 700 industries, make sure that you check out the list of industries that they don’t serve. One of the advantages Ondeck gives for a business loan over any other online lender is their low origination fee, which can get as low as 2.5%.

4. FreedomPlus

If you are a mediocre income borrower looking to consolidate your debt, look no further, freedom plus is your man. One thing you might not have seen on any other place is their various discount options.

Few things which might make your loan process easy and affordable are their discount offers. If you have a co-signer with you, you might see a drop in your loan amount. Use 85% of your loan and get an additional discount.

What makes Freedomplus loan unique is their understanding nature, that the borrowers are more than their credit score. If you have less than a perfect score but are able to pay your loan on time, it might increase your chances of loan approval.

• Loans are available between $5,000 and $35,000.
• Loan term of 3-5 years.
• APR : 5.99% - 24.99%
• No prepayment fees.
• Minimum Credit needed – 640

One thing to keep in mind is that Freedomplus is not available in many states like CO, CT, HI, KS, ME, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, VT, WI, WV or WY.

Freedom plus is one of the best personal loan providers as they have same day loan decision option and money can be deposited in your account within 48 hours. With easy application process and no prepayment fee, you are eligible for the loan if you meet their eligibility criteria which are quite flexible.

5. Upstart

Upstart is one of the best personal loan services that use a peer-to-peer lending system. One of the positive things about upstart is that it uses multiple sources of information. Your loan will not only depend upon your credit score but, it will also utilize your current and future earnings, your job and education history. On top of that Upstart is an online personal loan whose

Rather than judging the borrower by their credit score they take many things into consideration including your personal ability to pay, which makes Upstart a great choice for new entrepreneurs.

• Loans are available between $1,000 and $50,000.
• Loan term of 3-5 years.
• APR : 8.16% - 35.99% 
• No prepayment fees.
• Minimum Credit needed – 620

What makes Upstart a sterling online personal lender is their underwriting process which takes many things into consideration. This means that their criteria are very different as compare to many lenders which can be clearly seen by their low credit score criteria, making Upstart a good choice for young borrowers as you don’t even need a college education.

Upstart is a good personal loan service if you are looking for unsecured loans. An additional point for its AutoPlay, which deducts a selected amount, saves the borrower from installment hassle.

Check your Credit Score

As mentioned above, the higher your credit score is the better are your chances at getting a lower interest rate.

If you are not sure what your credit score is try pulling you credit report (which can be done for free once a year). If there are any mistakes, have them fixed. If your credit score are not in good shape, take precautions, such as ensuring all payments are made on time and not taking out any unnecessary loans on credit.

Having less than a perfect credit score doesn’t mean the end of your journey. There are many lenders which specialize in each credit level. So, to choose the loan which will give you the maximum benefits, first understand your credit report and credit score.

Credit score rating	Credit score range	Average APR for market
Excellent	720 - 850	10.94%
Good	690 - 719	14.56%
Average	630 - 689	19.84%
Bad	580 - 629	28.64%
Poor	579 and below	Most lenders will not lend

I have Bad credit – Can I get a personal loan?

Yes, there are many lenders who are willing to lend the amount even with a bad credit score. Generally speaking, anything that is below 620 is considered to be a low credit and, anything below 580 is considered to be poor credit score. 

Even though a traditional bank is most likely to reject your application but, you can still apply for a loan to a credit union, which usually offer lower rates and fees as compared to traditional banks.

Over the recent past, the online lending landscape has grown and expanded a great deal, you can definitely choose an online lender which can be less stringent than the old school way. But still, having a poor credit score will have an impact on your interest rate and borrowed funds.

Consider getting a co-signer to sign a personal loan with you. And if your co-signer is someone with good credit score, lenders are more open for extending credits to you.

Should You Take a Personal Loan to Pay off Your Credit Card Debt?

Having a high credit card debt can be toxic on your credit score regardless of whether you make all your monthly payments by the due date. 

Taking out a personal loan to pay back the high-interest rate debt can be a meaningful option. 

Having a personal loan with lower interest rate gives you a chance to pay off your credit debt leaving you enough to cover up the loan balance keeping in mind the goal is to pay the credit off rapidly or to ensure that your other bills are also paid.

Even when you had paid off your credit card debt, don’t opt for closing down the account as it can leave a negative effect on your credit history.

Also, make sure to not to fall prey to zero balance. Clearing your credit card debt doesn’t give you a reason to start building another. The main thing to learn from your past debt is to spend only as much as you can afford to pay back with ease.

Dangers to Avoid While getting a Personal Loan

Never fail to do your homework. Personal loan options are vast, every lender will have something different to offer. While choosing for a loan, check their APR rather than interest rate since it includes fees into the overall rate you are paying.

Avoid getting a wrong kind of loan. For instance, instead of getting a personal loan to consolidate your debt, you may be able to transfer your balance to one card at 0% interest for a number of months.

Taking a personal loan for education, try going for student loans which offer a much lower interest when the parents are getting a loan. For home projects, try getting a home equity loan, which often carries a lower interest rate than a personal loan.

Never fail to do your homework. Personal loan option are vast, every lender will have something different to offer. While choosing for a loan, check their APR rate rather than interest rate since it includes fees into the overall rate you are paying. 

Never ignore your credit score. Your application getting rejected will have a direct impact on your credit score. Before your final submission, it is always a good idea to check your credit score. Be sure to get the numbers from all three major credit bureaus– Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion for the most accurate view of your credit score.

First Time Borrower? Here’s what you should do

The problem that can arise to a first timer is the lack of credit score. To have the perfect loan (with a lower interest rate) you require a good credit score. And for that, you need a credit history. So, instead of falling into the labyrinth of debt while trying to build a good credit score, choose an online lender, willing to lend even with bad credit.

Instead of going to just one lender, check your rate at different website that can provide a personal loan with no or bad credit. Always opt for a lender that goes for a soft pull (which will not affect your credit score), compare and select the one which is best for you.

Carefully select your rate and term. Before you select any lender, look for any hidden fees, APR and interest rate.  

In the End

A personal loan can be a great aid if you are facing a financial crunch. No matter if what problem you might face in your life, if the problem revolves around money, a personal loan might be able to shake off your trouble.

But before you apply for a loan, make sure to read their rates, term, loan amount, and their availability in your state. A personal loan is again a loan, so, apply only if you can make payments otherwise you might end up ruining your finances even more.