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Updated May 2026
Best Personal Loan Lenders 2026
Get the cash you need, fast. With lower interest rates, you can get the funds you need while saving thousands on payments. Compare our top personal loans and lock in your rate today.
Rate tip: Check your rate without affecting your credit score
All lenders below offer a soft credit check pre-qualification — you can see your likely rate and terms before submitting a full application. This does not impact your credit score.
Top Personal Loan Lenders — May 2026
Last verified May 29, 2026
Debt Consolidation
Combine multiple high-rate debts into one fixed payment
Home Improvement
Fund renovations without touching home equity
Medical Expenses
Cover unexpected medical bills at low fixed rates
Wedding Costs
Finance your big day with flexible terms
Major Purchase
Buy what you need now, pay over time
⭐ #1 Top Rated 2026
1
SoFi®
Simple Online Application · No origination fees · No prepayment penalties
9.9
/10
★★★★★
Google: 9.9
Reputation: 9.8
Popularity: 10.0
APR: 7.74% – 35.49%
Term: 2–7 years
Credit: Good/Excellent
Amount: $5K – $100K
Save big by consolidating high-rate debt into one fixed payment
No origination fees, no late fees, no prepayment penalties
Same-day funding available for qualifying applicants
Unemployment protection — pause payments if you lose your job
🔥 34,820 people viewed this week
2
LendingTree
NMLS #1136 · Compare multiple lenders at once · Banks compete, you win
9.2
/10
★★★★
Google: 9.1
Reputation: 9.2
Popularity: 9.3
APR: 6.99% – 35.99%
Term: 12 – 144 months
Credit: All Credit Types
Amount: $1K – $50K
One form, multiple competing offers from top lenders
Available for all credit types — poor, fair, good, excellent
Free credit score monitoring and financial health tools
Over 16,500 verified customer reviews
3
Credible
NMLS #1681276 · Free to use · No hidden fees
9.1
/10
★★★★
Google: 9.0
Reputation: 9.1
Popularity: 9.2
APR: 6.25% – 35.99%
Term: 12 – 120 months
Credit: Fair/Good/Excellent
Amount: $600 – $200K
Compare prequalified rates from multiple lenders in 2 minutes
Completely free — Credible is paid by lenders, not you
Best Rate Guarantee — $200 if you find a better rate elsewhere
No impact to your credit score to check rates
4
Best Egg
Get funding in as little as 1 business day
8.6
/10
★★★★
Google: 8.5
Reputation: 8.6
Popularity: 8.7
APR: 6.99% – 35.99%
Term: 36 – 60 months
Credit: Fair/Good/Excellent
Amount: $2K – $50K
Fast funding — money in your account as soon as 1 business day
3-minute application with no impact to credit score
Over 900,000 customers served since 2014
Secured loan option available using vehicle or home fixtures
5
Achieve Personal Loans
NMLS #1810501 · Debt consolidation specialist
8.8
/10
★★★★
Google: 8.7
Reputation: 8.8
Popularity: 8.9
APR: 6.25% – 35.99%
Term: 12 – 60 months
Credit: Good/Excellent
Amount: $5K – $50K
Specialised debt consolidation loans with direct lender payoff
Discount for setting up autopay and adding a co-borrower
Personal loan advisors available by phone — personalised help
Nearly 49,000 verified customer reviews
6
🏠 Only for Homeowners
AmeriSave Mortgage
NMLS #1168 · Home Equity Loans · HELOCs · Cash-Out Refinance
8.1
/10
★★★★
Google: 8.0
Reputation: 8.2
Popularity: 8.1
Home equity loans, HELOCs, 2nd mortgages, and cash-out refi
Low rates, quick quotes and approvals — online process
Customers may discover savings in minutes with no obligation
$200 billion funded, 23 years in business, trusted nationwide
7
🏠 Only for Homeowners
Unlock
Tap your home equity — no refinance, no monthly payments
8.1
/10
★★★★
Google: 8.0
Reputation: 8.1
Popularity: 8.2
Access up to: $500,000
Min. Credit: 500
Pre-qualify: ~2 minutes
Access up to $500,000 in home equity — no monthly payments required
Minimum credit score of just 500 — wider eligibility than most
No age or income requirements to qualify
Pre-qualify in about 2 minutes with no impact to credit
Quick Comparison — All 7 Lenders
| Lender | Score | APR Range | Loan Amount | Min. Credit | Orig. Fee | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1SoFi® | 9.9 | 7.74% – 35.49% | $5K – $100K | 650 | None | Same day |
| 2LendingTree | 9.2 | 6.99% – 35.99% | $1K – $50K | Varies | Varies | 1–7 days |
| 3Credible | 9.1 | 6.25% – 35.99% | $600 – $200K | 580 | Varies | 1–5 days |
| 4Best Egg | 8.6 | 6.99% – 35.99% | $2K – $50K | 600 | 0.99–8.99% | 1 day |
| 5Achieve | 8.8 | 6.25% – 35.99% | $5K – $50K | 620 | 1.99–6.99% | 1–3 days |
| 6AmeriSave 🏠 | 8.1 | Varies (equity) | Up to 90% LTV | 620 | None | 2–4 weeks |
| 7Unlock 🏠 | 8.1 | No interest | Up to $500K | 500 | 3–4.9% | 2–4 weeks |
🏠 = Homeowners only. APR ranges shown are from lender disclosures as of May 2026. Your actual rate depends on creditworthiness, loan amount, and term. Always verify directly with the lender.
How to Get the Best Personal Loan Rate in 2026
Personal loan rates in 2026 range from 6.25% to 35.99% APR — a huge spread that depends almost entirely on your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio. Borrowers with excellent credit (720+) can access rates near 7–9%. Those with fair credit may see 18–28%.
Check Your Rate at SoFi — No Credit ImpactBest for Debt Consolidation
SoFi and Achieve are both specifically designed for debt consolidation. SoFi offers up to $100,000 with no origination fees — ideal for consolidating large credit card balances into one fixed monthly payment. Achieve offers a direct payoff feature where they pay your creditors directly, reducing the temptation to re-spend the loan funds.
Compare Debt Consolidation Loans at AchieveBest for Fast Funding
If you need cash quickly, Best Egg can fund your loan in as little as one business day after approval. SoFi also offers same-day funding for qualifying applications. For the fastest experience, have your bank account details, pay stubs, and government ID ready before applying.
Get Same-Day Funding from Best EggBest for Comparing Multiple Offers
LendingTree and Credible are marketplaces — they let you submit one application and receive multiple competing offers from different lenders. Credible offers a Best Rate Guarantee: if you find a lower verified rate elsewhere, they'll pay you $200. Both platforms offer a soft credit check that won't affect your score.
Compare Offers at Credible — $200 Rate Guarantee Get Multiple Offers at LendingTreeBest for Homeowners
If you own a home with significant equity, AmeriSave and Unlock offer access to larger amounts at lower rates by using your home as collateral. Unlock's home equity agreement is unique — no monthly payments and no monthly interest, making it ideal for homeowners who need a large lump sum without changing their monthly budget.
Access Home Equity with Unlock — No Monthly PaymentsFrequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need for a personal loan?
▾
Most personal loan lenders prefer a minimum credit score of 580–620. SoFi and Achieve target good-to-excellent borrowers (650+) for their best rates. LendingTree and Credible work with all credit types including poor credit. Unlock accepts scores as low as 500 for homeowners. The higher your credit score, the lower your APR — a 100-point improvement can reduce your rate by 5–10 percentage points.
Will checking my rate affect my credit score?
▾
No — all lenders listed here use a soft credit inquiry for pre-qualification, which does NOT affect your credit score. Only when you formally accept a loan offer and complete the full application will a hard inquiry be placed on your credit report. A hard inquiry typically reduces your score by 5–10 points temporarily. Rate shopping across multiple lenders within a 14–45 day window is treated as a single inquiry by the major credit bureaus.
How quickly can I get a personal loan funded?
▾
Best Egg and SoFi can fund loans the same day or next business day for pre-approved applicants with verified bank accounts. Most online lenders fund within 1–5 business days after final approval. Traditional banks take 5–7 business days. To speed up the process, have your ID, pay stubs or tax returns, bank statements, and employer information ready before applying.
Are personal loans better than credit cards for debt consolidation?
▾
For most people, yes. Personal loan APRs for good-credit borrowers are 8–20%, compared to the average credit card APR of 24–29% in 2026. A personal loan converts revolving credit card debt into a fixed-term installment loan with a predictable monthly payment and a set payoff date. This also positively impacts your credit utilisation ratio, which can improve your credit score over time.
What is the difference between a personal loan and a home equity loan?
▾
A personal loan is unsecured — no collateral required. Home equity loans and HELOCs (like AmeriSave and Unlock offer) are secured by your home. Home equity products offer higher loan amounts and lower rates because the lender has your property as security. However, failure to repay risks foreclosure. Personal loans are faster and safer for smaller amounts under $50,000.
Can I use a personal loan for anything?
▾
Most personal loans can be used for almost any legal purpose — debt consolidation, home improvement, medical bills, weddings, moving costs, car repairs, and more. Most lenders prohibit using personal loan funds for illegal activities, business investment, real estate down payments, or education (where separate student loan products exist). Always check the lender's terms of use for any restrictions.
Compare All Personal Loan Lenders
⭐ #1SoFi®
Get My Rate →APR: 7.74%–35.49% · Up to $100,000 · No origination fees
#2LendingTree
Get My Rate →APR: 6.99%–35.99% · Up to $50,000 · All credit types
#3Credible
Get My Rate →APR: 6.25%–35.99% · Up to $200,000 · $200 Best Rate Guarantee
#4Best Egg
Get My Rate →APR: 6.99%–35.99% · Up to $50,000 · Same-day funding
#5Achieve Personal Loans
Get My Rate →APR: 6.25%–35.99% · Up to $50,000 · Debt consolidation specialist
#6AmeriSave 🏠
Get My Rate →Home Equity / HELOC / Cash-Out Refi · Homeowners only
#7Unlock 🏠
Get My Rate →Up to $500,000 · No monthly payments · Min credit 500
