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The costs of taking out a personal loan can add up quickly, but a low-interest personal loan can be a good way to get the cash you need without paying excessive interest. Keep in mind that you鈥檒l need good to excellent credit 鈥 typically 670 or above 鈥 to qualify for the lowest rate available.

In 2024, the best low-interest personal loans offer competitive rates and a variety of repayment terms, minimal fees and at least one rate discount. Plus, several of these lenders allow you to apply with a co-signer or co-borrower, which can help you get an even lower interest rate than you鈥檇 get on your own.

Best low-interest personal loans

Why trust our personal loan experts

Our team of experts evaluated hundreds of personal loan products and analyzed thousands of data points to help you find the best fit for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

  • 17 personal loan lenders reviewed.
  • 255 data points analyzed.
  • 6-stage fact-checking process.

Best for discounts

SoFi

Via MoneyLion’s website
Fixed APR
8.99% to 29.49%
Minimum credit score
680
What should you know

In addition to offering competitive annual percentage rates (APRs), SoFi聽provides several rate discounts that could help you lower your rate even further. These include discounts for autopay (0.25%), for borrowers who already have a SoFi account (0.125%) and for those who use their loan to consolidate debt and allow SoFi to pay their creditors directly (0.25%).

With SoFi, you can borrow $5,000 to $100,000 with repayment terms ranging from two to seven years.

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Multiple rate discounts.
  • Fast funding.
Cons
  • Must borrow at least $5,000.
  • Not available in Mississippi.
  • Could be hard to qualify if you don鈥檛 have good credit.
More details
  • Interest rates: 8.99% to 29.49%.
  • Loan amounts: $5,000 to $100,000.
  • Repayment terms: 2 to 7 years.
  • Discounts:聽Autopay (0.25%), existing account holder (0.125%) and direct creditor payment (0.25%).
  • Fees: None.
  • Min. credit score: 680.
  • Accepts co-signers:聽No (but can apply with a joint applicant).

Best for building credit

Upgrade

Via MoneyLion’s website
Fixed APR

*Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 9.99%-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/.

9.99% to 35.99%
Minimum credit score
No minimum
What should you know

With Upgrade, borrowers have access to free credit score monitoring and personalized recommendations, which can be helpful if you鈥檙e looking to build your credit.

Upgrade personal loans range from $1,000 to $50,000 and come with terms from two to seven years.

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Free access to credit health tools.
  • Fast funding.
Cons
  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Charges late and returned payment fees.
  • Doesn鈥檛 disclose information about rate discounts unless you have a registered account.
More details
  • Interest rates: 9.99% to 35.99%.
  • Loan amounts: $1,000 to $50,000.
  • Repayment terms: 2 to 7 years.
  • Discounts:聽Autopay (amount not disclosed).
  • Fees: Origination fee (1.85% to 8.99%), late fee ($10) and returned payment fee ($10).
  • Accepts co-signers:聽No (but can apply with a joint applicant).

Best for thin credit

Upstart

Via MoneyLion’s website
Fixed APR
7.8% to 35.99%
Minimum credit score
300
What should you know

If you have thin credit 鈥 meaning too little of a credit history to generate a credit score 鈥 Upstart could be a good option. While the lender has a minimum credit score requirement of 300, it also works with borrowers with little to no credit. In addition to your credit, Upstart will consider other factors as well, such as your education and employment, to determine your creditworthiness.

With Upstart, you can borrow $1,000 to $50,000 with terms of three or five years.

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Accepts thin credit profiles.
  • Considers alternative credit factors.
  • Fast funding.
Cons
  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Charges fees for late and returned payments.
  • Limited repayment terms.
More details
  • Interest rates: 7.8% to 35.99%.
  • Loan amounts: $1,000 to $50,000.
  • Repayment terms: 3 or 5 years.
  • Discounts:听狈辞苍别.
  • Fees: Origination fee (0% to 12%), late fee (5% of past-due amount or $15, whichever is greater) and returned payment fee ($15).
  • Accepts co-signers:听狈辞.

Best for small loans

PenFed

Fixed APR
8.99% to 17.99%
Minimum credit score
Does not disclose
What should you know

While many lenders have a minimum borrowing amount of $1,000 or more, you can borrow as little as $600 to $50,000 with PenFed. Repayment terms range from one to five years.

Keep in mind that while you don鈥檛 have to be a PenFed member to apply, you鈥檒l have to join the credit union if you are approved and want to accept the loan.

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Can borrow as little as $600.
  • No origination fee or prepayment penalty.
  • Allows joint applicants.
Cons
  • Must join the credit union to accept a loan.
  • Charges late and returned payment fees.
  • Doesn鈥檛 disclose minimum credit score requirements.
More details
  • Interest rates: 8.99% to 17.99%.
  • Loan amounts: $600 to $50,000.
  • Repayment terms: 1 to 5 years.
  • Discounts:听狈辞苍别.
  • Fees: Late fee ($29) and returned payment fee ($30).
  • Accepts co-signers:聽No (but can apply with a joint applicant).

Best for fast funding

Prosper

Via MoneyLion’s website
Fixed APR
8.99% to 35.99%
Minimum credit score
560
What should you know

If you apply for a personal loan with Prosper and are approved, you could get your funds within one business day of signing your loan documents. Speedy disbursement combined with the lender鈥檚 quick rate estimation tool can make Prosper a good option if you鈥檙e on a tight timeline.

Prosper loans range from $2,000 to $50,000 and come with terms from two to five years.

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Fast funding.
  • Accepts poor and fair credit scores.
  • No prepayment penalty.
Cons
  • No advertised rate discounts.
  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Charges fees for check payments, late payments and insufficient funds.
More details
  • Interest rates: 8.99% to 35.99%.
  • Loan amounts: $2,000 to $50,000.
  • Repayment terms: 2 to 5 years.
  • Discounts:听狈辞苍别.
  • Fees: Origination fee (1% to 9.99%), check payment fee (5% of your payment amount or $5, whichever is less), late payment fee ($15 or 5% of the unpaid amount, whichever is greater), and insufficient funds fee ($15).
  • Accepts co-signers:聽No (but can apply with a joint applicant).

Best for large loans

LightStream

Via MoneyLion’s website
Fixed APR
7.49% to 25.99%
Minimum credit score
Does not disclose
What should you know

If you need to borrow a large amount, LightStream could be a good option. Its loans range from $5,000 to $100,000 and come with terms from two to 12 years (depending on loan type).

Additionally, if you鈥檝e already been approved for a personal loan with another lender, you could get another 0.1% off your rate through LightStream鈥檚 Rate Beat Program. You can also take advantage of a 0.5% rate discount if you sign up for autopay 鈥 a higher discount than the typical 0.25% provided by other lenders.

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Loan amounts up to $100,000.
  • Rate Beat Program.
  • No fees.
Cons
  • Doesn鈥檛 allow borrowers to prequalify.
  • Could be hard to qualify if you don鈥檛 have good credit.
  • Poor Trustpilot reviews.
More details
  • Interest rates: 7.49% to 25.99%.
  • Loan amounts: $5,000 to $100,000.
  • Repayment terms: 2 to 12 years (depending on loan type).
  • Discounts:聽Autopay (0.5%), Rate Beat Program (0.1%).
  • Fees: None.
  • Accepts co-signers:聽No (but can apply with a joint applicant).

Best for good credit

91影视 Bank

Via MoneyLion’s website
Fixed APR
8.74% to 24.99%
Minimum credit score
Does not disclose
What should you know

While 91影视 Bank鈥檚 minimum credit score requirement is does not disclose, this is on the higher end of what鈥檚 considered fair credit. A fair credit score is usually specified as falling between 580 and 669. Also keep in mind that if you aren鈥檛 a current 91影视 Bank customer, you might need a higher credit score to get approved. Because of this, 91影视 Bank is likely better suited to borrowers with good credit.

Existing 91影视 Bank customers can borrow $1,000 to $50,000 ($25,000 maximum for non-91影视 Bank customers) with terms from one to seven years (five-year maximum for non-91影视 Bank customers).

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Accepts fair credit scores.
  • Autopay discount.
  • No origination fee or prepayment penalty.
Cons
  • Higher credit score requirements for non-91影视 Bank customers.
  • Lower borrowing limits and shorter terms for non-91影视 Bank customers.
  • Must have a 91影视 Bank account to check your rates.
More details
  • Interest rates: 8.74% to 24.99%.
  • Loan amounts: $1,000 to $50,000 ($25,000 maximum for non-91影视 Bank customers).
  • Repayment terms: 1 to 7 years (5-year maximum for non-91影视 Bank customers).
  • Discounts:聽Autopay (0.50%).
  • Fees: Late fee ($29).
  • Accepts co-signers:聽No (but can apply with a joint applicant).

Best for bad credit

Avant

Via MoneyLion’s website
Fixed APR
9.95% to 35.99%
Minimum credit score
580
What should you know

While most Avant customers have a credit score between 600 and 700, you could qualify for a personal loan with a credit score as low as 580. This could make Avant a great option if you have less-than-stellar credit.

With Avant, you can borrow $2,000 to $35,000 with a repayment term from one to five years.

Pros and cons
Pros
  • Accepts poor and fair credit scores.
  • Fast funding.
  • Excellent Trustpilot reviews.
Cons
  • Charges an origination fee.
  • Charges fees for late payments and insufficient funds.
  • Does not offer any rate discounts.
More details
  • Interest rates: 9.95% to 35.99%.
  • Loan amounts: $2,000 to $35,000.
  • Repayment terms: 1 to 5 years.
  • Discounts:听狈辞苍别.
  • Fees: Administration fee (up to 9.99%), ($25; 5% of the unpaid amount (not to exceed $5) for Idaho and Oregon borrowers) and dishonored payment fee ($15).
  • Accepts co-signers:听狈辞.

Compare the best low-interest personal loans

 INTEREST RATESLOAN AMOUNTS LOAN TERMSRATE DISCOUNTS
SoFi
8.99% to 29.49%
$5,000 to $100,000
2 to 7 years
Autopay (0.25%), existing account holder (0.125%) and direct creditor payment (0.25%)
Upgrade
9.99% to 35.99%
$1,000 to $50,000
2 to 7 years
Autopay (amount not disclosed)
Upstart
7.8% to 35.99%
$1,000 to $50,000
3 or 5 years
None
PenFed
8.99% to 17.99%
$600 to $50,000
1 to 5 years
None
Prosper
8.99% to 35.99%
$2,000 to $50,000
2 to 5 years
None
LightStream
7.49% to 25.99%
$5,000 to $100,000
2 to 12 years (depending on loan type)
Autopay (0.50%) and Rate Beat Program (0.10%)
91影视 Bank
8.74% to 24.99%
$1,000 to $50,000 ($25,000 maximum for non-91影视 Bank customers)
1 to 7 years (5-year maximum for non-91影视 Bank customers)
Autopay (0.50%)
Avant
9.95% to 35.99%
$2,000 to $35,000
1 to 5 years
None

All interest rates are current and include discounts as applicable as of September 4, 2024.

Methodology

Our expert writers and editors have reviewed and researched multiple lenders to help find the best low-interest personal loans. Out of all the lenders considered, the eight that made our list excelled in areas across the following categories (with weightings): loan details (15%), loan cost (40%), eligibility and accessibility (20%), customer service (15%) and ease of application (10%).

Within each major category, we considered several characteristics, including APR ranges, loan amounts and terms, lender discounts, late payment fees, minimum credit score requirements, co-signer acceptance and funding times. We also evaluated each provider鈥檚 state availability, customer support options and customer reviews.

Why some lenders didn鈥檛 make the cut

Of the personal loan lenders that we reviewed, only a fraction made the cut. The reasons for this varied by lender, with some receiving lower ratings due to having higher interest rates or not allowing co-signers, while others had limited customer service options or poor customer reviews.

Average personal loan interest rates

Personal loan interest rates can vary from as low as about 7% to as high as 36%. As of March 4, 2024, the average rate on a three-year loan was 14.02% while the average rate on a five-year loan was 22.15%, according to data from Credible.

Average rate by credit score

CREDIT SCOREAVERAGE APR
720-850
13.21% to 17.46%
690-719
21.73% to 24.31%
630-689
29.97% to 29.38%
300-629
31.65% to 30.25%

How to find the best low-interest personal loan

There are a few strategies that can make it easier to find a low-interest personal loan that suits your needs. Here are some of the steps you can take:

Check your credit.

If you鈥檙e taking out an unsecured personal loan, your lender won鈥檛 require collateral. However, the lender will determine your eligibility as well as your interest rate based on other factors like your credit score. A higher credit score generally boosts your chances of approval and can help you qualify for a low interest rate. 

Before you apply, use a site like AnnualCreditReport.com to review your credit reports. If you find any errors, dispute them with the appropriate credit bureau to potentially boost your credit score. 

You鈥檒l also need to check your credit score as it isn鈥檛 included in your credit reports. You can do this through a credit-monitoring service, or you can see if it鈥檚 accessible through your bank or credit card company. If your score is on the lower side, consider pausing your application and taking steps to improve your credit. While building credit can take time, doing so can help you not only get approved more easily but also qualify you for better rates in the future. 

Consider your repayment term

Repayment terms on personal loans typically range from one to seven years, depending on the lender. Generally, a longer term results in lower monthly payments and higher interest costs 鈥 and vice versa. Many lenders also offer better rates on loans with shorter terms, so if you want to get a lower rate and pay less in interest, it can be a good idea to choose the shortest term you can afford. 

Tip: Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments based on the loan amount, interest rate and repayment term. This can help you see what will fit comfortably into your budget.

Get pre-qualified and compare offers

Many personal loan lenders offer a pre-qualification tool on their website, which allows you to check your eligibility and see what loan terms you could receive. Pre-qualifications usually only require some basic information and a soft credit check, which won鈥檛 impact your credit score. 

Getting pre-qualified with as many lenders as possible can help you compare offers to see which one has the best deal for you. In addition to the interest rate, consider the loan amount, repayment term and fees when weighing your options. 

Also keep in mind that a secured personal loan might come with a lower rate compared to an unsecured loan. However, opting for a secured loan means you鈥檒l have to provide collateral, which you could lose if you can鈥檛 keep up with your payments.

How to apply for a personal loan

If you鈥檙e ready to apply for your personal loan, follow these steps:

1. Pick a lender

After you鈥檝e pre-qualified with multiple lenders, choose the loan option you like best. This could be the loan with the lowest rate, or it might be an option with fewer fees or more lenient credit requirements

2. Gather your documentation

When you apply, the lender will ask questions about you and the loan you want. Take a few minutes to gather your information, which typically includes:

You might also need to provide income documentation, such as pay stubs or tax returns. 

3. Submit the application and wait for a decision

Use the information you鈥檝e collected to fill out the loan application. This step will also require agreeing to a hard credit check, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. Depending on the lender, you could receive an approval decision within a few hours. In other cases 鈥 such as if the lender needs additional documentation from you 鈥 it could take a few business days.

4. Sign the loan paperwork and get your funds

If you鈥檙e approved, you鈥檒l receive a loan agreement. Read through the contract and check the loan amount, interest rate, monthly payment schedule and fees. If everything checks out, sign the agreement, and send it back to the lender so the funds can be disbursed 鈥 in many cases, this is done by direct deposit into your bank account.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Each lender sets their own individual rates on personal loans based on market conditions. As of July 8, 2024, LightStream has the lowest minimum rate on its personal loans out of the banks included in this list.聽

In addition to banks, be sure to consider other types of lenders 鈥 including online lenders and credit unions 鈥 when looking for a low-interest personal loan. For example, Upstart (an online lending platform) has a lower minimum rate than 91影视 Bank as of July 8, 2024.聽

In general, reputable lenders don鈥檛 offer 0% APR on personal loans. You might find 0% APR offers on some products like auto loans or “buy now, pay later loans.” However, you could still get stuck paying hefty interest charges on these if you don鈥檛 meet the requirements set by the lender. This is why it鈥檚 essential to read a loan agreement carefully so you understand the total cost of borrowing, including the interest rate, fees and any potential rate increases over time.

If you want to borrow money with 0% APR, you might consider a credit card with a 0% APR introductory period. During the intro period (typically between six and 21 months, depending on the card), you won鈥檛 have to worry about paying interest. Just keep in mind that if you can鈥檛 pay off the card before this period ends, you’ll likely end up owing interest charges.

As of January 2024, interest rates on personal loans range from just under 6% to 36%. For a three-year loan, the average rate was 15.16%, while the average rate on a five-year loan was 21.36% as of Jan. 8, 2024, according to data from Credible.

Remember that the rates you鈥檙e offered will vary by lender as well as other factors like your credit score and repayment term.

A good interest rate for a personal loan will depend on several factors, including the lender, your creditworthiness, repayment term and more.

Generally speaking, borrowers with very good credit scores (usually 740 or higher) might be able to qualify for personal loan rates under 8%. Borrowers with good credit (670 to 739) may find rates around 10% to 14%, while those with fair credit (580 to 669) could be offered rates around 18%. Borrowers with poor credit (300 to 579) often receive offers for rates around 30%.

If you鈥檙e looking for a personal loan, be sure to shop around and compare your options with as many lenders as possible to find a good deal.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider鈥檚 website for the most current information.

Kiah Treece

BLUEPRINT

Kiah Treece is a small business owner and former attorney with extensive experience in business and consumer finance. She focuses on demystifying debt so individuals and business owners can take control of their finances. Her work has been published on Forbes Advisor, Investopedia, The Spruce, Rolling Stone, Treehugger and more.

Kim Porter

BLUEPRINT

Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as 91影视 News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.

Ashley Harrison is a 91影视 Blueprint loans and mortgages deputy editor who has worked in the online finance space since 2017. She鈥檚 passionate about creating helpful content that makes complicated financial topics easy to understand. She has previously worked at Forbes Advisor, Credible, LendingTree and Student Loan Hero. Her work has appeared on Fox Business and Yahoo. Ashley is also an artist and massive horror fan who had her short story 鈥淭he Box鈥 produced by the award-winning NoSleep Podcast. In her free time, she likes to draw, play video games, and hang out with her black cats, Salem and Binx.

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