For some borrowers, getting a personal loan is easy. These are usually people with good credit scores (740 or above), stable incomes, and a history of responsible credit.
But personal loans can be helpful for all kinds of borrowers. Handled responsibly, they can even help you go from bad or fair credit to good, and they’re generally
safer than payday loans (which, to be fair, isn’t saying much).
The challenge, of course, is finding a lender who works with borrowers who don’t meet the well-qualified criteria. We’ve put together a list of the easiest personal loans to get so you can choose the lender that’s right for you.
The 9 easiest personal loans to get this year
Looking for an easy-approval loan? These lenders work with borrowers who might not get approved by a traditional bank or credit union.
1. Upgrade
If you’re looking to consolidate debt or finance some home improvements, Upgrade could be a good option. They offer loans from $1,000 to $50,000, APRs ranging from 9.99% to 35.99%, and repayment terms from 24 to 84 months.
Pros: Fast funding, flexible terms
How to apply: Online or over the phone
Minimum credit score: 580
Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%
2. LendingPoint
LendingPoint is a better option for those who have a less-than-perfect credit history but can demonstrate their ability to repay a loan. They offer loans from $1,000 to $36,500, APRs ranging from 7.99% to 35.99%, and repayment terms from 24 to 72 months.
Pro: Looks at more than just your credit score
How to apply: Online
Minimum credit score: 600
Origination fee. Up to 10%
3. Universal Credit
Another better high-approval loan option for borrowers needing a larger loan amount is Universal Credit. They offer loans from $1,000 to $50,000, APRs ranging from 11.69% to 35.99%, and repayment terms from 36 to 80 months.
Pros: Large loan amounts, fast funding
How to apply: Online
Minimum credit score: 580
Origination fee: 5.25% to 9.99%
4. Upstart
Having a limited credit history isn’t a problem with Upstart — this online lender runs a credit check with artificial intelligence, which can help those who are new to credit or who have
a few blemishes on their credit report. Upstart offers loans from $1,000 to $50,000, APRs ranging from 7.80% to 35.99%, and repayment terms from 36 to 84 months.
Pros: Uses AI to assess creditworthiness
How to apply: Online
Minimum credit score: 300
Origination fee: 0% to 12%
5. Avant
One of the easiest loans to get online is with Avant. After filling out a fast and easy online application, you could get approved for a loan from $2,000 to $35,000. Avant’s APRs range from 9.95% to 35.99% with repayment terms from 24 to 60 months.
Pros: High approval rates, fast online application process
How to apply: Online
Minimum credit score: 580
Origination fee: 1.99% to 6.99%
6. LendingClub
If you want to compare rates from multiple online lenders, LendingClub could be a good option. It’s a peer-to-peer lending platform, which means that your loan will be funded by individual investors instead of a traditional bank or credit union. LendingClub offers loans from $1,000 to $40,000 with APRs ranging from 8.05% to 35.89%.
Pros: Peer-to-peer lending, flexible terms
How to apply: Online
Minimum credit score: 600
Origination fee: 1% to 8%
7. OneMain Financial
One of the easiest loans to get with bad credit is through OneMain Financial, which offers both
unsecured and secured loans, meaning you may be able to use an asset like your car or home to secure the financing. OneMain Financial offers loans from $1,500 to $20,000 with APRs ranging from 18.00% to 35.99%.
Pros: Fast funding — as soon as one hour after closing
How to apply: Online, over the phone, or in person
Minimum credit score: 550
Origination fee: $25 to $500
8. Oportun
Oportun is another option for people with limited credit history who need help building their credit. Oportun offers loans from $300 to $10,000 with APRs up to 35.99%.
Pros: Larger loans available when secured with a car title
How to apply: Online, over the phone, or in person
Minimum credit score: None
Origination fee: Up to 10%
9. Prosper
Prosper is another peer-to-peer lending platform — an individual investor will fund your loan instead of a bank or credit union. Prosper offers loans from $2,000 to $40,000 with APRs ranging from 6.99% to 35.99%.
Pros: Peer-to-peer lending, flexible terms
How to apply: Online
Minimum credit score: 640
Origination fee: 1% to 9.99%
Lender | Min. Credit | APR | Loan Amount | Repayment Terms | Origination Fee | Late Fee & Prepayment fee |
Upgrade | 580 | 9.99% to 35.99% | $1,000 to $50,000 | 24-84 months | 1.85% to 9.99% | No prepayment fee; late fee up to $10 |
LendingPoint | 600 | 7.99% to 35.99% | $1,000 to $36,500 | 24-72 months | Up to 10% | No prepayment fee; 5% late fee |
Universal Credit | 580 | 11.69% to 35.99% | $1,000 to $50,000 | 36-80 months | 5.25% to 9.99% | No prepayment fee; late fee up to $10 |
Upstart | 300 | 7.80% to 35.99% | $1,000 to $50,000 | 36-84 months | Up to 12% | No prepayment fee; 5% late fee |
Avant | 580 | 9.95% to 35.99% | $2,000 to $35,000 | 24-60 months | 1.99% to 6.99% | No prepayment fee; $8 late fee |
LendingClub | 600 | 8.05% to 35.89% | $1,000 to $40,000 | 24-84 months | 1% to 8% | No prepayment fee; 15-day grace period |
OneMain Financial | none | 18.00% to 35.99% | $1,500 to $20,000 | 24-60 months | $25 to $500 | No prepayment fee; up to 15% or $30 late fee |
Oportun | none | up to 35.99% | $300 to $10,000 | 12-60 months | Up to 10% | No prepayment fee; 5% late fee |
Prosper | 560 | 8.99% to 35.99% | up to $50,000 | 24-60 months | 1% to 9.99% | No prepayment fee; 5% late fee |
How to compare personal loans
The easiest loan to get approved for isn’t necessarily the best. And a non-loan option could be a far better choice. To make the right decision, you need to understand how to compare your options.
Here are some of the key factors to consider and why they matter.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The APR is the annual cost of borrowing, including interest rates and fees. A lower APR means you'll pay less over the life of the loan.
Loan amount. Make sure the lender offers the amount you need. Some lenders have low maximums, which may not work if you need a larger personal loan. And if you don’t need a large amount, don’t get a bigger loan just because. It’s best to borrow only what you need.
Fees. Personal loans can come with various fees, including origination fees, prepayment penalties, and late payment fees. Look for a loan with low (or no) fees.
Credit score requirements. Many personal loan lenders have minimum credit score requirements. A lower score might limit the number of lenders you can choose from.
Repayment flexibility. Lenders offer different repayment terms, usually between 24 and 84 months. Make sure you can repay the loan on a timeline that works for you.
Customer service and support. Choose a lender with a good reputation for customer service so you can get questions answered and issues resolved.
What makes a personal loan easy to get?
Lenders that offer "easy" personal loans usually have less stringent requirements, making them more accessible to a wider range of borrowers. Here’s a breakdown of the factors that make a personal loan easy to get.
Lower credit score requirements. Some lenders have lower credit score requirements than banks and credit unions.
Flexible income verification. You might be able to get approved for a personal loan with alternative forms of income, like self-employment income or gig work.
Ability to prequalify without a hard credit inquiry. Lenders that run a soft credit check allow you to prequalify for a personal loan without impacting your credit score.
Fast approval process. If the lender offers a fast approval process, you get your personal loan funded quickly.
Flexible repayment terms. Some lenders offer flexible repayment terms so you can choose a personal loan that fits your budget and timeline.
High approval rates. Some lenders have high approval rates, even for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.
How to apply for a personal loan
Once you’ve compared your options and chosen a lender, it’s time to apply for your personal loan by following these steps.
1. Run your own credit check. Use
EarnIn’s Credit Monitoring tool to check your credit score
for free so you know which loan terms you might be eligible for.
2. Gather your documentation. You’ll probably need to provide proof of identity, income, and employment with documents like a driver’s license, pay stubs, and tax returns.
3. Prequalify with multiple lenders. It’s smart to shop around to get the best rates, so look for lenders that allow you to prequalify without impacting your credit score. When you know which loans you’re eligible for, you won’t use energy on an unsuccessful application.
4. Compare loan offers. After prequalifying, compare the personal loan offers carefully. Consider the APR, loan amount, fees, and repayment terms before making a decision.
5. Submit your application. It’s finally time to submit your loan application. Have your documentation ready so your funding doesn’t get hung up by extra verification.
Alternatives to easy personal loans
Personal loans aren’t the only way to get the funding you need. Depending on your situation, you might have more luck with alternatives like:
Earned Wage Access apps. Instead of a small loan with interest and fees, consider an app like
EarnIn, which letsgives you access to the money you’ve already earned without waiting for payday.
Secured loans. Use an asset like your car as collateral.
Crowdfunding. Use a crowdfunding platform to raise funds from friends, family, or even strangers online.
Buy now, pay later apps. Skip the
short-term loan and pay over time by splitting purchases into smaller payments.
Get quick cash and skip the loans with EarnIn
Personal loans may be safer than predatory
payday loans, but high interest rates and origination fees still make them expensive and potentially dangerous.
EarnIn's Cash Out tool is a hassle-free, cost-effective solution that lets you access your own pay as you work — up to $150/day and up to $750/pay period.
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