November 21, 2024

The 9 Easiest Personal Loans to Get in 2024

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.

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.

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 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.
Cash advance apps. Use a cash advance app to borrow against your next paycheck.
Secured loans. Use an asset like your car as collateral.
Credit card advances. Borrowing against your credit card limit can be helpful when you need funding for an emergency.
Crowdfunding. Use a crowdfunding platform to raise funds from friends, family, or even strangers online.
401(k) loans. Borrow from your retirement savings.
Family or friends loans. Borrow money from people you know.
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. Skip the loan and get the cash you need when you need it with EarnIn.

Download EarnIn to make every day payday.

1. Calculated on the VantageScore 3.0 model. Your VantageScore 3.0 from Experian® indicates your credit risk level and is not used by all lenders, so don't be surprised if your lender uses a score that's different from your VantageScore 3.0. EarnIn services may not be available in all states. Learn more: https://www.experian.com/assets/consumer-information/product-sheets/vantagescore-3.pdf

2. Subject to your available earnings, Daily Max and Pay Period Max. EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs. EarnIn does not charge hidden fees for use of its services. Restrictions and/or third party fees may apply. For more info visit earnIn.com/TOS.