Personal Loan Reviews

Read NerdWallet reviews of personal loans, plus cash advance and buy now, pay later apps. Compare loans from multiple lenders to get one with costs and features that match your needs.

Get started with personal loans

NerdWallet's top-rated personal loans

SoFi Personal Loans: 2024 Review

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Multiple rate discounts.
  • Fast funding.
  • Large loan amounts.

Upgrade Personal Loans: 2024 Review

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Multiple rate discounts.
  • Secured and joint loans.
  • Mobile app to manage loan payments.

Discover Personal Loans: 2024 Review

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • No origination fee.
  • Fast funding.
  • Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.

LightStream Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
  • No fees.
  • Rate discount for autopay.
  • Long repayment terms and large loan amounts.

Upstart Personal Loans: 2024 Review

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Accepts borrowers with bad credit or thin credit histories.
  • Has a low income requirement.
  • Fast approval and funding.

Happy Money Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Option to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.
  • Offers direct payment to creditors.
  • No late fee.

Best Egg Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
  • Wide range of loan amounts.
  • Secured loan options.
  • Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.

LendingClub Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
  • Joint loan option.
  • Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
  • Option to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.

NerdWallet rates lenders on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. See our personal loan rating methodology.

More loan reviews by category

SoFi Personal Loans: 2024 Review

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Multiple rate discounts.
  • Fast funding.
  • Large loan amounts.

Upgrade Personal Loans: 2024 Review

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Multiple rate discounts.
  • Secured and joint loans.
  • Mobile app to manage loan payments.

Discover Personal Loans: 2024 Review

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • No origination fee.
  • Fast funding.
  • Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.

LightStream Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
  • No fees.
  • Rate discount for autopay.
  • Long repayment terms and large loan amounts.

Happy Money Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Option to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.
  • Offers direct payment to creditors.
  • No late fee.

Achieve Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • Multiple rate discounts.
  • Direct payment to creditors for debt consolidation.
  • Joint loan option.

Other ways to borrow: Buy now, pay later and cash advance apps

Sezzle offers interest-free payment plans to shoppers online and in stores, but keep an eye on fees.
PayPal’s Pay Later lets you divide the cost of an online purchase into smaller installments with no fees.
Zip divides your purchase into four equal payments, but it charges an installment fee.
Afterpay divides your purchase into four equal installments with zero interest, but it charges a late fee for missed payments.
Acima offers lease-to-own financing, but it’s pricey. Borrowers can minimize financing costs by paying off the lease early.
Klarna offers multiple payment options, including a Pay in 4, Pay in 30 and monthly financing, which can help break up the cost of your purchase.
Affirm offers shoppers a pay-in-four plan with no interest and zero fees. Monthly payments may charge up to 36% APR.

These products have their own rating systems. Read our buy now, pay later rating methodology and cash advance apps rating methodology.

Most recent personal loan reviews

Chime MyPay 2024 Review: Cash Advances

Chime’s MyPay feature is an affordable way for Chime customers to access part of their upcoming paycheck early.

Abe Review: Private Student Loans

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Varo Cash Advance 2024 Review

Varo’s cash advance may be useful for Varo bank customers who need cash fast and want more than two weeks to pay it back.

EarnIn App 2024 Review: Paycheck Advance Loans

EarnIn’s advances are large and fees are low, but the app only works with employees who are paid regularly and have a fixed working location or employer-provided email address.

Klover App 2024 Review: Cash Advances in Exchange for Your Data

Klover cash advances are helpful for users who need to bridge a small income gap and are comfortable with the app’s data collection practices.

Empower App 2024 Review: Cash Advances

Empower’s advances are small but funded quickly. The app may approve gig workers or freelancers with unpredictable income.

Dave App 2024 Review: Cash Advances

Dave’s ExtraCash advance may require more effort — and expense — than it’s worth. The app requires users to open a checking account, pay a membership fee and take extra steps to get an advance.

MoneyLion Instacash 2024 Review: Cash Advances

MoneyLion Instacash gives app users large cash advances in small increments, but you’ll pay a fee to get funds instantly.

Brigit 2024 Review: Paycheck Advances

Brigit is an app that offers cash advances up to $250 plus budgeting and credit-building features — but charges a monthly fee.

SoLo Funds 2024 Review: Peer-to-Peer Cash Advances

SoLo Funds provides peer-to-peer cash advances that may be suitable for small, non-urgent expenses.

No-Credit-Check Loans in 2025

No-credit-check loans are easy to get but should usually be considered after lower-cost alternatives.

8 Top Car-Buying Apps

Buying a car can be complicated. These apps offer unique features and helpful tools that can simplify the process.


Santander Personal Loans: 2024 Review

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
  • No origination fee.
  • Direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
  • Mobile app to manage loan.

Zable Personal Loans: 2024 Review

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
  • Option to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.
  • Borrowers can change their repayment date.
  • Fast funding.