NerdWallet Best-Of Awards 2024

Smart decisions start with our list of top personal loans

Our Nerds studied lenders’ transparency, flexibility, and ability to provide fast funding to bring you the best personal loans of 2024. While some winners may be partners, this didn't influence our decisions.

Check out the winning personal loans

BEST PERSONAL LOAN OVERALL

SoFi
Get Rate

on SoFi's website

Min. credit score

None

Est. APR

8.99-29.99%

Loan amount

$5,000-$100,000

Why our Nerds love it
why nerds love it icon

SoFi stands out with competitive rates, no required fees and multiple rate discounts. It offers fast funding, a wide range of loan amounts and terms, plus perks like free financial advice.

Read our methodology

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR DEBT CONSOLIDATION

Upgrade
Get Rate

on Upgrade's website

Min. credit score

580

Est. APR

9.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$50,000

Why our Nerds love it
why nerds love it icon

Upgrade stands out for debt consolidation loans, offering direct payment to creditors, multiple ways to get a rate discount and next-day funding. It also accepts joint applications.

Read our methodology

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT

Lightstream
Get Rate

on LightStream's website

Min. credit score

660

Est. APR

6.99-25.29%

Loan amount

$5,000-$100,000

Why our Nerds love it
why nerds love it icon

LightStream stands out for home improvement loans, offering especially large loan amounts and extended terms. Its rates are competitive, and it never charges extra fees.

Read our methodology

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR GOOD CREDIT

BestEgg
Get Rate

on Best Egg's website

Min. credit score

600

Est. APR

7.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$2,000-$50,000

Why our Nerds love it
why nerds love it icon

Best Egg offers borrowers a wide range of loan amounts, fast funding and a unique secured loan option. Its free financial health tool is a perk for anyone tracking their credit.

Read our methodology

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR FAIR CREDIT

Upstart
Get Rate

on Upstart's website

Min. credit score

None

Est. APR

7.80-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$50,000

Why our Nerds love it
why nerds love it icon

Upstart’s unique underwriting model helps lower-credit consumers qualify. Stand-out loan features include a wide range of loan amounts, fast funding and seven-day customer service.

Read our methodology

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR EXCELLENT CREDIT

Discover
Get Rate

on Discover's website

Min. credit score

660

Est. APR

7.99-24.99%

Loan amount

$2,500-$40,000

Why our Nerds love it
why nerds love it icon

For borrowers with excellent credit, Discover offers competitive rates, fast funding and special features for debt consolidation. Borrowers have multiple ways to manage their loan.

Read our methodology

BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR BAD CREDIT

Upgrade
Get Rate

on Upgrade's website

Min. credit score

580

Est. APR

9.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1,000-$50,000

Why our Nerds love it
why nerds love it icon

Upgrade accepts consumers with low credit, offering competitive rates, multiple rate discount options and credit-monitoring tools. It has special features for debt consolidation and home improvement loans.

Read our methodology

Get nerdy recommendations

Be confident you have the best financial products for you. Sign up to get personalized product comparisons, articles, promotions, and more.

Frequently asked questions