The best personal loans get borrowers their money quickly and at the lowest rates. But with personal loan rates on the rise, learning how to compare your options, vet personal loan lenders, and score affordable monthly payments is key. Here are our picks for the best personal loans in 2025 and how you can find one that you qualify for and that fits your needs.This embedded content is not available in your region.Our take: SoFi offers flexible loan amounts, fast funding, and helpful customer support, making it our best overall pick among the lenders we evaluated.Loan amount: $5,000-$100,000Repayment terms: 24-84 monthsFunding speed: Same-day funding possibleOrigination fee: NoneSoFi’s minimum loan amount is fairly high, so it won’t work for everyone. But if you need a larger personal loan, this online lender is definitely worth considering. You won’t pay an origination or application fee with SoFi, nor does it charge prepayment penalties. It also offers competitive APRs on its loans and a highly accessible customer service team, plus member perks like free financial planning.Our take: Lightstream offers very low APRs among lenders we evaluated, making it an excellent option if you want to keep interest costs low.Loan amount: $5,000-$100,000Repayment terms: 24-84 months, but some loan types offer terms up to 240 monthsFunding speed: Same-day funding possibleOrigination fee: NoneNot only does Lightstream offer competitive APRs, it also has a generous 0.50% autopay discount and sweetens the deal by pledging to beat competitors’ rates by 0.10%. Borrowers also benefit from no prepayment penalties, origination, or application fees. Like SoFi, Lightstream’s minimum loan amount is fairly high, so it’s likely only a good choice if you’re seeking a larger personal loan.Our take: LendingClub offers a streamlined application process that gives it an edge over competitors and makes life easier for borrowers.Loan amount: $1,000-$50,000Repayment terms: 24-72 monthsFunding speed: As soon as one business dayOrigination fee: 0% - 8%LendingClub offers a fast and simple application process, allowing you to prequalify for a personal loan before formally applying. It also offers relatively low rates and fees, so it’s worth a look if you want to keep your borrowing costs low. This lender also lets you apply for a personal loan with a co-borrower.While LendingClub has some perks, its origination fees can be fairly high and its repayment terms are less flexible than some competitors.Our take: Discover offers no origination fees, prepayment penalties, or application fees, and it also has a fairly low APR compared to its competitors.Loan amount: $2,500-$40,000Repayment terms: 36-84 monthsFunding speed: As soon as one business dayOrigination fee: NoneWith its lack of fees and competitive APRs, Discover gets high marks for personal loan affordability. It also offers relatively fast funding — as soon as one business day — and its reputation with customers is respectable.Despite these positives, Discover’s loan terms aren’t as flexible as some competitors. You also can’t use a co-applicant to improve your chances of qualifying for a loan.Our take: With fast funding, a lack of fees, and accessible customer support, Navy Federal’s personal loans are an excellent option for military members and veterans.Loan amount: $250-$50,000Repayment terms: 36-60 monthsFunding speed: Same-day funding possibleOrigination fee: NoneThe biggest drawback of Navy Federal is its restrictive credit union membership. Membership is open to veterans, active-duty and retired service members, eligible family members, and Department of Defense civilians.If you qualify for membership and are seeking a personal loan, this lender offers several perks, including flexible loan amounts, fast funding, 24/7 customer support, and more. With the lowest minimum loan amount among all lenders we reviewed, this could be a low-fee option to predatory payday loans.Our take: Best Egg is unique among competitors because it offers a special payment option that could make it easier to repay your personal loan and save on interest.Loan amount: $2,000-$50,000Repayment terms: 36-60 monthsFunding speed: As soon as one business dayOrigination fee: 0.99%-9.99%With Best Egg’s Payment Pathways program, borrowers benefit from a descending payment option. Your monthly payment starts higher but decreases the further you get into your loan term, which not only makes your personal loan more affordable but could make it easier to repay. Best Egg also offers a relatively low starting APR, making it ideal for borrowers with excellent credit who are seeking payment flexibility.That said, you’ll want to be mindful of Best Egg’s origination fees, which can be as high as 9.99%. It also isn’t particularly transparent about its borrower requirements or whether co-applicants are allowed for its personal loans.Our take: Upstart gets excellent ratings from online reviewers and provides ample email and phone support to borrowers, making it our top pick for customer satisfaction.Loan amount: $1,000-$50,000Repayment terms: 36 or 60 monthsFunding speed: As soon as one business dayOrigination fee: Not disclosedPast Upstart customers have great things to say about this lender, and it offers accessible customer support for existing and new borrowers. Its loan amounts are flexible, making it suitable whether you want to borrow a little or a lot, and loans are disbursed quickly after approval.Upstart isn’t transparent about its fees, though. It’s wise to discuss potential fees with customer support before proceeding with an application.Our take: Upgrade offers a very low starting APR compared to some competitors, making it a good choice for borrowers with excellent credit who want to keep interest costs low.Loan amount: $1,000-$50,000Repayment terms: 24-84 monthsFunding speed: As soon as one business dayOrigination fee: 1.85%-9.99%If you have excellent credit, you might qualify for a low-rate personal loan with Upgrade. This lender does charge origination fees, though they could be on the lower side for well-qualified borrowers. Apart from a decent APR, Upgrade offers fast funding, flexible loan amounts, and an accessible customer service team.That said, its fees can also be relatively high, so this is something to watch out for if you plan to apply. Consider prequalifying with a soft credit check before submitting a formal application.Our take: If you’re looking for a flexible repayment term, Wells Fargo offers personal loans with terms as short as one year or as long as seven years.Loan amount: $3,000-$100,000Repayment terms: 12-84 monthsFunding speed: Same-day funding possibleOrigination fee: NoneBesides flexible repayment terms, Wells Fargo offers competitive APRs, no origination fees, and fast funding. Thus, it’s a great choice for borrowers seeking flexibility, those who want to keep their borrowing costs low, or people seeking funds quickly to cover an emergency expense.While it has its perks, Wells Fargo’s feedback from online reviewers is limited and mostly negative. It’s also unclear if this lender allows you to apply with a co-borrower.Our take: Rocket Loans offers quick funding for its personal loans compared to other lenders we evaluated. It also has an excellent reputation with borrowers.Loan amount: $2,000-$45,000Repayment terms: 36 or 60 monthsFunding speed: Same-day funding likelyOrigination fee: Up to 9%If Rocket Loans approves your personal loan application before 4 p.m. ET on a weekday, you’re likely to receive same-day funding. Of course, disbursement time can vary on a case-by-case basis, but a same-day funding option still makes Rocket worth considering if you need to cover an emergency expense. This lender also has a good reputation with its customers.That said, Rocket charges a fairly high origination fee, and its loan terms aren’t particularly flexible. These are important things to consider before you apply.Our take: Avant offers accessible customer support, with representatives available via email and phone seven days a week. It also has a stellar reputation among customers.Loan amount: $2,000-$35,000Repayment terms: 24-60 monthsFunding speed: As soon as one business dayOrigination fee: None, but has an administration fee of up to 9.99%If accessible customer support is important to you, Avant is worth considering. Its team is available via phone and email seven days a week for at least 12 hours each day. Avant also gets high customer satisfaction ratings, perhaps due to its accessible support team and simple loan application process.That said, this lender has some drawbacks. It charges a relatively high administration fee, and borrowers are on the hook for late and dishonored payment fees.Our take: Prosper has a minimum credit score requirement of 600 and lets you apply with a co-applicant if you can’t meet its criteria on your own.Loan amount: $2,000-$50,000Repayment terms: 24-60 monthsFunding speed: As soon as one business dayOrigination fee: 1%-9.99%If you’ve had past credit setbacks and are concerned about your ability to qualify for a personal loan, Prosper may be worth considering. Borrowers with credit scores as low as 600 might qualify for its loans, and you can also apply with a trusted co-borrower to help increase your likelihood of approval. Prosper offers relatively fast funding, as soon as one business day after loan approval.Despite Prosper’s perks, its origination fees are higher than some competitors. Borrowers may also be subject to other fees, including check payment fees, late fees, and insufficient funds fees.Versatility. Personal loan amounts are flexible, and you can use the loan funds for many financial goals. Repayment terms may be fine-tuned to your monthly cash flow.No collateral required. Personal loans are typically unsecured. Qualifying for an unsecured personal loan means you won't have to put up your vehicle, savings account, or other asset to guarantee the loan.Lower interest rates than credit cards. With good credit, you'll likely get an interest rate lower than you'll see with a credit card. Personal loans typically have fixed interest rates that don't change, while credit cards have variable rates that can fluctuate.Easier to qualify for. The best personal loans are easier to qualify for than an auto or home equity loan. Borrower requirements also vary by lender, so credit score requirements may be more flexible with one lender compared to another.Quick approval. The best personal loan lenders can process your loan approval and have cash in hand as soon as the next day. That speed for loan approvals is unique to personal loans.Read more: Personal loan vs. credit cardYour interest rate might be higher than expected. Rates tend to be higher for unsecured personal loans, though secured personal loans are harder to come by. Consider the pros and cons of secured versus unsecured personal loans.Potential fees. Personal loan lenders may charge fees, including origination fees up to 10%. Read the fine print before you apply.More debt. Let's face it: Personal loans can be just one more thing to pay off. If you have a good to excellent credit score and manage debt well, that’s likely not a problem. But for those struggling in their current financial situation with a low credit score, think it through before taking on more debt.Read more: What is a personal loan?Up NextPersonal loan requirements: How to increase your chances of approvalHow to get a personal loan with bad creditHow much can I borrow with a personal loan?What can I use a personal loan for? 7 common reasons to borrow.Good personal loans come with relatively low fixed rates and flexible repayment terms. But the best personal loan lenders go the extra mile by minimizing unnecessary fees, offering flexible credit score requirements, and ensuring responsive customer support. Here’s what to look at as you compare loan options.Dig deeper: Is a personal loan right for me?Interest rates for personal loans tend to increase when the federal funds rate increases. While personal loan rates are trending higher, the rate you receive is based on your creditworthiness, at least in part.Lenders consider your credit score, which is a measure of your creditworthiness based on your history of repaying debt, such as credit cards, vehicle loans, or a mortgage. They also review your debt-to-income ratio, or how much you owe on existing debt relative to your pre-tax earnings.Lenders typically charge higher rates to borrowers with poor credit since they could be at a higher risk of nonpayment. Excellent-credit borrowers generally get the lowest personal loan rates. The lower your interest rate, the less you pay to borrow and the easier it is to afford your monthly payment.You'll often see an interest rate quoted as an annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is your yearly cost of borrowing money and includes any fees or other charges. APRs offer a more accurate picture of your overall borrowing costs than interest rates alone.Your best personal loan choice will be based on your needs. Here are some best practices for choosing the right loan amount and term.Borrow only what you need. Lenders who identify a qualified borrower are anxious to offer the maximum loan amount they believe the customer can afford. But that may be more than you need, putting you on the hook for more debt and interest. For example, if you need $7,000 and the lender approves you for a $10,000 loan because of your good credit, stick with the $7,000.Consider what you can afford. Estimate your monthly payments based on different repayment terms to determine how your new loan payments will fit into your budget. Generally, a shorter repayment term means higher monthly payments and lower interest costs, while a longer term means lower monthly payments and higher interest costs.You’ll also want to compare fees and charges before choosing a personal loan. Common fees and charges to look for include:Origination fee. Some lenders charge origination fees to cover loan processing. The fee is usually a percentage of the total loan, such as 1% or 10%. This is subtracted from your total loan amount when the money is disbursed, so be sure to factor that in when calculating your desired loan amount.Application fee. Lenders may charge application fees, which are usually around $25 to $50 but can be as high as $500.Prepayment penalty. Sometimes a fee is levied if you pay off a loan early. In effect, you're being penalized for reducing debt, so it’s smart to avoid a prepayment penalty if you can. None of the lenders we reviewed charges a prepayment penalty.Late payment fee. If you don't pay on time, you'll likely get hit with a late fee. Getting behind on monthly payments will also negatively impact your credit score.Look up your credit score and credit history before applying for a personal loan. That way, you can correct any errors or try to clean up any blemishes.The higher your credit score, the better your personal loan terms and the lower your monthly payment will be. Credit scores generally range from 300 to 850. The average FICO score in the U.S. was 714 in 2024, according to Experian data.Learn more: Average credit score by age: How do your scores compare?Current interest rates vary by lender, but generally range from about 7% to 36% as of July 2025. Top-tier credit scores will earn the most favorable interest rate.Some lenders do offer personal loans to borrowers with bad credit. Of course, your repayment terms will be less favorable, and the interest rate will be higher.Your lender choice is important. You want to find a lender with a good reputation, the services and perks you prefer, and the most favorable loan terms. Here’s what to look out for:Prequalification. Some lenders let you prequalify, giving you an idea of potential loan amounts, rates, and terms without a formal application. Lenders do a soft credit check when you prequalify, and this type of credit check won’t harm your credit score.Customer support and payment options. Research customer support and payment options before moving forward with an application. Does the lender offer an autopay discount? Is there phone and email support during the hours you'll likely need assistance?Customer reviews. Real-life reviews offer the best insight into a lender's reputation. Sort customer reviews by "most recent," if possible, to see the latest issues or complaints. Red flags can include last-minute changes to a borrower's interest rate or loan terms, disbursement or payment glitches, or issues with the functionality of a mobile app or website.Learn more: What is the best place to get a personal loan?Applying for a personal loan is simpler and requires less documentation than applying for other types of debt such as an auto loan. Step one is understanding your credit history and scores, as both help determine your interest rate. You can access your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and get insight into your scores through your credit card issuer, bank, or a third-party service like Credit Karma.Next, consider how much you need to borrow and how fast you can pay it back. Remember that interest costs tend to be lower with a shorter repayment term, but your monthly payments will often be higher because you’re repaying your loan over a shorter time frame. You’ll usually pay more in interest with a longer-term loan.It also makes sense to prequalify with a few different lenders to compare your options. Once you have two or three loan offers in hand, sit down and do a side-by-side comparison of each. Which lender gives you the best payment options and combination of loan terms and service? How much will you save over the life of the loan from the lowest APR offer compared to the least favorable? How quickly will the loan funds be available?Once you’ve chosen your ideal lender, it’s time to apply online. Be prepared to share basic personal and financial information on your application, including proof of income. You’ll find out whether you qualify for a loan after your lender checks your credit and financial history. If you’re approved, your lender will likely disburse funds quickly, with some lenders offering next-day funding.Dig deeper: How long does it take to be approved for a personal loan?Absolutely. Consolidating high-interest credit card debt with a lower-rate personal loan could help you save on interest and make it easier to repay your debt.Dig deeper: How to consolidate credit card debt with a personal loanYes, some lenders allow you to apply for a personal loan with no credit check. But a no-credit-check lender will likely offer smaller loans, shorter repayment terms, and high interest rates. Thus, a no-credit-check loan can be a risky financing option, so consider other financing options if possible.Some personal loan lenders offer loans for borrowers with bad credit, but you'll likely pay a high interest rate. The lender may also require a co-applicant or a secured loan guaranteed by collateral.A personal loan is a lump-sum installment loan issued by a bank, credit union, or online lender. If approved, you'll make monthly payments for a set term, often as long as five or seven years. You can use a personal loan for a variety of purposes, but are generally prohibited from using one for higher education, a home down payment, or for investing purposes.Lenders were scored across nine key evaluation categories that reflect critical aspects of the loan process. Data was collected from 18 personal loan lenders and carefully reviewed by our personal finance experts.We graded each lender based on publicly available information found on their websites, disclosures and legal fine print, customer service policies, and consumer reviews from Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau. Categories include available APR range, applicable fees, offered loan amounts and terms, and customer support options. Each category was assigned a weight that corresponds to its relative importance and prioritizes consumer-friendly lending for individual, unsecured personal loans. Some subjective scoring is involved when clear information is unavailable.This article was edited by Alicia Hahn.