How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Upstart and Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub) suit borrowers with varied credit profiles, with APRs from about 6 percent to 36 percent.
- SoFi and LightStream suit strong-credit borrowers who want a full bank relationship or low-rate loans.
- Rocket Loans and Best Egg stand out for fast funding, with same-day or 24-hour options.
- Discover and Prosper offer established, transparent personal loans with long track records.
- Borrowing costs money. Compare APR, not just the monthly payment, and borrow only what you can repay on time.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 SoFi | Full bank relationship | See website | No |
 LightStream | Low-rate loans | See website | No |
 Upstart | Varied credit profiles | See website | No |
 Happen Bank | Marketplace lending | See website | No |
 Rocket Loans | Fast funding | See website | No |
 Discover | Established lender | See website | No |
 Best Egg | Debt consolidation | See website | No |
 Prosper | Peer marketplace loans | See website | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best lending companies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
SoFi is a full financial platform offering banking, loans, investing, credit cards, and mortgages through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., and members get benefits through SoFi Plus and Member Rewards. The homepage extract focused on disclosures and a direct deposit bonus, with savings APY of 3.30 percent for members with eligible direct deposit as of October 2026.
Loan rates did not appear on the homepage extract, so check the personal loans page for current APRs. For borrowers who want one bank for checking, loans, and investing, SoFi is a strong choice.
What we like- Banking, loans, investing, and mortgages in one place
- FDIC-insured bank
- Member benefits
Watch out for- Homepage extract focused on disclosures
- Loan rates not shown on homepage
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
LightStream by Truist offers loans for practically anything, from debt consolidation to home improvement and vehicle purchases. It targets borrowers with strong credit and a solid financial profile, with a reputation for competitive rates and a simple online process. The homepage extract showed only a third-party redirect notice, so rate details were not visible in this review.
Check the LightStream site directly for current rates and terms. For strong-credit borrowers who want a straightforward loan from a bank-backed lender, LightStream is worth comparing.
What we like- Loans for practically anything
- Backed by Truist
- Strong-credit focus
Watch out for- Homepage extract was a redirect notice
- Rates not shown on homepage
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Upstart is an AI-powered lending marketplace that looks beyond credit score alone, using education, employment, and other factors to price loans. Personal loans run from $1,000 to $75,000, with fixed rates from 6.3 percent to 35.99 percent APR based on 5-year rates offered in June 2026. Checking your rate takes about 5 minutes with a soft inquiry, funds typically arrive the next business day, and there is no prepayment penalty. More than 4 million customers have used the marketplace, and loans are made by regulated financial institutions on the platform.
The top APR of 35.99 percent is high, and origination fees apply. For borrowers with thin credit files or varied profiles who may be overlooked by traditional models, Upstart is a leading option.
What we like- Personal loans $1,000 to $75,000
- Next-day funding
- No prepayment penalty
Watch out for- APRs up to 35.99%
- Origination fees up to about 8%
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Happen Bank, formerly LendingClub, offers personal loans and banking through its LevelUp accounts. Personal loan APRs range from 5.96 percent to 35.99 percent, with origination and processing fees from 0 to 8 percent of the loan amount, valid as of July 2026. Most offers in mid-2026 were generated in under a minute, and many approved loans were disbursed within 24 hours. Loan Payment Cash Back offers 2 percent back on qualifying on-time electronic payments from an eligible checking account.
One flag: the LendingClub brand is now Happen Bank, so existing customers should expect the new name on statements and communications. For borrowers who want a marketplace lender with banking features, Happen Bank is a solid choice.
What we like- Personal loan APRs from 5.96%
- Fast offers
- Loan payment cash back
Watch out for- Rebrand may confuse existing customers
- Origination fees up to 8%
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Rocket Loans offers online personal loans from $2,000 to $75,000, deposited as soon as the same day, with no hidden fees and no early payoff penalties. An autopay discount lowers the rate, and checking your rate uses a soft credit pull with no impact to your score. The average origination fee is 4.44 percent for very good credit borrowers, with a maximum of 9.99 percent, and late payments carry a $15 fee. A FICO score of 640 or higher is strongly recommended.
Availability excludes Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, West Virginia, and several territories. For borrowers who want fast, transparent funding from the Rocket family, Rocket Loans is a top pick.
What we like- Loans $2,000 to $75,000
- Same-day funding
- No early payoff penalties
Watch out for- Origination fees up to 9.99%
- Not available in several states
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Discover is a national personal banking brand offering credit cards, banking, and loans, with cards accepted at 99 percent of places that take credit cards nationwide. Its homepage extract focused on credit card offers, including 5 percent cash back categories, rather than personal loan terms. Discover personal loans are known for fixed rates, no origination fees in past offerings, and US-based customer service, though current terms should be confirmed on the loans page.
Loan rates did not appear on the homepage extract, so check discover.com personal loans for current APRs. For borrowers who want an established, well-known lender, Discover is a safe choice.
What we like- Trusted national brand
- 99% card acceptance
- Strong customer service reputation
Watch out for- Homepage extract focused on cards
- Loan rates not shown on homepage
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Best Egg offers personal loans up to $50,000 with low fixed rates, funding in 24 hours, and a direct pay option that sends funds straight to creditors for debt consolidation. Checking your rate takes minutes with a soft inquiry and no impact to your credit score. A Homeowner Preferred Loan offers the lowest available rates, using home fixtures like cabinets and vanities as collateral rather than the whole home. A free Financial Health platform helps with credit monitoring, budgeting, and debt paydown.
Rates did not appear on the homepage extract, so check the site for current APRs. For debt consolidation with fast funding and direct creditor payoff, Best Egg is a strong option.
What we like- Funds up to $50,000
- Funding in 24 hours
- Direct pay to creditors
- No hidden fees
Watch out for- Rates not shown on homepage extract
- Homeowner loan uses fixtures as collateral
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Prosper is America's first peer-to-peer lending marketplace, now offering personal loans up to $50,000 with low rates, next-day funding, and no prepayment penalties. New 6-year terms are available, and the platform also offers a credit card, investing, and business loans. With 20 years of experience and top picks recognition from CNBC and Bankrate, Prosper pairs a fully online application with human customer service.
Rates did not appear on the homepage extract, and all personal loans are made by WebBank. For borrowers who want a long-running marketplace lender with flexible terms, Prosper is a reliable choice.
What we like- Personal loans up to $50,000
- Next-day funding
- No prepay penalties
- 20 years in business
Watch out for- Rates not shown on homepage extract
- Loans made by WebBank
How we chose
We compared lending companies on loan range, APR transparency, funding speed, fees, credit flexibility, and customer experience, using vendor homepages opened for this review. Rates are quoted only where the vendor publishes them on its homepage; otherwise they are listed as "See website". Marcus by Goldman Sachs was dropped because its homepage now shows savings accounts only, with no personal loan product visible. Borrowing involves cost and risk, so compare total cost before accepting any offer. Where a homepage extract showed only disclosures or card offers, we marked rates as "See website" rather than estimating them.
What to check before you borrow
Start with APR, not the monthly payment. APR includes interest plus fees, so it shows true cost better than the rate alone. Upstart APRs run to 35.99 percent and Happen Bank to 35.99 percent, while strong-credit borrowers may qualify near 6 percent. Your actual APR depends on credit, income, loan amount, and term, so check your rate with a soft inquiry before committing.
Next, check fees and terms. Origination fees from 0 to 8 percent at Happen Bank and up to 9.99 percent at Rocket Loans reduce the cash you receive, while prepayment penalties, where they exist, punish early payoff. Upstart, Rocket Loans, and Prosper charge no prepayment penalty. Read the loan agreement for late fees, autopay discounts, and state availability before signing.
Finally, borrow only what you can repay comfortably. A personal loan should solve a problem, not create a bigger one: consolidating high-interest debt at a lower APR helps, while borrowing for discretionary spending at a high APR rarely does. Build the monthly payment into your budget first, keep an emergency buffer, and contact your lender early if payment becomes difficult. Lenders often offer hardship options before default. If you already carry several loans, consider speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor before taking on more debt.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lending company?
It depends on your profile. Upstart and Happen Bank suit varied credit profiles, SoFi and LightStream suit strong-credit borrowers, Rocket Loans and Best Egg suit fast funding, and Discover and Prosper suit borrowers who want established brands.
What APR can I expect on a personal loan?
Published APR ranges in this review run from 5.96 percent at Happen Bank and 6.3 percent at Upstart up to 35.99 percent at both. Your actual APR depends on credit, income, loan amount, and term, and the lowest rates go only to the most qualified applicants.
Is LendingClub now Happen Bank?
Yes. LendingClub has rebranded as Happen Bank, as shown on lendingclub.com. Personal loans, LevelUp checking, and LevelUp savings now carry the Happen Bank name.
Does checking my rate affect my credit score?
No, when lenders use a soft inquiry for rate checks. Upstart, Rocket Loans, Best Egg, and Happen Bank all use soft inquiries for rate checks. Accepting a loan triggers a hard inquiry, which can lower your score slightly and temporarily.
How fast can I get a personal loan?
Rocket Loans offers same-day funding, while Upstart, Happen Bank, Best Egg, and Prosper offer next-day or 24-hour funding after approval. Actual timing depends on verification and your bank's processing.
Should I get a personal loan to pay off credit cards?
It can help if the loan APR is clearly lower than your card APR and you stop adding new card debt. Compare total interest over the loan term, not just the monthly payment, and confirm there are no prepayment penalties if you plan to pay early.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.sofi.com
- https://www.lightstream.com
- https://www.upstart.com
- https://www.lendingclub.com
- https://www.rocketloans.com
- https://www.discover.com
- https://www.bestegg.com
- https://www.prosper.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.