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
- This is not financial advice. Rates change daily, so the quote you receive matters more than any published ranking.
- Rocket Mortgage suits borrowers who want a fast digital process, while Better suits borrowers who want low lender fees.
- loanDepot and Pennymac are strong for cash-out and streamline refinances, including FHA and VA options.
- Veterans United is the specialist pick for VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans, known as IRRRLs.
- Get at least three written quotes on the same day, with the same loan type, term and points, before choosing.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Rocket Mortgage | Fast digital refinancing | See website | Free quote |
 Better | Low lender fees online | See website | Free quote |
 loanDepot | Cash-out refinancing | See website | Free quote |
 Rate | Rate shopping and fast approval | See website | Free quote |
 Pennymac | FHA and VA streamline refinances | See website | Free quote |
 Veterans United | VA refinancing | See website | Free quote |
 Chase | Existing bank customers | See website | Free quote |
 SoFi | Digital-first borrowers | See website | Free quote |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best mortgage refinance companies
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
Rocket Mortgage fits borrowers who want to complete most of a refinance online without branch visits. The application, document upload and status tracking all sit in one portal, and the company handles a wide range of loan types, including rate-and-term, cash-out, FHA and VA refinances. That breadth helps when your situation does not fit a narrow product.
Speed is a real strength, with many refinances closing in around three weeks, though your timeline depends on appraisal, title and underwriting. The drawback is price discipline. Rocket Mortgage is competitive, but not always cheapest, so compare its Loan Estimate line by line with at least two other lenders before locking a rate.
What we like- Full online application and document upload
- Conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo options
- Clear progress tracking
Watch out for- Rates are not always the lowest
- Closing costs vary by loan and location
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
Better suits tech comfortable borrowers who want to keep lender fees low. The company charges no origination fee on many loans and runs a digital pipeline with no commissioned loan officers, which is part of how it keeps costs down. Online rate locking and automated document checks also shorten the early stages for straightforward W-2 borrowers with clear documentation.
The limits matter for complex cases. There are no branches for face to face help, and self-employed income, mixed property types or credit complications can slow the process. Better is strongest for conventional rate-and-term refinances on a primary home, and less proven for unusual loan structures.
What we like- No lender origination fee on many loans
- Fully digital process
- Fast online rate lock
Watch out for- No physical branches
- Loan servicing may transfer after closing
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
loanDepot fits homeowners who want to tap equity as well as lower a rate. Its cash-out programs and home equity products cover renovation, debt consolidation and other large expenses, and borrowers can start online then speak to a loan officer when the numbers get complex. Existing customers may also qualify for fee benefits on a later refinance, subject to current terms.
Price is the watch point. loanDepot is not positioned as the lowest fee lender, so a cash-out quote needs careful comparison on APR, closing costs and total interest, not just the monthly payment. Cash-out refinancing also increases the loan balance, so it only makes sense when the use of the cash is clear and the break-even point is acceptable.
What we like- Broad cash-out and home equity options
- Online start with phone support
- Lifetime guarantee on some future refinances
Watch out for- Fees can run higher than low fee rivals
- Rates vary by profile
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
Rate, formerly Guaranteed Rate, suits borrowers who are shopping hard on rate and want a quick approval. The company handles conventional, FHA and VA refinances, offers electronic or hybrid closings where eligible, and is often cited for low APRs for borrowers with strong credit and solid equity. That makes it a useful comparison quote even if you start elsewhere.
The experience is less uniform than a fully digital lender, because much depends on the individual loan officer and branch. Borrowers should ask for a written Loan Estimate, confirm whether points are included, and compare the same loan structure across lenders on the same day.
What we like- Competitive pricing for strong credit profiles
- Fast pre-approval
- Electronic and hybrid closings
Watch out for- Service experience varies by loan officer
- Pricing depends heavily on credit and equity
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
Pennymac is a practical pick for borrowers with an existing FHA or VA loan who want a streamline refinance with reduced documentation. Streamline programs can lower the rate with less paperwork than a full refinance, though eligibility rules, loan history and current rate rules still apply. Pennymac also services a large number of loans, which can simplify the transition after closing.
The digital experience is functional rather than leading. Borrowers who want a fully app based process may prefer Rocket Mortgage or Better, while borrowers who value streamline expertise may accept a slower portal. Compare Pennymac on total closing costs, not only the advertised rate.
What we like- Strong FHA streamline and VA IRRRL programs
- Large servicing portfolio
- Conventional and jumbo options
Watch out for- Digital tools are less polished than digital-first rivals
- Closing times can run longer
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
Veterans United specialises in VA loans, which makes it the natural first quote for eligible veterans and service members. Its teams handle VA IRRRLs, which can lower a rate with reduced documentation for existing VA borrowers, as well as VA cash-out refinances for those who want to use home equity. That focus shows up in clearer guidance on VA entitlement, funding fees and eligibility.
The limit is scope. If you hold a conventional or FHA loan, Veterans United is not the right lender, and VA funding fees and occupancy rules still apply even with a specialist. Eligible borrowers should still compare at least one other VA lender, because VA rates and lender credits vary.
What we like- Deep VA loan expertise
- IRRRL and cash-out VA options
- Dedicated VA focused support
Watch out for- VA loans only, so not useful for conventional borrowers
- Funding fee rules still apply
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
Chase suits borrowers who already bank with Chase and value face to face or phone support. Relationship customers may qualify for pricing benefits, and the bank handles conventional and jumbo refinances alongside a wide range of other products. That breadth helps when a refinance sits alongside other banking needs.
Speed and price are the trade-offs. Large bank processes can take longer than digital lenders, and published rates may not match the lowest online quotes. Chase is worth a quote for existing customers, but it should not be the only quote.
What we like- Branch and phone support
- Relationship pricing for some customers
- Conventional and jumbo refinances
Watch out for- Closing times can be longer
- Rates may lag digital-first rivals
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree quote
SoFi fits borrowers who already use digital finance tools and want a straightforward online refinance. The application is clean, conventional and jumbo loans are covered, and SoFi membership adds benefits such as financial planning resources. That package appeals to higher credit borrowers with straightforward income and property profiles.
The drawback is specialisation. SoFi is not the first choice for FHA streamline or VA IRRRL borrowers, who will find deeper expertise at Pennymac or Veterans United. As with every lender here, compare the Loan Estimate on APR, fees and points, not the headline rate alone.
What we like- Clean digital application
- Conventional and jumbo options
- Member benefits beyond mortgages
Watch out for- Less focus on FHA and VA streamline programs
- Pricing varies by credit profile
How we chose
We compared lender pricing pages, product documentation, loan type coverage and public reviews, with attention to rate-and-term, cash-out, FHA streamline and VA IRRRL options. Rates were not treated as fixed, because refinance rates move daily with bond markets, credit score, equity, loan size and location. A lender stayed on the list only if it is licensed, offers refinancing nationally or widely, and provides a clear route to a written quote. This is not financial advice, and no lender here is right for every borrower. Verification note: Chase is counted on domain and title because its homepage returned only its title and sign-in link in this check.
How to compare refinance quotes fairly
Start by fixing the loan structure before you shop. Decide on rate-and-term or cash-out, choose a term such as 30 year or 15 year fixed, and decide whether you will pay points. Then request Loan Estimates from at least three lenders on the same day, so rate movements do not distort the comparison. Compare APR, lender fees, third party costs, cash to close and the monthly payment together.
Next, work out the break-even point. Divide total closing costs by the monthly saving to see how many months it takes to recover the cost, and compare that with how long you plan to stay in the home. A lower rate that costs thousands in fees can be worse than a slightly higher rate with low fees if you move in a few years. Finally, check appraisal, title and servicing details, and confirm in writing whether the rate is locked, for how long, and what happens if closing slips past the lock date.
Frequently asked questions
When does refinancing make sense?
Refinancing usually makes sense when the new rate and fees produce a break-even point well inside the time you plan to stay in the home, or when you need a different loan structure, such as removing mortgage insurance or switching from adjustable to fixed. A small rate drop with high closing costs may not be worth it, so run the break-even maths before applying.
What is the difference between rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing?
Rate-and-term refinancing replaces your loan with a new rate or term without increasing the balance, apart from rolled in costs. Cash-out refinancing borrows more than you owe and gives you the difference in cash, using home equity. Cash-out loans usually carry higher rates and increase total debt, so they need a clear purpose.
How long does a refinance take?
Many digital lenders close in around three weeks, while larger banks and complex loans can take four to six weeks or longer. Appraisal, title search, underwriting and documentation all affect the timeline. A rate lock with an expiry date matters here, because a delayed closing can force a costly extension.
Do I need perfect credit to refinance?
No, but credit affects rate and eligibility. Conventional loans generally need higher scores, while FHA loans accept lower scores, and VA loans have their own guidelines. Improving credit before applying can lower the rate, but waiting too long can also mean missing a favourable rate window.
Should I pay points to lower my rate?
Paying points can make sense if you plan to stay long enough to recover the upfront cost through lower payments. If you may move or refinance again soon, paying points often loses money. Compare the same loan with and without points on the Loan Estimate to see the break-even point.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com
- https://www.better.com
- https://www.loandepot.com
- https://www.rate.com
- https://www.pennymac.com
- https://www.veteransunited.com
- https://www.chase.com
- https://www.sofi.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.