Getting a personal loan with a low credit score can be difficult. Traditional banks may have stricter credit requirements, but several online lenders and loan platforms consider borrowers with poor, fair or limited credit histories.
The good news is that having a low credit score does not automatically mean you have no borrowing options. Some lenders consider additional factors such as income, employment, debt-to-income ratio and banking history when evaluating an application.
In this guide, we look at 10 loan platforms for borrowers with low credit in the USA, including their loan amounts, potential credit requirements, funding speed and important features.
Important: Loan approval is never guaranteed. Interest rates and fees can vary significantly based on your credit profile, income, state and other factors. Always compare the total cost of a loan before accepting an offer.
What Is a Low Credit Score?
Credit-score ranges can vary depending on the scoring model.
For FICO scores, a score below 580 is generally considered poor, while scores from 580 to 669 are generally considered fair.
A low credit score can make it harder to qualify for traditional personal loans and may result in higher interest rates.
However, some online lenders specifically consider borrowers who have less-than-perfect credit.
10 Loan Platforms for Low Credit
1. Upstart
Upstart is an online lending platform that uses more than a traditional credit-score assessment when evaluating applicants.
Upstart says its lending model considers factors including income, employment and other information. Its current personal-loan range is $1,000 to $75,000, with APRs currently ranging from 6.3% to 35.99%, depending on the applicant and state.
Key features
- Loans from $1,000 to $75,000
- No fixed minimum credit score for personal loans
- 3- or 5-year terms
- Fixed monthly payments
- No prepayment penalty
- Rate check initially uses a soft credit inquiry
Upstart can be particularly relevant for borrowers whose credit score does not fully reflect their current financial situation.
2. Avant
Avant is another online lender frequently considered by borrowers with weaker credit.
CNBC Select reports that Avant considers applicants with credit scores around 550 and above, while its current published loan information includes amounts of approximately $2,000 to $35,000 and terms of 24 to 60 months.
Key features
- Personal loans
- $2,000 to $35,000
- 24- to 60-month terms
- Online application
- Prequalification available
- Potentially fast funding
The published APR range can reach 35.99%, so borrowers should compare the total repayment cost carefully.
3. OneMain Financial
OneMain Financial has been providing personal loans for decades and offers both secured and unsecured loan options.
OneMain currently lists personal loans from $1,500 to $30,000, with terms of 24 to 60 months and published fixed APRs ranging from 11.99% to 35.99%.
Key features
- $1,500 to $30,000
- Secured and unsecured options
- 24- to 60-month terms
- Online application
- More than 1,300 branches
- Fast funding may be available after closing
A secured loan may involve collateral, so borrowers should understand the consequences before choosing that option.
4. LendingPoint
LendingPoint is another platform considered by borrowers who may have difficulty qualifying with traditional lenders.
CNBC Select identifies LendingPoint among lenders serving people with weaker credit and highlights it for speedy approval.
Key features
- Online application
- Prequalification options
- Personal loans
- Fast application process
- Considers more than just credit score
Your actual loan amount, APR and repayment terms depend on your application and the lender’s evaluation.
5. Oportun
Oportun is a financial company that offers personal loans and other financial products.
It can be relevant for consumers looking for smaller borrowing amounts. CNBC Select currently identifies Oportun as an option for small personal loans among lenders serving borrowers with weaker credit.
Key features
- Smaller personal-loan options
- Online application
- Designed for borrowers who may have limited credit history
- Flexible loan options may be available depending on location
Before accepting an offer, compare its APR and fees with other lenders.
6. Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a lending platform associated with Upgrade and focuses on personal loans, including debt-consolidation loans.
Current 2026 comparisons identify Universal Credit as an option for borrowers with poor-to-fair credit and for debt consolidation.
Key features
- Personal loans
- Debt-consolidation options
- Online application
- Prequalification
- Designed for a range of credit profiles
Borrowers considering debt consolidation should compare the new loan’s APR and fees against the existing debts rather than focusing only on the monthly payment.
7. Upgrade
Upgrade offers personal loans and other financial products.
Upgrade is also notable because secured-loan options can be available, potentially giving some borrowers another route to qualification. Current 2026 comparisons include Upgrade among platforms serving fair- and poor-credit borrowers.
Key features
- Personal loans
- Secured-loan options
- Debt consolidation
- Online application
- Prequalification
- Multiple repayment options
If you choose a secured loan, understand which asset is being used as collateral and the potential consequences of default.
8. Prosper
Prosper operates as an online lending marketplace connecting borrowers with potential lenders.
CNBC Select currently includes Prosper among its personal-loan options and identifies it as a peer-to-peer lending platform.
Key features
- Online application
- Personal loans
- Debt consolidation
- Fixed monthly payments
- Digital application process
Loan availability and terms depend on the borrower’s financial profile and applicable state requirements.
9. Achieve
Achieve offers personal loans and debt-consolidation products.
Current 2026 personal-loan comparisons include Achieve among lenders offering options for different borrower profiles and highlight its potential rate discounts.
Key features
- Personal loans
- Debt consolidation
- Online application
- Potential rate discounts
- Fixed-rate loan structure
When comparing an Achieve offer with other lenders, look at the APR and total repayment amount rather than just the advertised monthly payment.
10. LendingTree
LendingTree is different from a traditional direct lender.
Instead, LendingTree can help consumers compare loan offers from participating providers.
LendingTree’s current bad-credit research reports that borrowers with credit scores below 580 received an average of four personal-loan offers through its marketplace data.
Key features
- Compare multiple potential offers
- Online application
- Different lender options
- Loan comparison tools
- Useful for rate shopping
A marketplace can be useful when you want to compare multiple offers rather than applying individually to many lenders.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Type | Loan Focus | Low-Credit Options | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstart | Lending platform | Personal loans | Yes | Alternative credit factors |
| Avant | Direct lender | Personal loans | Yes | Fast funding |
| OneMain Financial | Direct lender | Personal loans | Yes | Secured & unsecured loans |
| LendingPoint | Direct lender | Personal loans | Yes | Speedy application |
| Oportun | Direct lender | Smaller loans | Yes | Smaller borrowing needs |
| Universal Credit | Lending platform | Personal/debt consolidation | Yes | Debt consolidation |
| Upgrade | Fintech lender | Personal loans | Yes | Secured options |
| Prosper | Marketplace | Personal loans | Yes | Online marketplace |
| Achieve | Direct lender | Personal/debt consolidation | Varies | Rate discounts |
| LendingTree | Marketplace | Loan comparison | Yes | Compare lenders |
What Credit Score Do You Need for a Personal Loan?
There is no single credit-score requirement for every lender.
Some lenders may accept applicants with scores around 550 or lower, while others have higher minimums. Upstart, for example, states that it does not have a fixed minimum credit score for its personal loans and considers additional information.
However, having a lower credit score generally means fewer options and potentially higher borrowing costs.
How to Get a Loan With Low Credit
If your credit score is low, consider the following steps before applying.
1. Check your credit report
Review your credit reports for inaccurate information or accounts you don’t recognize.
2. Check your debt-to-income ratio
Lenders may consider your income compared with your existing monthly debt obligations.
3. Prequalify when possible
Some lenders allow you to check potential rates with a soft credit inquiry that does not affect your credit score.
4. Compare multiple offers
Don’t automatically accept the first loan offer you receive.
Compare:
- APR
- Origination fee
- Monthly payment
- Loan term
- Total repayment
- Late fees
- Prepayment terms
5. Borrow only what you need
A larger loan can mean a larger monthly payment and more interest over the life of the loan.
How Much Does a Bad-Credit Loan Cost?
The cost can vary substantially.
For example, Upstart currently publishes APRs ranging from 6.3% to 35.99%, depending on the applicant and other factors.
OneMain currently publishes fixed APRs from 11.99% to 35.99%.
This illustrates why comparing offers is important.
Example
Suppose you borrow $10,000.
At a relatively low interest rate, your total interest could be considerably lower than if the same $10,000 loan carries an APR near 36%.
The exact payment depends on the APR, loan term and fees.
Personal Loan vs. Credit Card
A personal loan generally has a fixed repayment schedule, while a credit card is revolving credit.
A personal loan may be useful for:
- Debt consolidation
- Emergency expenses
- Major unexpected bills
- Certain home improvements
However, borrowing money for discretionary spending can create additional financial pressure.
If you’re considering a loan to pay existing debts, calculate whether the new loan actually reduces your overall borrowing cost.
Watch Out for High-Cost Loans
Low-credit borrowers should be especially careful about extremely expensive lending products.
Before accepting a loan, look at the APR, not just the monthly payment.
A loan with a small monthly payment can still be expensive if the repayment period is long.
Also be cautious about lenders that:
- Guarantee approval before reviewing your application
- Demand large upfront fees
- Ask you to send money before receiving a loan
- Pressure you to act immediately
- Hide the APR or total repayment amount
Never send money to someone simply because they promise guaranteed loan approval.
Can a Personal Loan Improve Your Credit Score?
A personal loan may help your credit profile if the account is reported to credit bureaus and you make payments on time.
However, taking on new debt also creates a new financial obligation.
The potential credit benefit should not be the primary reason for borrowing money you cannot comfortably repay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest loan platform for low credit?
Approval depends on your complete financial profile. Current 2026 comparisons identify platforms such as Upstart, Avant, OneMain Financial, LendingPoint and Oportun as options that may consider borrowers with weaker credit.
Can I get a personal loan with a 550 credit score?
Some lenders may consider applicants around this score. For example, current information from CNBC Select indicates that Avant considers applicants with lower credit scores, while other lenders use different eligibility criteria.
Approval is never guaranteed.
Can I get a loan with no credit history?
Some lenders consider additional information instead of relying exclusively on a traditional credit score. Upstart, for example, states that it considers factors beyond the credit score.
Are bad-credit personal loans expensive?
They can be. Borrowers with lower credit scores may receive higher APRs and fees than borrowers with stronger credit.
Does checking loan rates hurt my credit?
Some lenders offer prequalification using a soft credit inquiry. However, submitting a full application may result in a hard inquiry. Always check the lender’s terms before proceeding.
What is better: a secured or unsecured loan?
A secured loan is backed by collateral, while an unsecured loan generally does not require collateral. Secured loans can provide another borrowing option, but the borrower risks losing the collateral if the loan isn’t repaid according to the agreement.
Final Thoughts
Finding a personal loan with low credit can take more research than getting a loan with excellent credit. Fortunately, online lenders and loan marketplaces provide several options for borrowers with poor, fair or limited credit histories.
Platforms such as Upstart, Avant, OneMain Financial, LendingPoint, Oportun, Universal Credit, Upgrade, Prosper, Achieve and LendingTree have different eligibility requirements, loan amounts and pricing structures.
The most important step is not simply finding a lender willing to approve you. It’s finding a loan whose APR, fees, month