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Best Bad Credit Loans in October 2024

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Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partnersโ€™ links. This content is created by TIME Stamped, under TIMEโ€™s direction and produced in accordance with TIMEโ€™s editorial guidelines and overseen by TIMEโ€™s editorial staff. Learn more about it.

updated: September 30, 2024
edited by Daniel Liberto

If you have bad credit, you may think itโ€™s impossible to get a personal loan. Fortunately, that isnโ€™t always the case. There are plenty of financial institutions willing to work with borrowers who have poor credit scores, but itโ€™s important to do your research to determine the best loan for you.

Find out about the best personal loans for bad credit, how to choose a loan, the types of personal loans for bad credit, and how to avoid scams.

Best personal loans for bad credit compared

Financial institutionBest forLoan amountAPRLoan termCredit score required
Flexible payments
$1,500 to $20,000
18.00% to 35.99%
2 to 5 years
Not specified
Welcome bonus
$1,000 to $50,000
8.49% to 35.99%
2 to 7 years
560 credit score
Short credit histories
$1,000 to $50,000
6.70% to 35.99%
3 or 5 years
300 credit score
Mobile app
$2,000 to $36,500
7.99% to 35.99%
2 to 6 years
600 credit score
Low APR
$2,500 to $40,000
6.99% to 24.99%
3 to 7 years
660 credit score
Secured loans
$2,000 to $50,000
8.99% to 35.99%
3 to 7 years
600 credit score
Low fees
$5,000 to $40,000
11.25% to 24.50%
2 to 5 years
640 credit score
Quick funding
$2,000 to $35,000
9.95% to 35.99%
1 to 5 years
580 credit score
Small loans
$600 to $50,000
7.74% to 17.99%
1 to 5 years
650 credit score
Large loans
$5,000 to $100,000
7.99% to 24.99%
2 to 12 years
660 credit score
Joint personal loans
$1,000 to $40,000
9.57% to 36.00%
3 to 5 years
600 credit score

Our recommedations for the best personal loan for bad credit

Best for flexible payments: OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial Personal Loan

OneMain Financial Personal Loan

APR
18% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$1,500 to $20,000
Min. credit score
Undisclosed

Not all applicants will be approved. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on your ability to meet our credit standards (including a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and availability of collateral) and your state of residence. If approved, not all applicants will qualify for larger loan amounts or most favorable loan terms. Larger loan amounts require a first lien on a motor vehicle no more than ten years old, that meets our value requirements, titled in your name with valid insurance. APRs are generally higher on loans not secured by a vehicle. Highly-qualified applicants may be offered higher loan amounts and/or lower APRs than those shown above. OneMain charges origination fees where allowed by law. Depending on the state where you open your loan, the origination fee may be either a flat amount or a percentage of your loan amount. Flat fee amounts vary by state, ranging from $25 to $500. Percentage-based fees vary by state ranging from 1% to 10% of your loan amount subject to certain state limits on the fee amount. Visitย omf.com/loanfeesย for more information. Loan proceeds cannot be used for postsecondary educational expenses as defined by the CFPBโ€™s Regulation Z such as college, university or vocational expense; for any business or commercial purpose; to purchase cryptocurrency assets, securities, derivatives or other speculative investments; or for gambling or illegal purposes.

Borrowers in these states are subject to these minimum loan sizes*:ย Alabama:ย $2,100.ย Califoโ€‹rnia:ย $3,000.ย Georgia:ย $3,100.โ€‹ย North Dakota:ย $2,000.ย Ohio:ย $2,000.ย โ€‹Virginia:ย $2,600.*

Borrowers in these states are subject to these maximum loan sizes:ย North Carolina:ย $9,000 for unsecured loans to all customers, $9,000 for secured loans to present customers.ย Maine: $7,000.ย Mississippi:ย $12,000.ย โ€‹West Virginia: $14,000. Loans to purchase a motor vehicle or powersports equipment from select Maine, Mississippi, and North Carolina dealerships are not subject to these maximum loan sizes.

Example Loan:ย A $6,000 loan with a 24.99% APR that is repayable in 60 monthly installments would have monthly payments of $176.07.

Time to Fund Loans:ย Funding within one hour after closing through SpeedFunds must be disbursed to a bank-issued debit card. Disbursement by check or ACH may take up to 1-2 business days after loan closing.

OneMain Financial doesnโ€™t disclose its minimum credit score requirements but claims to approve applicants with bad or fair credit scores, typically below 580. One of the biggest draws of OneMain Financial is the ability to change your payment due date once a year up to a maximum of two times over the life of the loan. This makes OneMain Financial a flexible choice if your circumstances change and the original due date no longer works for you. OneMain approves loans between $1,500 and $20,000 with an annual percentage yield (APR) range of 18.00% to 35.99%. Loan terms range from two years to five years.

Best for welcome bonus: Upgrade

Upgrade

Upgrade

Upgrade

APR
8.49% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Min. credit score
580

When you take out a personal loan with Upgrade, youโ€™ll be eligible for a $200 bonus if you open a Rewards Checking account at the same time and make three debit card transactions. This bonus makes Upgrade a good option if youโ€™re considering opening a new checking account. An Upgrade personal loan has an APR between 8.49% and 35.99%, and loan terms range from two years to seven years. Upgrade also has a relatively wide borrowing range of $1,000 to $50,000.

Best for short credit histories: Upstart

Upstart

Upstart

Upstart

APR
7.8% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Min. credit score
300

Getting a loan without a lengthy credit history can seem impossible, but Upstart offers personal loans for customers with credit scores as low as 300, which could be ideal for younger borrowers just starting out. Upstart offers loan terms of three and five years and you can borrow between $1,000 and $50,000. The loans have fixed interest rates between 6.70% and 35.99%, and thereโ€™s no prepayment penalty if you pay your loan balance off before the end of the term.

Best for mobile banking: Lending Point

LendingPoint

Lending Point Personal Loans

Lending Point Personal Loans

APR
7.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$1,000 to $36,500
Min. credit score
600

When you take out a loan with Lending Point, youโ€™ll get access to its mobile app, which can help you manage your finances more easily and lead to an improved credit score. Using the app, you can apply for a loan, keep tabs on your credit score, track your spending, and see how your finances measure up to your peers. You can borrow anywhere from $2,000 to $36,500 over two to six years with an APR of between 7.99% and 35.99%.

Best for low APR: Discoverยฎ Bank

Discover

Discoverยฎ Bank

Discoverยฎ Bank

APR
7.99% to 24.99%
Loan amount
$2,500 to $40,000
Min. credit score
660

Discoverยฎ is so confident that its rates are the best (6.99% to 24.99% APR) that it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on its personal loans. If you find a lower rate with another lender within 30 days of your Discover loan approval, you can return the money interest-free. This can help assure you that the APR youโ€™re getting is among the lowest out there, which will decrease your long-term borrowing costs. Loan terms range between three and seven years, and you can borrow as little as $2,500 or as much as $40,000.

Best for secured loans: Best Egg

Best Egg

Best Egg

Best Egg

APR
8.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$2,000 to $50,000
640

If you own your home, you could get a lower APR by choosing a secured loan from Best Egg. The secured loan uses collateral in the form of fixtures attached to the home, such as light fixtures, built-in shelving and cabinets, and bathroom vanities. If you default on your loan, Best Egg can reclaim its investment by seizing these fixtures, which in turn allows the financial institution to offer a lower interest rate since itโ€™s a lower-risk loan. The APR on a Best Egg secured loan ranges from 8.99% to 35.99%, and you can borrow between $2,000 and $50,000 for a term of up to seven years.

Best for low fees: Happy Money

Happy Money

Happy Money

Happy Money

APR
11.72% to 17.99%
Loan amount
$5,000 to $40,000
Min. credit score
640

Happy Money is transparent about its feesโ€”or lack thereof. Although you may need to pay an origination fee (typically between 0% and 5%, depending on the loan amount, loan term, and APR), you wonโ€™t see a single other fee during your loan term. That means there are no fees for applying, late payments, or early payoff, and no annual fees or returned check fees. Happy Moneyโ€™s loans range between two and five years and have an APR range of 11.25% to 24.50%. You can borrow between $5,000 and $40,000 to help pay off debt and improve your overall credit score.

Best for quick funding: Avant

Avant

Avant

Avant

APR
9.95% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$2,000 to $35,000
Min. credit score

600

When you apply for a personal loan with Avant, you could receive a decision within minutes and funds can be deposited as soon as the next business day. That makes it an excellent choice if you need money quickly and if up to $35,000, Avantโ€™s maximum loan amount, is sufficient. Interest rates range from 9.95% to 35.99%, and loan terms range between one and five years. You can apply quickly and easily online and, once approved, manage your loan easily through the Avant Credit app.

Best for small loans: PenFed Credit Union

PenFed

PenFed

PenFed

APR
7.99% to 17.99%
Loan amount
Up to $50,000
Min. credit score
580

If you donโ€™t need to borrow thousands of dollars, PenFed Credit Union may be the best option for a personal loanโ€”you can borrow as little as $600. Membership is required to get a loan from PenFed, but you donโ€™t need to be affiliated with the military and the application process only takes a few minutes. PenFed membership comes with numerous benefits, such as discounts on car rental, tax preparation services, homeowners insurance, and even flowers. A personal loan from PenFed comes with an APR range of 7.74% to 17.99%, and loan terms are between one and five years.

Best for large loans: Lightstream

LightStream

LightStream

LightStream

APR
6.99% to 25.99%
Loan amount
$5,000 to $100,000
Min. credit score

Good

Lightstream offers a variety of different loan types for anything from debt consolidation to home improvement projects. Depending on the type of loan you take out, your term could be as long as 12 years. Lightstream also offers a high maximum loan amount of $100,000 on some loans, and an APR ranging from 7.99% to 24.49%. In all, Lightstream is a solid choice if youโ€™re looking to fund a large project and want to take your time paying off the loan.

Best for joint personal loans: Lending Club

LendingClub

LendingClub

LendingClub

APR
8.98% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$1,000 to $40,000
Min. credit score
600

If your income is too low to borrow the amount of money you need, a joint personal loan from Lending Club may be your best option. This type of loan is for two co-borrowers, which can make getting approved easier. With this type of loan, you and your co-borrower are equally responsible for repaying the loan, so if you miss a payment, it will affect both credit scores. Lending Club offers personal loans between $1,000 and $40,000 over three to five years and interest rates fall between 9.57% and 36.00%.

Methodology

To determine the best bad credit loans, we looked at factors such as APR (the cost to borrow the money), loan terms, and loan amounts. We gave points to financial institutions for having easy application processes and being quick to approve and disburse funds. We also looked for financial institutions with unique features, such as the ability to add a co-borrower to a loan or welcome bonuses for taking out both a loan and a credit card. The financial institutions mentioned here were the ones that stood out to us the most.

How to select the best lender when you have bad credit

Getting a loan can be difficult when you have bad credit, but it isnโ€™t impossible and options do exist. There are several things you can do to compare lenders and find the best personal loan to suit your needs and financial situation.

  • Decide on the type of loan. Before you start looking at specific lenders, youโ€™ll need to determine the best type of loan for your needs. For example, if you want a secured personal loan, you need to make sure your chosen lender offers that option.
  • Choose a loan term. The term is the amount of time you have to repay the loan. It may be as little as one year or as many as eight years, depending on the lender and the loan amount.
  • Get prequalified. The prequalification process can tell you what rates youโ€™ll likely get without affecting your credit score. Get prequalified with at least three lenders so you can compare rates and pick the one that works best for you.
  • Determine overall costs. The interest rate is only one cost to consider when choosing a loan. Some lenders may have origination fees as well as fees for late payments or early payoff. If a loan has a low interest rate but a high origination fee, you may be better off choosing one with a higher interest rate but no origination fee to keep your costs down.
  • Read reviews. Look into what current and former customers have to say by reading online reviews or consult with expert comparison reviews. An abundance of negative reviews could be a red flag and a sign to look elsewhere.

Types of bad credit loans

There are several types of loans you may consider if you have bad credit. Someโ€”for example, unsecured loansโ€”are harder to be approved for but may offer the best terms. Others, such as payday loans or cash advance loans, are good last-resort options but shouldnโ€™t be your first choice due to their high interest rates.

  • Unsecured loan. An unsecured loan is not secured by collateral. Itโ€™s riskier for the lender to approve this type of loan for a borrower with bad credit as, in the case of default, it wonโ€™t have anything it can automatically seize to recoup what itโ€™s owed. If you have bad credit, you may have trouble getting approved for an unsecured loan, and if you do get approved youโ€™ll likely have a high APR.
  • Secured loan. A secured loan is one thatโ€™s guaranteed by collateral, such as a home, car, or other valuable personal item. If you default on the loan, the lender can seize the collateral in order to recoup their expenses.
  • Cash advance loan. If you have a credit card, your provider may allow you to take a cash advance against your credit limit. This can carry higher fees than other types of loans and thereโ€™s usually a limit to how much cash you can receive. There are also cash advance apps which can give you little extra money.
  • Payday loan. In a pinch, you may choose to get a payday loan, where a lender gives you money in advance of your paycheck on the condition you repay the money once youโ€™re paid. This should be a last resort since a payday loan can come with extremely high interest rates.

Alternatives to bad credit loans

If a personal loan isnโ€™t in the cards, there are other ways to get extra money to help pay down debt, cover medical bills, fund a home improvement project, or finance other purchases.

  • Make extra income. If you have an in-demand skill, you may be able to monetize it by starting a side hustle. For example, if you have artistic talents you could do freelance graphic design work on the side. Alternatively, you can look for additional work or ask for more paid hours at your main job. Any extra income you make can go toward paying down your debt and improving your credit score.
  • Consider peer-to-peer lending. A peer-to-peer (P2P) loan is where one or more investors lend you money, as opposed to a bank or credit union. However, a P2P loan may have higher fees and rates than traditional personal loans, so make sure you do your research before signing any paperwork.
  • Take out a HELOC. If you own your home and have enough equity (typically 20% or more), you may be able to get a home equity line of credit (HELOC). This acts like a credit card where you are approved for a maximum amount but only borrow what you need when you need it. A HELOC can be a good backup plan to help pay for unexpected expenses, such as home repairs or emergency medical bills.
  • Refinance your mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to do a cash-out refinance of their home loan. This will replace your existing mortgage with a new one that has a different rate and term. If you have enough equity you can take out a larger loan and receive the difference in cash. If you have a very-lowโ€“interest mortgage, this should be a last resort; the new rate is likely to be notably higher.

Pay Attention to Scams

Not all lenders are legitimate, and some will target people with bad credit. The last thing you want is to choose a shady lender that will end up making your financial situation worse. The following tips can help you avoid scams and find a trustworthy lender thatโ€™s willing to work with you.

  • Do your research. One of the most important things you can do when taking out a personal loan is to thoroughly research the lender. Check online reviews, see if the lender is BBB (Better Business Bureau) accredited, and look carefully at the fees youโ€™ll be charged for borrowing money.
  • Donโ€™t send any money. A legitimate lender wonโ€™t ask you to send money before approving a loan. If youโ€™re asked to send the lender money before they will fund your loan, run far away.
  • Watch out for โ€œguaranteed approvalโ€ promises. If the lender is legitimate, they will have a thorough application and approval process that involves checking your credit history, income information, employment status, and more.
  • Donโ€™t trust an unsolicited call. Many legitimate lenders will not make unsolicited calls. If you receive a call from a โ€œlenderโ€ asking for personal information, hang up and call back using the lenderโ€™s official number.

TIME Stamp: A loan from a reputable lender will save you from scams

The best bad credit loans can help you cover unexpected bills, pay off debt, or fund an important purchase. Thorough research can help you find the loan that best fits your needs, and prevent you from taking out a scam loan or signing up for an APR that makes repayment impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What interest rate can I expect if I have bad credit?

The exact answer will depend on the lender but, in general, you can expect to pay a high interest rate if you have bad credit. For example, if the APR range is 6.99% to 29.99%, youโ€™ll probably pay close to the high end on your loan.

Can I get a personal loan with a 500 credit score?

You may be able to find a personal loan with a 500 credit score, but it will be difficult. In general, youโ€™ll have more choices if you have a steady income. Itโ€™s riskier for lenders to approve loans for customers with poor credit, so you can expect to pay a higher APR.

How much money can you borrow with a bad credit score?

This willdepend on the lender. Some lenders may approve loans only up to $2,000 for customers with poor credit scores, while others may approve up to $50,000.

What are the risks with bad credit loans?

The main risks of a bad credit loan are:

  • Higher fees and interest rates, which could mean itโ€™s harder for you to make on-time payments.
  • Shorter loan terms, which results in higher monthly payments.
  • Negative impact on credit if you are unable to make timely payments each month.
  • Possibility of needing a co-signer to take joint responsibility for paying back the loan, which can affect their credit score.

Can you get a personal loan with no credit check?

Yes, it is possible to get a personal loan with no credit check. However, you can expect an extremely high interest rateโ€”sometimes in the triple digitsโ€”and itโ€™s likely the loan amount will be relatively small.

The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.

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