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Best bad credit loans for September 2025

Updated Sep. 15, 2025

Our editors reviewed 45 lenders across 20 loan features to determine our list of the best personal loans for bad credit. Upgrade is Bankrate's winner for best bad credit loan overall, due to its accessible eligibility criteria, variety of repayment term options and flexible loan amounts. You may qualify for an Upgrade loan with a credit score as low as 580.

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Compare eligibility requirements, interest rates, terms, and more for bad credit borrowers.
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Best overall bad credit loan
PERSONAL LOAN
Upgrade
4.6
7.99- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
600
$314
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for customer experience
PERSONAL LOAN
Avant
4.5
9.95- 35.99%
Min credit score
550
$323
Loan amount
$2k-$35k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for thin or no credit
PERSONAL LOAN
Upstart
4.7
6.70- 35.99%
Min credit score
300
$308
Loan amount
$1k-$75k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for secured loan options
PERSONAL LOAN
Best Egg
4.6
6.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$309
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
|
Best for emergency loans
PERSONAL LOAN
LendingClub
4.7
7.04- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$309
Loan amount
$1k-$60k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for peer-to-peer loans
PERSONAL LOAN
Prosper
4.5
8.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$318
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
High autopay discount
PERSONAL LOAN
Universal Credit
4.5
11.69- 35.99%
Min credit score
580
$331
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details

How Bankrate works

Woman looking for rates
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Compare lenders

Our team researched the best bad credit loan options available so you can compare multiple lenders quickly.

02

Get personalized rates

If you see an option that's compelling to you, click the 'See personalized rates' button to get started.

03

Get matched and receive funding

Choose a loan from a Bankrate partner and receive your funds if you qualify.

Our top bad credit loan lenders

Upgrade: Best overall bad credit loan

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
1.85%-9.99%
Pros
  • Direct payment to creditors
  • Joint applications available
  • Rate discounts for autopay and debt consolidation
Cons
  • High potential origination fees
  • High maximum APR
  • Late and returned check fees
WHO'S IT FOR:

If you have bad credit because you're overextended with credit card debt, an Upgrade debt consolidation loan might help. You'll need a credit score of 580 to qualify (or a creditworthy co-applicant), but if you do, this lender will use your loan funds to repay your creditors on your behalf. Plus, if you're using at least part of your loan funds to consolidate debt, Upgrade may offer you a rate discount.

Avant: Best for customer experience

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
9.95%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$35k
Min credit score
550
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 9.99%
Pros
  • Low credit score minimum
  • Seven-day-a-week customer service
  • Next-day funding possible
Cons
  • High fees and minimum APR
  • No cosigners allowed
  • Lower maximum amounts than other lenders
WHO'S IT FOR:

Avant's highly rated mobile app is perfect for those who appreciate convenience when managing their loan. And if any borrower encounters an issue, they'll be able to get live support seven days a week, from early morning into the late evening.

Upstart: Best for thin or no credit

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.70%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$75k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 12%
Pros
  • May approve borrowers with no or low credit
  • Option to change payment dates
  • Low start rates for qualified borrowers
Cons
  • High origination fees and maximum APR
  • No joint applications
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with low credit scores or a short credit history may be able to qualify for an Upstart loan because the lender considers other factors, including educational and career backgrounds. 

Best Egg: Best for secured loan options

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
0.99%-9.99%
Pros
  • Lower rates for loans secured by home fixtures or your vehicle
  • Low minimum rates for qualified borrowers
  • Low minimum credit score
Cons
  • High origination fees
  • Fewer repayment options
  • Higher minimum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Individuals with a bad credit score and a home or car may find lower secured loan rates and terms than with many other bad credit lenders. Once your score increases above 700, you may be able to get even lower rates if you earn $100,000 or more per year. Best Egg users on Bankrate also got their funds quicker than several other lenders we track.

OneMain Financial: Best for same-day funding

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Est. APR
18.00%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1.5k–$20k
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1%-10%
Pros
  • Good secured loan options if you don't qualify for dealership financing
  • Low minimum loan amount
  • In-person service is available at 1,400 branches nationwide.
Cons
  • Expensive origination fees
  • High minimum APR
  • Limited loan amount range
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers who need funds fast may be able to receive their loan money in as little as one hour after closing. However, you must opt to receive the money on a “bank-issued debit card" for same-day funding.

LendingPoint: Best for rate reductions

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1%-9.99%
Pros
  • No prepayment penalty
  • Joint applications allowed
  • Option to change your payment date
Cons
  • No co-signers allowed
  • Origination fee
  • Late fee
WHO'S IT FOR:

Prosper's peer-to-peer lending platform gets your application seen by multiple lenders. It also allows co-borrowers, which can help you qualify for a loan or get a loan with better rates and terms. 

Universal Credit: Best for high autopay discount

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
11.69%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
580
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Higher autopay discount than many lenders
  • Funding within one day of verification
  • Customer support 7 days per week
Cons
  • High minimum APR
  • Origination fee
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

While many lenders offer a 0.25 percent APR discount for signing up for autopay, Universal Credit offers double that amount: 0.50 percent. Every discount counts, especially for borrowers who may be facing higher rates.

Calculate your bad credit loan payment

Calculating your monthly loan payment will help you compare bad credit loans and determine which best fits your budget. Borrowers with bad credit often receive rates above 30 percent, up to a lender's maximum rate. If you haven't prequalified with a lender yet, use these rates as a starting point to get an idea of what your monthly payment might be when you get a personal loan with bad credit. Your credit will not be impacted by using this calculator or getting prequalified with bad credit lenders.

How to get a personal loan despite bad credit 

Bad credit can keep you from qualifying for a loan or qualifying for the best rates and terms. However, your credit score is only one of the data points lenders look at when deciding whether to fund your loan. You can take action to make your application more appealing to lenders, either by raising your credit score or addressing those other factors.

  • Check your credit report for any errors that may be causing a lower score.
  • Use a cosigner with strong credit and financial stability to increase lenders' confidence in your ability to repay.
  • Get a secured personal loan, which uses collateral to back the loan.
  • Lower your debt-to-income ratio by paying down debts before borrowing.
  • Borrow less money, which poses less risk to the lender.

Understanding bad credit and loan eligibility

A FICO Score below 580 or a VantageScore of less than 601 is considered a bad credit score. If your credit score falls in this range, you may find it harder to get approved for loans. You may also be approved with a higher interest rate, lower maximum amount and shorter terms.

There are several types of loans for bad credit borrowers to choose from. Your best option will depend on your eligibility and how much you need to borrow.

Bad credit personal loans are unsecured installment loans. They offer a lump sum of cash for almost any purpose, with maximum borrowing amounts as high as $100,000. The downside is that they come with much higher APRs than they would for someone with good credit. 

Some bad credit lenders will accept credit scores as low as 300, although most require a score closer to 600. If your score is below 600, you may be restricted in how much you can borrow and how long you'll have to repay it. Your interest rate may be as high as 36 percent.

Rebuilding credit with a loan

You can use a personal loan to rebuild your credit by making on-time payments, which establishes a good credit history. A personal loan also diversifies your credit mix and, if you use it to consolidate your debt, can lower your credit utilization ratio.

Learn more

What to know before you apply

Check your credit score and credit report

Since your credit score plays such a major role in your ability to qualify for a loan (and the rate you'll receive), it's important to know where you stand before you apply. Your credit card issuer or bank may offer free access to your score, or you can pay for it via a third party, like the credit bureaus.

To understand why your score is low, pull free copies of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — via AnnualCreditReport.com. Missed payments or maxed out credit cards could be driving your score down. If you find factual errors on your reports, file a dispute with the reporting bureau.

Compare personal loan lenders

Research any lenders for bad credit loans thoroughly before applying for a loan. Each lender sets its own eligibility requirements, so some may offer you better terms than others. A lending marketplace, like Bankrate, can help you compare many lenders at once to zero in on the best option for you.

Prequalify with at least three lenders to ensure you get the best rate possible.

Gather your financial documents

Once you've chosen a lender, you'll need to provide them with personal and financial documents as part of your application. Be ready to provide:

Strengthen your application

There are several steps you can take to strengthen your application, even if you have poor credit. For instance, if you have collateral, consider applying for a secured loan that offers a friendlier rate.

Adding a cosigner can also increase your odds of approval at a lower rate. Not all lenders allow cosigners, so if this is important to you, be sure to look for a lender with cosigner options.

Beware of predatory lending and loan scams

Common red flags include guaranteed approvals, no-credit-check offers, upfront fees and pressure to act now. Always verify a lender's licensing and registration with your state's attorney general before sharing your personal information, especially if you receive unsolicited offers through the mail, email or social media.

FAQs about bad credit loans

How we chose our best bad credit loan lenders

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

48

years in business

45

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

900

data points collected

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 50 lenders. To earn a spot on our best bad credit loan list, a lender must offer loans in at least 80 percent of states and must have a minimum credit score of 620 or lower, a maximum annual percentage rate below 36 percent, and a minimum loan amount below $3,500. The best overall lender meets additional criteria, including a minimum credit score of 580 or lower, a co-borrower or cosigner option and a Bankrate Score above 4.5 stars.

We also assign each lender a Bankrate score based on a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories

Denny Ceizyk
Written by
Senior writer, Loans
Read more from Denny

Denny Ceizyk joined the Bankrate Loans team as a Senior Writer in 2023, providing 30 years of insight from his experience in loan sales and as a personal finance writer to help consumers navigate the lending landscape on their financial journeys.
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