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4 Best Low-Interest Personal Loans

You’ll typically need good to excellent credit to qualify for the lowest rates

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Edited by: Liz Bingler
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Fact-checked by: Jon Bortin
NetCredit, Best Egg, Achieve Personal Loans and Upgrade
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Some personal loan companies offer lower interest rates than others, with the best rates and terms reserved for the most qualified customers. Generally, if you have a good to excellent credit score (or a FICO score of 670 to 850) and a strong income, you’ll qualify for the lowest rates.

Continue reading to learn more about the best low-interest loans we recommend, plus some other details to know before you apply.


Key insights

Our top picks for the best low-interest personal loans are from Upgrade, Best Egg, Achieve and NetCredit.

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A good interest rate for a personal loan is a rate that’s lower than the current average rate.

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To qualify for the lowest rates, you’ll generally need excellent credit.

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Our top 4 picks for low-interest personal loans

For our list of the best low-interest personal loans, we considered factors such as annual percentage rates (APRs), repayment terms, loan amounts and credit criteria. Most of our picks offer competitive interest rates for people with good credit or better.

Our picks may be Authorized Partners who compensate us. This doesn’t affect our recommendations or evaluations, but it may affect the order in which the companies appear.

Our picks for the best low-interest personal loans come from:

Upgrade
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $50,000
APR range
7.74% to 35.99%
Minimum credit score
620
Term length
2 to 7 years
Origination fee
1.85% to 9.99%
Disclosures

Upgrade offers personal loans with relatively low interest rates that start at just 7.74% APR (as of Feb. 11, 2026). You can choose from repayment terms that last from two to seven years, which is a broader range of options than some other lenders offer. You can also check your rate before you move forward with a loan application.

Upgrade offers both unsecured and secured personal loans. With its secured loan option, you can use your car as collateral for the loan.

Many customers appreciated Upgrade’s application process and quick approval and funding. They also praised Upgrade for its excellent customer service and helpful personnel.

Rebecca, a reviewer from Alaska, said: “This was the most seamless and quick process I have ever experienced. The process is professional and thorough yet streamlined for a speedy turn around. They also had the best rate of anyone else around. I would highly recommend going through Upgrade. I now have two loans with them. And I would use them again in a heartbeat.”

Upgrade personal loans come with rates that range from 7.74% to 35.99% APR as of Feb. 11, 2026, depending on creditworthiness. Upgrade also charges an origination fee for all loans, which is fairly common for installment loans. This fee can be anywhere from 1.85% to 9.99% of the loan amount, and it's deducted from the loan proceeds upfront.

Upgrade also charges a $10 fee for returned payments and a $10 fee if you pay your bill more than 15 calendar days after your due date.

3x Award Winner
Selected for having one of the highest satisfaction rates for Best Loan Process, Best Experience with Staff and Best Value for Price
Best Egg
Loan amounts
$2,000 to $50,000
APR range
6.99% to 35.99%
Minimum credit score
640
Term length
3 to 5 years
Origination fee
0.99% to 9.99%
Disclosures

Best Egg is an online lender that offers low starting rates for applicants with good credit or better. Its loans are offered in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $50,000, and you can opt to repay over three to five years.

Like other lenders, Best Egg lets you check your rate and gauge your approval odds without a hard inquiry on your credit reports.

Many ConsumerAffairs reviewers liked that Best Egg offered low interest rates, fast funding and debt consolidation options.

Esther, a reviewer from Connecticut, said: “I had a great experience. The representative was very nice[.] She took her time to help me with the loan process, and it was very easy. I had the money in my bank account in [one] business day. I would recommend Best Egg to anyone looking for a loan.”

Interest rates for Best Egg personal loans range from 6.99% and 35.99% APR as of Feb. 11, 2026, and origination fees range from 0.99% to 9.99%. Best Egg personal loans charge a $15 late fee if you pay your bill after its scheduled due date.

1x Award Winner
Selected for having one of the highest satisfaction rates for Best Customer Service
Achieve Personal Loans
Loan amounts
$5,000 to $50,000
APR range
8.99% to 35.99%
Minimum credit score
600 to 660
Term length
2 to 5 years
Origination fee
1.99% to 9.99%
Disclosures

Achieve, formerly known as FreedomPlus, offers personal loans with repayment terms that last from two to five years, and you can borrow between $5,000 and $50,000. Its lowest rates will generally go to applicants with the best credit scores and highest incomes.

Many reviewers appreciated Achieve’s customer service and how fast and easy it was to get a loan.

Raymond, a reviewer from New York, said: “The reps I worked with were very nice. At that time, I was very lucky to have gotten a loan from them. They're very considerate, dependable, and willing to work with you.”

Achieve offers interest rates that range from 8.99% to 36.00% APR (as of Feb. 11, 2026), based on creditworthiness. An upfront origination fee of 1.99% to 9.99% is deducted from the loan amount.

4x Award Winner
Selected for having one of the highest satisfaction rates for Best Loan Process, Best Experience with Staff, Best Value for Price and Best Customer Service
NetCredit
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $10,000
APR range
Varies (state-based)
Minimum credit score
Not disclosed
Term length
6 months to 5 years
Origination fee
None
Disclosures

NetCredit doesn't offer the lowest interest rates on the market today, but it accepts applicants with lower credit scores, making it a good option if you have bad credit. It also doesn’t charge any application fees, prepayment penalties or late fees.

NetCredit’s available loan amounts vary by state, but it generally offers between $1,000 and $10,000 in funds. Its interest rates and repayment terms also vary by state.

Many customers shared that NetCredit helped them in times of financial need and provided a reliable and trustworthy service. Some customers also liked its flexible repayment options.

Artina, a reviewer from Florida, said: “I think the process of applying went real smooth and the payment schedule is reasonable. I will continue to recommend them to my family and friends.”

NetCredit’s rates vary by state, but generally range between 34% to 99.99% APR (as of Feb. 11, 2026). For example, in California, rates fall between 36.00% and 40.83% APR, while in Indiana they range between 34.99% and 99.99% APR.

4x Award Winner
Selected for having one of the highest satisfaction rates for Best Loan Process, Best Experience with Staff, Best Value for Price and Best Customer Service

What’s a good interest rate on a personal loan?

Personal loan rates vary considerably from lender to lender. Generally, a good rate for a personal loan is a rate that’s below the current average rate, which is 11.65% as of the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve.

Compare lenders’ offers to find the best rates for your credit profile.

However, many of the best personal loan lenders offer starting APRs between 6% to 9%. If you have good to excellent credit, you may be able to qualify for a rate within this range. If you have fair credit or bad credit, you won’t qualify for the lowest rates. Still, there are some lenders that offer competitive rates to those with a steady income who are working to improve their credit through financial management techniques.

The best way to determine which lenders offer the best rates and terms for you is to compare lenders. You can also research national averages to get a better idea of what rates are considered normal or average at the time you’re looking. These rates can change daily, which is why it’s a good idea to act quickly if you need funds and have been quoted a low rate from a trusty lender.

» MORE: Average personal loan interest rates

Tips for qualifying for a low-rate personal loan

Generally, you’ll need excellent credit to qualify for the lowest rates. Take the following steps to improve your credit and help you qualify for a low-rate loan:

Always make payments on time

Payment history is the most significant factor for most credit scoring models. Make sure to pay your bills on time every month. To minimize the risk of making late payments, it can be helpful to set up automatic payments with each of your lenders.

Keep credit utilization low

Your credit utilization is the second-most important factor in your credit score. Your credit utilization ratio is how much credit you’re using in relation to how much credit is available to you. Generally, it’s recommended to keep your credit utilization below 30%.

Avoid applying for too much credit at once

Every time you apply for a credit card or a loan, a lender will pull your credit, which temporarily lowers your score. If you apply for too many credit cards and loans at once, you’ll have several hard inquiries on your report.

Alternatives to low-interest personal loans

If you’re considering a low-interest loan but also want to look at other options, these alternative ways to get funding might work for your goals.

Balance transfer credit card

Balance transfer credit cards offer 0% introductory APRs for up to 21 months, making it a good option if you want to make a large purchase and pay it off over time without paying interest.

Home equity loan

Home equity loans use your home as collateral, and they come with fixed interest rates and set monthly payments that don’t change for the life of the loan. Since home equity loans are secured with the value of a home, they tend to offer competitive interest rates and loan terms.

Peer-to-peer lending

Some peer-to-peer lenders let you borrow money from individual investors instead of big loan companies. One example is Prosper, which offers peer-to-peer personal loans with competitive interest rates.

» MORE: Best ways to borrow money

Simplify your search

Find a personal loan today

FAQ

Where can you get a personal loan at the lowest interest rate?

Finding a personal loan with a low interest rate can take some work, even if you have excellent credit. Compare offers from online lenders, banks and credit unions to see which one might offer the best rates and terms for you.

Also, it’s important to factor in your own creditworthiness when comparing offers. Each lender sets its own qualifications for loans and borrower requirements. You can also get prequalified with different lenders to see which types of offers you might receive if you apply.

Should I use a co-signer for a low-interest loan?

Some lenders let you apply for a low-interest loan with a co-signer, but not all of them do. If you find a lender that allows co-signers, this may help you get approved for a loan with a lower rate and better terms, as long as the co-signer has excellent credit and a strong income.

When is the best time to take out a personal loan?

You can take out a personal loan at any time. It all depends on when you need the funding and how you plan to use the money. Personal loan companies make it easy to apply online, and many offer funding in as little as one to two business days.


Article sources

ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

  1. Federal Reserve, "Consumer Credit - G.19." Accessed Feb. 11, 2026.
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