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Best Small Personal Loans

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Edited by: Liz Bingler
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LendingClub, OneMain Financial, Best Egg, Upgrade and Upstart
lender handing over money to borrower

If you need to borrow under $3,000, and if you’d prefer to pay it back with a fixed interest rate and set monthly payments, a small personal loan could be a good option to consider. These loans have lower interest rates than credit cards, particularly for borrowers with high incomes and strong credit scores.

Small personal loans are easy to apply for online in a matter of minutes, and they give you a lump sum of cash you can use for nearly any purpose. Continue reading to learn our picks for the best small personal loans.


Key insights

Our picks for the best small personal loans come from Upstart, Upgrade, OneMain Financial, Best Egg and LendingClub.

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To find the right lender for you, compare offers based on loan amounts, repayment plans and interest rates.

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A small personal loan can be a good alternative to a credit card if you plan to carry a balance since it comes with a lower interest rate.

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Our top 5 picks for small personal loans

Our top picks for the best small personal loans offer minimum loan amounts under $3,000, plus competitive annual percentage rates (APRs) and flexible repayment options. Most of our picks are also suitable for a range of credit profiles.

Our picks may be Authorized Partners that 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 small personal loans are from:

Upstart
Minimum loan amount
$1,000
Term length
3 or 5 years
Minimum credit score
300
Disclosures

Upstart is an online lending marketplace that lets consumers borrow anywhere from $1,000 to $75,000. Repayment terms can last for three or five years, which means borrowers can tailor their repayment based on the monthly payment they want to make. Its interest rates are also competitive, especially for people who have the credit and income to qualify for the lowest possible advertised rates.

Consumers can also check their rate and gauge their approval odds without any credit score impact. While some borrowers may be able to qualify with bad credit, fair credit or better is typically required.

Upstart earns an average rating of 3 out of 5 stars from ConsumerAffairs reviewers, but note that it doesn’t have many customer reviews on our site.

Sherri, a reviewer from California, said: “I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I received a decision on my loan. Within 24 hours, I received an email letting me know that I was approved for the loan and detailing the terms and interest rate. The interest rate was also much lower than I had anticipated, which was another bonus.”

Upstart’s APRs range from 6.20% to 35.99% (as of Feb. 10, 2026), based on creditworthiness. Its loans also include an origination fee.

Upgrade
Minimum loan amount
$1,000
Term length
2 to 7 years
Minimum credit score
620
Disclosures

Upgrade offers small personal loans with flexible repayment terms from two to seven years. Applicants can apply for anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 in funding. Borrowers can also check their rate with this lender without a hard inquiry on their credit reports, which can help them decide whether to apply.

Many customers like Upgrade for its quick and easy loan application process, fast approvals and helpful customer service.

Joy, a reviewer from Wisconsin, said: “The loan process was fast and easy. Everything was done online, and the instructions were simple and easy to follow. The cash arrived quickly, within a day or two, into my account. I would recommend Upgrade to a friend. Everything you need to manage your account \[can\] be accessed through the app.”

Rates for Upgrade personal loans range from 7.74% to 35.99% (as of Feb. 10, 2026), based on creditworthiness. The best advertised rates factor in a discount for autopay.

Upgrade personal loans also come with an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%, which is deducted from loan proceeds upfront. Other potential fees that can apply include a $10 fee for failed payments and a $10 late fee if a payment is made more than 15 days beyond the 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
OneMain Financial
Minimum loan amount
$1,500 to $3,000 (varies by state)
Term length
2 to 5 years
Minimum credit score
None
Disclosures

While OneMain Financial doesn't have the most competitive rates on the market today, it offers loans to applicants with no minimum credit score requirement. This means $1,500 to $20,000 in funding can be available to individuals with imperfect credit, and borrowers can repay their loans over two to five years.

Like other lenders, OneMain Financial makes it possible for applicants to check their rate before they apply. This helps individuals avoid a hard inquiry on their credit reports if they decide not to borrow.

Many OneMain Financial reviewers appreciate the courteous and professional staff. They describe the loan process as easy and hassle-free, with quick approval and funding.

Nancy, a reviewer from Tennessee, said: “[OneMain] Financial representatives truly care about you as an individual, are empathetic to your needs, and go out of their way to help. They are a reputable company and very easy to do business with. Payments are easy to set up [online]. I highly recommend [OneMain] Financial for your personal loan needs.”

OneMain Financial’s APRs range from 18.00% to 35.99% (as of Feb. 10, 2026), depending on creditworthiness. An origination fee of 1% to 10% of the loan amount will also apply to each loan. Other fees to watch out for include a late payment fee, which typically ranges from $5 to $30 per late payment, and nonsufficient funds fees, which range from $10 to $50.

Best Egg
Minimum loan amount
$2,000
Term length
3 to 5 years
Minimum credit score
640
Disclosures

Best Egg lets borrowers access anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000 in funding and then repay the loan amount over three to five years. Interest rates are competitive, and applicants can check their rate online before they apply. Loans can also be funded within 24 hours.

While Best Egg loans are popular for debt consolidation, they can also be used for moving expenses, home improvements, emergency expenses or major purchases.

Many Best Egg customers praised the company for its professionalism, helpfulness and efficiency. Many people found the application process to be easy and quick, with funds being deposited into their accounts within 24 hours.

Lori, a reviewer from North Dakota, said: “I was unfortunately having some financial difficulties. The representative that assisted me was so kind and caring. She did not make me feel like less of a person because of the situation I was in. She took care of the matter and it helped me immensely! Made my life a little less stressful. I would highly recommend Best Egg to everyone!”

Applicants who apply with Best Egg can be assigned a rate between 6.99% and 35.99% APR (as of Feb. 10, 2026). Origination fees also apply to every loan from this lender, and these fees can range from 0.99% to 9.99% of the loan amount.

You can also be assessed a $15 returned payment fee if your check is returned or if you don't have sufficient funds in the bank for payment.

1x Award Winner
Selected for having one of the highest satisfaction rates for Best Customer Service
LendingClub
Minimum loan amount
$1,000
Term length
2 to 7 years
Minimum credit score
660
Disclosures

LendingClub offers loans ranging from $1,000 to $60,000 in funding and repayment terms ranging from two to seven years. Consumers can check their rate without a credit score impact, and LendingClub promises quick funding after a loan is approved.

Applicants who plan to use their LendingClub loan for debt consolidation can have the money sent directly to their creditors, and those who plan to spend the money can receive it through a fast transfer to their bank account.

Many LendingClub customers reported a quick and easy application process, user-friendly website and helpful customer service.

Walt, a reviewer from Virginia, said: “The entire process was very quick and seamless. Responses to queries were timely and responsive. Requests for needed documents [were] clear[,] and even when I sent the wrong document[,] I received an immediate response pointing out the error so as not to delay the process. The rates [were] clearly spelled out with no bait and switch. [I] [would] recommend them.”

LendingClub personal loans have rates ranging between 6.53% and 35.99% APR (as of Feb. 10, 2026), based on creditworthiness. An origination fee of 0% to 8% of the loan amount also applies to each loan.

Late fees can also apply for those who make a loan payment more than 15 days after the official due date.

How to get a small personal loan

It’s important to know what your options are before you begin applying for a personal loan. Each lender is a bit different, so it’s worth carefully considering a few lenders before you make a decision.

1. Research and compare offers

Research personal loan lenders’ terms and offers. You can generally find small personal loans at traditional banks, credit unions or online lenders.

Also, consider reviews about whether customers are satisfied and how the application, approval process, agreement, funding and payment processes work.

2. Get prequalified

Many lenders let you get prequalified for a personal loan without a hard credit check. This can show you the terms you might be offered, such as how much you could borrow and the APR. You can get prequalified with multiple lenders with no negative effect on your credit score.

3. Apply for a loan

The next step is to apply for a small personal loan. Make sure you have the following information ready in case it’s required during the application process:

  • Government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Social Security number
  • Employment information
  • Income information, including proof of income
  • A list of assets and debts

During the application process, the lender may ask for additional information or documents to help with its lending decision. Once you choose the offer you want and decide to move forward with a specific lender, the lender will likely perform a hard credit inquiry to verify your credit history.

» MORE: How to get approved for a personal loan

Should you get a small personal loan?

A small personal loan can be a good idea if you need money for a one-time expense and can afford the monthly payments back to the lender.

Look out for common loan fees like origination fees, late fees and prepayment penalties.

Chad Gammon, a certified financial planner (CFP) at Arnold & Mote Wealth Management, said that small personal loans can make sense if you have multiple debts with a high interest rate that you want to consolidate. You can also use small personal loans to pay for emergency expenses or upcoming purchases like new furniture or kitchen appliances.

However, be mindful of loan fees and factor them into the cost of borrowing. Gammon said these fees could include origination fees, late fees or penalties for early repayment.

Small loans vs. credit cards

Whether it makes more sense to use a small loan or a credit card may depend on the type of purchase you’re making. If you have a one-time, large expense like a home improvement project or an auto repair, a small personal loan may be a good idea. In comparison, credit cards or personal lines of credit are usually best for smaller, more common expenses you’re prepared to pay off within a few months.

Gammon said small personal loans can be a better option for any type of borrowing if you qualify for a lower interest rate than you would get with a credit card. The fact that personal loans offer a lump sum of money upfront instead of a line of credit can also remove the temptation to keep spending compared with credit cards, he said.

» MORE: Personal loan vs. credit card: Which is better?

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FAQ

What is a good interest rate on a small personal loan?

A good interest rate on a small personal loan is typically a rate that’s lower than the current average rate for personal loans, which is 11.65% for a 24-month loan as of November 2025, according to the Federal Reserve. However, some of the best small personal loans have starting APRs around 6% to 9%. Generally, interest rates range widely on small personal loans, depending on the lender and the applicant’s credit profile.

Can I use a personal loan for anything?

You use a personal loan for almost anything, though specific uses generally depend on the lender or type of loan. Generally, you can’t use a personal loan to fund education expenses, business expenses or investments.

What is the smallest personal loan you can get?

The smallest personal loan you can get typically ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the lender. All personal loan lenders have a minimum borrowing amount, which should be clearly listed on their website.

What’s the difference between a small personal loan and a payday loan?

A small personal loan is usually paid back in installments over several years. You can also typically get a larger loan amount, and the lender requires a credit check. A payday loan is a loan for a smaller amount, usually $1,000 or less, that the borrower pays back on their next payday. Payday loans usually have a much higher APR, which can be 400% or more in some cases, depending on the state.

Bottom line

To choose the right lender for you, start by assessing your qualifications, including your credit score, income and debts. Then gather information from different lenders to get a sense of where you’re likely to get approved. You can check your rates with banks, credit unions and online lenders without any hard credit inquiry to find the best offers.

Ultimately, you should choose the personal loan company that offers the amount you need at the lowest borrowing cost, along with easy-to-understand terms and helpful customer service.


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. 10, 2026.
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