Our picks for best unsecured personal loans
To select our picks for the best unsecured loans, we examined 806 data points for popular lenders and lending marketplaces, including 26 individual data points for 31 lenders. We also considered customer reviews and overall ratings from ConsumerAffairs reviewers. We used these data points to evaluate factors that impact borrowers the most, such as credit score requirements, loan limits, repayment terms and annual percentage rates (APRs), to help us make our final selections.
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 unsecured personal loans are from:

- Loan amount
- $1,000 to $50,000
- Term lenghts
- 2 to 7 years
- Minimum credit score
- Typically 620
Partner Disclosures
Prosper disclosures
Terms presented, including APR and monthly payment amount, are estimated and created based on information entered by you and through analysis of historical data on loans through Prosper. Your eligibility for a loan and actual terms depend on the information you provide in your application, and other variables including, but not limited to, your credit score, Prosper Rating, loan amount, loan term, employment and income details, credit usage and history. Eligibility for personal loans up to $50,000 depends on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your financial history, credit score, monthly income, and monthly expenses. Eligibility for personal loans is not guaranteed, and requires sufficient investor commitments to fund. Your monthly payment amount may be different in the final month of your loan. Personal loans through Prosper have an annual percentage rate (“APR”) of 8.99% to 35.99%, terms between two and five years, and an origination fee from 1% to 9.99%. For example, a three-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 16.66% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.53% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 36 scheduled monthly payments of $354.84. A five-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 18.73% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.26% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 60 scheduled monthly payments of $257.92. The average APR for loans with a 3-year term funded between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, was 23.53%. Whether you are eligible for a specific APR or loan term will depend on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your current credit rating and information you provide in your application. The lowest rates are for the most creditworthy applicants. Your actual rate may differ. You may receive your funds one business day following your acceptance of the loan offer, completion of all necessary verification steps and final approval. One business day funding is also dependent on your bank’s transaction processing speed. All personal loans made by WebBank.
Best Egg disclosures
Best Egg products are not available if you live in Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories. Eligibility is not guaranteed. The term, amount and APR of any loan we offer to you will depend on your credit score, income, debt payment obligations, loan amount, credit history and other factors. If offered, your loan agreement will contain specific terms and conditions. Your application is complete when you submit it to Best Egg. Your acceptance of an offer may impact your credit score. The timing of available funds upon loan approval may vary depending upon your bank’s policies. After successful verification your money can be deposited in your bank account within 1-3 business days. Loan amounts range from $2,000–$50,000. Residents of Massachusetts have a minimum loan amount of $6,500; Ohio, $5,001; and Georgia, $3,001. Only two active Best Egg loans are available at one time and your total existing Best Egg loan balances cannot exceed $100,000. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) range from 6.99%–35.99%. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0.99%–9.99% of your loan amount, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. The origination fee on a loan term 4 years or longer will be at least 4.99%. Your loan term will impact your APR, which may be higher than our lowest advertised rate. Eligibility for the best available rate subject to creditworthiness. For example: a 5-year $10,000 loan with a 9.99% APR has 60 scheduled monthly payments of $201.81; a 3-year $5,000 loan with 6.99% APR has 36 scheduled monthly payments of $152.83. Best Egg loans can be prepaid at any time without penalty. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Best Egg loans have a minimum term of 36 months and a maximum term of 60 months. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.. Best Egg loans are personal loans made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey Chartered Bank, operating from its Wilmington, Delaware branch location, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, or Column N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. © 2026 Marlette Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Achieve Personal Loans disclosures
Personal loans available through Achieve.com (NMLS #138464) or Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977) are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, or Pathward®, N.A., Equal Housing Lenders. Loan applications are subject to credit review, underwriting criteria and approval. Loans are not available in all states and available loan terms/fees may vary by state. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000. APRs range from 8.99 to 35.99% and include applicable origination fees that vary from 1.99% to 6.99%. The origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds. Repayment periods range from 24 to 60 months. Example loan: four-year $20,000 loan with an origination fee of 6.99%, a rate of 15.49%, and corresponding APR of 19.54%, would have an estimated monthly payment of $561.60 and a total cost of $26,956.80. To qualify for a 8.99% APR loan, a borrower will need excellent credit, a loan amount less than $12,000.00, and a term of 24 months. Adding a co-borrower with sufficient income; using at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the loan proceeds to pay off qualifying existing debt directly; or showing proof of sufficient retirement savings, could also help you qualify for lower rates. Funding time periods are estimates and can vary for each loan request. Same day decisions assume a completed application with all required supporting documentation submitted early enough on a day that our offices are open. Achieve Personal Loans loan consultants' hours are Monday-Friday 6am-8pm AZ time, and Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm AZ time.
Upstart disclosures
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 21.58% and a 9.84% origination fee of $984, for an APR of 26.82%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9016 and will make 60 monthly payments of $275. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in December 2023. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved. While most loans through Upstart are unsecured, certain lenders may place a lien on other accounts you hold with the same institution. There may be an option to secure your personal loan through Upstart with your vehicle, which will require a lien to be placed on the vehicle. It is important to review your promissory note for these details before accepting your loan.

- Loan amount
- $2,000 to $50,000
- Term lengths
- 3 to 5 years
- Minimum credit score required
- Typically 640
Partner Disclosures
Prosper disclosures
Terms presented, including APR and monthly payment amount, are estimated and created based on information entered by you and through analysis of historical data on loans through Prosper. Your eligibility for a loan and actual terms depend on the information you provide in your application, and other variables including, but not limited to, your credit score, Prosper Rating, loan amount, loan term, employment and income details, credit usage and history. Eligibility for personal loans up to $50,000 depends on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your financial history, credit score, monthly income, and monthly expenses. Eligibility for personal loans is not guaranteed, and requires sufficient investor commitments to fund. Your monthly payment amount may be different in the final month of your loan. Personal loans through Prosper have an annual percentage rate (“APR”) of 8.99% to 35.99%, terms between two and five years, and an origination fee from 1% to 9.99%. For example, a three-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 16.66% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.53% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 36 scheduled monthly payments of $354.84. A five-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 18.73% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.26% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 60 scheduled monthly payments of $257.92. The average APR for loans with a 3-year term funded between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, was 23.53%. Whether you are eligible for a specific APR or loan term will depend on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your current credit rating and information you provide in your application. The lowest rates are for the most creditworthy applicants. Your actual rate may differ. You may receive your funds one business day following your acceptance of the loan offer, completion of all necessary verification steps and final approval. One business day funding is also dependent on your bank’s transaction processing speed. All personal loans made by WebBank.
Best Egg disclosures
Best Egg products are not available if you live in Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories. Eligibility is not guaranteed. The term, amount and APR of any loan we offer to you will depend on your credit score, income, debt payment obligations, loan amount, credit history and other factors. If offered, your loan agreement will contain specific terms and conditions. Your application is complete when you submit it to Best Egg. Your acceptance of an offer may impact your credit score. The timing of available funds upon loan approval may vary depending upon your bank’s policies. After successful verification your money can be deposited in your bank account within 1-3 business days. Loan amounts range from $2,000–$50,000. Residents of Massachusetts have a minimum loan amount of $6,500; Ohio, $5,001; and Georgia, $3,001. Only two active Best Egg loans are available at one time and your total existing Best Egg loan balances cannot exceed $100,000. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) range from 6.99%–35.99%. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0.99%–9.99% of your loan amount, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. The origination fee on a loan term 4 years or longer will be at least 4.99%. Your loan term will impact your APR, which may be higher than our lowest advertised rate. Eligibility for the best available rate subject to creditworthiness. For example: a 5-year $10,000 loan with a 9.99% APR has 60 scheduled monthly payments of $201.81; a 3-year $5,000 loan with 6.99% APR has 36 scheduled monthly payments of $152.83. Best Egg loans can be prepaid at any time without penalty. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Best Egg loans have a minimum term of 36 months and a maximum term of 60 months. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.. Best Egg loans are personal loans made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey Chartered Bank, operating from its Wilmington, Delaware branch location, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, or Column N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. © 2026 Marlette Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Achieve Personal Loans disclosures
Personal loans available through Achieve.com (NMLS #138464) or Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977) are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, or Pathward®, N.A., Equal Housing Lenders. Loan applications are subject to credit review, underwriting criteria and approval. Loans are not available in all states and available loan terms/fees may vary by state. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000. APRs range from 8.99 to 35.99% and include applicable origination fees that vary from 1.99% to 6.99%. The origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds. Repayment periods range from 24 to 60 months. Example loan: four-year $20,000 loan with an origination fee of 6.99%, a rate of 15.49%, and corresponding APR of 19.54%, would have an estimated monthly payment of $561.60 and a total cost of $26,956.80. To qualify for a 8.99% APR loan, a borrower will need excellent credit, a loan amount less than $12,000.00, and a term of 24 months. Adding a co-borrower with sufficient income; using at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the loan proceeds to pay off qualifying existing debt directly; or showing proof of sufficient retirement savings, could also help you qualify for lower rates. Funding time periods are estimates and can vary for each loan request. Same day decisions assume a completed application with all required supporting documentation submitted early enough on a day that our offices are open. Achieve Personal Loans loan consultants' hours are Monday-Friday 6am-8pm AZ time, and Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm AZ time.
Upstart disclosures
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 21.58% and a 9.84% origination fee of $984, for an APR of 26.82%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9016 and will make 60 monthly payments of $275. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in December 2023. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved. While most loans through Upstart are unsecured, certain lenders may place a lien on other accounts you hold with the same institution. There may be an option to secure your personal loan through Upstart with your vehicle, which will require a lien to be placed on the vehicle. It is important to review your promissory note for these details before accepting your loan.

- Loan amount
- $5,000 to $50,000
- Term lengths
- 2 to 5 years
- Minimum credit score required
- 600 to 660
Partner Disclosures
Prosper disclosures
Terms presented, including APR and monthly payment amount, are estimated and created based on information entered by you and through analysis of historical data on loans through Prosper. Your eligibility for a loan and actual terms depend on the information you provide in your application, and other variables including, but not limited to, your credit score, Prosper Rating, loan amount, loan term, employment and income details, credit usage and history. Eligibility for personal loans up to $50,000 depends on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your financial history, credit score, monthly income, and monthly expenses. Eligibility for personal loans is not guaranteed, and requires sufficient investor commitments to fund. Your monthly payment amount may be different in the final month of your loan. Personal loans through Prosper have an annual percentage rate (“APR”) of 8.99% to 35.99%, terms between two and five years, and an origination fee from 1% to 9.99%. For example, a three-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 16.66% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.53% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 36 scheduled monthly payments of $354.84. A five-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 18.73% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.26% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 60 scheduled monthly payments of $257.92. The average APR for loans with a 3-year term funded between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, was 23.53%. Whether you are eligible for a specific APR or loan term will depend on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your current credit rating and information you provide in your application. The lowest rates are for the most creditworthy applicants. Your actual rate may differ. You may receive your funds one business day following your acceptance of the loan offer, completion of all necessary verification steps and final approval. One business day funding is also dependent on your bank’s transaction processing speed. All personal loans made by WebBank.
Best Egg disclosures
Best Egg products are not available if you live in Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories. Eligibility is not guaranteed. The term, amount and APR of any loan we offer to you will depend on your credit score, income, debt payment obligations, loan amount, credit history and other factors. If offered, your loan agreement will contain specific terms and conditions. Your application is complete when you submit it to Best Egg. Your acceptance of an offer may impact your credit score. The timing of available funds upon loan approval may vary depending upon your bank’s policies. After successful verification your money can be deposited in your bank account within 1-3 business days. Loan amounts range from $2,000–$50,000. Residents of Massachusetts have a minimum loan amount of $6,500; Ohio, $5,001; and Georgia, $3,001. Only two active Best Egg loans are available at one time and your total existing Best Egg loan balances cannot exceed $100,000. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) range from 6.99%–35.99%. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0.99%–9.99% of your loan amount, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. The origination fee on a loan term 4 years or longer will be at least 4.99%. Your loan term will impact your APR, which may be higher than our lowest advertised rate. Eligibility for the best available rate subject to creditworthiness. For example: a 5-year $10,000 loan with a 9.99% APR has 60 scheduled monthly payments of $201.81; a 3-year $5,000 loan with 6.99% APR has 36 scheduled monthly payments of $152.83. Best Egg loans can be prepaid at any time without penalty. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Best Egg loans have a minimum term of 36 months and a maximum term of 60 months. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.. Best Egg loans are personal loans made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey Chartered Bank, operating from its Wilmington, Delaware branch location, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, or Column N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. © 2026 Marlette Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Achieve Personal Loans disclosures
Personal loans available through Achieve.com (NMLS #138464) or Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977) are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, or Pathward®, N.A., Equal Housing Lenders. Loan applications are subject to credit review, underwriting criteria and approval. Loans are not available in all states and available loan terms/fees may vary by state. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000. APRs range from 8.99 to 35.99% and include applicable origination fees that vary from 1.99% to 6.99%. The origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds. Repayment periods range from 24 to 60 months. Example loan: four-year $20,000 loan with an origination fee of 6.99%, a rate of 15.49%, and corresponding APR of 19.54%, would have an estimated monthly payment of $561.60 and a total cost of $26,956.80. To qualify for a 8.99% APR loan, a borrower will need excellent credit, a loan amount less than $12,000.00, and a term of 24 months. Adding a co-borrower with sufficient income; using at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the loan proceeds to pay off qualifying existing debt directly; or showing proof of sufficient retirement savings, could also help you qualify for lower rates. Funding time periods are estimates and can vary for each loan request. Same day decisions assume a completed application with all required supporting documentation submitted early enough on a day that our offices are open. Achieve Personal Loans loan consultants' hours are Monday-Friday 6am-8pm AZ time, and Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm AZ time.
Upstart disclosures
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 21.58% and a 9.84% origination fee of $984, for an APR of 26.82%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9016 and will make 60 monthly payments of $275. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in December 2023. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved. While most loans through Upstart are unsecured, certain lenders may place a lien on other accounts you hold with the same institution. There may be an option to secure your personal loan through Upstart with your vehicle, which will require a lien to be placed on the vehicle. It is important to review your promissory note for these details before accepting your loan.

- Loan amount
- $2,000 to $50,000
- Term lengths
- 2 to 5 years
- Minimum credit score required
- 600
Partner Disclosures
Prosper disclosures
Terms presented, including APR and monthly payment amount, are estimated and created based on information entered by you and through analysis of historical data on loans through Prosper. Your eligibility for a loan and actual terms depend on the information you provide in your application, and other variables including, but not limited to, your credit score, Prosper Rating, loan amount, loan term, employment and income details, credit usage and history. Eligibility for personal loans up to $50,000 depends on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your financial history, credit score, monthly income, and monthly expenses. Eligibility for personal loans is not guaranteed, and requires sufficient investor commitments to fund. Your monthly payment amount may be different in the final month of your loan. Personal loans through Prosper have an annual percentage rate (“APR”) of 8.99% to 35.99%, terms between two and five years, and an origination fee from 1% to 9.99%. For example, a three-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 16.66% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.53% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 36 scheduled monthly payments of $354.84. A five-year $10,000 personal loan with an interest rate of 18.73% and a 8.99% origination fee results in a 23.26% APR. You would receive $9,101.00 and make 60 scheduled monthly payments of $257.92. The average APR for loans with a 3-year term funded between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, was 23.53%. Whether you are eligible for a specific APR or loan term will depend on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your current credit rating and information you provide in your application. The lowest rates are for the most creditworthy applicants. Your actual rate may differ. You may receive your funds one business day following your acceptance of the loan offer, completion of all necessary verification steps and final approval. One business day funding is also dependent on your bank’s transaction processing speed. All personal loans made by WebBank.
Best Egg disclosures
Best Egg products are not available if you live in Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories. Eligibility is not guaranteed. The term, amount and APR of any loan we offer to you will depend on your credit score, income, debt payment obligations, loan amount, credit history and other factors. If offered, your loan agreement will contain specific terms and conditions. Your application is complete when you submit it to Best Egg. Your acceptance of an offer may impact your credit score. The timing of available funds upon loan approval may vary depending upon your bank’s policies. After successful verification your money can be deposited in your bank account within 1-3 business days. Loan amounts range from $2,000–$50,000. Residents of Massachusetts have a minimum loan amount of $6,500; Ohio, $5,001; and Georgia, $3,001. Only two active Best Egg loans are available at one time and your total existing Best Egg loan balances cannot exceed $100,000. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) range from 6.99%–35.99%. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0.99%–9.99% of your loan amount, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. The origination fee on a loan term 4 years or longer will be at least 4.99%. Your loan term will impact your APR, which may be higher than our lowest advertised rate. Eligibility for the best available rate subject to creditworthiness. For example: a 5-year $10,000 loan with a 9.99% APR has 60 scheduled monthly payments of $201.81; a 3-year $5,000 loan with 6.99% APR has 36 scheduled monthly payments of $152.83. Best Egg loans can be prepaid at any time without penalty. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Best Egg loans have a minimum term of 36 months and a maximum term of 60 months. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.. Best Egg loans are personal loans made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey Chartered Bank, operating from its Wilmington, Delaware branch location, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, or Column N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. © 2026 Marlette Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Achieve Personal Loans disclosures
Personal loans available through Achieve.com (NMLS #138464) or Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977) are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, or Pathward®, N.A., Equal Housing Lenders. Loan applications are subject to credit review, underwriting criteria and approval. Loans are not available in all states and available loan terms/fees may vary by state. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000. APRs range from 8.99 to 35.99% and include applicable origination fees that vary from 1.99% to 6.99%. The origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds. Repayment periods range from 24 to 60 months. Example loan: four-year $20,000 loan with an origination fee of 6.99%, a rate of 15.49%, and corresponding APR of 19.54%, would have an estimated monthly payment of $561.60 and a total cost of $26,956.80. To qualify for a 8.99% APR loan, a borrower will need excellent credit, a loan amount less than $12,000.00, and a term of 24 months. Adding a co-borrower with sufficient income; using at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the loan proceeds to pay off qualifying existing debt directly; or showing proof of sufficient retirement savings, could also help you qualify for lower rates. Funding time periods are estimates and can vary for each loan request. Same day decisions assume a completed application with all required supporting documentation submitted early enough on a day that our offices are open. Achieve Personal Loans loan consultants' hours are Monday-Friday 6am-8pm AZ time, and Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm AZ time.
Upstart disclosures
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 21.58% and a 9.84% origination fee of $984, for an APR of 26.82%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9016 and will make 60 monthly payments of $275. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in December 2023. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved. While most loans through Upstart are unsecured, certain lenders may place a lien on other accounts you hold with the same institution. There may be an option to secure your personal loan through Upstart with your vehicle, which will require a lien to be placed on the vehicle. It is important to review your promissory note for these details before accepting your loan.
Pros and cons of unsecured loans
Personal loans that don't require collateral have their share of advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
- Easy online application process
- Fast funding usually available
- Won't put your assets at risk
- Can be used for almost any purpose
Cons
- Origination fees or other fees sometimes required
- High APRs for imperfect credit
- Minimum credit score requirements
What can unsecured personal loans be used for?
You can use an unsecured personal loan for nearly any type of expense. Some of the most common uses for personal loans include:
- Debt consolidation
- Home improvement
- New or used vehicle purchase
- Boats, motorcycles or RVs
- Family planning, such as adoption or in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Medical expenses
- Vacations
- Weddings
What unsecured personal loans can’t be used for
Personal loans, whether they’re secured or unsecured, generally can’t be used for:
- Educational expenses, such as paying tuition
- Business expenses
- Purchasing investments, such as stocks or bonds
- A down payment on a home
Average unsecured loan interest rates
The average rate for a 24-month personal loan is 11.65% as of the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve. This is down from 12.32% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Average unsecured personal loan rates vary from lender to lender and also by loan term and borrower credit profile. For the best personal loan companies, most rates start at around 7% to 9% APR and can climb as high as 35.99% APR, depending on the lender.
Who is an unsecured loan best for?
Unsecured loans can work for almost anyone, but there are some consumers they might work for more than others.
People who want fixed payments
Unsecured personal loans tend to be best for people who want a fixed interest rate and a fixed monthly payment that will not change.
People who have good credit
These loans are also best for applicants who have good credit and a strong income to qualify for the best rates and terms.
People who need flexible funding
If you want to pay for a new vacation, a minor kitchen remodel and some new clothes all at once, unsecured loans will let you apply for the funding you need for these items and pay it back in a single monthly payment.
People who want to consolidate debt
Because average unsecured loan rates are typically lower than average credit card rates, these loans are also good for debt consolidation. With a personal loan, you may be able to consolidate credit card debt with a lower rate.
How to get an unsecured loan
To get an unsecured personal loan, you’ll generally take the following steps.
1. Research and compare offers
You should take the time to compare all the best unsecured loan options side by side before applying. This means looking at each lenders’ loan limits, terms and rates, plus reading over the fine print.
2. Get prequalified
The best personal loan lenders let you check your rate without a hard inquiry on your credit report. This makes it considerably easier to compare offers from multiple lenders so you see the rates and terms you might qualify for if you apply.
3. Fill out an application
Once you find a loan offer that suits your needs, you can move forward with an application. You’ll typically provide information like your full name and address, Social Security number, employment and income information, and monthly mortgage or rent amount.
In some cases, you may be required to provide supporting documentation, such as recent pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns or utility bills.
4. Wait for funding
Once you’re approved, the lender should provide the funds within one to seven business days.
Alternatives to unsecured loans
Unsecured personal loans are not the only type of funding out there, and it's possible another type of loan could work better for your needs. Consider these unsecured loan alternatives and how they might work in your situation.
Secured personal loans
If you’re unable to qualify for an unsecured personal loan, you may need to consider a secured loan. Secured loans require putting down collateral to get approved, which could come in the form of a home, a car or money in the bank. Secured personal loans are usually best for people with bad credit or no credit history.
Home equity loans
Home equity loans let you borrow against the value of your home. They come with fixed interest rates and monthly payments, which makes them similar to personal loans. However, home equity loans also require you to use your home as collateral, meaning you could lose your property if you fail to repay the loan.
Home equity lines of credit
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) also let you borrow against your home equity, though they come with variable interest rates. Your monthly payment is based on how much of your credit line you access.
Credit cards
Credit cards can also work in place of unsecured loans, and they can even provide financial savings if you pick a credit card that offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for a limited time. Keep in mind that the variable rate after a 0% intro APR offer ends is usually much higher than average rate for personal loans.
401(k) loans
Some 401(k) plan administrators let customers borrow against the funds they have saved for retirement. In this case, the borrower pays interest back to themselves as they make monthly payments on the loan. However, maximum loan amounts apply with 401(k) loans, and borrowers may be required to pay back the full amounts borrowed right away if they lose their job or move to a new company.
» MORE: Best ways to borrow money
FAQ
Can you get an unsecured loan if you have bad credit?
Some lenders offer unsecured loans for people with bad credit or fair credit. However, individuals with poor or fair credit typically pay higher loan fees and interest rates if they’re able to get an unsecured loan. If you’re unable to get an unsecured loan, you may need to consider a secured loan.
How does a personal loan affect your credit score?
Borrowing money with a personal loan can impact your credit score in several ways. First, applying for a loan results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can negatively impact your credit score in the short term. Opening a personal loan also might improve your credit mix, which can increase your credit score. Over time, a personal loan can help your credit score if you make on-time payments.
What are the eligibility requirements for unsecured loans?
Typically, you’ll need to have good to excellent credit, stable income and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to be eligible for an unsecured loan. However, requirements vary from lender to lender, and some lenders may accept fair credit.
Bottom line
The best unsecured personal loans can help you get the funding you need at a rate that makes repayment affordable. An unsecured personal loan lets you spend the money on virtually anything you want, whether you need to consolidate and pay down debt or you want to finance a large purchase like a vacation or wedding.
Whatever your reasoning is for needing funding, you'll want to take the time to compare loan options to find the best deal. This means checking around for the best rate you can qualify for and comparing loans based on how much you can borrow and how long you have to pay the money back.
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:
- Federal Reserve, “Consumer Credit - G.19, Terms of Credit at Commercial Banks and Finance Companies.” Accessed Feb. 10, 2026.







