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Upstart Personal Loans Reviews

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About Upstart

Upstart uses artificial intelligence to help you find personal loans, auto loan refinancing or debt consolidation loans of $1,000 to over $50,000 (minimum amounts vary by state). Rates are fixed and range from 6.2% to 35.99% for personal loans at the time of publishing, with terms of three or five years. Upstart has no prepayment penalties and a quick funding period. Borrowers with poor or no credit history are eligible to apply.

Pros
  • Accepts applicants with poor credit
  • Check your rate with no impact to your credit
  • Receive funds as soon as the next business day
  • No prepayment penalty
Cons
  • Origination fee can be high (up to 15%)
  • Does not allow co-signers

Helpful Reviews

Los Angeles, CA
Verified purchase
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...

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Brooklyn, NY
Verified purchase
Just a day before I was told I couldn't get a loan because I had too much debt and several so call banks attempted to put in a debt relief program. You will be surprised at how ma...

Read more

What is Upstart?

Upstart is an online platform that specializes in fixed-rate personal loans with quick funding. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide access to affordable credit; 70% of its loans are fully automated, meaning there is no human involvement from the time you make your initial rate request to when you finally get your funds.

Upstart was founded by former Google employees, and to date, it has originated over $44 billion in loans.

How does Upstart work?

To check for pre-qualification and see available loan rates, fill out an application on Upstart's website (this will not affect your credit score). Some borrowers may also receive an instant decision after submitting a completed application, though additional review can be required in some cases.

If you decide to proceed with an application, Upstart will then do a hard credit check, which may slightly affect your credit score. It also asks for bank account information and supporting documentation, such as proof of income or employment. Some borrowers may also be asked to provide a photo ID or proof of address depending on the lender and the specifics of their application.

Upstart loans are funded as soon as the next business day following signing. Upstart doesn’t charge a prepayment penalty for users who pay off loans early.

Upstart loan requirements

To borrow with Upstart, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Provide a Social Security number
  • Have a valid email address
  • Have a personal bank account
  • Have a full-time job, a current job offer or another source of regular income

Upstart doesn’t require a down payment; the loan amount you qualify for depends on your credit, income and other personal information.

What documents might you need for an Upstart loan?

Depending on the lender and your application, Upstart may ask for documents to verify your identity, income, employment or address. This can include a photo ID, proof of address, a pay stub or other proof of income. In some cases, applicants may also need to provide a tax return.

Upstart rates

Upstart advertises personal loan APRs between 6.2% to 35.99% as of the time of publishing. Rates vary based on your credit and income; you can get a rate quote by filling out a form on the company's website.

When you borrow using Upstart, you may have to pay certain fees. These fees can have a major impact on what your personal loan will cost you. Specific fees can vary depending on the lender and the type of loan, but the most common fees include origination fees (to cover the processing of your loan) and late payment fees.

Upstart doesn’t charge a prepayment penalty for its loans.

Upstart FAQ

What’s the minimum credit requirement for Upstart?

The minimum credit score for Upstart is 300, but it also accepts applicants without enough of a credit history to produce a score.

If you don’t qualify for a loan from Upstart, there may still be ways to get a personal loan with bad credit.

Will Upstart hurt my credit?

Checking rates on Upstart’s website requires only a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t hurt your credit. When you apply for a loan, the lender performs a hard credit inquiry, which can slightly affect your score.

If you accept a loan offer, it affects your credit utilization, which can also lower your score. However, if you make on-time payments over the entire term length, you can improve your score in the long run.

Does Upstart verify income?

Yes, Upstart verifies income, employment or proof of a current job offer during the application process. This is standard practice with lenders to ensure borrowers will be able to repay their loans.

How long does it take for Upstart to deposit money?

Upstart loan funds are typically deposited the next business day as long as applicants accept the loan terms and complete all steps before 5 p.m. Eastern on a weekday. Otherwise, it often takes two business days.

Can you pay off an Upstart loan early?

Yes, you can pay off an Upstart loan early without a prepayment penalty. Just make sure you know what to consider before paying off a loan early.

Still have questions?

Is Upstart legit?

Yes, Upstart is a legitimate lender that has helped many people get the funds they need. Its AI model is designed to approve more applications and streamline the loan process for applicants and lenders. In most cases, the online process is fully automated. 

Upstart has more lenient eligibility requirements than many personal loan lenders, making it a viable option if you don’t have great credit. It also has a relatively low minimum APR compared to other personal loan lenders, and its maximum loan amount is high, at over $50,000.

However, it only has two options for your loan term — three years or five years. Some lenders provide a variety of term lengths ranging up to 84 months or sometimes even longer.

Upstart also made it onto our lists for the best small personal loans and the best peer-to-peer lenders.

As you shop around for a personal loan, make sure you check your rates with different lenders and compare their terms and fees so that you’re making an informed decision.

Upstart Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
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    Punctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsBillingLoan ProcessRates

    Reviewed May 27, 2026

    There was a time long ago I would have rated this company good but however I would recommend applying elsewhere. The biggest factor for me should be the fact that I successfully paid off an Upstart loan. Months early in fact but have NEVER been able to qualify since regardless of credit score. I paid my car off 2 years early. All these companies with the bulls**t algorithms and credit score look at the numbers. My loans are paid and paid off early. My credit cards are paid. I will never apply here again and it's always someone else willing to take those fees to give you a small loan. Upstart is off my list permanently

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaffLoan Process

      Reviewed Feb. 19, 2026

      Just a day before I was told I couldn't get a loan because I had too much debt and several so call banks attempted to put in a debt relief program. You will be surprised at how many companies now push these debt relief/settlement options to consumers looking for a loan. But not upstart. The process was fast and easy and you won't have to be on the phone with a representative for hours. Don't give up try Upstart or upgrade. Both have similar concepts.

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      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & SpeedStaffBillingLoan ProcessRates

      Reviewed Jan. 5, 2026

      A history of more than 2 years of on-time payments meant nothing to Upstart when I encountered a financial hardship due to long-term unemployment. Even while I was unemployed for a year, I made my payments on time until my unemployment compensation and savings ran out. Two missed payments, and the "60 days late" credit bureau entries began. I asked for a waiver, given my excellent payment history, and the Upstart representative dared to insult my intelligence by insisting Upstart could not remove a negative entry "because it's the law". Any halfway-informed person knows that's not true; companies do it all the time.

      Upon getting a new job, I wrote a letter to Upstart requesting that the "late, 60" be removed; they responded with a demand letter. I had my attorney draft a letter to Upstart offering immediate payment in full on the condition that they remove the negative entries; Upstart ignored the letter, then charged off the loan and sold it to a collection agency, resulting in yet another derogatory mark and a 50-point drop in my credit score. Upstart has never had the decency to respond to any correspondence regarding this matter from my attorney or me; I was treated better by the collection agency, which I paid in full, including fees. Now I'm going after Upstart to report the loan and charge-off as "paid in full". If I could give that outfit a "ZERO" rating, I would. STAY AWAY FROM THAT COMPANY!

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      PriceStaffBillingLoan ProcessTransparency

      Reviewed Oct. 18, 2025

      I have previously taken out two loans through Upstart, both of which I successfully repaid in full. One loan was for $4,000 and the other was for $10,000. For both of these loans, I used the same residential address, and both were approved without issue. Recently, I applied for a new loan of $15,000 using the same address that was used for my two previous, successfully repaid loans. However, this time, the process has been significantly different and more complicated. The loan is now being processed by Carver Bank in partnership with Upstart. Despite my consistent repayment history and using the same verified address, Upstart denied my application, stating that the address I provided is classified as a commercial business. They requested a utility bill to confirm my residency. I informed them that I do not have a utility bill in my name to provide.

      In addition to that, they required an extensive set of documents and identification, including a video recording of myself holding my Florida driver’s license, as well as copies of my bank statement, IRS documents, Social Security card, and U.S. passport. I also participated in an interview with Carver Bank, as part of the verification process.

      Even though my driver's license, bank statement, and IRS documents all reflect the same address I submitted, Carver Bank, in partnership with Upstart, still denied my loan application. Based on my experience, I believe Carver Bank powered by Upstart, is using unfair, coercive, and deceptive practices to deny loan approvals. Additionally, they charge a 10% origination fee along with other miscellaneous fees, which are not clearly disclosed during the initial stages of the application. I strongly caution others to be wary when considering loan products from Carver Bank or Upstart. There are other lenders available who offer more transparent terms, lower fees, and fairer approval processes. Please do your research and consider alternative lending options.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedBilling

      Reviewed Oct. 7, 2025

      So Upstart tried calling me and texting while I was working to tell me that my $66.41 payment was 30 days late and since I was literally working I didn’t see it until around lunchtime. This is the same I noticed that I had an “ALERT” from Experian that a negative report had been made. It was from Upstart. Here’s the problem! The payment was made but for some reason it was $1.00 short. One whole dollar at $65.41 instead of $66.41. I reached out and they said they can’t change it because they are required by law to report late payments and I was late. They waited until the last minute to try and contact me, 30 whole days and no one said anything. My credit score dropped 57 points.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaffBillingLoan Process

      Reviewed Aug. 22, 2025

      Called and received a full pay off amount from their representative, transferred the loan balance to a new cc with my bank and was told I was all set, no more payments, or concerns from Upstart. Few weeks later, I get notices saying I still owe a balance, I called and explained everything, asked for a manager or supervisor who was somehow never available and always had to call me back but never did. Would not honor what was promised to me, I asked for the call to be reviewed, which never happened. Just a terrible experience overall and you should think again before signing with this company.

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      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & SpeedStaffBillingLoan ProcessHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed March 5, 2025

      I’ve dealt with bad companies before, but this one takes the cake. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. I’ve had two loans with them—one paid off within 30 days—and every step of the process has been a ridiculous mess. But this week? They crossed the line. They illegally processed a payment early, overdrafting my account. No authorization. No warning. Just blatant negligence. When I confronted them, a supervisor outright LIED before slowly backtracking when I called them out. They blamed their rep for "not explaining things properly," as if that somehow excuses their shady, borderline fraudulent practices.

      Apparently, this company just processes payments early whenever they feel like it, with multiple reps confirming this unsettling policy. So let’s get this straight: You take people’s money before they approve it, then gaslight them when they call you out? Absolutely disgusting business ethics. I deeply regret ever trusting this company. If you value your money, sanity, and financial security, RUN FAR AWAY. 🚩

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      Punctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsStaffEase of UseLoan ProcessRates

      Reviewed Jan. 14, 2025

      I felt Upstart was good at first, but once I paid my loan off early I can tell they were no longer interested in my business. This is a clear practice for predatory lenders looking to focus on tying people up with high interest loans that never end. It's a shame because the website and service are user friendly and they are timely reporting to credit bureau.

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      Customer ServiceBillingLoan ProcessTimeliness

      Reviewed Aug. 29, 2024

      I had a loan with Upstart due to the film strikes and needed some funds to tie me over while the strike continued. I was two payments away from paying it off and decided to pay it off but because the payment was made after 5:00PM it didn’t post til the next day. They reported the account to the credit bureau as delinquent the same day it was due even though email confirmation showed the payment was actually made on the due date. They refused to delete the negative mark. Upstart customer service is among one of the worst to work with and they use the same rehearsed lines to reply to you instead of trying to solve the problem. I will never apply with their company again and will make sure to encourage others to steer clear of their company.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedLoan ProcessRates

      Reviewed April 16, 2024

      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.

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      Upstart Company Information

      Company Name:
      Upstart
      Website:
      www.upstart.com