
Upstart Personal Loans Reviews
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About Upstart
Upstart is a lending marketplace that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to connect borrowers with personal loans, auto loan refinancing or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). Personal loans through its platform have fixed annual percentage rates (APRs) ranging from 6.20% to 35.99% as of the time of publishing. Its loan amounts range from $1,000 to $75,000 and you can choose from terms of three or five years. Upstart doesn’t charge prepayment penalties and funds are deposited as soon as one business day.
Visit www.upstart.com- Get prequalified with no impact to your credit
- Receive funds as soon as one business day
- May accept applicants with lower credit scores
- No prepayment penalty
- Origination fees
- Not a direct lender
- Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers
Helpful Reviews
What is Upstart?
Founded in 2012, Upstart is an online lending marketplace that partners with more than 100 banks and credit unions to connect borrowers with personal loans, debt consolidation loans, auto loan refinancing or HELOCs. It is not a direct lender, and all of its loans are originated by one of its lending partners.
Upstart uses AI throughout the lending process, including for income, identity and employment verification. It claims that more than 90% 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.
How does Upstart work?
You can get prequalified for a personal loan on Upstart's website to check which rates you may qualify for if you apply. Upstart will perform a soft credit check, which won’t impact your credit score.
If you decide to apply for a loan, you’ll need to provide personal information and financial details, such as your income and employment information. Upstart may request supporting documentation, such as a photo ID, proof of address, a pay stub or other proof of income. In some cases, applicants may need to provide a tax return or education verification, such as a transcript or diploma.
When you submit your application, Upstart will do a hard credit check, which will temporarily lower your credit score. Its AI model will evaluate your application to determine if you qualify for a loan. If you’re approved, your loan will be originated by one of its lending partners and funded in as little as one business day. The loan will then either be managed by Upstart or through the lending partner.
Upstart loan details at a glance
Here are the main details about Upstart loans:
- Loan amounts: $1,000 to $75,000
- Term lengths: 3 or 5 years
- APR range: 6.20% to 35.99%
- Origination fee: Varies by lending partner
- Prepayment fee: None
- Minimum credit score: Varies by lending partner
Upstart loan requirements
To borrow with Upstart, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide a Social Security number
- Have a valid email address
- Have a personal bank account
- Have a regular source of income or an accepted job offer
The loan amount you’ll qualify for will depend on your credit, income and other personal information.
Upstart rates
Upstart advertises personal loan APRs between 6.20% to 35.99% as of the time of publishing. Generally, the rate you’ll be offered will depend on your credit score, income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and other factors.
Upstart fees
When you borrow using one of Upstart’s lending partners, you may have to pay certain fees, such as origination or late payment fees. The specific fees you’ll be charged will vary depending on the lender and the type of loan. However, Upstart doesn’t charge a prepayment penalty for its loans.
FAQ
What’s the minimum credit score for Upstart?
Upstart doesn’t disclose a minimum credit score for loans funded through its marketplace. Generally, minimum credit score requirements vary depending on the lender. Some lenders may accept borrowers with lower credit scores or limited credit history. If you’re unable to qualify for a loan from Upstart, you may still be able to get a personal loan with bad credit.
Will Upstart hurt my credit?
Getting prequalified on Upstart’s website won’t hurt your credit, since Upstart will only perform a soft credit inquiry. When you apply for a loan, the lender will perform a hard credit inquiry, which can slightly lower your score. If you accept a loan offer, the loan will increase your credit mix, which should increase your credit score. And if you make on-time payments over the entire term, you can improve your score.
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 by the next business day as long as applicants accept the loan terms and complete all steps before 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on a weekday. Otherwise, it can take up to two business days.
Can you pay off an Upstart loan early?
Yes, you can pay off an Upstart loan early without being charged 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 lending marketplace 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 tends to have more lenient eligibility requirements than some lenders, so it may be an option if you have a lower score or limited credit. It also has a relatively low minimum APR compared to other personal loan lenders, and its maximum loan amount is high at $75,000.
However, Upstart only has two options for your loan term — three years or five years. Other lenders typically provide a variety of term lengths to choose from and repayment terms of up to seven years.
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Upstart Company Information
- Company Name:
- Upstart
- Website:
- www.upstart.com



