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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
Pros
  • 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
Cons
  • Origination fees
  • Not a direct lender
  • Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers

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?

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.

Upstart Reviews

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    BillingLoan ProcessRates

    Reviewed June 16, 2026

    Paid off two loans with upstart and they keep sending me prequalifications for a new loan because of my good payment record. Checked my rate and they would only qualify me for a 36% small relief loan. Ridiculous. Done with them if this is what a pretty good income, stable job, and good payment record gets!

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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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      Upstart Company Information

      Company Name:
      Upstart
      Website:
      www.upstart.com