Best Personal Loans with the Lowest Rates in June 2026

See how much your personal loan could cost in dollars, then compare real loan offers from multiple lenders

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
Key takeaways
  • Personal loan APRs range from about 6% to 36%. We’ll show you what those rates mean in real dollars and monthly payments.
  • You could qualify even with fair or bad credit. The better your credit, the less you’ll likely pay in interest.
  • ranks as the best overall personal loan lender right now based on LendingTree’s objective methodology. 
  • Comparing offers from several lenders can help you save thousands on your loan

See how much your loan could cost in real dollars

Use the table below to find the average annual percentage rate (APR) for your credit score based on real LendingTree marketplace data.

Then see how much your loan could cost by plugging the average APR for your credit score into the calculator below

Credit tierAverage APR
Excellent (800 and above)15.75%
Very good (740-799)17.89%
Good (670-739)23.27%
Fair (580-669)27.79%
Poor (under 580)30.25%
Source: LendingTree user data on personal loan offers for typical loan amounts ($5,000 – $54,999) and repayment terms (36 to 83 months) in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Why borrowers apply for personal loans — and how needs vary by loan size and credit score

Debt consolidation is the leading reason borrowers apply for personal loans, accounting for nearly 1 in 3 requests (31.3%), according to a LendingTree analysis of consumer loan inquiries — far ahead of “other” at 19.5%.

Demand drops off from there: 10.6% of requests are for credit card refinancing, with smaller shares citing everyday bills (8.2%) and home improvements (6.6%).

Overall, the data shows personal loans serve a wide range of needs, from debt management to short-term expenses to larger planned purchases.

Key findings

  • Debt consolidation leads by a wide margin. It accounts for 31.3% of requests — well ahead of the next category — with these borrowers requesting $11,829 on average and holding midrange credit scores (602).
  • Smaller loans skew toward urgent needs. Requests for everyday bills, medical expenses and car repairs are typically under $6,000 and tied to lower average credit scores (571 to 574), suggesting short-term financial gaps.
  • Larger loans align with planned spending. Homebuying ($18,838) and business ($14,704) have the highest average requested amounts and somewhat higher credit scores, indicating more deliberate use.

Why borrowers apply for personal loans

RankReason for personal loan% of personal loan requestsAvg. requested loan sizeAvg. credit score
1Debt consolidation31.3%$11,829 602
2Other19.5%$5,889 573
3Credit card refinancing10.6%$8,995 602
4Everyday bills8.2%$4,317 574
5Home improvement6.6%$10,769 600
6Major purchase5.3%$10,630 614
7Medical expenses4.6%$5,526 571
8Moving/relocation3.7%$6,292 575
9Car financing3.5%$9,997 585
10Car repair3.1%$3,967 573
11Business1.6%$14,704 580
12Vacation1.2%$5,539 588
13Wedding expenses0.6%$9,336 593
14Homebuying0.3%$18,838 606
15Green loan0.0%$7,187 597
Source: LendingTree analysis of personal loan inquiries on the LendingTree platform from April 2025 through March 2026. Note: Percentages don’t add to 100% due to rounding.

Study methodology

This analysis is based on anonymized personal loan inquiries on the LendingTree platform from April 2025 through March 2026. Reasons for loan requests, requested loan amounts and self-reported credit scores were provided by consumers at the time of inquiry. Percentages reflect the share of total requests during the study period.

Estimate your monthly loan payment in seconds

What loan term should I use?

You don’t need to know your exact loan term (how long you’ll pay off your loan) right away. Play around with the calculator to see how your term affects your monthly payments. 

Rule of thumb: Choose the shortest loan term with a monthly payment you can afford. Short loan terms mean a cheaper loan overall, but higher monthly payments. Long terms mean more expensive loans overall, but lower monthly payments.

Save money and time by comparing real offers

You’d shop around for flights. Why not your loan? LendingTree makes it easy. Instead of applying to just one lender and hoping for a good rate, see multiple lenders compete for your business — so you can choose the best offer.

Tell us what you need
Take two minutes to share a few details about yourself and how much you want to borrow. It’s free, simple and secure.

Shop your offers
LendingTree users receive 11 personal loan offers on average. Compare yours side by side to find the one that works best for you.

Get your money
Users save an average of $1,659 by choosing the offer with the lowest rate. Once you pick a lender and sign your paperwork, you could see money in your account in as little as 24 hours.

Why comparing offers matters

Getting multiple offers makes lenders compete for your business, which can help you get a cheaper loan.

  • You could save thousands. LendingTree users save an average of $1,659 by comparing personal loan offers and choosing the best one. People with fair or good credit could save up to $3,138 by getting six or more offers.
  • The best time to save is when you apply. Once you take out a loan, you’d need to refinance (get a new loan) to get lower rates and payments down the line.

Best personal loan companies right now

Best personal loan company overall

As of June 2026, is the best personal loan company according to our methodology (how we evaluate and score lenders). offers quick funding, optional fees and competitive rates.

LendingTree personal loan experts evaluate and rate lenders using an impartial, proprietary rating system that considers the factors that matter most to you: how easy loans are to qualify for, how much they cost and how easy they are to pay back. We apply the same methodology to every lender to ensure fair comparisons. 

Learn more about how we rate personal loan companies.

Best alternatives:

  • (low rates and accessible to people with fair credit) 
  • PenFed (low rates and no fees)

Best lenders by situation

Lender recommendations
Best personal loan lenders, , PenFed
No required feesDiscover, LightStream, PenFed,
Same-day funding, LightStream,
Loans for bad creditDiscover,
Loans for fair creditBest Egg,

Top 10 best personal loan companies

Lender User rating Best for APR See Results
Review coming soon
Runner-up, overall personal loans Starting at 6.95%
Review coming soon
Lowest rates with collateral 7.99% to 35.99%
4.86/5
Excellent customer service and no fees 7.99% to 24.99%
Review coming soon
Big loans and no fees 6.49% to 25.29% (With discounts)
4.86/5
Bad or no credit 6.70% to 35.99%
Lender
User rating
Review coming soon
Review coming soon
4.86/5
Review coming soon
4.86/5
Best for Runner-up, overall personal loans Lowest rates with collateral Excellent customer service and no fees Big loans and no fees Bad or no credit
APR Starting at 6.95% 7.99% to 35.99% 7.99% to 24.99% 6.49% to 25.29% (With discounts) 6.70% to 35.99%

Best for: Runner-up, overall personal loans – PenFed Credit Union

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

  • Borrow as little as Not specified
  • No upfront fees
  • Rates capped at Not specified
  • Must become credit union member to get a loan (but everyone is eligible to apply)
  • Doesn’t publish minimum credit score, income or other info on how to qualify

I shopped for personal loans with LightStream using my real information. Here’s what I found:

  • Application experience: LightStream’s application was quick and included helpful context to clarify potentially confusing questions. Be prepared to verify your phone number as part of the application process — this is an unusual step that most lenders skip.
  • Unusual questions to prepare for: None! Just have your Social Security number on hand.

LightStream loans can help you keep costs down with low rates, no fees and smaller loan amounts than most traditional lenders. Borrowing only what you need helps you avoid paying unnecessary interest, and PenFed’s small loans make that easy.

You’ll need to become a member in order to get a loan, but LightStream makes it easy to join. Note that while LightStream’s eligibility requirements are unclear, you can see if you qualify without affecting your credit score.

To qualify for a LightStream loan, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Membership: LightStream membership (anyone can apply)
  • Administrative: Open up LightStream savings account with $5 deposit; may need to submit documents to verify your identity and income

Best for: Lowest rates with collateral – Best Egg

  • Secured loans are generally easier to qualify for and can come with lower rates
  • Get money in as soon as 24 hours
  • Fair credit OK
  • Not available in all states
  • Charges an upfront fee on every loan
  • Can’t apply for a loan with another person

I shopped for personal loans with Best Egg using my real information. Here’s what I found:

  • Application experience: Best Egg asks more questions than the average lender, but its application is clear and easy to complete. Once you have offers, you can quickly click through to a loan agreement that outlines the next steps and how much you’ll pay.
  • Unusual questions to prepare for: Annual income for other people in your household, other types of accounts held (e.g., savings, retirement and investments), car payment, number of cash advances taken in past six months

If you have fair to good credit, own your home and want to boost your approval odds, Best Egg’s secured loan for homeowners is worth considering. You’ll back your Best Egg secured loan with fixtures in your house like cabinets and lighting. Offering collateral can make it easier to get a loan (or even lower rates) because it reduces the lender’s risk.

Think twice about Best Egg’s secured loan if you’re planning to move or refinance. Because Best Egg puts a lien on your fixtures, the loan needs to be paid in full before you can sell or refinance your mortgage. Also note that you can’t apply for a Best Egg loan with another person (like the co-owner of your house, for instance).

Best Egg uses built‑in home fixtures as collateral but doesn’t require an appraisal of them. It reviews your credit history and home equity instead.

You must also meet the requirements below to qualify for a Best Egg loan:

  • Age: Be of legal age to accept a loan in your state (usually 18)
  • Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S.
  • Administrative: Have a personal checking account, email address and physical address
  • Residency: Not live in the District of Columbia, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia or U.S. territories
  • Credit score: +

Best for: Excellent customer service and no fees – Discover

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

  • U.S.-based loan specialists available seven days a week
  • Get money as soon as the next business day
  • Repayment assistance options if you can’t make payments
  • No fees
  • Can’t apply for a loan with another person
  • Need good or excellent credit to qualify
  • Can only borrow up to $40,000

I shopped for personal loans with Discover using my real information. Here’s what I found:

  • Application experience: Discover’s application process was quick and easy — there were only a few questions and the interface was intuitive. I got instant offers, and Discover gave me a reference number to log back in and review them again later.
  • Unusual questions to prepare for: None! Just remember to have your Social Security number on hand.

With a 97% approval rating from LendingTree users, Discover earns high marks for customer satisfaction. Its U.S.-based loan specialists are available seven days a week, take phone calls and offer extended customer service hours as late as 11 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays.

Discover personal loans only go up to $40,000, so if you’re looking for a large personal loan, consider other lenders on this list like LightStream or .

You’ll need to meet these eligibility criteria to get a Discover loan:

  • Age: Be at least 18
  • Citizenship: Have a Social Security number
  • Administrative: Have a physical address, email address and internet access
  • Income: Minimum income of $40,000 (individually or as a household)
  • Credit score: 599+

Best for: Big loans and no fees – LightStream

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent auctor magna eu enim fringilla, eget lobortis mi cursus. Proin accumsan feugiat augue non consectetur. Phasellus tempor lectus magna, vel sagittis lorem tristique et. Nulla vulputate sollicitudin venenatis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Etiam varius velit tellus, et sagittis erat consequat ut. Morbi ut dui nec felis rhoncus feugiat. Duis non ante in nibh tincidunt porttitor. Phasellus sed metus nunc. Aenean faucibus elementum libero eu mollis.

  • Get money as soon as the same day
  • No fees
  • Borrow up to $100,000 (most lenders only offer up to $50,000)
  • 0.50% autopay discount
  • Checking rates will require a hard credit pull (and knock a few points off your score)
  • No due date extensions
  • Must have good or excellent credit to qualify

I started the application process with LightStream using my real information. Here’s what I found:

  • Application experience: LightStream’s application has more questions than usual because you’re getting real rates rather than estimates from prequalified offers. You’ll also have to create an account to see rates. That said, I love how straightforward LightStream’s application is — it anticipates and answers common questions.
  • Unusual questions to prepare for: Time at current address, time with current employer, estimated home equity, checking and savings balances plus stocks and bonds, retirement assets

LightStream is one of the few personal loan lenders that offers more than $50,000, making its loans ideal for big expenses. Its competitive rates and low fees could translate to huge savings if you need a large loan.

Unlike many personal loan companies, LightStream doesn’t let you check your rates by prequalifying. If you want to see your rates and terms, LightStream will do a hard credit pull, which can cause your credit score to take a small, temporary dip.

LightStream doesn’t specify its exact credit score requirements, but you must have good to excellent credit to qualify. Most of the applicants that LightStream approves have the following in common:

  • At least five years of on-time payments under a variety of accounts (credit cards, auto loans, etc.)
  • Stable income and the ability to handle paying their current debt obligations
  • Savings, whether in a bank account, an investment account or a retirement account

Best for: Bad or no credit – Upstart

  • Low or no credit won’t disqualify you
  • Get money in as soon as one business day
  • Consistently rated top 3 in customer satisfaction by LendingTree users
  • Can’t take out a loan with another person
  • Only two repayment terms to choose from (36 or 60 months)
  • May charge an origination fee

“I had never taken out a personal loan before, but it only took me a few minutes to fill out Discover’s application and hear back about whether I prequalified. On top of that, I got to skip paying an origination fee — which saved me money — and the monthly payments ended up fitting my budget.” – Amanda Push, LendingTree deputy editor

Discover loans are worth considering for applicants with limited or bad credit history. Unlike most other lenders, Discover offers loans to borrowers who are credit invisible or don’t have long enough credit histories to generate a credit score.

You’ll likely pay a high price to get an Discover loan if you have bad or no credit — Discover charges rates as high as 35.99%.

Discover has transparent eligibility requirements, including:

  • Age: Be 18 or older
  • Administrative: Have a U.S. address, personal banking account, email address and Social Security number
  • Income: Have a valid source of income, including a job, job offer or another regular income source
  • Credit-related factors: No bankruptcies within the last three years, reasonable number of recent inquiries on your credit report and no current delinquencies
  • Credit score: None

What is a personal loan?

A personal loan gives you a lump sum of money — typically sent straight to your bank account — that you’ll pay back in equal monthly payments. Here’s what to know:

  • Fixed interest: Interest stays the same during the loan, and so do your payments. Credit card interest goes up and down with the market. 
  • How to qualify: There’s no universal minimum credit score for personal loans — but the better your credit, the cheaper your loan will likely be. Learn more about personal loan requirements.
  • How to apply: You can apply for a personal loan on the lender’s website or use a service like LendingTree to get quotes from up to five lenders at once.

You’re in good company

Personal loans are a popular solution for dealing with debt. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Americans have a personal loan, have had one in the past or have considered getting one, according to a LendingTree survey.

Track personal loan rates with LendingTree

Personal loan rates have held steady over the past year, but they remain relatively high — making it more important than ever to compare lenders and find the best offer for your credit profile.

Line chart of average personal loan offer rates on the LendingTree marketplace, broken down by credit score

How your credit score affects what you’ll pay

It’s hard to know how much your loan will actually cost in dollars when you’re looking at APR ranges. The example below shows how your credit score can affect the amount you pay when you borrow $5,000 over 48 months.

Credit score rangeAverage APRMonthly paymentInterestTotal cost
Excellent (800 and above)15.75%$141.06$1,770.98$6,770.98
Very good (740-799)17.89%$146.59$2,036.21$7,036.21
Good (670-739)23.27%$161.00$2,727.90$7,727.90
Fair (580-669)27.79%$173.66$3,335.70$8,335.70
Poor (under 580)30.25%$180.76$3,676.37$8,676.37
Source: LendingTree user data on personal loan offers for typical loan amounts ($5,000 – $54,999) and repayment terms (36 – 83 months) in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Money in your pocket

Improving your credit before getting a loan will help you get lower rates and save money. You could save more than $1,804 on your loan by raising your score from “fair” to “very good,” according to a LendingTree study.

How to choose the best loan for your credit score

When comparing personal loan offers, use the LendingTree loan calculator to compare APRs, monthly payment and total interest payments. Here’s what to expect and watch out for based on your credit score:

Your credit bandTypical loan optionsTips
Excellent (800 and above)Low rates, options with no feesPrioritize offers with low rates and no origination fee.
Good to very good (670 – 799)Slightly higher rates, may need to pay feesLenders deduct origination fees before sending your loan, so make sure you’ll get the full amount of money you need.
Fair (580 – 669)Fewer options with higher rates, fees likelyFind the offer with the lowest APR that has a monthly payment you can afford.
Poor (under 580)Few options, highest ratesAdd a co-borrower or collateral for lower rates and better odds of approval.

Expert insights on finding the lowest personal loan rate

If you don’t shop around for the best rate on your next personal loan, you’re probably going to pay too much. Rates, terms and amounts can vary significantly by lender, so it is absolutely worth the effort to compare offers from multiple personal loan companies.

Life’s too expensive today to settle for paying more than you need.

Matt Schulz Profile Image
Chief consumer finance analyst

More personal loan guides

How we chose the best personal loans

We reviewed more than 40 lenders and loan marketplaces that offer personal loans to determine the overall best 10 lenders. LendingTree reviews and fact-checks our top lender picks on a monthly basis.

According to our systematic rating and review process, the best personal loans come from , , Best Egg, Discover, , LightStream, LightStream, , and Discover. 

We assessed each lender across four categories: eligibility and access; cost to borrow; loan terms and options; repayment support and tools. 

Our categories

We assess how easy it is for people to qualify and apply. This includes state availability, soft-credit prequalification, membership requirements, funding speed and whether borrowers with less-than-excellent credit can get a loan.

We evaluate how affordable the loans are based on minimum and maximum APRs, loan fees and rate discounts. Lenders with unclear or potentially predatory costs receive lower scores.

We consider repayment term flexibility, loan amount ranges and whether options like secured loans, joint loans or direct-to-creditor payments are offered — plus whether the lender clearly communicates these options.

We evaluate borrower experience after funding: customer service access, hardship or forbearance programs, payment flexibility and digital tools like mobile apps or credit monitoring.

Our process

We gather data directly from lenders through their websites, disclosures and direct communication with company representatives. Our editorial team verifies and updates information regularly. We value transparency and award less favorable scores when lenders obscure or omit details.

Our editorial team applies the same scoring model and standards to every lender. Lenders cannot pay to influence our ratings. Read more about our editorial guidelines.

Why trust LendingTree’s methodology?

Our writers and editors dig through the facts, contact lenders directly and even go through the application process ourselves if it helps better explain what you can expect. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠, I’m committed to breaking down complex financial details so people can make confident, informed decisions with their money.

Jessica Sain-Baird Profile Image
Editorial content director and Certified Financial Education Instructor℠

Jessica’s experience in editing and financial education helps shape LendingTree articles that are clear, accurate and truly useful to readers. Her certification means our recommendations are built on a foundation of consumer-first financial knowledge — not just numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Of our top picks for June 2026, Best Egg offers the lowest starting rate (7.99% APR) for secured personal loans, and PenFed offers the next-lowest starting rate (6.95% APR with autopay) for unsecured loans.

LendingTree’s top 10 lenders offer legitimate personal loans that you can apply for online. Read about personal loan disadvantages to protect yourself from the risks that come with any personal loan. 

Choosing the right personal loan lender is all about shopping around. Prequalify (check your rates) with several lenders, compare your offers and choose the one that fits your budget. You can get offers from up to five lenders at once with LendingTree.

Online-only lenders typically offer fast funding and can be easier to qualify for than traditional personal loans from brick-and-mortar banks, but they sometimes come with one-time origination fees that can make your loan more expensive.

Yes, some personal loan comparison sites are trustworthy. LendingTree writers and editors evaluate lenders impartially and don’t receive compensation for reviews. Learn more about how we review lenders.