Best Personal Loans You Can Get Quickly in July 2026

Compare trusted online lenders and see how quickly you could get funded

Written by Sammi Scharf

Written by Carol Pope

Edited by Amanda Push

Expert Verified

Key takeaways

Many online lenders offer personal loans with same-day or next-day funding for qualified borrowers.
Fast funding depends on your credit score, loan amount, lender verification process and bank processing times.
Some lenders specialize in fast online loans for fair or bad credit borrowers.
Comparing multiple lenders can help you find lower rates and faster funding timelines.

User rating	APR	Amount	Min. credit score	See Results
Review coming soon	Starting at 6.95%	Not specified	499	See Results
4.86/5 (1,592)	6.70% to 35.99%	$1k – $50k	Not specified	See Results
Review coming soon	6.49% to 25.29% (With discounts)	$5k – $100k	499	See Results
4.86/5 (1,592)	7.99% to 24.99%	$2.5k – $40k	599	See Results

Read more about how we made our picks for the best quick loans.

How fast can you get a personal loan?

Some personal loan lenders offer same-day funding, while others may take several business days to deposit funds into your account. Funding speed depends on factors like your credit profile, lender verification process and your bank’s deposit timing.

Typical funding timelines by lender type

Lender type	Typical funding timeline
Online lenders	Several hours to a few business days
Credit unions	1 to 5 business days
Banks	1 to 5 business days

Tips to get funded faster

Apply early in the business day
Upload requested documents immediately
Use direct deposit when available

Prequalify before formally applying
Double-check your application for errors or missing information

Need money for an urgent expense? See LendingTree’s picks for the best emergency loans.

Common reasons borrowers use fast personal loans

Borrowers often use fast personal loans for time-sensitive expenses such as:

Personal loans are flexible, meaning lenders usually place few restrictions on how funds can be used.

Quick loan lenders at a glance

Best for: Small loans – PenFed Credit Union

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Funding timeline: Next-day funding available for qualified borrowers

Can borrow as little as Not specified
Competitive rates for borrowers with excellent credit
No origination fees
Membership includes access to discounts on insurance and other financial products

Have to join the credit union (but becoming a member is easy)
Physical branches only in a handful of states (but does business online in all 50 states)
Phone support unavailable on Sundays

LightStream may be a good fit if you need a smaller personal loan. While many online lenders start loan amounts at $1,000 or higher, PenFed offers loans starting at Not specified, which may help you avoid taking on more debt than necessary.

Although you’ll have to join the credit union to get a quick loan, PenFed is open to everyone. Joining is an easy process — you can apply for an online loan and become a member at once. You can also check rates before joining so you don’t waste your time.

→ Check out LendingTree’s full LightStream personal loan review.

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

Membership: Join LightStream (membership is open to everyone)
Savings account: Open a PenFed savings account with a minimum $5 deposit
Identity verification: Provide documentation to verify your identity and income if requested

Best for: Bad or no credit – Upstart

Funding timeline: Next-day funding available for qualified borrowers

Borrowers with bad credit may still qualify
Some applicants may qualify without an established credit score
Usually doesn’t require you to file paperwork

Sometimes charges an origination fee
Only two repayment terms (36 or 60 months)
Doesn’t allow joint applications or co-borrowers

Discover may be a good fit if you have bad or limited credit history or if you don’t have an established credit score. When evaluating loan applications, Discover considers factors beyond credit scores, including education and employment history.

Upstart offers repayment terms of 36 or 60 months only. If you’re approved with bad credit, you may also need to pay an origination fee, which Discover deducts from the loan amount before funding.

→ Check out LendingTree’s full Discover personal loan review.

Discover has transparent eligibility requirements, including:

Age: Be at least 18 years old
Residency: 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 history: No bankruptcies within the last three years, reasonable number of recent inquiries on your credit report and no current delinquencies
Credit score: Some borrowers may qualify without an established credit score

Best for: Avoiding fees – LightStream

Funding timeline: Same-day funding available for qualified borrowers

Sign your loan documents by 2:30 p.m. ET on a business day for a same-day loan
No origination fee or late payment fee
APR discount for using autopay

Can’t check rates without a hard credit check that may lower your credit score
Must have good to excellent credit to qualify
No extensions on payment due dates

LightStream may be a good fit if you have good to excellent credit and want fast funding without origination fees or late payment fees. You may receive funding the same day if your application is approved, verified and completed before 2:30 p.m. Eastern time (ET) on a business day.

Unlike many online lenders, LightStream doesn’t offer soft-credit prequalification, so checking your rate requires a hard credit inquiry that may temporarily affect your credit score.

For home improvement projects, LightStream offers repayment terms up to 240 months. Longer repayment terms may lower monthly payments, but you could pay more in total interest over time.

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, investment account or retirement account

Best for: Excellent customer service – Discover

Funding timeline: Next-day funding available for qualified borrowers

May offer repayment assistance programs if you’re struggling to make payments
No fees
Recommended by 97% of LendingTree users who have used Discover
Highly rated mobile app experience

Doesn’t allow joint applications or co-borrowers
Requires excellent credit to qualify

Discover may be a good fit if you value strong customer support and repayment flexibility. Discover offers U.S.-based customer service seven days a week and may provide repayment assistance options if you’re experiencing financial hardship.

Discover also stands out for charging no origination fees. However, qualification requirements are stricter than many online lenders, including a minimum recommended credit score of 599. The lender also doesn’t allow joint applications or co-borrowers.

→ Check out LendingTree’s full Discover personal loan review.

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

Age: Be at least 18
Identification: Have a Social Security number
Residency: Have a physical address, email address and internet access
Income: Minimum income of $25,000 (individually or as a household)
Credit score: 599+

Expert insight

Unexpected car repairs led to years of growing credit card debt before I had the chance to build savings. I used LendingTree to compare personal loan rates and ultimately chose Upgrade because it offered the lowest rate I could qualify for. What surprised me most was how quickly the process moved. I was able to pay off my credit card much faster than I expected.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for was the origination fee, since it was deducted upfront from the loan amount. Still, consolidating my debt into a fixed monthly payment gave me a fresh start and made repayment much easier to manage. I’m about to pay off the loan completely, and the autopay setup has made it a set-it-and-forget-it experience.

Sammi Scharf

LendingTree writer

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How fast can you get a personal loan?
Save money and time by comparing real offers
Fast loans vs. emergency loans
Quick loans for bad credit
How to improve your chances of getting a quick loan
Expert insights on fast personal loans
Quick loan alternatives
Avoid predatory fast loans
Why use LendingTree?
How we chose the best quick loans
Frequently asked questions

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 tell us who you are and how much money you need. It’s free, simple and secure.

Shop your offers

LendingTree users get 11 personal loan offers on average. Compare your offers side by side to get the best deal.

Get your money

Pick a lender and sign your loan paperwork. You could see money in your account in as soon as 24 hours.

See Personalized Results

Fast loans vs. emergency loans

Fast personal loans are designed for borrowers who want quicker funding timelines, while emergency loans are typically used for urgent expenses like medical bills, car repairs or unexpected home repairs.

Some borrowers use fast personal loans for emergencies, but emergency loans may come with different qualification requirements, rates and repayment terms depending on the lender.

See LendingTree’s guide to the pros and cons of emergency loans.

Quick loans for bad credit

Getting a fast personal loan if you have bad credit can be difficult, but some lenders are more flexible than others. Borrowers with lower credit scores may face higher APRs or stricter qualification requirements, so comparing multiple lenders is especially important.

Consider lenders that work with fair or bad credit.
Some lenders specialize in working with borrowers who have fair or bad credit. Avant, Upgrade and Upstart accept lower credit scores and may offer next-day funding for qualified borrowers. OneMain Financial may also offer same-day funding in some cases.
Apply with a co-borrower.
Getting a joint loan (a loan with a co-borrower) can help boost your odds of loan approval, but keep in mind that adding a second person to your loan might down the approval process with some lenders.
Consider secured loan options.
Secured loans may be easier to qualify for because they require collateral, such as a vehicle or savings account. However, secured loans may take longer to process because the lender must review and verify the collateral.

See LendingTree’s top picks for emergency loans for bad credit.

How to improve your chances of getting a quick loan

In some ways, how fast you get your loan is out of your hands. Still, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process.

What could speed up the loan process…

Choosing an online lender. Many online loans come with same- or next-day funding. Online lenders can also have higher rates and fees than banks and credit unions.
Applying before noon on a business day. Even if a lender advertises same-day loans, it depends on when you apply.
Getting direct deposit. If the lender gives you the option between direct deposit and paper check, direct deposit is quicker.
Taking time on your application. Mistakes can cause unnecessary back and forth with the lender.

What could slow down the loan process…

Choosing a bank or credit union. Banks and credit unions can have lower rates, but the process is often slower (especially if you aren’t already a member).
Adding a second person to your loan. Including a co-borrower on your application means your lender will have two credit histories to review.
Being self-employed. Some lenders might ask for extra documents, such as profit and loss statements and business tax returns.
Having rocky credit. A checkered financial history means the lender will have more to scrutinize.

Expert insights on fast personal loans

A quick loan shouldn’t mean a rushed loan. Take the time to understand the rates, fees and other fine print before you apply. What you don’t know can cost you. Comparison shopping is a must, too, because offers can vary widely from lender to lender. Other imperfect options such as credit card cash advances may be worth considering as well.

Matt Schulz

LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst

When to avoid a fast loan

Fast funding doesn’t always mean a loan is the right financial choice. Borrowers may want to reconsider taking out a fast personal loan if they:

Aren’t confident they can afford the monthly payments
Plan to repeatedly borrow short-term loans
Need money for discretionary spending
Are considering rolling over payday-loan debt into another high-cost loan

In some cases, alternatives like payment plans, hardship assistance or nonprofit credit counseling may be worth exploring first.

Quick loan alternatives

Depending on your situation, a fast personal loan may not be the only option. Some borrowers may prefer alternatives that offer lower costs, smaller borrowing amounts or temporary payment relief.

Credit card cash advances

Could be best if you already have available credit and need money quickly.

Cash advances let you borrow against your credit card’s limit without submitting a separate loan application.

However, cash advances often come with fees and higher interest rates than regular credit card purchases. Interest typically starts accruing immediately, even if you pay your balance in full by the due date.

Paycheck advance apps

Could be best if you only need a small amount before your next payday.

Paycheck advance apps let you borrow money from your upcoming paycheck. In most cases, these apps don’t require a credit check and don’t charge interest. Instead, some may charge a membership fee or ask for a voluntary tip.

These apps offer small-dollar loans, which could be helpful if you’re struggling to make it through the week. But beware, borrowing from your paycheck too often can get you into a hole that’s hard to dig out of.

Buy now, pay later apps

Could be best for splitting up retail purchases into smaller payments.

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps let you break retail purchases into smaller payments (usually four, spread across six weeks). While many BNPL plans are interest-free, managing multiple payment schedules at once can become difficult and may lead to overspending.

Hardship programs

Could be best if you’re struggling to keep up with existing bills or loan payments.

If you need help paying a loan or utility bill, see if you’re eligible for a financial hardship program. You might be able to pause your payments (also called forbearance), have fees waived or get a temporary rate reduction.

If you enter a loan forbearance program, you’ll still have to repay the loan in full eventually. Interest may also continue to accrue.

Ways to make fast cash

Depending on your situation, earning extra income may help reduce how much you need to borrow and how much interest you’ll pay over time.

Doing odd jobs
Local Facebook groups and neighborhood apps like Nextdoor may help you find short-term work such as yard work, moving help or house cleaning. For safety, meet in public when possible and let someone know where you’ll be.

Donating plasma
Healthy adults may be able to earn money by donating plasma. Appointments often take 90 minutes to two hours, and compensation may range from $30 to $100 or more per visit.

Selling stuff online
Selling gently used electronics, furniture or clothing on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Craigslist may help generate quick cash without taking on debt.

Starting a side hustle
Freelance work, delivery driving or online gigs may provide additional income over time. According to a LendingTree survey, 33% of Americans have a side hustle, earning an average of $1,242 per month.

Avoid predatory fast loans

If you’re facing an urgent financial situation, you may encounter lenders that charge extremely high fees or require risky collateral. Before accepting any fast loan offer, make sure you understand the total borrowing cost and repayment terms.

Payday loans

If you need money fast, payday loans can seem enticing. They promise quick cash without a credit check. Avoid payday loans at all costs.

Payday loans can come with fees that equate to APRs as high as 400%. You also usually only have a week or two to pay back what you borrowed. These short terms could force you to take yet another payday loan to pay for the first one, trapping you into a cycle of debt.

See LendingTree’s full guide on personal loans vs. payday loans.

Pawn shop loans

Like payday loans, pawn shop loans don’t require credit checks. They’re also risky and come at a high cost.

A pawn shop loan requires an expensive personal item (like jewelry) in exchange for the loan. The amount you can borrow is typically much less than what your collateral is worth. So, you’re already getting a bad deal from the start. If you don’t repay your loan, the pawn shop will keep your collateral to offset its loss.

Car title loans

Car title loans and pawn shop loans are similar in that they both require collateral. In the case of a car title loan, it’s your car.

Car title loans generally come with sky-high interest rates and fees. You generally only have 15 days to 30 days to pay your loan, and your loan might only be equal to 25% to 50% of your vehicle’s value. Worst of all, the lender can repossess your vehicle if you don’t repay.

Why use LendingTree?

LendingTree lets borrowers compare loan offers from multiple lenders with just one application, which may help you find lower rates, faster funding timelines or more flexible qualification requirements.

$3.2B in funding

In 2025 alone, LendingTree helped find $3.2 billion in funding for people seeking personal loans.

$1,659 in savings

LendingTree users save $1,659 on average just by shopping and comparing rates.

360,000+ loans

In 2025, LendingTree helped find funding for over 360,000 personal loans.

Why do millions of Americans trust LendingTree?

25+ years in business. 110+ million Americans served. $260+ billion in funded loans.

Security

Instead of sharing information with multiple lenders, fill out one simple, secure form in five minutes or less.

Savings

We’ll match you with up to five lenders from our network of 300+ lenders who will call to compete for your business.

Support

We provide ongoing support with free credit monitoring, budgeting insights and personalized recommendations to help you save.

Get Your Rates

How we chose the best quick loans

We reviewed more than 40 lenders and loan marketplaces to determine the overall best five quick loans. To make this list, the company must have the ability to send funds the same or the next day that it approves an applicant.

From there, we assessed each lender or marketplace across four categories: eligibility and access; cost to borrow; loan terms and options; repayment support and tools.

According to our standardized rating system, the best quick loans come from LightStream, Upstart, PenFed, Upgrade, Discover, Rocket Loans, SoFi, Avant and OneMain Financial.

Our categories

Eligibility and access (30%)

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.

Cost to borrow (35%)

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.

Loan terms and options (20%)

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.

Repayment support and tools (15%)

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.

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

LendingTree senior managing editor 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

LightStream, , and offer same-day loans as long as you submit everything by the lender’s cutoff time.

Technically, there is no such thing as an instant loan. No matter the company, you have to fill out an application and submit any required documentation. Understanding how emergency loans work is key to getting a good deal.

You could opt for a paycheck advance app — these generally have a fast funding timeline.

The easiest loans to get (payday loans, pawn shop loans and car title loans) are the most expensive. Before resorting to these options, check out Discover, or . These lenders work with borrowers with fair to poor credit.

Most reputable online lenders have minimum loan amounts between $1,000 and $2,000. However, some paycheck advance apps (such as Dave) will let you borrow up to $500. Dave is easier to qualify for than most personal loans, but it will access your bank account to make sure you can afford to borrow.

You could also consider a cash advance if you have a credit card that allows it.

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