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Personal Loans

SoFi vs. LendingClub: Personal Loan Comparison

5
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4.7
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Rates (APR) 8.99% – 29.99% fixed rate APRs (with all discounts included) 8.98%35.99%
Rates (APR) Rates (APR)
8.99% – 29.99% fixed rate APRs (with all discounts included) 8.98%35.99%
Loan amounts $5,000 – $100,000 $1,000 – $40,000
Loan amounts Loan amounts
$5,000 – $100,000 $1,000 – $40,000
Repayment terms 24 – 84 months 24 – 60 months
Repayment terms Repayment terms
24 – 84 months 24 – 60 months
Fees None Origination fee from 3% – 8%
Fees Fees
None Origination fee from 3% – 8%

About SoFi® and LendingClub

SoFi1 has been a major player in online lending since 2011. Applicants can easily check their prequalified rates online without a hard credit pull, and get approved in minutes. As one of the nation’s largest online loan providers, SoFi offers low interest rates and unique member benefits. 

LendingClub’s peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platform stands out from the crowd by connecting borrowers directly with individual investors. After completing a simple preapproval form online, you can choose from multiple offers with different payment plans and interest rates. Once approved, funds are usually deposited within a week. 

SoFi vs. LendingClub eligibility requirements 

SoFi targets individuals with higher credit scores by providing its lowest rates to more creditworthy borrowers. Its application process allows you to prequalify without affecting your credit score. 

SoFi doesn’t specify a minimum income for applicants, but it requires proof of employment and residency in the U.S. 

LendingClub presents another model with its P2P lending platform. Loan applications go through a more thorough analysis of your credit score and ability to repay the loan. LendingClub offsets this by allowing co-borrowers to enhance your approval odds.

CriteriaSoFiLendingClub
CitizenshipU.S. citizen, permanent resident, or visa holderU.S. citizen or permanent resident  
Job statusProof of income requiredProof of income required
ResidenceAll 50 states and D.C.All 50 states and D.C.
Min. ageAge of majority in your state18 years or older 
Loan useNot for post-secondary educationNot disclosed
Min. credit score660 or higher600+ for the lowest rates

LendingClub vs. SoFi customer reviews

PlatformSoFiLendingClub
Trustpilot4.6 out of 5 (8,587 reviews)4.7 out of 5 (5,679 reviews)
Google2.9 out of 5 (84 reviews)4.8 out of 5 (3,803 reviews)
Better Business Bureau (BBB) 1.53 out of 5 (320 reviews)4.5 out of 5 (1,865 reviews)
Reviews collected on June 9th, 2024

LendingClub consistently ranks high across all three review platforms. This positive trend is due, in part, to LendingClubs reliable and satisfying customer service experience. Customers also add that LendingClubs fast response time and quick application process make it a favorable option. 

SoFi scores well on TrustPilot with a 4.6 out of 5 from significantly more reviews. But its rating dip on Google and BBB raises a cautionary red flag. These mixed signals reflect struggles with service and customer support. 

With so many rates, terms, and other factors to compare, you may have a difficult time determining which lender is right for you. To help, we’ve broken down several scenarios where one option stands out.

ScenarioWinner
You want to avoid feesSoFi
You have good creditSoFi
You need to borrow more than $40,000SoFi
You want a flexible repayment termSoFi
You need to borrow less than $5000LendingClub

If you want to avoid fees

If you want to avoid fees, SoFi is the standout option. LendingClub’s origination fees range from 3% to 8%, while SoFi’s origination fee can potentially be zero for qualified individuals.

If you’re keen on cutting costs, SoFi offers a clear advantage. 

Winner

If you have good credit

If you have a good credit score, SoFi should be your first option. SoFi targets good-credit borrowers, offering lower interest rates to earn their business. If your credit is excellent, you could score a lower rate from SoFi than LendingClub offers on any of its loans.

On the other hand, if your credit is only fair, you may get a better offer from LendingClub. Rates vary based on several factors, so it’s always smart to get quotes from multiple lenders before making a decision.

Credit scores are generally categorized as follows:

  • Excellent credit: scores 800 and above
  • Very good credit: scores 740 – 799
  • Good credit: scores 670 – 739
  • Fair credit: scores 580 – 669
  • Poor credit: scores below 579

Winner

If you need to borrow more than $40,000

If you need to borrow a large amount, SoFi is the clear winner. SoFi allows you to borrow up to $100,000, while LendingClub’s limit is $40,000. 

LendingClub’s maximum loan amount may still be enough for most borrowers, but those with a large amount of debt to consolidate or who are eyeing expensive home repairs may need more.

Winner

If you want more flexibility in your repayment term

If you’d like more (or less) time to pay off your personal loan, SoFi has better options. You can choose a shorter or longer repayment term than LendingClub.

Because neither lender charges prepayment fees, the shorter repayment term doesn’t matter quite as much. But if you’re borrowing a large loan amount, a longer repayment term can make a huge difference in your monthly pay.

Winner

If you need to borrow less than $5,000

LendingClub is the go-to for smaller loan options. LendingClub offers loan amounts starting at just $1,000, while SoFi’s minimum is $5,000.

To see more options, check out our guide to small personal loans.

Winner

Where to find other lenders

As you can see, SoFi is the stronger option for most prospective borrowers. However, LendingClub and SoFi are legitimate loan options.

Still, we always recommend getting quotes from multiple lenders and comparing your options. Check these guides to see how SoFi and LendingClub compare to other lenders.

Read More

Check out our full reviews of SoFi and LendingClub personal loans

How we rated SoFi and LendingClub

LendEDU’s editorial rating system is designed to help readers find companies that offer the best personal loans. Our system awards higher ratings to companies with affordable solutions, positive customer reviews, and online transparency of benefits and terms.

SoFi and LendingClub were compared to several personal loan lenders, using hundreds of data points from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. We weighted, scored, and combined each factor to produce a final editorial rating. This rating is expressed on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Our take on each company is represented in our ratings and best-for designations, recapped below.

ProductOur rating
SoFi personal loans5/5
LendingClub personal loans4.7/5