Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial
research influence how products appear on a page.

Capital One Personal Loan Alternatives

Capital One no longer offers personal loans, but many other banks, credit unions, and online lenders do. These personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to attach collateral to them and worry about losing your home or car if you can’t repay the loan. 

If you’re interested in borrowing a personal loan, read on for our recommended alternatives to Capital One personal loans for the funding you need.

Best Marketplace
Fixed APR
6.49%35.99%
Funding
$1K$200K
Term (Yrs.)
1 – 10
Min. Credit Score
Varies
Best for Fair Credit
Fixed APR
7.99%35.99
Funding
$1K – $50K
Term (Yrs.)
2 – 7
Min. Credit Score
580
Best for Thin Credit
Fixed APR
7.80% – 35.99%
Funding
$1K – $75K
Term (Yrs.)
3 – 5
Min. Credit Score
300
300 is the lowest credit score possible
Best for Good Credit
Fixed APR
8.99% – 35.49%*
Funding
$5K – $100K
Term (Yrs.)
2 – 7
Min. Credit Score
650
Includes all discounts.
Best for Excellent Credit
Fixed APR
6.94%25.29%
Funding
$5K – $100K
Term (Yrs.)
2 – 12
Min. Credit Score
660
Table of Contents

Alternatives to Capital One personal loans

You can’t get a new personal loan from Capital One, but we’ve researched excellent options to choose from.

You can check out our resource on the best personal loans to see our top choices (including options for consumers with good, fair, and bad credit), or compare the alternatives below. Click the lender’s name in the table to find out more about its personal loan.

Credible

Best Marketplace


Why Credible is a great Capital One alternative

Credible is a lending marketplace that lets you check your prequalified rates with multiple lenders. If you qualify, you may see offers from Credible’s partner lenders, which include Upstart, LightStream, Discover, SoFi, Avant, and others. 

This rate check only involves a soft credit pull, so it won’t harm your credit score. 

  • Compare loans from multiple curated lenders
  • Get prequalified loan offers in as little as 2 minutes
  • Get funded within a few business days
  • No option to apply for joint loans
Rates (APR)6.99%35.99%
Loan amounts$1,000$200,000
Repayment terms1 – 10 years
Eligibility requirements
  • Soft credit check? Yes
  • Minimum credit score: Varies
  • Minimum income: Not disclosed
  • States: Loan partners may not be available in all states
Repayment terms

Credible loans have repayment terms ranging from one to 10 years. Some lenders may charge a prepayment penalty if you pay your loan off early.

Upgrade

Best for Fair Credit


Why Upgrade is a great Capital One alternative

Upgrade is an online lender that provides competitive personal loans to borrowers with fair credit. It offers useful benefits such as personalized loan recommendations and free credit health tools to its customers. 

It offers secured and unsecured loans and lets borrowers apply jointly. If you have less-than-stellar credit or need a smaller loan, Upgrade is worth exploring. 

  • Choose your monthly payment and loan term
  • Joint applications accepted
  • Loan funds may be available in as little as 1 day
  • Smaller loan maximum limit
  • 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee
Rates (APR)8.49%35.99%
Loan amounts$1,000 – $50,000
Repayment terms2 – 7 years
Eligibility requirements
  • Soft credit check? Yes
  • Minimum credit score: 580
  • Minimum income: Not disclosed
  • States: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Repayment terms

Upgrade loans have repayment terms from two to seven years, and your monthly due date is adjustable to fit your budget. A short-term financial hardship program is available if you’re temporarily unable to manage payments.

Upstart

Best for Little to No Credit


Why Upstart is a great Capital One alternative

Upstart is an online lending platform that partners with banks to provide personal loans you can use for almost anything. 

Upstart’s lending model considers education, employment, and other variables when determining eligibility rather than relying on credit scores alone. It will consider applicants with credit scores of 300 or higher, as well as applicants who don’t have enough of a credit history to generate a score. 

  • Funding is available as soon as the next business day
  • Borrowers with little to no credit history can still get approved
  • No prepayment penalty if you pay your loan off early
  • Origination fee of up to 12%
  • Limited repayment term options
Rates (APR)7.80% – 35.99%
Loan amounts$1,000 – $75,000
Repayment terms3 or 5 years
Eligibility requirements
  • Soft credit check? Yes
  • Minimum credit score: None
  • Minimum income: Not disclosed
  • States: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Repayment terms

Upstart doesn’t offer as many loan terms as other lenders; you’ll pay your loan off over three or five years. You have the option to change your monthly payment due date and prepay your loan in part or in whole at any time, with penalty fee.

SoFi

Best for Good Credit


Why SoFi is a great Capital One alternative

SoFi lets you see your rates without hurting your credit score and, if approved, get your funds as soon as the same day. SoFi also offers zero-fee options, or you can pay a one-time fee for a lower interest rate. See our full review here.

  • No origination fees, late payment fees, or prepayment penalties
  • Check rates in as little as 60 seconds
  • Some borrowers may qualify for same-day funding
  • Higher minimum loan amount
  • Autopay discount is lower than what some lenders offer
Fixed rates (APR)8.99% – 29.99% with all discounts
Loan amounts$5,000 – $100,000
Repayment terms2 – 7 years
Eligibility requirements
  • Soft credit check? Yes
  • Minimum credit score: 660
  • Minimum income: Not disclosed
  • States: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Repayment terms

SoFi personal loans feature terms from two to seven years. If you enroll in autopay, you’ll get a 0.25% rate discount. There’s no penalty if you decide to pay your loan off early.

LightStream

Best for Excellent Credit


Why LightStream is a great Capital One alternative

LightStream offers personal loans to borrowers with good credit scores, allowing it to offer competitive rates, no fees, and repayment terms up to 12 years. You can get your loan funded as soon as the same day. 

One downside of LightStream is that it doesn’t give you the option of prequalifying for a personal loan online. You must submit a full application to see your loan offers. For that reason, we recommend this lender for borrowers who know they have excellent credit and are confident they’ll be approved for a personal loan.

  • Rate match guarantee ensures that you get the best rate possible
  • Same-day funding may be available
  • Take advantage of a longer repayment term if you need lower payments
  • No option to prequalify or check rates with a soft credit pull
  • Minimum loan amount is $5,000
Rates (APR)7.49%25.49%
Loan amounts$5,000 – $100,000
Repayment terms2 – 12 years
Eligibility requirements
  • Soft credit check? No
  • Minimum credit score: 660
  • Minimum income: Not disclosed
  • States: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Repayment terms

LightStream offers some of the longest repayment terms of any lender, giving you up to 12 years to repay your loan. You can pay your loan off early, without a prepayment penalty and rate discounts can help bring the cost of your loan down.

Other options for finding personal loans

If you’re looking for a personal loan and are disappointed to find that Capital One doesn’t offer them, don’t worry—you have plenty of options. You can find personal loans from a variety of banks, online lenders, credit unions, and peer-to-peer lenders.

Here’s a closer look at each type of lender. Click the option in the table to find out more about it.

Credit score categoryProsCons
Bank loansTypically not disclosed, but may require good credit May have an option for in-person banking 

May qualify for a loyalty discount if you’re already a customer 
Funding can take longer 

Credit requirements may be more stringent 
Online loansPoor, fair, goodFast funding

Some lenders use alternative lending models and accept lower credit scores 
Require due diligence to avoid predatory internet loans 
Credit union loansFair, good Rates won’t exceed 18%
 
May have lower fees 
Must be credit union member to borrow 
Peer-to-peer loansFair, good May have less stringent credit requirements

Fast funding 
May have higher fees and rates 

Bank loans

Many banks offer these loans. Banks often don’t disclose their minimum credit requirements, but they may use a traditional lending model that prefers a good score of 670 or higher. 

Borrowing from a bank could be ideal if you want the option to visit a branch in person. Most banks also offer online applications. You might also qualify for an interest rate discount if you’re already a banking customer. 

Online loans

Online loans may be a solid fit if you’re looking for a streamlined application process and fast funding. Some online lenders can fund your loan the day your application is approved. Plus, many give you the chance to prequalify online, so you can check your rates with no commitment or impact on your credit score. 

Some online lenders use alternative lending models, making it easier for borrowers with weak or thin credit to qualify for a loan. 

But remember: Predatory lenders exist on the internet, especially those that promise no-credit-check loans. Do your due diligence to ensure you’re borrowing from a reputable lender. 

Credit union loans

Many credit unions offer personal loans, but you must become a member to borrow. Membership requirements may be based on where you work or live, but some credit unions, such as PenFed Credit Union, are open to anyone. Rates and fees will vary by credit union, but your rate won’t exceed 18%, based on a National Credit Union Administration Board rule. 

Peer-to-peer loans

Peer-to-peer loans are different from other loans. Instead of borrowing from a financial institution, you’ll borrow from an individual investor. The credit requirements for a peer-to-peer loan can be more flexible than those on a bank loan. However, the rates and fees may be higher than you’d find from other lenders. 

Specific types of personal loans

As you search for a personal loan, you may see personal loans for specific purposes. Types of personal loans include: 

  • Home improvement loans: You can find personal loans designated for home improvement costs. Some lenders get even more specific—LightStream, for instance, offers landscaping, solar, swimming pools, and remodel loans. 
  • Debt consolidation loans: You may also explore personal loans for debt consolidation, which could save you money if you can qualify for a better rate. Some lenders will pay off your creditors for you, and others will disburse the funds to you. 
  • Medical loans: You can also find personal loans to pay off medical bills. 
  • Wedding loans: Some lenders provide personal loans to help you finance the cost of a wedding. 
  • Adoption loans: Personal loans for family planning include adoption and fertility loans
  • Travel loans: You may discover travel loans, but be cautious about taking on debt for nonessential expenses. 
  • Secured personal loans: Some lenders offer secured personal loans, which require you to back them with collateral. Secured personal loans can have lower credit score requirements, but you risk losing your asset if you can’t make payments. 

Keep in mind that you can use a general personal loan for almost any purpose, even if it’s not labeled as one of these loan types. There may be a few restricted uses, depending on your lender. 

For instance, some lenders say you can’t use a personal loan for gambling, investing, higher education, or business expenses. 

Find personal loans by credit score

A key factor in finding the right personal loan for you is your credit score. Most personal loans are unsecured, so lenders rely on your credit to assess your risk as a borrower. A good credit score indicates you’re likely to repay your loan on time, and a poor or thin credit score appears riskier to a lender. 

Gauge showing a score of 670 - 799 as a good credit score

Borrowers with good or excellent scores will qualify for the lowest rates. Borrowers with weaker scores may end up with a rate on the higher end of a lender’s range (or not qualify at all). Plus, loans for weak credit tend to come with higher fees, such as origination and late fees. 

Several lenders cater to various types of scores, so shop around to find a lender that’s the best match for your financial profile. To narrow down your options, check out our resources for: 

What loans does Capital One offer?

Capital One no longer offers personal loans, but it provides other financing options, including auto loans, business loans and lines of credit, and commercial lending products. 

  • Auto loans: Through the Auto Navigator program, Capital One helps you find a car loan, as well as browse cars from thousands of dealers nationwide. Along with new and used car financing, Capital One also provides auto loan refinancing. 
  • Small business loans and lines of credit: Capital One offers a variety of financing options for small businesses, including real estate term loans, medical practice loans, equipment loans, business credit cards, and business lines of credit. You can also apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan through Capital One. 
  • Commercial lending: Capital One has a variety of commercial financing solutions, including real estate, asset-based lending, and more.

Recap of Capital One personal loan alternatives

Capital One may not provide personal loans anymore, but you still have several options for borrowing money. Consider our top picks for personal loan lenders below that offer competitive interest rates, fast funding, and a streamlined online application. 

Before you choose a loan, take time to compare offers from multiple lenders. Because many lenders let you prequalify for personal loans, you can check your rates without dinging your credit score. 

Along with a low rate, look for a loan with few (or no) fees, flexible repayment terms, and a monthly payment that works for your budget. By putting in this legwork upfront, you can find a personal loan with the lowest cost of borrowing. 

Best Marketplace
Fixed APR
6.49%35.99%
Funding
$1K$200K
Term (Yrs.)
1 – 10
Min. Credit Score
Varies
Best for Fair Credit
Fixed APR
7.99%35.99
Funding
$1K – $50K
Term (Yrs.)
2 – 7
Min. Credit Score
580
Best for Thin Credit
Fixed APR
7.80% – 35.99%
Funding
$1K – $75K
Term (Yrs.)
3 – 5
Min. Credit Score
300
300 is the lowest credit score possible
Best for Good Credit
Fixed APR
8.99% – 35.49%*
Funding
$5K – $100K
Term (Yrs.)
2 – 7
Min. Credit Score
650
Includes all discounts.
Best for Excellent Credit
Fixed APR
6.94%25.29%
Funding
$5K – $100K
Term (Yrs.)
2 – 12
Min. Credit Score
660

About our contributors

  • Rebecca Safier
    Written by Rebecca Safier

    Rebecca Safier is a personal finance writer with years of experience writing about student loans, personal loans, budgeting, and related topics. She is certified as a student loan counselor through the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors.

  • Kristen Barrett, MAT
    Edited by Kristen Barrett, MAT

    Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their pack of senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.