Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Loans Easiest Personal Loans to Get in 2024 Updated Aug 27, 2024 9-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Timothy Moore, CFEI® Written by Timothy Moore, CFEI® Expertise: Bank accounts, credit cards, taxes, insurance, personal loans Timothy Moore is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) specializing in bank accounts, student loans, taxes, and insurance. His passion is helping readers navigate life on a tight budget. Learn more about Timothy Moore, CFEI® Reviewed by Erin Kinkade, CFP® Reviewed by Erin Kinkade, CFP® Expertise: Insurance planning, education planning, retirement planning, investment planning, military benefits, behavioral finance Erin Kinkade, CFP®, ChFC®, works as a financial planner at AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust. Erin prepares comprehensive financial plans for military veterans and their families. Learn more about Erin Kinkade, CFP® Personal loans are an incredible financial resource, especially when you need money you don’t have—and fast. Personal loans make funding life’s expenses easier, whether it’s to cover emergency car repairs, consolidate debt, or renovate your home. But some personal loans can be tough to qualify for. They might have strict credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and income requirements. However, you’re not out of luck if you struggle to meet these traditional criteria. We’ve rounded up the easiest personal loans to get, even if you have a rocky or limited credit history. Below, we’ll review the best easy-to-get personal loans, their pros and cons, and how easy personal loan approval affects loan costs and terms. Table of Contents Skip to Section Easy personal loans to get in 2024What qualifies as an easy-to-get personal loan?Pros and cons of easy-approval personal loansAlternatives to personal loans that are easy to getFAQ Easy personal loans to get in 2024 Here are top-performing loan providers we’ve deemed the easiest personal loan lenders to qualify with for a personal loan this year. Lender or marketplaceLendEDU rating (out of 5)Rates (APR)Credible5.07.49% – 35.99%Upstart4.87.80% – 35.99%Upgrade4.98.49% – 35.99%Best Egg4.88.99% – 35.99% Credible – Best marketplace View Rates LendEDU rating: 5.0 out of 5 Features a diverse selection of lendersOffers personalized rates without affecting creditStreamlines comparison and application process Credible stands out in the financial marketplace for its user-friendly platform, which simplifies the loan comparison and application process. This platform takes the hassle out of shopping for loans by aggregating offers from a variety of lenders, allowing users to see personalized rate quotes based on their financial situation without a hard credit check. Borrowers can explore their options without affecting their credit score, making Credible an ideal starting point for anyone looking to better understand their loan possibilities. Credible’s customer service is noted for its efficiency and helpfulness. It provides guidance through each step of the loan acquisition process and ensures a smooth journey for all users. Upstart – Best for little to no credit View Rates LendEDU rating: 4.8 out of 5 Considers factors beyond credit scoresProvides quick loan approvalsOffers flexible repayment options Upstart is revolutionizing the personal loan industry by leveraging artificial intelligence to evaluate borrowers, considering factors beyond just credit scores. This innovative approach allows for a more nuanced assessment of a borrower’s financial health, including their education and job history, offering a lifeline to those traditional lenders may have overlooked. Upstart’s process is not only inclusive but efficient. Its streamlined application process can deliver quick loan approvals and funding. This combination of technology and flexibility makes Upstart a game-changer for individuals with limited credit history seeking financial support. Upgrade – Best for fair credit View Rates LendEDU rating: 4.9 out of 5 Allows joint applicationsOffers credit health toolsProvides hardship program Upgrade is a forward-thinking financial services platform that caters to individuals with FICO credit scores of 580 to 669, offering them loans and tools for financial wellness. The platform’s unique features, such as the ability for joint applications, enable borrowers to get better rates and terms by applying with a creditworthy cosigner. Upgrade’s commitment to supporting its customers extends to its credit health tools, which provide valuable insights into improving one’s credit score and financial standing. Moreover, the hardship program demonstrates Upgrade’s understanding of life’s unpredictability, offering modified payment plans to those facing financial difficulties. It stands out as a compassionate and comprehensive service for those rebuilding or establishing credit. Best Egg – Best secured loan View Rates LendEDU rating: 4.8 out of 5 Quick approval and funding processProvides multiple loan optionsRequires minimum credit score of 600 Best Egg distinguishes itself in the competitive market of secured loans through its commitment to efficiency and variety. The platform’s streamlined application process can lead to quick approvals and funding, minimizing the wait times often associated with secured loan products. Best Egg offers a range of loan options, catering to various needs from debt consolidation to home improvement projects, making it a versatile choice for borrowers. With a minimum credit score requirement of 600, Best Egg positions itself as a middle-ground lender, accessible to a wide audience yet ensuring responsible lending practices. This blend of speed, variety, and accessibility makes Best Egg a preferred choice for borrowers seeking secure and reliable financial support. What qualifies as an easy-to-get personal loan? Easy-to-get personal loans are accessible to borrowers who might not qualify for traditional personal loans. That means these loans have a more flexible credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and income requirements. Some lenders with easy-approval personal loans might have alternative algorithms to determine loan eligibility that don’t include your credit score. Instead, lenders may consider your level of education or employment history. Others may require collateral to secure the loan or only award loans if you have a cosigner with a stronger credit history. The minimum credit score needed for a personal loan is often 580, but many lenders have even stricter requirements. Easy-to-get personal loans make it possible for borrowers with a lower score—or those who have a high debt-to-income ratio or small income stream—to qualify. However, the easier it is to qualify for a personal loan, the more you might spend on fees and interest rates. For example, easy-approval personal loans might come with a higher origination fee or an interest rate as high as 36%. Pros and cons of easy-approval personal loans Easy-to-get personal loans have their fair share of benefits, but you’ll also need to weigh the disadvantages. Pros Fast funding If you need money—and need it fast—a personal loan is one of the best ways to get it. And when you apply for easy-approval personal loans, you don’t need to worry about your low credit score or high debt-to-income ratio. Credit score improvement If you get approved for the personal loan and repay it responsibly, you should expect your credit score to improve. This will make it easier to qualify for loans with better rates in the future. Better than alternatives High-interest credit cards and predatory payday loans are alternatives to easy-to-get personal loans—but these options can be much more expensive in the long run. Cons High fees When lenders give personal loans to borrowers with poor credit scores, they often charge higher fees, including origination fees. High interest rates Easy-approval personal loans tend to have higher interest rates since lenders take on greater risk when lending to bad-credit borrowers. This makes easy-to-get personal loans expensive in the long run. Additional requirements Some easy-to-get personal loans for bad credit may require you to get a cosigner or to put up collateral (like a car or your savings account) to secure the loan. Lower limits When personal loans are easy to get, you might not be able to borrow as much as you need. In general, these options have low personal loan limits. How does easy approval affect your personal loan cost and terms? As we mentioned, easy approval for personal loans often means you’ll pay higher fees and interest. Only borrowers with excellent credit tend to qualify for personal loans with the lowest fees and best rates. But the cost of the loan may not be the only factor affected. It could also influence your loan terms. Lenders may have stricter (that is, shorter) repayment terms for easy-to-get personal loans. While some lenders allow repayment terms to stretch to seven years or more, borrowers with bad credit should expect a much shorter repayment window. How to get an easy-approval personal loan Does an easy-approval personal loan make sense for you? Here are the steps to get a personal loan, no matter your credit score: Understand your financial situation: Check your credit score, get a read on your debt-to-income ratio, and make sure you know how much money you make—and how much you can afford to spend on loan repayment each month. It’s important to have these ballpark figures before researching lenders. Look for lenders: Banks and credit unions may have stricter personal loan requirements. Consider limiting your search to online lenders. Our list of the easiest personal loans to get (above) is an excellent place to start. You can also use personal loan marketplaces to find multiple loans for which you qualify. Get prequalified: You can prequalify for personal loans without a hard credit check. Prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, but it’s a positive sign if a lender says you’re prequalified based on the information you provide. Compare rates and fees: After prequalifying with a handful of lenders, compare the loan amounts, rates, fees, and repayment terms. Choose the option that’s best for your needs. Apply: Follow the loan application process on the lender’s website. Many lenders will approve you and fund your bank account that same day—or within a few business days. Tip Not happy with any of the loan offers available to you? If you’re not in a rush to borrow money, work on improving your credit score for several months, then try applying again. Alternatives to personal loans that are easy to get The easiest personal loans to get aren’t your only option when you’re strapped for cash and need money fast. Here are a few other ways to get money easily: Use a credit card: Even with a fair or poor credit score, you may be able to qualify for a handful of credit cards. Without a strong credit history, you’ll likely only qualify for credit cards with high interest rates and low credit limits, but such cards can provide you with quick, easy access to the funds you need for emergency expenses. Just be careful of overspending on high-interest credit cards; it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of credit card debt. Borrow from family and friends: If you have loved ones willing to lend you money, you may be able to avoid personal loans altogether. Borrowing money from friends and relatives can complicate relationships, so make sure you have a plan to pay off your debts as soon as possible. Crowdfunding: While you likely won’t have success with Kickstarter or GoFundMe if you’re raising money for a vacation or debt consolidation, you may have luck getting donations from friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and even strangers if you have a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for medical bills for you, a family member, or pet. Get a cosigner: It may be easier to qualify for better personal loans if a trusted friend or family member with a strong credit score joins you as a cosigner or co-borrower. Get a cash advance or payday loan: Cash advances and payday loans are easy to qualify for, but they have high interest rates and fees. Use them as a last resort only. FAQ What is the easiest loan to get approved for? The easiest loans to get approved for tend to be payday loans or cash advances, which require minimal credit checks. However, they often come with high interest rates and fees, so be certain to read all terms and conditions first. What bank is the easiest to get a personal loan from? The ease of personal loan approval tends to vary based on individual credit scores and financial circumstances. However, larger banks such as Wells Fargo or U.S. Bank may have flexible approval criteria. If you have a relationship with a local credit union, it might be helpful to check there too. How can I get a loan when no one will approve me? If you’re having a hard time getting approved for a loan, you can take several steps. Trying to improve your credit score, seeking out lenders who specialize in loans for people with bad credit, or considering a cosigner might be your best options. Can you get a personal loan with no credit? Yes, it’s feasible to obtain a personal loan even with no credit history. Lenders such as Upstart and Avant consider factors beyond just credit scores, such as your income, education, or job history. Recap: Easiest personal loans to get Lender or marketplaceLendEDU rating (out of 5)Rates (APR)Credible5.07.49% – 35.99%Upstart4.87.80% – 35.99%Upgrade4.98.49% – 35.99%Best Egg4.88.99% – 35.99%