Upstart Competitors and Alternatives for Personal Loans
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Started in 2012, Upstart is a direct-to-consumer online lending platform that utilizes the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence to streamline the loan pricing and funding process. It offers loans ranging from $1,000 up to $50,000, with interest rates as high as 29.99%, paid over three- or five-year.1,2
The company was established by former Google employees with a keen focus on technology, and it has grown into a major player in the online lending sphere. To date, Upstart has funded over $2 billion in loans, but the company’s impressive numbers don’t mean it’s the right fit for all borrowers.
Borrowers should check out some Upstart competitors before signing on the dotted line, to ensure they are getting the most affordable loan. If you’re trying to find the best personal loan for your needs, check out the Upstart alternatives below.
On this page:
Upstart Alternatives for Personal Loans
Personal Loan Alternative Options
Alternative for poor credit
- Rates starting at 9.99% APR
- Prequalify without impacting your credit score
- Loan amounts from $2,000 – $25,000
Alternative for fair credit
- Rates starting at 5.94% APR
- Prequalify without impacting your credit score
- Borrow up to $50,000
LendingPoint
Rates (APR)
9.99% – 35.99%
Loan amounts
$2,000 – $25,000
Credit score
585+
LendingPoint is a personal loan lender offering funds to those with poor or fair credit. To date, the company has loaned more than $1.8 billion throughout the United States. Checking your payment options does not impact your credit score and a decision can be made in a few seconds.
- Credit score category: Fair, bad
- Soft credit pull to check rates: Yes
- Deposit time: As soon as the next day
- Origination fee: 0% – 6%
- Late fee: $30 after being 15 days late
- Repayment terms: 24 – 48 months
Upgrade
Rates (APR)
5.94% – 35.97%
Loan amounts
$1,000 – $50,000
Credit score
580+
Upgrade offers personal loans to those with poor or fair credit. The money you borrow can be used for anything you need and there are no prepayment penalties if you decide to pay off the loan early. Upgrade lets you check your rate for free without impacting your credit score.
- Credit score category: Poor or fair
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Deposit time: As fast as one day
- Origination fee: 2.9% – 8%
- Late fee: Up to $10
- Discounts: Not disclosed
- Repayment terms: 24 – 84 months
Figure
Figure has paused accepting new applications.
Rates (APR)
5.75% – 22.94%
Loan amounts
$5,000 – $50,000
Credit score
680+
Figure is an online lender offering personal loans to those with good or excellent credit. You can get prequalified in minutes with no impact on your credit. If you qualify, the rest of the application takes a few extra minutes and funds can be released in as little as two days.
- Credit score category: Good or excellent
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Deposit time: As few as two days
- Origination fee: 0% – 3%
- Late fee: Not disclosed
- Discounts: 0.25% discount for making automatic payments
- Repayment terms: 36 or 60 months
Additional Alternatives to Upstart
Upstart personal loans may be a viable option for borrowers in some scenarios, but there are other alternatives to get financing for major expenses or debt consolidation.
To start, there are many other personal loans for borrowers with fair credit that you may want to consider. Furthermore, if you have a great credit score, you may be able to qualify for a lower rate with one of the best personal loan companies.
For homeowners, a home equity loan or home equity line of credit may prove more beneficial in terms of the cost for borrowing than an Upstart personal loan. This is because interest rates for home equity products are often in the single digits, unlike Upstart loans, which can be as high as 29.99%2.
A five-year loan for $15,000 from Upstart with a 15% interest rate would have a monthly payment of $357 (not including the origination fee) and accrue a total of $6,411 in interest. A home equity loan in the same amount with an interest rate of 7% means a monthly payment of $297 and a total interest of $2,821 over the life of the loan.
Additionally, credit cards may be an alternative to an Upstart personal loan, especially when interest rates are lower than offered through the online lender. A credit card with an interest rate of 12.99% with a balance of $15,000 means a monthly payment of $341 and a total interest of $5,473 paid over five years.
The loan or credit card option selected by a borrower should be evaluated based on the total cost components, including the interest rate and any origination fees. Because credit cards and home equity loans may have lower interest rates than an Upstart personal loan, and potentially no origination fee, these options may make more sense.
Recap of Upstart Alternatives
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Loan Amounts | Credit Score |
| LendingPoint | 9.99% – 35.99% | $2,000 – $25,000 | 585+ |
| Upgrade | 5.94% – 35.97% | $1,000 – $50,000 | 580+ |
1 Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. Loans are not available in West Virginia or Iowa. The minimum loan amount in MA is $7,000. The minimum loan amount in Ohio is $6,000. The minimum loan amount in NM is $5100. The minimum loan amount in GA is $3,100.
2 The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.
