Best Unsecured Personal Loans in 2026

Joe ChappiusWritten by Joe Chappius

- Oct 26, 2026

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Helping millions make smarter financial decisions since 2014
Andrei BerceaReviewed by Andrei Bercea
  • Compare unsecured personal loan rates from 6.49% to 35.99% APR across top lenders
  • No collateral required, with loan amounts from $1,000 to $100,000
  • Check rates without affecting your credit score through soft pull pre-qualification

Unsecured personal loans - Comparison

37 Options listed66.4/100 Avg. Financer Score1,829 User reviews4.99% Lowest interest rate
Recommended for bad credit

Personal Loans

Lending For Bad Credit

3,538 customers chose this

Loan amount$100 - $40,000
Annual interest rate5.99% - 35.99%
Loan period2 months - 15 years
Payout within 24 hoursYes
Weekend PayoutNo
Origination feeVaries by lender
Minimum age18
Financer Score™Reviewed by 4 users

Lending For Bad Credit is not a lender and makes no credit decisions. It cannot guarantee a connection with a lender, a loan or the loan amount, and it charges no fee. Not available in all states, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington. A lender may run a credit check. Short-term loans are not a long-term financial solution. Amounts and terms vary by state and lender. Per Lending For Bad Credit, APRs on its offers are no greater than 35.99% (as of October 16, 2026).

Lending For Bad Credit is not a lender, makes no credit decisions, charges no fee, and cannot guarantee a connection with a lender, a loan, or the loan amount. Not available in all states, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington; a lender may run a credit check or verify your details. Short-term loans are not a long-term financial solution, and amounts and terms vary by state and lender. Per Lending For Bad Credit, APRs on its offers are no greater than 35.99% (as of October 16, 2026).

Popular choice in 2026

Personal Loans

PersonalLoans.com

35,640 customers chose this

Loan amount$250 - $35,000
Annual interest rate5.99% - 35.99%
Loan period3 months - 6 years
Payout within 24 hoursYes
Weekend PayoutNo
Origination feeVaries by lender
Minimum age18
Financer Score™Reviewed by 36 users

Personal Loans

Fast5KLoans

10,096 customers chose this

Loan amount$500 - $35,000
Annual interest rate5.99% - 35.99%
Loan period2 months - 6 years
Payout within 24 hoursNo
Weekend PayoutNo
Origination feeVaries by lender (3-10%)
Minimum age18
Financer Score™Reviewed by 17 users
Best for urgent cash

Personal Loans

Your Premier Lending

1,124 customers chose this

Loan amount$100 - $20,000
Annual interest rate5.99% - 35.99%
Loan period2 weeks - 6 years
Payout within 24 hoursYes
Weekend PayoutNo
Origination feeVaries between lenders
Minimum age18
Financer Score™Reviewed by 20 users
Loans for very low credit scores

Personal Loans

Low Credit Finance

1,361 customers chose this

Loan amount$100 - $50,000
Annual interest rate5.99% - 35.99%
Loan period2 months - 7 years
Payout within 24 hoursYes
Weekend PayoutNo
Origination feeVaries by lender (usually between 1% and 6%)
Minimum age18
Financer Score™Reviewed by 11 users

we can't guarantee the complete accuracy on a day-to-day

Filters

Loan amount

Loan purpose

Product Statistics

A complete breakdown of all data points across the products in this comparison to help you make the right decision.

Personal loan
1 (2.7%)
Car loan
1 (2.7%)
Loan amount
$0 - $100,000 ($8,670.42)
Loan period
1 week - 183 months (27 months)
Annual interest rate
0% - 1,564% (159.71%)
Minimum age
18 - 18 (18)
Minimum income
$0 - $2,000 ($345.95)
National bank account
31 (83.8%)
National phone number
31 (83.8%)
Citizenship
24 (64.9%)
Electronic identification
29 (78.4%)
Accepts Bad Credit History
33 (89.2%)
Payout within 24 hours
31 (83.8%)
Weekend Payout
4 (10.8%)
Loan extensions
18 (48.6%)
Early payback
31 (83.8%)
Loan broker
13 (35.1%)
Interest-free first loan
0 (0%)
Cosigner possible
2 (5.4%)
Approval rate
80% - 90% (83.75%)
Revocation period
15 (40.5%)
High approval rate
0 (0%)

Statistics based on 37 Loans products in our database.

CompanyLowestHighest
Lending For Bad Credit5.99%35.99%
PersonalLoans.com5.99%35.99%
Fast5KLoans5.99%35.99%
Your Premier Lending5.99%35.99%
Low Credit Finance5.99%35.99%
ACE Cash Express91.52%630.13%
Consumers Credit Union4.99%20.49%
BadCreditLoans.com5.99%35.99%
Honest Loans5.99%35.99%
GetCash.com5.99%35.99%
MoneyKey249%295%
Jora Credit75%349%
5KFunds5.99%35.99%
Credit Clock5.99%35.99%
Self Lender15.69%15.92%
Explore Credit5.99%35.99%
CashNetUSA229%579%
Cash Store390%780%
Advance America143.29%688.28%
Cash Advance15%1,564%
CreditFresh143%600%
MoneyLion5.99%29.99%
MaxLend471.78%841.45%
Viva Payday Loans5.99%35.99%
LoansUnder365.99%35.99%
SecureSpeedyLoans5.99%35.99%
CashUSA5.99%35.99%
Loan in Personal5.99%35.99%
Wizzay.com5.9%35.99%
Speedy Cash199.99%729%
Fast Loan Advance5.99%35.99%
Plain Green Loans210%438%
OppLoans99%195%
Spotloan99%490%
BMG Money19.99%35.99%
EarnIn0%0%

Interest Rates

See how rates compare across all providers. The bars show the range between lowest and highest rates offered by each company.

Historical Unsecured personal loans Interest Rates

Average rates tracked monthly across 45 providers

Average rates tracked monthly across 45 providers
AverageLowestHighest
Aug 2025152.51%1.26%1,646.58%
Sep 2025154.93%1.33%1,667.75%
Oct 2025156.62%1.38%1,682.54%
Nov 2025157.02%1.39%1,685.99%
Dec 2025155.84%1.36%1,675.65%
Jan 2026153.15%1.28%1,652.17%
Feb 2026149.37%1.18%1,619.09%
Mar 2026145.14%1.06%1,582.11%
Apr 2026141.21%0.95%1,547.77%
May 2026138.27%0.87%1,522.06%
Jun 2026136.78%0.82%1,509.02%
Jul 2026136.88%0.83%1,509.89%
Aug 2026143.07%1%1,564%
Oct 2026131.57%1%1,564%
Current Average131.57%↓ 11.5pp
Lowest Available1%
Highest Available1,564%
Providers Tracked45

Financer's Choice

Top Rated
Lending For Bad Credit

Lending For Bad Credit

  • Free to submit a loan request. The lender sets the APR and fees; per Lending For Bad Credit, APRs on its offers are no greater than 35.99%.
  • Phone (833) 321-7764, a contact form, and a mailing address in Overland Park, Kansas. Once you are connected, the lender handles your loan.
  • Requests of $100 - $40,000, all credit considered, four states excluded. Historically, most people offered a loan only saw short-term options of $100 - $2,500.
  • The form takes two minutes or less, per the brand. Trustpilot: TrustScore 2.5 out of 5 from 4 reviews (October 16, 2026), reporting calls and emails after submitting.
Financer Score™93Reviewed by 4 users
Pricing100
Customer Support90
Terms and Flexibility100
Read the full review

Best Personal Loan Providers in 2026

Wondering why Lending For Bad Credit outperformed 37 other loan companies in our 2026 tests? Discover their exclusive benefits with a free rate check!

See full comparison

What Is an Unsecured Personal Loan?

An unsecured personal loan is a fixed-rate loan you can get without putting up any collateral. Unlike a secured loan that uses your home or car as a guarantee, unsecured loans rely entirely on your creditworthiness, income, and financial history.

These loans are sometimes called signature loans because your signature and promise to repay are all that backs the agreement. Most personal loans fall into this category, making them one of the most accessible borrowing options available.

As of 2026, unsecured personal loan rates range from 6.49% to 35.99% APR, with the average rate sitting around 12.15% for borrowers with a 700 FICO score. Loan amounts typically range from $1,000 to $100,000, depending on the lender and your credit profile.

How Unsecured Personal Loans Work

The process is straightforward. You apply with a lender, they review your financial profile, and if approved, you receive a lump sum deposited directly into your bank account. You then repay the loan in equal monthly installments over a fixed term.

Most online lenders offer a pre-qualification step that uses a soft credit pull. This lets you check estimated rates and terms without hurting your credit score. The hard inquiry only happens when you formally submit your application.

Here is what lenders evaluate when you apply:

  1. Credit score and history - Most lenders require a minimum score of 580 to 670. Borrowers with scores above 740 get the lowest rates
  2. Income and employment - Stable income shows you can handle the monthly payments. Lenders verify through pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements
  3. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) - Lenders typically want your DTI below 36%, though some accept up to 50%. Your DTI is your total monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income
  4. Credit utilization - How much of your available credit you are currently using. Lower utilization signals responsible borrowing

Common Uses for Unsecured Personal Loans

One of the biggest advantages of unsecured personal loans is flexibility. Unlike auto loans or mortgages, there are few restrictions on how you use the funds. The most common reasons people take out unsecured loans include:

  • Debt consolidation - Combine multiple high-interest debts into a single payment at a lower rate. This is the most popular use, accounting for roughly 35% of all personal loans
  • Home improvement - Fund renovations or repairs without tapping into home equity
  • Medical expenses - Cover unexpected healthcare costs or procedures not fully covered by insurance
  • Major purchases - Finance appliances, furniture, or other significant expenses
  • Wedding costs - Cover ceremony and reception expenses with predictable monthly payments
  • Emergency expenses - Handle unexpected financial needs like car repairs or urgent travel

Unsecured vs. Secured Loans: What Is the Difference?

The core difference is simple: secured loans require collateral, unsecured loans do not. This one distinction affects everything from interest rates to risk level to approval requirements.

With a secured loan, you pledge an asset like your home (mortgage) or car (auto loan) as backup. If you default, the lender can seize that asset. Because of this safety net, secured loans typically come with lower interest rates and higher borrowing limits.

Unsecured loans carry more risk for the lender since there is no asset to recover if you stop paying. That is why unsecured loans generally have higher interest rates and stricter credit requirements.

FeatureUnsecured LoansSecured Loans

Collateral

Not required

Required (home, car, savings)

Typical APR Range

6.49% - 35.99%

3% - 15%

Loan Amounts

Up to $100,000

Up to $500,000+

Approval Speed

1 - 3 business days

1 - 6 weeks

Risk to Borrower

Credit damage, collections

Asset seizure + credit damage

Best For

Smaller amounts, no assets to pledge

Large amounts, homeowners

How to Qualify for an Unsecured Personal Loan

Getting approved for an unsecured personal loan depends on proving to the lender that you are a responsible borrower. Since there is no collateral backing the loan, your financial track record carries all the weight.

Here is what you need:

Steps to Get an Unsecured Personal Loan

Check Your Credit Score

Pull your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. You need at least a 580 FICO score for most lenders, but a score of 670 or higher gives you the best shot at competitive rates. Scores above 740 unlock the lowest available APRs.

Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Add up all your monthly debt payments (student loans, credit cards, auto loans) and divide by your gross monthly income. Most lenders want this number below 36%. Some will go up to 50%, but you will pay higher rates. Learn more about DTI ratios.

Compare Lenders and Pre-Qualify

Use the comparison tool above to see rates from multiple lenders at once. Pre-qualification uses a soft credit pull, so checking rates will not affect your score. Compare APRs, fees, loan amounts, and repayment terms side by side.

Gather Your Documents

Have your government-issued ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), bank statements, and Social Security number ready. Some lenders also ask for proof of address.

Submit Your Application

Apply with the lender offering the best terms. This triggers a hard credit inquiry, which may temporarily lower your score by a few points. Most online lenders deliver a decision within minutes and can fund your account in 1 to 3 business days.

Unsecured Personal Loan Interest Rates

Interest rates on unsecured personal loans vary widely based on your credit profile, the lender, and the loan terms. As of February 2026, here is what to expect:

By credit score range:

  • Excellent credit (740+): 6.49% - 12.49% APR
  • Good credit (670-739): 12.49% - 17.99% APR
  • Fair credit (580-669): 17.99% - 28.99% APR
  • Poor credit (below 580): 28.99% - 35.99% APR

By lender type:

  • Online lenders: 6.49% - 35.99% APR
  • Credit unions: Average 10.72% APR
  • Traditional banks: Average 12.06% APR

Credit unions often offer the best rates to members but may have stricter eligibility requirements. Online lenders tend to have the widest range and fastest approvals, making them popular for borrowers across the credit spectrum.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Unsecured Personal Loans

Unsecured personal loans fill an important gap in the lending market, but they are not the right choice for every situation. Here is an honest look at both sides.

Advantages

  • No risk of losing your home, car, or other assets if you cannot repay
  • Fast approval and funding, often within 1 to 3 business days
  • Fixed rates and predictable monthly payments make budgeting easy
  • Flexible use of funds for almost any purpose
  • Soft pull pre-qualification lets you check rates without credit impact
  • Can help build credit history through consistent on-time payments

Disadvantages

  • Higher interest rates compared to secured loans, especially for lower credit scores
  • Lower borrowing limits than secured options like home equity loans
  • Origination fees of 1% to 10% reduce the amount you actually receive
  • Missed payments hurt your credit score and can lead to collections
  • Stricter credit requirements make approval harder for some borrowers

Unsecured Loans for Bad Credit

Having a credit score below 670 does not automatically disqualify you from getting an unsecured personal loan. Several online lenders specialize in working with bad credit borrowers, though the terms will be less favorable.

With a lower credit score, expect:

  • Interest rates between 17.99% and 35.99% APR
  • Smaller loan amounts, typically $1,000 to $10,000
  • Shorter repayment terms of 1 to 3 years
  • Higher origination fees

Some lenders look beyond your credit score and consider factors like your education, employment history, and income trajectory. This "holistic" underwriting approach can benefit borrowers who have thin credit files or are rebuilding their credit.

Before applying, check if you qualify for personal loans with fair credit, as the rate difference between fair and bad credit tiers can save you hundreds of dollars in interest.

Alternatives to Unsecured Personal Loans

Depending on your situation, other borrowing options might offer better terms or a better fit:

AlternativeBest ForTypical APR

Secured personal loan

Borrowers with assets seeking lower rates

5% - 20%

Home equity loan / HELOC

Homeowners needing large amounts

7% - 12%

0% APR credit card

Smaller amounts you can pay off in 12-21 months

0% intro, then 18% - 29%

Credit union loan

Credit union members wanting low rates

7% - 18%

Debt consolidation loan

Combining multiple debts into one payment

6% - 36%

Personal line of credit

Ongoing access to funds as needed

8% - 25%

Each option has trade-offs. Home equity loans offer lower rates but put your house at risk. Credit cards provide flexibility but can lead to revolving debt at high rates. A personal line of credit works well for ongoing needs but usually has variable rates.

The right choice depends on how much you need, how quickly you can repay it, and what assets you are willing to put on the line.

Frequently Asked Questions About Unsecured Loans

What credit score do I need for an unsecured personal loan?

Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 580 to 670 for unsecured personal loans. However, you will need a score of 740 or higher to qualify for the best rates (as low as 6.49% APR). Borrowers with scores between 580 and 669 can still get approved but should expect higher interest rates.

How quickly can I get an unsecured personal loan?

Many online lenders offer same-day or next-day approval decisions. After approval, funds typically arrive in your bank account within 1 to 3 business days. Some lenders advertise same-day funding for applications completed early in the day. The entire process, from application to receiving funds, can take as little as 24 hours.

Can I get an unsecured loan with bad credit?

Yes, several lenders specialize in unsecured loans for borrowers with bad credit (scores below 670). Expect higher interest rates (17.99% to 35.99% APR), lower loan amounts (typically up to $10,000), and possibly shorter repayment terms. Comparing multiple lenders is important since rates vary significantly between providers.

Does applying for an unsecured loan hurt my credit score?

Pre-qualifying with most lenders uses a soft credit pull, which does not affect your score. The hard inquiry happens only when you formally submit a full application. This hard pull may temporarily lower your score by about 5 to 10 points. Multiple hard inquiries within a 14-day window for the same type of loan are usually counted as one inquiry by scoring models.

What is the maximum amount I can borrow with an unsecured personal loan?

Most lenders offer unsecured personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000. Some lenders, like those targeting borrowers with excellent credit, offer up to $100,000 or more. The amount you qualify for depends on your credit score, income, existing debt, and the specific lender's limits.

What is the difference between an unsecured loan and a personal loan?

Most personal loans are unsecured loans. The term "personal loan" describes the purpose (personal use rather than business or mortgage), while "unsecured" describes the structure (no collateral required). When people say "personal loan," they almost always mean an unsecured personal loan.

Unsecured personal loans remain one of the most straightforward ways to borrow money when you need it. The key is shopping around. Rates and terms vary significantly between lenders, and even a 1% difference in APR can save you hundreds over the life of a loan.

Use the comparison tool at the top of this page to check your rates from multiple lenders at once. Pre-qualification takes just minutes and will not impact your credit score.

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