← Reviews · Personal installment loans
Personal installment loans
Upstart
Upstart weighs education and cash-flow signals—not only FICO—which can help thin files, without guaranteeing a low APR.
Typical amount
$1,000–$75,000
APR range
6.2%–35.99%
Term
36–60 months
Fees
Origination fee may apply
Overview
Upstart uses alternative data in underwriting. That can open doors for thinner files, but high-end APRs are expensive—compare total of payments against a credit union quote.
How it works
Submit employment and education details; receive term options after a hard pull. Origination fees may be withheld from proceeds—cash in hand can be less than “loan amount.”
APR and fees
Compare offers on amount financed and total of payments at the same term—not headline APR alone.
Eligibility
State minimums apply; recent credit events or weak income can still decline. Self-employed borrowers should expect extra docs.
Who it fits
Good fit: Thin-file borrowers who shopped at least two lenders. Skip if: you are quoted near the top of the APR range and could wait to improve credit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- May approve files others decline
- Flexible loan sizes from $1,000
Cons
- Origination fees possible
- High-end APRs are costly
Compare in this lane
Common questions
Only FICO?
Alternative data is used; expect traditional credit checks too.
Why less cash than loan amount?
Origination fees are often deducted from disbursement.
SoFi — Personal loan
LendingClub
Discover Personal Loans