Best of 2026

The 6 Best Personal Loans of 2026

From SoFi's no-fee promise to Upstart's AI underwriting for thin files, here are the six personal loan lenders our editors keep coming back to in 2026 — scored on APR, fees, funding speed, and credit flexibility.

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Independent reviews Soft-pull prequalification Updated quarterly

We started with 22 nationally licensed personal loan lenders and narrowed to six by applying a consistent rubric — APR competitiveness, total fees, funding speed, credit flexibility, and customer experience. Each finalist won at least one criterion outright. Compensation does not influence the editorial ranking; it can affect placement of paid offer slots elsewhere on the page.

At a glance

Our six picks at a glance

Tap any card to check your rate with the lender. Detailed reviews follow below.

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APR ranges shown are illustrative. Your actual APR depends on credit, term, and lender criteria.

Methodology

How we picked these six

APR competitiveness (30%): Average APR for borrowers across 680, 720, and 760 FICO bands on a 36- and 60-month $15,000 loan.
Total fees (20%): Origination, late fees, prepayment penalties, and any required add-ons.
Funding speed (20%): Median time from signed loan agreement to funds in account.
Credit flexibility (15%): Lowest accepted FICO, willingness to work with thin files and non-traditional income.
Customer experience (15%): Hardship programs, app quality, and complaint volume.

Detailed reviews

The six, reviewed

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FAQs

Best personal loans — what people ask

How did you pick the best personal loans for 2026?

We scored 22 national personal loan lenders on five weighted criteria: APR competitiveness, total fees, funding speed, credit flexibility, and customer experience. The six finalists each won at least one criterion outright.

What credit score do I need for the best APR?

The lowest published APRs typically require a 720+ FICO, verifiable income, and a debt-to-income ratio under 40%. Several lenders on our panel approve down to 580, just at higher rates.

How fast can I get the money?

Same-day or next-day funding is standard for most of our picks once the loan is approved and signed. Bank ACH timing can add a day depending on your institution.

Will pre-qualifying hurt my credit?

No. All six lenders use a soft pull for pre-qualification. A hard pull only happens once you accept and finalize the loan.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you click through and take an offer. This does not influence our editorial picks. How we earn.