8 Best Joint Personal Loans & How to Get One in 2026

A joint personal loan lets two people share equal responsibility for a loan. Both borrowers’ names are on the loan, both have access to the funds and both are on the hook for repayment.

Applying jointly can help you qualify for a lower interest rate and origination fee if your co-borrower has a stronger credit score. And because lenders consider combined income, you may qualify for a larger loan than you could alone.

Keep in mind that joint loans aren’t the same as cosigned loans, where someone backs your loan but doesn’t access the funds.

8 best lenders that accept joint loan applications

• Best for low starting rates: LightStream personal loans
• Best for good credit: SoFi personal loans
• Best for bad credit: Upgrade personal loans
• Best for debt consolidation: Happen Bank
• Best for no fees and credit union rates: PenFed Credit Union personal loans
• Best for fair credit: Achieve personal loans
• Best for comparing rates: Lendvious personal loans
• Best for a wide range of loan amounts: DCU personal loans

Best for low starting rates

9.5 Excellent LightStream personal loans

9.5 Excellent

$5,000 to $100,000

Up to 20 years for home improvement; 2–7 years for most other purposes

Varies by loan purpose

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Why we like it LightStream considers your combined income and assets on a joint application, which can help you qualify for larger amounts — up to $100,000 — at rates close to its low starting APR. Both applicants are reviewed equally. It also offers a Rate Beat Program that undercuts a competitor's rate by 0.10 percentage points if you're approved elsewhere for a lower offer. No fees of any kind. Pros & cons Pros No origination, late or prepayment fees Loans up to $100,000 Rate Beat Program available Ranked top online lender in J.D. Power's 2025 Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study Cons Both borrowers need good to excellent credit (660+) No prequalification option on LightStream's own site Minimum loan of $5,000

Best for good credit

9 Excellent SoFi personal loans

9 Excellent

$5,000 to $100,000

2 to 7 years

6.49% to 35.49% with autopay and member discounts (0.25% each)

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Why we like it SoFi is a standout for joint borrowers who want zero required fees, large loan amounts and multiple rate discount opportunities. You can stack up to three discounts — autopay (0.25%), SoFi Plus membership (0.25%) and direct deposit (0.25%) — to lower your rate. Both borrowers get access to SoFi's member perks: financial planning tools, networking events and career resources. Note that co-borrower applications can take one to two weeks longer to process than solo applications. Pros & cons Pros No required fees (optional origination fee of up to 7% to lower your rate) Prequalification available with soft credit check Multiple rate discounts available Cons Starting APR of 6.49% is higher than some competitors No loans under $5,000 Co-borrower applications take longer to process

Best for bad credit

8.2 Great Upgrade personal loans

8.2 Great

$1,000 to $50,000

2 to 7 years

7.74% to 35.99% (includes origination fee)

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Why we like it Upgrade considers your monthly cash flow more heavily than your credit score, making it a strong option for joint applicants where one borrower has lower credit. Applying with a co-borrower can help you score a lower interest rate, qualify for a larger loan and reduce the origination fee, which can run as high as 9.99%. Upgrade also offers a direct pay discount for debt consolidation and an autopay discount, so there are multiple ways to lower your rate. Pros & cons Pros Accepts credit scores as low as 580 Prefers high cash flow over high credit score Multiple rate discounts available Free credit monitoring included Cons Origination fee of 1.85%–9.99% No loans over $50,000 APRs for fair credit can be higher than some competitors

Best for debt consolidation

7.2 Great Happen Bank

7.2 Great

$1,000 to $75,000

24–72 months

5.96% APR to 35.96%

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Why we like it LendingClub is a standout for joint borrowers using a loan to pay off existing debt. It allows co-borrowers on all personal loans, and if your co-applicant has stronger credit, it can unlock a better rate and higher loan amount. Its direct-pay-to-creditors option — where LendingClub sends funds straight to your existing creditors — streamlines debt consolidation and may qualify you for a rate discount. Prequalification is available with a soft credit check, and there's a 15-day grace period on late payments. However, LendingClub charges an origination fee on most loans. Pros & cons Pros Joint co-borrower applications accepted Direct payment to creditors for debt consolidation (may lower rate) Prequalification with soft credit check Flexible due date — one-time change available 15-day grace period on late payments Cons Origination fee of 0%–8% (deducted from loan proceeds) Starting APR of 5.96% requires excellent credit No same-day funding guarantee

Best for no fees and credit union rates

7.2 Great PenFed Credit Union personal loans

7.2 Great

$600 to $50,000

1 to 5 years

6.74% to 17.99%

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Why we like it PenFed is one of the largest federal credit unions in the country and is open to anyone who opens a savings account with a $5 deposit. Its personal loans come with no origination, application or prepayment fees, and its maximum APR of 17.99% is well below the 35%+ cap with many online lenders. Joint applications are accepted, and a co-borrower with stronger credit or income can help you qualify for a lower rate. Prequalification is available with no impact on your credit score, even before you become a member. Pros & cons Pros No origination, application or prepayment fees Maximum APR of 17.99% — lower ceiling than most lenders Prequalification available with no hard credit pull Membership open to all US residents Cons Must become a member to finalize a loan Maximum loan amount of $50,000 is lower than some competitors Eligibility requirements not fully disclosed online

Best for fair credit

8.6 Great Achieve personal loans

8.6 Great

$5,000 to $50,000

24 to 60 months

6.25% to 35.99%

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Why we like it Achieve (formerly FreedomPlus) accepts fair credit borrowers and allows co-applicants — a combination that can meaningfully lower your rate if your co-borrower has stronger credit. You can also stack multiple discounts: a co-borrower discount, a retirement savings discount and a direct pay discount for debt consolidation. Dedicated loan consultants walk you through the process by phone, which is unusual among online lenders. Note that Achieve charges an origination fee and is not available in all states. Pros & cons Pros Minimum credit score of 640 Multiple rate discounts available, including co-borrower discount Dedicated loan consultants available Highly rated customer reviews Cons Origination fee of 1.99% to – 8.99% Only available in select states Loan terms max out at 60 months

Best for comparing rates

9.1 Excellent Lendvious personal loans

9.1 Excellent

$1,000 to $100,000

2 to 5 years

5.99% to 35.99%

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Why we like it Lendvious is a loan marketplace — not a direct lender — that submits your application to multiple lenders at once, making it easier to compare offers when you and your joint applicant aren't sure what rates you'll qualify for. It works with all credit types and can surface results in minutes. Just be prepared for follow-up calls and emails from its partner lenders after you apply. Pros & cons Pros Accepts all credit types (550+ credit score) Funding available as soon as one business day 15+ lenders in its network No fee to use the marketplace Cons You may receive many calls and emails from partner lenders No direct customer service number for Lendvious itself Rates and terms vary by lender — not guaranteed

Best for a wide range of loan amounts

9 Excellent DCU personal loans

9 Excellent

$200 to $100,000

Up to 5 years

As low as 11.99% (upper limit not listed on DCU's website) with 0.50% rate discount for Plus or Relationship members with qualifying direct deposit and electronic payments

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Why we like it With personal loans starting at just $200, DCU offers one of the widest loan amount ranges available, and you can even use your loan funds for college expenses — useful for a parent and student applying together. Interest rate discounts are available for Plus and Relationship members. Plus, it comes with no origination or prepayment fees. Note: Digital Federal Credit Union and First Technology Federal Credit Union completed their merger effective January 1, 2026, and now operate as two divisions of a single credit union under the First Technology Federal Credit Union name. DCU continues to serve its members under its own brand. Pros & cons Pros Loans from $200 to $100,000 No origination fee Accepts loans for college expenses Rate discounts for Plus/Relationship members Cons Lowest rates require Plus or Relationship membership Only DCU members can borrow Limited eligibility information disclosed online Credit score requirements not disclosed

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Our methodology

Our team of loan experts evaluated 120+ personal loan lenders, weighing origination fees, interest rates and eligibility requirements. The best joint personal loans have no or low origination fees, low starting APRs, a range of borrowing amounts and flexible underwriting.

We prioritized lenders that explicitly accept joint/co-borrower applications, cater to a range of credit scores and incomes and are available across most or all U.S. states. We regularly revise our selections to ensure our picks reflect current lender terms and market conditions.

6 steps to apply for a joint personal loan

1. Check your credit. Review your credit report and resolve any errors. Keep making on-time payments and avoid taking on new debt before applying.
2. Compare lenders. Use this list to research options that accept joint applications. Look for lenders with prequalification so you can check rates before committing.
3. Get prequalified. Where available, prequalify jointly to see potential rates without a hard credit pull.
4. Submit an application. Once you’ve chosen a lender, complete a full application with your co-borrower. This process triggers a hard credit inquiry.
5. Sign for your loan. Both borrowers must sign the loan agreement before funds are released.
6. Wait for funds. Funding can arrive as soon as the same day, though one to three business days is more common, and co-borrower applications may take longer.

Both you and your co-borrower typically need to provide employment history, income details and personal financial information. Depending on the lender, you may be able to submit this information jointly or separately.

How is a joint loan different from a cosigner loan?

With a joint loan, your co-borrower has equal access to the funds and equal responsibility for repayment. What’s purchased or paid for with the loan is considered shared between both borrowers.

A cosigner, by contrast, is only responsible for the loan if the primary borrower defaults and doesn’t have access to the funds.

Choose a joint loan when both parties want equal access and agree to share repayment. Choose a cosigned loan when you need help qualifying but plan to handle payments yourself.

Joint loan vs. cosigned loan: Quick comparison

Is it better to apply individually or jointly?

It depends on your relationship, credit scores and finances. If you plan to share the expense and want both parties to be equally responsible, a joint application makes sense. It can also help you qualify for a lower rate or larger loan if your co-borrower has a stronger credit profile.

But if your credit score is higher than your co-borrower’s, adding them could hurt, not help, your application.

What are the benefits of applying with another person?

• Increase approval odds. Lenders consider both applicants’ income and credit, which can help if either of you has a limited credit history or lower score.
• Share an asset. If you’re jointly funding something like home renovations, it makes sense for both parties to be on the loan.
• Access larger loan amounts. Combined income can help you qualify for more than you’d get alone.
• Consolidate large debts. A joint debt consolidation loan can simplify repayment for both borrowers and potentially lower the total cost of your debt.

Can I get a joint personal loan with bad credit?

Yes, as long as you and your co-borrower together meet the lender’s requirements. Lenders like Upgrade accept credit scores as low as 580. Applying jointly can help you qualify for better terms than you’d get on your own if your co-borrower has stronger credit.

How do I get out of a joint loan?

The most common option is refinancing the loan in one borrower’s name only. This process replaces the existing loan with a new one that removes the other borrower’s liability.

Some lenders may also allow assumption of the loan — meaning one borrower takes over the loan exactly as is without refinancing — but policies vary. Contact your lender directly to understand your options.

What questions should I ask before taking out a joint personal loan?

• Do we both have access to the funds, or is this a cosigned arrangement?
• What happens if one of us can’t make payments?
• How will this loan appear on both of our credit reports?
• Can one borrower be removed from the loan later? If so, how?
• Does the lender require both borrowers to have minimum credit scores?

Bottom line

Joint personal loans can be a smart option when you want to share equal responsibility for a large purchase or consolidate debt together. It can strengthen your application and unlock better rates — but it also means both parties are fully on the hook. Always compare multiple lenders before deciding, and make sure you and your co-borrower have a clear repayment plan.

Frequently asked questions

• Can two people get a personal loan together?

  Yes. Many lenders allow two people to apply jointly as co-borrowers. Both applicants' income and credit are considered, both have equal access to the funds and both are equally responsible for repayment.

• What is the $100,000 loophole for family loans?

  This is an IRS rule that applies when one family member lends another up to $100,000 at a below-market interest rate. If the borrower's net investment income for the year is $1,000 or less, the lender owes no imputed interest income tax on the forgone interest.

  It's a tax relief provision, not a way to avoid structuring the loan properly — you should still consult a tax advisor before making any informal family loan.

• Is it possible to get a joint personal loan?

  Yes. A joint personal loan is a standard product offered by many online lenders, banks and credit unions. Both borrowers sign the loan agreement and share responsibility for repaying it. Not every lender offers them, so it's worth confirming before you apply.

• Can a couple get a personal loan together?

  Yes. Married couples and domestic partners can apply together as joint co-borrowers. Lenders consider both incomes and credit profiles, which can help you qualify for a larger loan amount or a lower rate, especially if one partner has stronger credit than the other.

Written by

Anna Serio

Editor

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Anna Serio was a lead editor at Finder, specializing in consumer and business financing. A trusted lending expert and former certified commercial loan officer, Anna's written and edited more than 1,000 articles on Finder to help Americans strengthen their financial literacy. Her expertise and analysis on personal, student, business and car loans has been featured in publications like Business Insider, CNBC and Nasdaq, and has appeared on NBC and KADN. Anna holds an MA in Middle Eastern studies from the American University of Beirut and a BA in Creative Writing from Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, CUNY. See full bio

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Anna has written 117 Finder guides across topics including:

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