Best Loans for Bad Credit (Close to) Guaranteed Approval (2026)

No lender can guarantee you’ll be approved for a personal loan, and any that claim otherwise are a red flag. About 15% of U.S. consumers fall in the poor credit score range — a number that’s been rising, according to Experian’s 2025 State of Credit report — and there are lenders and marketplaces built for exactly this situation, with flexible underwriting, low or no minimum credit score requirements and higher-than-average approval rates for borrowers with bad or thin credit. These picks give you the most realistic shot at getting funded.

Best personal loan providers for bad credit and easy approval

• Best for thin or no credit history — Upstart
• Best for fair-credit borrowers who need fast funding — Avant
• Best for a secured option with bad credit — OneMain Financial
• Best for borrowers rebuilding toward good credit — Best Egg
• Best for adding a co-borrower — Achieve
• Best for comparing multiple lenders at once — Credible
• Best for very poor credit with no FICO impact — OppLoans

Best for thin or no credit history

9.3 Excellent Upstart personal loans

9.3 Excellent

$1,000 to $75,000

3 or 5 years

6.30%–35.99% (includes any origination fee)

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Why we like it Upstart is an AI-powered lending marketplace that connects borrowers with bank and credit union partners, it is not itself a lender. Rather than relying heavily on your FICO score, Upstart factors in over 1,000 data points including employment history and education. According to an internal Upstart study published in April 2025, its model approved 43% more applicants compared to a hypothetical traditional model, and at APRs that were 33% lower. Upstart doesn't publish a minimum credit score requirement in most states, making it one of the most accessible options for borrowers with limited or damaged credit histories. Pros & cons Pros No stated minimum credit score in most states Considers employment and education, not just credit history Funds sent as fast as next business day if you accept by 5 p.m. ET on a weekday Soft credit check to see your rate No prepayment penalty Cons Only two repayment terms available: 36 or 60 months Origination fee applies; amount varies and is included in the APR Higher-risk borrowers will receive rates at the top of the range

Best for fair-credit borrowers who need fast funding

6.8 Standard Avant personal loans

6.8 Standard

$2,000 to $35,000

24 to 60 months

9.95% to 35.99%

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Why we like it Avant is a loan platform, loans are issued by WebBank, not Avant directly. Avant specifically serves the fair-to-bad credit market. According to Avant's own support page, most customers who receive loans have a credit score between 600 and 700, making it a realistic option for borrowers who fall just below traditional lender thresholds. Avant offers soft-check prequalification with no credit score impact, and funds are generally deposited the next business day if approved before 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday. Pros & cons Pros Designed for borrowers in the 600–700 credit score range Fast funding, generally next business day after approval Soft credit check to see your rate Fixed monthly payments Cons Administration fee up to 9.99% is deducted from your loan proceeds Not available in all states

Best for a secured option with bad credit

5.8 Standard OneMain Financial personal loans

5.8 Standard

$1,500 to $30,000

24 – 60 months

11.99% to 35.99%

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Why we like it OneMain Financial doesn't publish a minimum credit score and looks at your overall financial picture, not just your score. With over 1,300 branches nationwide, you can apply online, by phone, or in person. Where OneMain stands out for bad-credit borrowers is its secured loan option: pledge a vehicle as collateral and you may qualify for a higher loan amount or lower APR than you'd get unsecured. Funds can be available as fast as one hour after loan closing. Pros & cons Pros No stated minimum credit score Secured and unsecured loan options available Over 1,300 branches for in-person service Funds available in as fast as 1 hour after loan closing No prepayment penalty Cons APR floor (11.99%) is higher than some competitors Origination fee applies; ranges from a flat fee of $25–$500 or 1%–10% of loan amount, depending on state Larger loan amounts require a qualifying vehicle as collateral Not available in AK, AR, CT, DC, MA, RI, or VT

Best for borrowers rebuilding toward good credit

8.5 Great Best Egg personal loans

8.5 Great

$2,000 to $50,000

36 to 60 months (unsecured); 60 to 84 months (home-secured)

6.99% to 35.99%

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Why we like it Best Egg sits at the higher end of this list in terms of credit requirements, you need a minimum 700 FICO and at least $100,000 in individual annual income to qualify for its lowest rate. But for borrowers in the upper reaches of the fair-credit range who are rebuilding, Best Egg offers competitive rates and loan amounts up to $50,000. It also offers a secured loan option backed by home fixtures (not your home itself) available to homeowners. No prepayment penalties apply, and about half of approved customers receive their money the next day. Pros & cons Pros Loan amounts up to $50,000 Secured loan option for homeowners (home fixtures as collateral, not the home itself) Soft credit check to see your rate; no score impact No prepayment penalty About half of customers funded next day; up to 1–3 business days after verification Cons Lowest APR requires 700+ FICO and $100,000+ individual annual income Origination fee 0.99%–9.99%; deducted from loan proceeds Terms limited to 36–60 months Not available in IA, VT, WV, DC, or U.S. territories

Best for adding a co-borrower

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 is a direct personal loan lender that explicitly accepts co-borrowers, which can meaningfully help bad-credit applicants who have a creditworthy partner or family member willing to apply jointly. It offers three types of rate discounts: adding a qualified co-borrower, proving sufficient retirement assets (401k, IRA, Roth IRA, or TSP) and allowing Achieve to pay creditors directly when consolidating debt. The minimum credit score to qualify is 640, and funds are sent within 72 hours of approval. Pros & cons Pros Accepts co-borrowers Three rate discount options Soft credit check for prequalification; no score impact No prepayment fee Cons Minimum loan amount of $5,000 Origination fee 1.99%–8.99% applies

Best for comparing multiple lenders at once

8.6 Great Credible personal loans

8.6 Great

$1,000 to $250,000

Varies by lender

6.24% to 35.99%

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Why we like it Credible is a loan marketplace, not a lender. It partners with more than 20 personal loan lenders so you can compare real prequalified rates side by side with a single soft credit check that won't affect your score. Credible is free to use and charges no fees to borrowers. Its network includes lenders serving bad credit through excellent credit, making it a useful starting point if you want to see which lenders may work for you before committing to a full application anywhere. Pros & cons Pros Compare prequalified rates from more than 20 lenders with one soft credit check Free to use Network covers bad credit through excellent credit profiles Some lenders in the network offer same-day funding Cons Not a lender — your actual loan comes from whichever lender you choose Rates, terms and approval criteria vary entirely by lender Not all lenders participate in the marketplace

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Best for very poor credit with no FICO impact

9.4 Excellent OppLoans Installment Loans

9.4 Excellent

$500 to $5,000

9 to 18 months

129% - 195% APR

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Why we like it OppLoans is a lending platform, not a direct lender, that connects borrowers with bank partners. Its bank partners make lending decisions based on your overall creditworthiness and ability to repay, not exclusively on your FICO score. Applying will not affect your FICO score. That accessibility comes at a cost: APRs are high and state-specific. But, it has no origination, application, or prepayment fees and OppLoans reports payments to all three major credit bureaus, which can help build your credit over time. Pros & cons Pros Bank partners don't rely exclusively on FICO scores Applying doesn’t affect your FICO credit score No origination, application, or prepayment fees Reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) Same-business-day funding may be available Cons APRs are high and vary by state Small loan amounts only Short terms (9–18 months) mean higher monthly payments Not available in all states

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Methodology: How we chose these lenders

We evaluated lenders based on minimum credit score requirements, APR ranges, loan amounts and terms, funding speed, co-borrower or collateral options and whether prequalification uses a soft or hard credit check. All details were sourced exclusively from each lender’s or platform’s own website — no third-party estimates used. Credible is included as a marketplace option because it gives bad-credit borrowers a fast, free way to compare multiple lenders with a single soft pull.

Other options to consider: cash advances and short-term loans

If you need a smaller amount quickly and a personal loan isn’t the right fit, the options below such as cash advance apps, payday loans and installment loans are worth knowing about. These are not personal loans. They work differently and have much shorter repayment windows. Make sure you understand the product type before applying.

• Chime terms and conditions

  
  MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS 2316451). MyPay eligibility: Some Restrictions Apply. To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 36 days as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 - $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. Instant funds: Option to get funds instantly for a fee of 3% of the advance amount ($2 minimum, $5 maximum) per advance, or get funds for free within 24 hours. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details; see back of card for issuer. SpotMe: SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, "SpotMe"). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won’t cover non-card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe terms and conditions. Early Pay: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. Savings: Chime® Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. APY: The 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is only available to members with Chime Prime status, otherwise, either the 3.00% APY for members with Chime Plus status or the standard rate of 1.00% APY will apply. The APYs are effective as of 10/06/2026, are variable and may change at any time. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. See Chime Membership Tiers Terms and Conditions for more details. Build credit: On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.

How to prequalify for a bad-credit personal loan

Most lenders on this list let you check your rate with no impact to your credit score. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Know your credit score. Check your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com before applying. Many banks and card issuers also offer free score access.
2. Gather your documents. Have your Social Security number, proof of income and employment details ready. If you’re self-employed, tax returns or bank statements work.
3. Use soft-check prequalification. Upstart, Avant, OneMain, Best Egg, Achieve and Credible all let you check rates without a hard pull. OppLoans also confirms applying does not affect your FICO score.
4. Compare full APRs, not just rates. APR includes fees like origination charges and reflects the true annual cost of the loan.
5. Pick the shortest term you can afford. A longer term lowers your monthly payment but increases total interest paid.
6. Apply formally with your top choice. A hard credit inquiry will happen at this stage and may temporarily lower your score by a few points.

Where can you get a personal loan with bad credit?

Bad-credit personal loans are available from several types of lenders, each with different tradeoffs on rates, speed, and accessibility.

• Online lenders and lending platforms. The fastest and most accessible option for bad-credit borrowers. Lenders like Upstart, Avant and OppLoans operate entirely online, with soft-check prequalification and funding in as little as one business day. They tend to have more flexible underwriting than traditional banks.
• Loan marketplaces. Platforms like Credible connect you to multiple lenders with a single application, which is useful if you want to compare options without filling out multiple forms. Keep in mind you won’t know your actual lender until you’re matched.
• Credit unions. If you’re already a member, your credit union may offer personal loans with more flexible criteria than big banks, and some offer payday alternative loans (PALs) at a federally capped APR of 28%. Membership requirements vary.
• Community banks. Smaller regional and community banks sometimes take a more relationship-based approach to lending, which can work in your favor if you have an existing account and a solid payment history with them.
• Branches and storefronts. OneMain Financial has over 1,300 branches nationwide if you prefer applying in person, which can be helpful if you want to talk through your options with someone face to face.

Other ways to increase your chances of loan approval

• Get a cosigner. Having a cosigner on your personal loan greatly increases your chances of approval, and also gives you a better shot at scoring better rates.
• Try a loan connection service. Loan connection services — or loan brokers — can increase your chance of loan approval by evaluating your qualifications and searching multiple lenders to find the right fit for you.
• Apply for a payday alternative loan (PAL). Certain federal credit unions offer PALs to members in good standing at reasonable rates and loan terms. Some banks also offer a version of PALs to existing customers that qualify.
• Get a credit builder loan. If your credit score is the biggest obstacle to loan approval, applying for a credit builder loan can help you rectify that problem and set you on the path to financial health.
• Get a secured credit card. Similar to credit builder loans, secured credit cards can help you improve your credit score and increase your chances of getting a loan.
• Pay down your existing debts. As you whittle away any existing debt you have, it’ll raise your score and lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio — another factor lenders use when determining loan approval.

How to spot a legitimate lender

When you have bad credit and need funds quickly, predatory lenders know you may be less likely to scrutinize their terms. Here’s what to look for before handing over any personal information.

• Guaranteed approval is a red flag. No legitimate lender can guarantee approval before reviewing your income and identity. Any lender making that promise, especially without a credit or income check, should be avoided.
• Check for state licensing. Legitimate lenders are licensed to operate in your state. Most reputable lenders list their state licenses on their website. If you can’t find licensing information, that’s a warning sign.
• Look up their BBB and Trustpilot ratings. Real customer reviews give you a ground-level view of how a lender actually treats borrowers. Look for patterns in complaints, not just the overall score.
• Verify it has a physical address and real contact information. A legitimate lender will have a working phone number, a real address and a way to reach customer service. Vague or missing contact details are a red flag.
• Read the full APR, not just the rate. Some lenders advertise a low interest rate but bury high origination fees in the fine print. Always compare the APR, which includes all fees, to get the true cost.
• Never pay upfront fees to receive a loan. Legitimate lenders deduct fees from your loan proceeds or include them in your APR. Any lender asking for payment before you receive your funds is running a scam.

Compare more personal loan providers

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Updated regularly

Finder Score	APR	Min. credit score	Loan amount
Promoted 8.5 Great Best Egg personal loans	8.5 Great	6.99% to 35.99%	640	$2,000 to $50,000	Fast and easy personal loan application process. See options first without affecting your credit score.	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9 Excellent SoFi personal loans	9 Excellent	6.49% to 35.49% with autopay and member discounts (0.25% each)	680	$5,000 to $100,000	Fast Funding. View Your Rate in Minutes - Funds Could be Ready the Same Day You Sign.	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.5 Excellent LightStream personal loans	9.5 Excellent	Varies by loan purpose	Good to excellent credit	$5,000 to $100,000	Borrow up to $100,000 with low rates and no fees.	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.2 Great Upgrade personal loans	8.2 Great	7.74% to 35.99% (includes origination fee)	580	$1,000 to $50,000	Check your rates with this online lender without impacting your credit score.	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.3 Excellent Upstart personal loans	9.3 Excellent	6.30%–35.99% (includes any origination fee)	300	$1,000 to $75,000	This service looks beyond your credit score to get you a competitive-rate personal loan.	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How we picked these

What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 6+ types of personal loans across 50+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.

Read the full breakdown

Alternatives to loans

If you find yourself having trouble paying your bills, consider some alternatives to taking on high-risk debt.

• Credit counseling. Many non-profit credit counseling agencies offer low- or no-cost counseling to help you get a handle on your finances. Experienced debt counselors can help you create a budget, come up with a plan to reduce your debts and provide other services.
• Scale back your expenses. Take a look at your spending habits and see where you can cut back. Some options include looking for cheaper car insurance, canceling some of your streaming subscriptions or looking into a less expensive phone plan.
• Get a side job. If you have some free time available, you might want to consider bringing extra money through gig work or freelancing to bring in extra cash each month.
• Negotiate with your creditors. There’s no guarantee of success, but you could ask your credit card providers for a lower rate or see if you can negotiate a settlement for less than you owe.
• Consider debt settlement. Debt settlement will hurt your credit, but if you can’t pay your debts and think you might be headed for bankruptcy, a debt relief company could be an option.

Bottom line

Legit lenders that offer personal loans don’t guarantee approval. But some personal loans and other loan options like payday loans, title loans, cash advance apps and installment loans have easy requirements to qualify, even with bad credit.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the easiest personal loan to get with bad credit?

  Lenders and platforms that don't rely exclusively on FICO scores tend to have the highest approval rates for borrowers with poor credit. Upstart's model considers employment and education in addition to credit history. OppLoans' bank partners evaluate overall creditworthiness and ability to repay rather than FICO score alone.

• Will applying hurt my credit score?

  Prequalification on most lenders here uses a soft credit check, which won't affect your score. A hard inquiry only happens when you formally accept a loan offer. That may temporarily lower your score by a few points but typically recovers within a few months of on-time payments.

• Can a co-borrower help me get approved?

  Yes, significantly. Achieve explicitly accepts co-borrowers and offers a rate discount for adding one. Adding someone with stronger credit can increase your approval odds and may help you qualify for a lower rate or larger loan amount.

• Are there guaranteed approval loans with no cosigner?

  No, there aren't any 100% guaranteed approval loans. Having a cosigner on your personal loan greatly increases your chances of approval and snatching a better rate. But there are still plenty of loans you can explore that offer easy-to-meet eligibility requirements without having a cosigner.

• Are there guaranteed approval loans for poor credit?

  There really aren't any loans that have guaranteed approval. Even predatory lenders assess your ability to repay the loan by at least verifying your identity and income. Still, some lenders will try to draw you in with promises of guaranteed approval — and that should be considered a red flag and your cue to tread with caution.

• How can I get money if I'm struggling?

  Many federal, state and local programs help people with financial hardships needing necessities like food, rent and utilities. Some small banks and credit unions also offer hardship loans, but you'll usually need to prove that you're truly in need.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Laycock as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Megan B. Shepherd

Editor, Loans & Insurance

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Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance expert and editor for loans and insurance at Finder. Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics. Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company. See full bio

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Megan B. has written 288 Finder guides across topics including:

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