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Personal Loans With No Credit Check: What Are My Options?

Most personal loans require a hard credit check, but there are a few options for borrowers with less-than-ideal credit scores.

If your credit isn’t great but you need a loan, you might be wondering if you can get a personal loan with no credit check. And the truth is, most personal loans require a hard credit check to qualify. However, there are some no credit check loans that most borrowers can qualify for, regardless of their credit score.

What is a no credit check personal loan?

A no credit check personal loan is simply a loan where the lender doesn’t require a credit check to determine loan approval. This feature makes it easier to get a loan for people with no credit history or that have poor credit. It’s also an option for borrowers who have good credit but don’t want to lose a few points just by applying for a loan.

However, the convenience of any no credit check loan comes with significant drawbacks. For one, lenders generally offset the increased risk of these loans by charging interest rates into the triple digits. In addition, loan amounts are typically small — usually $1,000 or less — and loan terms are short. Common types of no credit check loans include payday loans, title loans and cash advance apps.

Can I get a no credit check personal loan?

Most personal loans require credit checks, and we only found one legit lender that offers no credit check for personal loans.

However, even with a no credit check loan, you’ll likely still need to meet certain qualifications. Most lenders rely on factors such as employment, income and banking history to determine loan approval.

One of the primary advantages of a no credit check loan is that just about anyone can get one, but it’s not a slam dunk.

No credit check personal loans

Legit personal loans essentially all require hard credit checks to qualify, which can temporarily shave a few points off your credit score. But we found one lender — OppLoans — that only conducts a soft credit pull, so it won’t dent your score.

OppLoans Installment Loans

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Loan amount$500 - $4,000
Turnaround timeAs soon as the same business day
Costs160% - 179% APR
Online applicationYes
  • Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia

Alternative no credit check loans

If your credit isn’t great and you don’t think you’ll qualify for a personal loan, you may want to consider these short-term no credit check options.

Cash advance apps

Cash advance providers typically don’t check your credit at all. Instead, they evaluate your income and deposit history to determine eligibility and provide advances up to $500 or more, depending on the app.

But most apps aren’t free — you may need to pay for a monthly subscription. Plus, the apps typically charge fees for fast transfers, and the advance is normally due on your next payday.

Name Product USFSL Filter Values Loan amount Turnaround time Requirements
Cleo
Finder Score: 4.1 / 5: ★★★★★
Cleo
Up to $250
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Not stated
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
EarnIn
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
EarnIn
Up to $750 per pay period, but only $150 per day
1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Direct deposit sent to a checking account, a regular pay schedule, a fixed work location or an online timekeeping system at work
No mandatory fees, no interest and no credit checks. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.
OppLoans Installment Loans
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
OppLoans Installment Loans
$500 to $4,000
As soon as the same business day
+18 years old, Receive paychecks through direct deposit, $1,500 minimum monthly income, Live in eligible state
Not available in: CO, CT, GA, IA, MD, MA, NY, SD, VT, WA, WV. Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.
Dave ExtraCash
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Dave ExtraCash
Up to $500
Up to 3 business days or instant for a fee
At least two direct deposit paychecks to your bank account from your employer, extra money in your bank account
Borrow up to $100 to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
Wisely
Not rated yet
Wisely
Undisclosed, based on earned wages
Instant to Wisely card
Go to site
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Payday loans

Payday loans are usually small, short-term loans you pay back within two to four weeks. Lenders that offer payday loans don’t care what your credit score is, but they charge high interest rates or fees that can equate to around 400% APR in some states. Plus, they don’t help you build credit, and relying on payday loans can put you at risk of falling into a cycle of debt that can be difficult to break.

Title loans

Title loans are fairly similar to payday loans — and are sometimes offered by the same lenders — except they’re secured by your car, boat or other vehicle. You can typically borrow more than you would with a payday loan without a credit check, but they are an expensive form of borrowing and are usually due within 30 days.

Pawn shop loans

If you have other items of value — such as used electronics — you could take them to a pawn shop and get a fast loan today with no credit check. But the fees to borrow are high, you’ll only have a short time to repay it and you risk losing your valuables if you can’t pay it back. However, you can also just sell items you no longer need to the pawn shop for a quick influx of cash.

Buy now, pay later (BNPL)

The option to buy now, pay later isn’t technically a loan — it’s more like short-term credit — but it allows you to make larger purchases and pay them off in several installments. Usually, no credit check is required, and in many cases, you won’t have to pay interest or fees.

But if you’re late or miss a payment, you’re charged extra. Plus, BNPL deals can encourage making purchases you don’t really need, and you can’t use them for more practical purposes such as paying your rent or other bills.

Friends or family loans

Getting a loan from a friend or family member may be an option to borrow money without a credit check, but it’s not to be taken lightly. If you decide to go this route, consider putting the terms in writing so both parties know what to expect.

Costs of no credit check loans

The exact costs of no credit check loans vary depending on the lender, the type of loan and the state you live in, but here are some rough guidelines:

  • Cash advance apps. Subscription fees could run from around $3 to $20 a month, and instant transfer fees may range from $2 to $25.
  • Payday loans. Varies by state, but typically $10 to $30 per $100 borrowed.
  • Title loans. Around 25% per month.
  • Pawn shop loans. About 20% to 25% a month, plus fees.
  • BNPLs. Some don’t charge interest, but others are around 30%, or roughly what department store cards typically charge.

Who are no credit check loans best for?

No credit check loans typically make the most sense for people who have poor credit or no credit history at all and don’t qualify for other loan options. Or, they may be a solution if you need a loan for an emergency and have nowhere else to turn.

Pros and cons of no credit check loans

Consider the benefits and drawbacks of no credit check loans before you sign on.

Pros

  • Fast funding
  • Credit score not a factor
  • Typically easy to qualify for

Cons

  • High rates and fees
  • Short loan terms
  • Risk of falling into a debt cycle
  • Risk of losing your valuables (if secured)

How to apply for a no credit check loan

It’s typically very easy to apply for a no credit check loan, and depending on the loan type, you might be able to do it all online or at a physical location.

  1. Fill out the application.
  2. Submit the required documentation, such as pay stubs, photo ID or banking information.
  3. Wait for a decision, which could come in minutes.
  4. Receive your funds.
  5. Follow the repayment plan.

How does a no credit check lender determine your eligibility

Most lenders that offer no credit check loans have similar criteria.

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a job or other source of regular income
  • Have a bank account

Some loans may also require that you get paid by direct deposit, but that’s not always the case.

Bottom line

It can be difficult to find personal loans that don’t require a credit check, although some may only require a soft credit pull that won’t hurt your score.

If you need a fast no credit check loan in an emergency, you may want to consider payday loans, title loans or cash advance apps. Those are some of the few true “no credit check” loans, but they can be expensive and often lead to a cycle of debt if relied upon too often.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest no credit check loan I can get?

Depending on your circumstances, a cash advance app may be the easiest to qualify for. Some don’t require direct deposit, your credit score isn’t a factor and if you pay extra for an instant transfer, you can have your funds in minutes.

Can I get a $4,000 loan with bad credit?

Most no credit check loans usually only have loan amounts up to $500 or $1,000. However, some personal loan lenders offer larger loans to borrowers with bad credit, but you’ll usually have to agree to a hard credit check and meet other criteria.

Are no credit check loans a bad idea?

No credit check loans tend to be very expensive and aren’t meant to be relied on for the long term. But, a no credit check loan might help in an emergency if you’ve run out of other options.

Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio

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