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SoFi competitors: Top sites like SoFi

Find lower rates, smaller loans and relaxed credit requirements with these 8 alternatives.

SoFi is an online lender known for its low interest rates and a wide range of member benefits. Borrow from SoFi, and you won’t just get a loan — but access to financial planning and other benefits.

But this lender is designed for professionals who have already established themselves in their careers and built up a solid, positive credit history. It may not be the right choice if you’re just starting your career or have less-than-perfect credit. And while SoFi’s rates are low, they aren’t the lowest out there. Even if you’re SoFi’s ideal borrower, you may want to consider other options.

We’ve put together a list of companies similar to SoFi that offer loans to borrowers with lower credit scores, need smaller loan amounts, or are otherwise looking for a slightly better deal.

Our 8 top SoFi competitors

Alternative for low rates

LightStream personal loans

9.7 Excellent

Go to site Read review

LightStream offers even lower rates than SoFi, with no fees on loans from $5,000 to $100,000. It's also one of the fastest lenders out there — you can receive your funds as soon as the same day you're approved in some cases. But look for another option if you want to replicate the member perks that SoFi offers, such as investing accounts. LightStream almost exclusively offers personal loans. It's also one of the few online lenders that doesn't allow you to check your rate without affecting your credit. This makes it a better choice for borrowers with near-perfect credit and steady income.

Min. credit scoreGood to excellent credit
APR6.49% to 25.29%
Loan amount$5,000 to $100,000
  • Not available in: Iowa, West Virginia

Alternative for fair credit

Upstart personal loans

8.3 Great

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This newer online lender considers things like your education when considering you for its unsecured, fixed-rate loans. This makes it a great option for borrowers with fair credit scores due to a short credit history. But the lender charges an origination fee of up to 12% of your loan amount and can have a high APR compared to SoFi. Still, it could be a good option for building your credit history to the point where you can qualify for a SoFi loan.

Min. credit score300
APR6.70% to 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 to $50,000
  • Not available in: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, West Virginia

Alternative for bad credit

OneMain Financial personal loans

6.8 Standard

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OneMain may be a good choice if you're looking for a loan like SoFi but have bad credit. While rates start at a high 18%, it's lower than most bad credit alternatives, which easily top 100% APR. It also offers the option to secure your loan with collateral to lower your rate.

Min. credit scoreNot specified
APR18% to 35.99%
Loan amount$1,500 to $20,000
  • Not available in: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont

Alternative for quality customer support

Best Egg personal loans

8.6 Great

Go to site Read review

Best Egg may have slightly higher rates and fees than SoFi, but it's one of the few online lenders with positive reviews across the board. It's consistently received high ratings on review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Credit Karma. Customer experience at SoFi appears to be more mixed — especially if you look at the high volume of complaints filed against it on the BBB. Best Egg also accepts some fair credit borrowers, making it a good alternative for those who can't qualify for a SoFi loan.

Min. credit score640
APR7.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 to $50,000
  • Not available in: Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia

Alternative for joint applicants

Achieve personal loans

6.8 Standard

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Formerly known as FreedomPlus, Achieve can be a great option for those who want to share the responsibility of the loan with a spouse, relative or anyone else. While there's an origination fee of up to 6.99%, APRs are similar to what SoFi offers borrowers after relationship discounts. Plus, Achieve offers a rate discount of up to 5.5% for borrowers who apply with a co-borrower. Solo borrowers can also qualify for a debt consolidation discount of up to 6% on their rate if they have the loan sent directly to creditors.

Min. credit score620
APR8.99% to 29.99%
Loan amount$5,000 to $50,000
  • Available in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington

Alternative for self-employed borrowers

Avant personal loans

6.9 Standard

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Avant offers personal loans to borrowers who can't qualify for a SoFi loan, including the self-employed, who often find it hard to prove a stable income. Get funds deposited into your account as soon as the next business day, but you'll pay higher interest and fees.
Min. credit score550
APR9.95% to 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 to $35,000
  • Not available in: Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Virginia, West Virginia

Alternative for small loans

Upgrade personal loans

8 Great

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Upgrade can be a good alternative if SoFi's minimum loan amount is too high for your needs. It's one of the few personal loan providers that offers loans as low as $1,000 — though loans stop at $50,000. It also accepts credit scores as low as 580. The trade-off is higher rates and an origination fee that ranges from 1.85% to 9.99%.

Min. credit score580
APR7.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 to $50,000
  • Not available in: Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Vermont, West Virginia

Alternative for peer-to-peer loans: Prosper

Prosper personal loans

6.8 Standard

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A peer-to-peer lender, Prosper could get you up to $50,000 to consolidate your debt, start a business, improve your home and more, even if your credit is less than stellar. But you'll wait five business days or longer for your loan to be funded, even after approval.

Min. credit score600
APR8.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 to $50,000
  • Not available in: Iowa, North Dakota, West Virginia

How does SoFi compare?

You can read our full review of SoFi to get a better idea of how this lender works, but here are the main benefits and drawbacks:

Pros

  • High maximum loan amount of $100,000
  • Free credit monitoring
  • Allows co-applicants
  • Member benefits like rate discounts

Cons

  • Strict eligibility requirements
  • Lower approval rate than other lenders
  • Not available in Mississippi
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Heather Petty was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in home and personal loans. After falling victim to a disreputable mortgage broker when buying her first home, she’s on a mission to help readers avoid similar experiences when managing their own finances. A self-proclaimed word nerd, her writing and analysis has been featured on MSN, Credit.com and MediaFeed, among other top media. Heather previously worked as a technical writer and editor for the casino systems industry and is an internationally published young adult mystery author. She earned a BA in English with a minor in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno. See full bio

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Gabriel Vito is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder. With over four years of experience, he has crafted helpful guides and articles covering various personal finance topics, including credit cards, investing and banking. Gabriel's work has been featured on Yahoo Finance, NASDAQ, GoBankingRates, and more. He has a Bachelor's Degree in English and is passionate about helping others navigate their financial journey. See full bio

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