Shift and Vroom take the legwork out of finding the perfect ride and financing with attractive terms. Plus, you can apply and sign the required documents from your home and have your vehicle delivered. Both are solid options. Shift has hubs for in-person shopping, but you should consider Vroom if you prefer fast approvals.

Shift vs. Vroom at a glance

Below is an overview of what to expect from each online car-buying platform:

Shift

Vroom
Bankrate score 3.8 3.6
Better for •On-site shopping
•No-haggle pricing		 •Same-day approvals
•Enhanced protections
Loans offered Used car loans Used car loans
Loan amounts Up to $80,000 Varies by lender
APRs Not specified Varies by lender
Loan term lengths 36 to 72 months Varies by lender
Fees Service fee and shipping fee Delivery fee
Minimum credit score Varies by lender Not specified
State footprint Buying is available in all 50 states Delivery unavailable in Alaska, Hawaii and Massachusetts
Time to funding Varies by lender As soon as the same day
Autopay discount? Varies by lender Varies by lender

Shift auto loans

Shift is an online car-buying platform that lets you explore thousands of vehicles, arrange financing and have your ride delivered to you. You must purchase the car for the sale price — there’s no haggling on the platform — and funding is provided through a Shift lending partner.

There’s a return policy that allows you to test drive the vehicle for an extended period and decide if it works for you. You can return the vehicle within seven days or 200 miles (whichever happens sooner) if it isn’t a good fit.

Like many car-buying platforms, Shift offers a powertrain warranty; theirs lasts 30 days or 1,000 miles powertrain warranty. And you can purchase protection plans and gap coverage to provide extra peace of mind.

Pros

  • One-stop-shop for online financing and vehicle delivery
  • Get prequalified in 60 seconds with a soft credit inquiry
  • Generous seven-day or 200-mile return period (whichever comes first)

Cons

  • No negotiating power for borrowers
  • Steep service and delivery fees in some markets
  • Financing is only available on vehicles from Shift’s inventory

Vroom auto loans

Vroom is another online car-buying platform that makes it easy to shop for a vehicle and secure financing from the comfort of your home. As with Shift, borrowers are limited to used cars in Vroom’s inventory. Financing is handled by a partner, like Ally, Chase or Santander, in its lending network.

It generally takes just a few minutes to get a lending decision, and many borrowers are fully approved on the same day. Even better, Vroom handles vehicle registration for you, saving you time that would be otherwise spent at the DMV.

Once the vehicle is delivered to your doorstep, you’ll have up to seven days or 250 miles — whichever comes sooner — to decide if the car is a good fit or to return it to Vroom. There’s also a 90-day/6,000-mile limited warranty if you keep the vehicle. That’s far longer than what Shift offers.

Pros

  • Online prequalification that doesn’t impact credit
  • 250-mile or seven-day penalty-free return window
  • Allows co-signers and co-borrowers

Cons

  • Financing is only available on vehicles from Vroom’s inventory
  • Financing is limited to used vehicles
  • Delivery is not available in all 50 states

How to choose between Shift and Vroom

Shift and Vroom give car buyers the luxury of finding and financing their next ride online. Shift may be a better option for shoppers seeking a face-to-face, personalized shopping experience. But if you’re worried about unforeseen problems with a used car bought online, Vroom’s warranties may give it the edge.

Choose Shift for on-site shopping options

Unlike Vroom, you can shop for your next ride online or in person by visiting a Shift location near you. Once you’ve found the perfect vehicle, the next step is to secure financing. It can be done through a nationally recognized lender in the Shift network, or you can secure financing on your own. If you choose to go with an in-house lender, you’ll enjoy a fee-free process. This means you’ll avoid loan origination, application and early repayment fees, which are typical with some lenders.

Choose Vroom for better limited warranties

Vroom is the clear winner for limited warranties and extended coverage options. Not only is the return policy more generous, but the limited warranty is also significantly longer. Plus, you’ll get one year of complimentary roadside assistance. You can also purchase additional coverage, including gap insurance and dent, tire and wheel, key and windshield protection through VroomProtect.

A final bonus: Vroom allows you to add a co-signer or co-borrower to your application, which can up your odds of approval if you would otherwise struggle to qualify for a loan.

Compare more lenders before applying

If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, Shift and Vroom can help simplify the shopping and financing process. Still, it’s wise to research what other lenders offer. You may find more attractive auto loan options with lenders outside the Shift or Vroom network. And these aren’t the only options for buying a used car online — check out Carvana, too.