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Best bad credit loans in December 2023

Dec 06, 2023

SEE IF YOU PREQUALIFY FOR A PERSONAL LOAN

Find out if you prequalify for personalized loan offers in 2 minutes or less—with no impact to your credit

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Personal loans

Best loan for limited credit history

Est. APR
6.40%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Term: 3-5 yrs
Min credit score
Not specified
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Personal loans

Best loan for fast funding

Est. APR
8.49%–35.99%
with AutoPay
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Term: 2-7 yrs
Min credit score
600
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Check rate with Bankrate

Personal loans

Best for debt consolidation

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $50k
Term: 3-5 yrs
Min credit score
600
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Check rate with Bankrate

Personal loans

Best secured loan

Est. APR
18.00%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1.5k– $20k
Term: 2-5 yrs
Min credit score
500
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Personal loans

Best loan for a range of repayment options

Est. APR
9.95%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $35k
Term: 1-5 yrs
Min credit score
550
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Personal loans

Best loan for small loans

Lending Point
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $37k
Term: 2-6 yrs
Min credit score
600
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On Bankrate

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How to compare bad credit loans

A bad credit loan isn't a one-size-fits-all product. Consider the steps below to choose the best bad credit loan for your needs. Cash advance loans, secured loans, unsecured loans and payday loans are the four main types of bad credit loans available. Know what each offers before selecting one.

  1. Determine what loan terms best fit your needs. Use a loan calculator to help you figure out the loan amount, repayment term and interest rate you can afford.
  2. Prequalify with three or more lenders. To find the best deal available, prequalify with at least three different lenders. Prequalifying will allow you to compare real offers side-by-side without affecting your credit.
  3. Look at customer experience and reviews. Look into a lender’s customer service options before applying, especially if you prefer in-person service. 
  4. Identify unique features and useful perks. Lenders sometimes offer perks like introductory APRs and online financial tools and apps, especially if you're already a member of the institution.

Compare bad credit loan rates from Bankrate’s top picks

LENDER BEST FOR EST. APR LOAN AMOUNT LOAN TERM MIN. CREDIT SCORE
Upstart Limited credit history 6.40%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 3 - 5 years No requirement
Upgrade Fast funding 8.49%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 2 - 7 years 600
Best Egg Debt consolidation 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 3 - 5 years 600
OneMain Financial Secured loans 18.00%-35.99% $1,500-$20,000 2 - 5 years Not specified
Avant A range of repayment options 9.95%-35.99% $2,000-$35,000 1 - 5 years 550
LendingPoint Small loans 7.99%-35.99% $2,000-$36,500 2 - 6 years 600

How we choose our best bad credit loan lenders

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 30 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories:

  • Checkmark
    Affordability
    The interest rates, penalties and fees are measured in this section of the score. Lower rates and fees and fewer potential penalties result in a higher score. We also give bonus points to lenders offering rate discounts, grace periods and that allow borrowers to change their due date. 
  • Checkmark
    Availability
    Minimum loan amounts, number of repayment terms, eligibility requirements, ability to apply using a co-borrower or co-signer and loan turnaround time are considered in this category.
  • Checkmark
    Customer experience
    This category covers customer service hours, if online applications are available, online account access and mobile apps.
  • Checkmark
    Transparency
    For this factor, we consider how well information is presented to the borrower on the lender’s website. This includes listing credit requirements, rates and fees, in addition to offering prequalification.
Clock Wait
47
years in business
Credit Card Search
30+
lenders reviewed
Loan
20
loan features weighed
Rates
665
data points collected

What to know about bad credit loans

What is a bad credit loan?

When you apply for a loan, lenders will look at your credit score and credit history to determine how risky it could be to lend you money. A bad credit loan is one that’s designed for borrowers whose credit scores fall between 300 and 579

Getting loans with bad credit can be a tall order, but it’s not impossible. You'll likely need to do some digging to find lenders that offer loans specifically for individuals within that credit profile. That said, these loans tend to come with higher interest rates and fees than other personal loans, as you’ll be seen as a riskier borrower to lenders.

Types of bad credit loans

Besides personal loans, there are other types of loans that fall under the bad credit loan umbrella. Each of these serves a different purpose and caters to a specific financial need. 

Pros and cons of bad credit loans 

Just like any other lending product, bad credit loans come with advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before making a decision.

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Bad credit lenders are more flexible with their eligibility criteria.
  • Can help boost your credit score with on-time payments.
  • Borrowers may get lower rates than those offered by most credit cards.
  • If used to consolidate credit card debt, your credit utilization ratio can improve.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Origination fees of up to 10 percent of the loan amount.
  • Interest rates can exceed 35 percent, depending on certain factors.
  • Some lenders may require collateral, as payment insurance.
  • Predatory lenders market their products as “bad credit loans,” so you must be cautious.

How to get a personal loan with bad credit 

You can get bad credit loans at the same places you would look for traditional loans, such as banks, credit unions and online lenders. There are five key steps to keep in mind when getting a loan with bad credit.

For a more in-depth explanation as to why these steps are crucial and how to find the loan for your credit situation, visit our guide on how to score a personal loan with bad credit

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How to get a personal loan with bad credit

You still can snag a personal loan with a low credit score. Here's how.

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Take bad credit loan fees into account before applying

When comparing lenders, make sure to look at the following fees to ensure you get the most affordable loan.

  • Origination fee. Origination fees can be anywhere from 1 to 10 percent of the total loan balance. It is generally taken out of your total loan amount, but some lenders may let you pay off the fee in one lump sum. 
  • Late payment fees. Late payment fees vary by lender and are likely higher for those with lower credit. However, most of the time you'll be charged a one-time flat fee between $15 and $25, or five percent of the late payment amount.
  • Prepayment penalty. Some lenders charge a fee for paying off your loan ahead of time. Although these are a rarity amongst most personal loan lenders, those that offer loans for bad credit may still tack on this extra fee.

Interest rates are also much higher when it comes to bad credit loans. For example, the average personal loan interest rate comes out to just above 11.5 percent, while bad credit loans have average rates ranging from about 18 percent to 32 percent or more. While this may not seem like a huge jump, here's what this difference could cost you if you were to take out a $5,000 loan with a five year repayment period.

Interest rate Monthly cost Interest accrued Total cost
11% $108.71 $1,522.73 $6,522.73
20% $132.47 $2,948.17 $7,948.17

Even if the monthly payment seems manageable, it's important to think about the long-term implications that interest accrual could have on your financial goals and well-being. If you're offered a higher rate from multiple lenders, it may be best to explore alternative borrowing options or work on your score before accepting the loan.

If I get a bad credit personal loan can I refinance it later?

As you're researching bad credit loans, it's important to move carefully. Not every lender is aboveboard, and not every loan you qualify for will be good for your finances.

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Expert take

"You may be able to refinance a bad credit personal loan, depending on your specific circumstances. You might qualify for a new loan at a lower interest rate if your credit score has improved or prevailing interest rates have decreased. If your income has increased or you’ve paid down other debt, your debt-to-income ratio may have decreased, making you more attractive to potential lenders. Adding a cosigner with very good or excellent credit can help you qualify for a lower interest rate. Lender criteria may vary, so it pays to shop around."

- Mark Kantrowitz, Nationally recognized student financial aid expert

Alternatives to bad credit loans

Bad credit loans carry a reputation for high interest rates — which for some could lead to long-term financial damage. Before signing off on a loan you're not positive you can manage, consider the alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Written by: Hanneh Bareham, Writer, Personal Loans and Debt Relief for Bankrate

Hanneh Bareham has been a personal finance writer with Bankrate since 2020. She started out as a credit cards reporter before transitioning into the role of student loans reporter. She is now a writer on the loans team, further widening her scope across multiple forms of consumer lending.

Read more from Hanneh Bareham

Edited by: Rhys Subitch, Editor, Personal Loans, Auto Loans, and Debt

Rhys Subitch is a Bankrate editor who leads an editorial team dedicated to developing educational content about loans products for every part of life. Their experience spans student loans, auto loans and personal loans, and they have developed a passion for helping readers take control of their finances.

Read more from Rhys Subitch