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Best bad credit loans for December 2025

Updated Dec. 05, 2025

Financial products are not created equally, so our editors reviewed 45 lenders across 20 features to determine our list of the best personal loans for bad credit. To find the best loan for your unique situation, consider our research, understand your eligibility and get prequalified.

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Best overall bad credit loan
PERSONAL LOAN
Upgrade
4.6
7.74- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
600
$313
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for customer experience
PERSONAL LOAN
Avant
4.5
9.95- 35.99%
Min credit score
550
$323
Loan amount
$2k-$35k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for thin or no credit
PERSONAL LOAN
Upstart
4.7
6.50- 35.99%
Min credit score
300
$307
Loan amount
$1k-$75k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for secured loan options
PERSONAL LOAN
Best Egg
4.6
6.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$309
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for same-day funding
PERSONAL LOAN
OneMain
4.3
18.00- 35.99%
Min credit score
Not disclosed
$362
Loan amount
$1.5k-$20k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for peer-to-peer loans
PERSONAL LOAN
Prosper
4.5
8.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$318
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
High autopay discount
PERSONAL LOAN
Universal Credit
4.5
11.69- 35.99%
Min credit score
580
$331
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details

How Bankrate works

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Compare lenders

Our team researched the best bad credit loan options available so you can compare multiple lenders quickly.

02

Get personalized rates

If you see an option that's compelling to you, click the 'See personalized rates' button to get started.

03

Get matched and receive funding

Choose a loan from a Bankrate partner and receive your funds if you qualify.

Our top bad credit loan lenders

Upgrade: Best overall bad credit loan

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
7.74%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
1.85%-9.99%
Pros
  • Direct payment to creditors
  • Joint applications available
  • Rate discounts for autopay and debt consolidation
Cons
  • High potential origination fees
  • High maximum APR
  • Late and returned check fees
WHO'S IT FOR:

If you have bad credit because you're overextended with credit card debt, an Upgrade debt consolidation loan might help. You'll need a credit score of 580 to qualify (or a creditworthy co-applicant), but if you do, this lender will use your loan funds to repay your creditors on your behalf. Plus, if you're using at least part of your loan funds to consolidate debt, Upgrade may offer you a rate discount.

Avant: Best for customer experience

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
9.95%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$35k
Min credit score
550
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 9.99%
Pros
  • Prequalification offered
  • High-rated mobile app
  • Live support 7 days per week
Cons
  • Most customers have credit scores in the 600s
  • Low maximum loan amount
  • High origination fee
WHO'S IT FOR:

Avant's highly rated mobile app is perfect for those who appreciate convenience when managing their loan. And if any borrower encounters an issue, they'll be able to get live support seven days a week, from early morning into the late evening.

Upstart: Best for thin or no credit

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.50%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$75k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 12%
Pros
  • No credit requirement
  • Prequalification available
  • Customer support 7 days a week
Cons
  • Highest max origination fee of reviewed lenders
  • Limited repayment terms
  • Loan minimums vary by state
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with low credit scores or a short credit history may be able to qualify for an Upstart loan because the lender considers other factors, including educational and career backgrounds. 

Best Egg: Best for secured loan options

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
0.99%-9.99%
Pros
  • Secured loan options for home and car owners may help get approved if you're denied for unsecured options
  • Secured rates may be significantly lower than unsecured rates
  • Low minimum rates may mean savings for excellent credit borrowers
Cons
  • Limited repayment term options may make the payments unaffordable
  • No autopay discount, a standard perk at other lenders.
  • Potential to tie up or lose asset with secured options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Individuals with a bad credit score and a home or car may find lower secured loan rates and terms than with many other bad credit lenders. Once your score increases above 700, you may be able to get even lower rates if you earn $100,000 or more per year. Best Egg users on Bankrate also got their funds quicker than several other lenders we track.

OneMain Financial: Best for same-day funding

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Est. APR
18.00%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1.5k–$20k
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1%-10%
Pros
  • Secured loan option
  • Same-day funding
  • Low minimum loan amount
Cons
  • High maximum origination fee
  • Low maximum loan amount
  • Loan amounts vary by state
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers who need funds fast may be able to receive their loan money in as little as one hour after closing. However, you must opt to receive the money on a “bank-issued debit card" for same-day funding.

LendingPoint: Best for rate reductions

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1%-9.99%
Pros
  • Co-borrowers allowed
  • Financial hardship options
  • Other financial tools offered
Cons
  • Slow approval process
  • Higher credit requirement compared to other lenders
  • Origination and other potential fees
WHO'S IT FOR:

Prosper's peer-to-peer lending platform gets your application seen by multiple lenders. It also allows co-borrowers, which can help you qualify for a loan or get a loan with better rates and terms. 

Universal Credit: Best for high autopay discount

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
11.69%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
580
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Higher autopay discount than many lenders
  • Funding within one day of verification
  • Customer support 7 days per week
Cons
  • High minimum APR
  • Origination fee
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

While many lenders offer a 0.25 percent APR discount for signing up for autopay, Universal Credit offers double that amount: 0.50 percent. Every discount counts, especially for borrowers who may be facing higher rates.

Calculate your bad credit loan payment

How to get a personal loan despite bad credit 

The steps for getting a bad credit loan are similar to those of getting a loan, regardless of your credit standing. The key difference is speed. If you’re not in a rush for funds, taking the time to improve your credit can increase your odds of loan approval — and of nabbing a lower interest rate. 

Understanding bad credit and loan eligibility

A FICO Score below 580 or a VantageScore of less than 601 is considered a bad credit score. If your credit score falls in this range, you may find it harder to get approved for loans. You may also be approved with a higher interest rate, lower maximum amount and shorter terms.

There are several types of loans for bad credit borrowers to choose from. Your best option will depend on your eligibility and how much you need to borrow.

Rebuilding credit with a loan

You can use a personal loan to rebuild your credit by making on-time payments, which establishes a good credit history. A personal loan also diversifies your credit mix and, if you use it to consolidate your debt, can lower your credit utilization ratio.

Learn more

FAQs about bad credit loans

How we chose our best bad credit loan lenders

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

48

years in business

45

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

900

data points collected

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 50 lenders. To earn a spot on our best bad credit loan list, a lender must offer loans in at least 80 percent of states and must have a minimum credit score of 620 or lower, a maximum annual percentage rate below 36 percent, and a minimum loan amount below $3,500. The best overall lender meets additional criteria, including a minimum credit score of 580 or lower, a co-borrower or cosigner option and a Bankrate Score above 4.5 stars.

We also assign each lender a Bankrate score based on a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories

Andrew Pentis
Written by
Writer and Consumer Lending Analyst
Read more from Andrew

Before joining Bankrate in 2025, Andrew worked as a service journalism writer and editor for various companies, most recently at CNN Underscored Money. He has bylines in nearly 50 publications and has been interviewed about consumer debt by dozens of media outlets, including NBC News, FOX Business and USA Today.
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Kellye Guinan
Edited by
Kellye Guinan
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Mark Kantrowitz
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Bankrate Expert Contributor, Student Loans