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Best installment loans in December 2025

Updated Nov. 24, 2025

What to know first: An installment loan lets you borrow a fixed sum of money and pay it back over a set period. Bankrate’s experts analyzed dozens of lenders to find the best options. We chose lenders that serve multiple credit profiles with competitive interest rates and flexible terms so you can find a loan that fits your finances. Read more about how we made our picks.

Compare and prequalify for installment loans

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Best for excellent credit
PERSONAL LOAN
LightStream
4.5
6.24- 24.89%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
660
$306
Loan amount
$5k-$100k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for bad 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 co-borrowers
PERSONAL LOAN
LendingClub
4.7
7.04- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$309
Loan amount
$1k-$60k
4.2
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for debt consolidation
PERSONAL LOAN
Happy Money
4.5
7.95- 29.99%
Min credit score
640
$314
Loan amount
$5k-$40k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for short repayment terms
PERSONAL LOAN
Citi® Personal Loan
4.6
9.99- 19.49%
Min credit score
680
$323
Loan amount
$2k-$30k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best payday loan alternative
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 online lender
PERSONAL LOAN
SoFi
4.7
8.74- 35.49%
with all discounts
Min credit score
300
$317
Loan amount
$5k-$100k
4.2
See offersArrow Right
See details

How Bankrate works

Woman looking for rates
01

Compare rates

Our team researched the best installment loan options available so you can compare lenders in one place.

02

Tell us the basics

Fill out a quick form to be matched with installment loan lenders that meet your needs. The details you provide are for prequalification purposes only and will not impact your credit score.

03

Get matched and receive funding

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

A closer look at our top installment loan lenders 

LightStream: Best for excellent credit

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
6.24%–24.89%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
660
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
None
Pros
  • Winner of Bankrate Award for best home improvement loan
  • High loan amount maximum and no fees
  • Offers a rate-matching program
Cons
  • High credit score minimum
  • No online prequalification
  • High minimum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with excellent credit profiles made up about two-thirds of Bankrate users who chose a LightStream personal loan. It may also be a good option for excellent credit borrowers looking to finance a home renovation given the lender’s high maximum loan amount and longer-than-average repayment terms.

Upstart: Best for bad 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
  • May approve borrowers with no or low credit
  • Option to change payment dates
  • Low start rates for qualified borrowers
Cons
  • High origination fees and maximum APR
  • No joint applications
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Bad credit borrowers or those without credit histories who may have trouble qualifying for loans elsewhere. Due to the lender's low starting rate, it may also be a good option for excellent credit borrowers looking to consolidate debt.

LendingClub: Best for co-borrowers

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
7.04%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$60k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
0%-8%
Pros
  • Add a co-borrower to pay off debt together
  • Flexible loan terms for short and longer repayment plans
  • Direct payment to creditors saves the time and hassle of doing it yourself
Cons
  • High origination fees reduce the amount you'll have toward debt payoff
  • No customer support available on Sundays
  • Unlike competitors, no autopay discount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with a fair credit score who may need a co-borrower to qualify for a more competitive rate.

Happy Money: Best for debt consolidation

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
7.95%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k–$50k
Min credit score
640
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
0%-5%
Pros
  • Specialized credit card consolidation loan program
  • Fewer fees than other debt consolidation lenders
  • Funds may be available same-day, giving you a head start on debt consolidation savings.
Cons
  • Not available in Iowa, Massachusetts or Nevada
  • High minimum loan amount may exceed what you need
  • Joint applicants not allowed
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with fair credit who are consolidating high-interest credit card debt. It may also benefit good credit borrowers looking to get out of credit card debt in under five years as it has terms starting at 24 months.

Citi: Best for short repayment terms

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
9.99%–19.49%
Loan amount
$2k–$30k
Min credit score
680
Loan term
1-5 yrs
Origination fee
None
Pros
  • Zero fees
  • Auto pay discount available
  • Quick funding
Cons
  • Limited loan amounts
  • High minimum credit score
  • No joint applications or co-signers
WHO'S IT FOR:

Citi is one of very few personal loan lenders that offers a one-year repayment term. If you want to minimize your interest charges and pay off a debt quickly, Citi may be a good match.  A bonus: You won't pay any fees.

SoFi: Best online lender

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
8.74%–35.49%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
Optional fee up to 7%
Pros
  • Mobile app and seven-day-a-week customer service
  • Unique borrower perks
  • Joint applications allowed
Cons
  • High minimum loan amount
  • High maximum APR
  • Optional fees up to 7 percent
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers who want to finance a large expense, such as a kitchen renovation or another home improvement project. It may be a good alternative for borrowers who need a large loan amount but don’t quite meet LightStream’s high credit score minimum.

Calculate your installment loan payment

Use Bankrate’s personal loan calculator to determine expected costs ahead of applying for an installment loan. You can estimate your monthly payment based off of average interest rates and your desired loan term.

What are installment loans?

An installment loan allows you to borrow a fixed amount of money and pay it back over a set period, usually two to seven years. The main benefits of an installment loan are its predictable monthly payment and a set payoff date.

One major advantage of installment loans over revolving debt, like credit cards, is the positive effect it can have on your credit utilization ratio. Your credit utilization ratio drops when you pay off revolving credit like credit cards, which can boost your credit scores significantly. Installment loans can be an excellent tool to improve your credit score if you use them to consolidate high-interest debt

Installment loans can either be secured or unsecured. Most installment loans are unsecured personal loans that don't require you to pledge an asset like a home or car. They also feature lower average interest rates than credit cards, which could lead to significant interest savings.

How to compare installment loans

When comparing installment loans side-by-side, consider the terms offered by each lender and previous borrowers' experiences.  

  • Consider available terms. Check the minimum and maximum annual percentage rate (APR) offered by each lender along with its term lengths and potential fees.
  • Understand eligibility criteria. Lenders that offer installment loans tend to offer the best rates to those with good to excellent credit, high income and low debt. However, there are bad credit lenders that you can also explore.
  • Check funding speed. Many lenders are able to approve or deny your application within a few minutes of applying. If approved, you could be funded within one to two business days.
  • Read lender reviews. Before you apply, see what other people have to say about their loan experience and the lender's customer service.
  • Choose the right type of lender. Installment loans are offered by banks, credit unions and online lenders. You can also use options like Bankrate to quickly compare potential lenders and terms before you apply.

Types of installment loans

How to get an installment loan with Bankrate

You can use Bankrate's list of top lenders to start your search. Follow these steps to make the most out of your application process:

  1. Decide how much money you need. The more you borrow, the higher your monthly payment will be. Using a personal loan calculator gives you an idea of the monthly payments. Experiment with longer terms for lower payments, but keep an eye on how much interest you’ll save with a shorter term. 
  2. Know your credit score. A credit score above 670 will get you competitive rates, while a fair credit score between 580 and 669 could result in double-digit interest rate offers. Also check your credit report with all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Transunion and Experian — to see if there are any errors. 
  3. Choose what type of personal loan to apply for. There are several types of personal loans, ranging from unsecured to secured and cosigned to co-borrowed.
  4. Shop for the best rate and terms. Compare at least three lenders before making a final decision. A comparison site like Bankrate is a useful way to check several lenders without a hard credit pull that could damage your credit.  
  5. Finalize your application. Survey lenders with the best personal loan rates and terms for your situation, then complete the application process and provide any necessary paperwork.
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Bankrate tip: Getting an installment loan with bad credit

While getting a bad credit installment loan is possible, you may need to shop around a bit more to find the best terms or settle for a smaller amount to prove you can handle the payment. Check out secured personal loans backed by a car or home. Lenders consider them less risky, which could land you a lower rate than unsecured bad credit loans. Adding a cosigner could also help you qualify for a better rate or larger loan amount.

Frequently asked questions

How we made our picks for the best installment loans

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 40 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories:

Denny Ceizyk
Written by
Former Senior Writer, Loans
Read more from Denny

Denny Ceizyk is a former senior writer for Bankrate, who drew on his 30 years of experience in loan sales and as a personal finance writer to help consumers navigate the lending landscape on their financial journeys.
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Credentials
  • Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO)
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Expertise
  • Personal loans
  • Debt management

Kellye Guinan
Edited by
Kellye Guinan
Editor, Personal Loans and Auto Loans
Mark Kantrowitz
Reviewed by
Mark Kantrowitz
Bankrate Expert Contributor, Student Loans